W^2 or W squared for Wordless Wednesday, July 22, 2026
It is canoe race week, and I am back at the lake for the weekend, and my son and his family will be joining us for the long weekend. It will be the first time they’ve been here since last year and we are all excited to see them explore the cottage and the lake.
I remember those days when it was a once (or twice) a year trip to the lake and back.
Here are a couple of posts about the canoe race, from fifteen years ago (and I had to edit and update them, too), if you are interested……
Last Saturday evening; I packed up a culinary experiment and headed over to my son’s house to have dinner with he and the grandies.
I had come across a recipe which I thought might be a good dinner at the lake this coming weekend and I wanted to try it out. It was a takeoff on a Chipotle’s chicken bowl – rice, beans, chicken, salsas and other toppings.
store bought shredded cheese, guacamole, pico de Gallo, beans, chicken, corn salsa, and brown rice…
I had tried it out the previous two evenings for dinner and thought it could be a solution for a quick choice for dinner. I figured it could be served buffet style, and we could eat before racing out to catch the start of the canoe race.
As it turns out it was a hit! My son and the grandies loved the food. The boys are pretty good eaters though one is partial to dips – especially ranch and they ate well.
Weston tries out my shoes….learning and growing
But it turns Weston was more interested in wearing my shoes. They were too big, but I am not worried. The boys are growing quickly, and they will fill big shoes someday, but for now it is fun to watch them learn, grow, and develop. First words, big steps, and so much more.
Fortunately, the weather is cooler and the smoke is mostly gone. It looks to be an amazing weekend, but first today. It is Wednesday morning and today is going to be a wonderful Wednesday. Today could be a million and six times better than yesterday. So, I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, getting ready for a big weekend.
It’s been a busy few days since I last posted. I skipped the sign of the week and a few other things. I have been at the lake for the Independence holiday weekend.
Sign of the Week
America’s 250 years since declaring our independence from the United Kingdom, pales in comparison to our mother country and almost every people across the globe besides those of us whom live in the New World. Yet, we celebrate our milestone proudly.
I bring you three flags, yes there is a third flag in the background.
Attempting to capture a image which does justice to the alignment of hundreds of American flags flying in the breeze is impossible, but I tried.
I was allowed to pick up the flags and planted them along the road at our lake house Friday.
I left Friday morning and was surprised by the lack of traffic on the highway as I patiently drove east, then north.
I was two hours into my drive when I remembered a blog post from my friend Dawn at Change is Hard. She had posted about a field filled with poppies which she and a friend had visited in mid-June. I commented that I drive past the field on my to our lake house. At the time I thought about driving over and back, but decided I had other things I should be doing and filed it away for another time. As I drove along, I remembered the poppy field and recalculated my route to include stopping and paying a visit.
I am glad I stopped. Words cannot describe, nor can a picture; but I tried.
The poppy filed was stunning. I’ll be passing there this evening as I head home for a doctor’s appointment and a few other things before coming back for the canoe race. I am excited to see the poppy field in the evening sun.
Independence Day at the lake is always fun, except if you are a dog. Especially, Fern who is terrified of fireworks. She’s a hunting dog breed, but we aren’t hunters so she hasn’t been acclimated to the sounds. She’ll hide when the Guard Camp is doing live fire across the lake or during thunderstorms.
There were fireworks on the lake Friday and Saturday evening, but I chose to stay close to Fern and Nova.
Saturday morning was the day of the boat parade and my daughter had been busy creating her theme for this year’s 250th Independence Day Lake Margrethe Boat Parade.
She dressed as George Washington with her ‘troops’ riding behind. It’s her cousin and his young family as American soldiers crossing the Delaware for a sneak attack on the British at Trenton on Christmas night 1776.
The boat parade wound the shores of the lake and lasted a little over an hour before we finished and gathered for hot dogs, hamburgers, and judge’s results. I am surprised our little band of soldiers made it.
I created the video of the event with other entries, but not all of them. I set it to Ray Charles’ rendition of ‘America the Beautiful.’ Enjoy.
So there you have it, three flags (in front of the house) with three events to celebrate American independence.
It’s Wednesday and it’s already the best Wednesday this week. I’ve got a couple of chores and some packing before I head home. So, I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the rest of the day. Making the days COUNT, one day at a time, making every moment worthwhile.
Have you ever been somewhere special and gone back to see it in a different light?
It’s Father’s Day and I received my gift several week’s ago when my kids ‘surprised’ me with a trip to Wrigley to watch the Astros play the Cubs.
When the day came, it really wasn’t a surprise, but there was a surprise involved.
my Father’s Day gift was early! Best day ever!
A couple of weeks before the game, I called my daughter on her way to work and shared that the Astros were going to be in town and asked if she wanted to go. There was a silence on the other end and then an answer,
“You didn’t hear this from me, but I’ve been watching for tickets…Father’s Day is coming”
A few weeks before, she asked me if I had any baseball trips planned for the summer. I told her,
“No, all the good weekends are taken.” I said.
“What do you mean?” she replied.
“Well, all of the games I’d like to see are weekend when I can’t go. Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, my brother’s visit, Race Weekend, weekends when I can’t go.” I explained.
I finished my bucket list last August when I watched the Astros play the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. With that game, I had made it to all 30 of the baseball cities and 33 baseball stadiums.
With that milestone, I needed a new bucket list item! So, I added a new item to my bucket list, it’s a updated version of the original bucket list item – to see the Astros play in every stadium. Presently, I am at 17 cities where I have seen my team play.
It had been a while since I had been to a game with my daughter – it was 2018 before the Astros cheating scandal when she stopped rooting for the Astros.
ready for the last baseball game with my daughter – Astros at home in April 2018 and the last picture of the two of us with my mom…. April 2018
I wrote about a trip to the park almost a dozen years ago, Weekly Photo Challenge: Between June 2014. I had to go back and edit – the link to the seventh inning stretch was broken, but I was able to find the video and update it!
A couple of days before the game, I found out the rest of the surprise – my son and his boys would be joining us! I was so excited. A baseball game with the grandies!
I was even able to find a photo! April 7, 2017
It had been even longer since I had watched a game with my son – I think it goes back all the way back to April 2017.
Anyway, Saturday couldn’t come soon enough. Friday afternoon, I listened to the finish of the game in my classroom after school and the Astros won 4-2!
Saturday morning I was up early and excited.
My son had borrowed my car the night before and the grandies loaded and ready to go.
The drive into Chicago went smoothly until we reached the city and got bogged down in lower Wacker traffic. IYKYK!
We had decided to park remotely, instead of attempting to park near the stadium. A WIN because it was free and much easier!
We parked, loaded the bus, and finished with a short walk to Wrigley.
loaded and ready to go….
… where are we going? and this hat!
loading for the ride to Chicago
the bus ride to Wrigley…
Always wants to see where we are headed…
The Astros were up 2-0 in the second inning when we got to our seats, but it didn’t matter. We were there to enjoy a day together at the ballpark.
the view from our seats… in the shade
My son had brought snacks and drinks for the grandies and they were happy to watch and take in the game. I got ballpark food the kids and me and got a free peanut (for the photo) from the couple behind me!
I even tried a peanut photo….
… and it was too dark, or it went straight to the mouth!
We had a great time and the Astros were able to tack on another run in the fourth inning.
When the seventh inning came, we were all in and sang “Take Me out the Ballgame” with gusto.
It was a fun game to watch, but to be honest it was just fun being at the ballpark sharing the game I love and spending time with my kids and grandies.
After the game, we let the crowd go before we left our seats… and we let the grandies play before we packed up and headed back to the bus and home.
anther Astro fan behind one of the grandies
On the way home we checked in with mom (my wife, B) and organized an outdoor pizza party to finish the day.
And now, I have a new bucket list item – watch as many baseball games as I can with my grandies!
It was an amazing day and I’ve been waiting to share ever since. It’s Father’s Day and I am blessed with two amazing kids and a couple of grandies to boot. Today is going to be an amazing day. So, I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, being father since 1998.
Any Father’s Day memories?
Oh and BTW, the Astros won the game 3-0 and swept the three game series with a win Sunday.
The signs are everywhere – stores, roads, churches, and schools. Yes, even on the faces of parents and kids; It’s time to go back to school.
My neighborhood’s schools open yesterday and other schools around me opened Thursday, and few like mine, open next week. There isn’t a set day to go back or let out. The only days many of our school districts have in common are the holidays and spring break in my county.
the sign on Wednesday – two days before school… it was hosting an open house and meet and greet – the streets were filled
I passed the elementary school where our kids went from August 2003 until May 2014 and where we spent Halloweens, parent conferences, daddy-daughter dances, carnivals, and much more. Our kids had only one year when both were attending together; one was in fifth grade and the other a kindergartner.
I asked them for their memories of their time as Tremendous Tigers and this is what they responded:
“0ne time I got a splinter playing capture the flag”
“The memories of spectacular field days filled with fresh watermelon, with class filled participation and always looking forward to explore more days at the end of each year”
Both were nominated at some point as “Tremendous Tigers.”
My kids are not going to back to school this August, their days are done for the moment. One is raising twin boys, and the other is figuring out next steps.
I am headed back for my twenty-seventh year as a teacher, but I am still learning.
I’ve been back for two days – mostly meetings to go over new initiatives and procedures, celebrate accomplishments and career milestones, and for an hour on Thursday – meeting a few of the kiddos and parents I’ll have in my classroom. It was the best hour of the two days.
It’s Saturday and the last weekend before the kiddos arrive on Tuesday. I have Monday to work in my classroom and prepare for the first few days. I’ll be looking for signs and taking the first steps to welcome kiddos to their first year in middle school.
The Sign of the Week has been published on Fridays, but I ran out of time this week. I’ll be looking for new signs and maybe a few old ones this coming week. And who knows, I might even publish on Friday next week.
Today is going to be like the all of the Saturdays since school ended – AMAZING. I know it and I can feel it, so I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, getting ready for a new year of teaching and learning, always paying attention to the signs.
W^2 or W squared for Wordless Wednesday, April 2, 2025
She was always down for a car ride, August 4, 2025 at 11:17 AM, location unknown
It is Wednesday and I am by the ocean for a week. I haven’t thought about school in a couple of days or grading papers. The third quarter finished a couple of weeks ago and I was able to square up the gradebook for the work submitted for the fourth, and final quarter, on the last Friday of March before spring break began.
I was reminded of how far I have come in mid-March when we said goodbye to Ivy, our faithful and loving Brittany Spaniel. Ivy was a puppy when I started blogging at MtDC and I know I have written about her adventures with us many times, too many to link. Ivy celebrated her fifteenth birthday in February, and we would’ve celebrated her fifteenth ‘gotcha day’ tomorrow. She was an amazing dog, and she taught us to be better humans.
B, O, Fern, and I surrounded her for her final breath and W had said his goodbye the night before. It was a sad day, but it was time for her and us.
It has been quiet in the house since, and I miss drinking coffee with her in the morning. She was an amazing dog, and we miss her, we miss her a lot.
Today is going to be a great day, an amazing day, in fact. I know it and I can feel it, so I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, enjoying the sound of the surf, the wind, and sun. It’s what Ivy would want.
How are you making your days count?
I created the graphics below for my daily reflections…. each is from a different time we had with her…..
It has been a long time since my last post, rumors of my passing are greatly exaggerated as Mark Twain said or wrote. I haven’t been writing much, though I’ve had ideas and photos I’ve wanted to post, but I have been keeping up with other blogs.
from “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and Horse”
Since my last ‘real’ post in August (Day 64 – Dog Days) I’ve gone back to school (twice), our grandies – a phrase copied/borrowed/stolen from Beth at I didn’t have my glasses on… -have arrived, and my wife has recovered from her hip surgery, and so much more.
Christmas I’ve been on break from school for the past week and the week has screamed past. I have been busy, and it was Christmas the first with our grandies. Our daughter and her dog have been home on break, too and it adds to the festiveness as well. We hosted Christmas Eve afternoon and attended Christmas Eve service, it was a good service with the traditional candle lighting and singing of ‘Silent Night’ to close worship. I cannot sing ‘Silent Night’ without thinking of my last Christmas in wife’s hometown ten years ago. For Christmas our daughter roasted the prime rib and for the first time ever, it was perfectly done even though it was almost an hour behind schedule. We enjoyed it at the table before exchanging gifts with our son, his wife and the grandies. I expect the coming week and New Year’s will be as busy and pass as quickly as this past week had.
W^2 or W squared for Wordless Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Grandma’s summer day lily. Lake Margrethe Grayling, Michigan Monday July 8, 2024, 10:48 AM
It’s been thirty years this summer that the cottage my kids and I know has been here. For my wife and her siblings, it goes back to their childhoods.
When we were first married, I visited the ‘old cottage’ a few times. It was a cozy two-bedroom log cabin with an open kitchen, dining, and gathering area with a large window gazing upon the lake. in the summer of ’93 my wife’s parents made the difficult decision to re-build with an eye on the future and the cottage I know was constructed in 1993-94. Since my first trip to move in and setup in July ’94, I’ve been here countless times. First without kids then one, and the other. Our kids learned to fish and ski , both water and snow, and they’ve found lifelong friends and we’ve been here in every season: summer, fall, winter, and spring.
When I see the lilies blooming in summer, I think of my mother-in-law and her passion for the summer day lilies. We planted and gardened those first few summers planting day lilies along the front facing the lake. One spring, fifteen years ago, she arrived to discover the deer had dug up the lilies and eaten them. We spent the summer of 2009 replacing them. While the deer still roam when we aren’t here (and even when we are), the lilies have remained undisturbed since.
these two young bucks were waiting in the front yard when my wife arrived in June
It’s astonishing how our brains are wired to recall past events and how seemingly disconnected things are connected. Today is going be a great day. So, I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the Days Count, one day at a time making time, remembering how I got here.
What does a day lily, or any flower, remind you of?
W^2 or W squared for Wordless Wednesday, July 6, 2022
I completed my baseball trip Sunday and joined my family Monday afternoon at the lake in Michigan. It has been an amazing summer; it is day 34 of 73.
Yesterday began cloudy, but by mid-afternoon the sun was out, and it was a beautiful summer day. I had waded into the water with the dogs to cool off after a working out and my daughter asked if we could take the neighbor boys tubing on the lake. She had asked mom, to which mom replied,
“Only if you can get your dad to go with you as your spotter.”
And when she asked me, I said, “yes.”
It wasn’t long before we were towing one of the three boys behind the boat.
two of the three boys hang on to the tube, Lake Margrethe Grayling, MI July 5, 2022 5:54 PM
All three got a ride and all were eventually tossed off the tube and into the water, but that’s life. In life, you hang on when things get rough and sometimes there are setbacks, but you get back on and do it again. The skies were dotted by puffy clouds and the water was perfect. We were on the lake for about an hour, and I think my daughter would have been out longer if we didn’t need to refuel. We got a hearty,
“Thank you.” when we pulled in.
It was a great time.
There are always great times here at the lake and there are days that aren’t so great, but you keep at it. Today is going to be another amazing day and tomorrow could possibly be a million and six times better. But I am sticking with the present and I am going to try to stay on so, I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the days Count one day at a time, taking each day as it comes with all of life’s ups and downs.
W^2 or W squared for Wordless Wednesday, February 16, 2022
looking west into the setting snow moon – Wheaton, IL. Wednesday, February 16, 2022 5:09 AM
This week for my W^2 post, I have a snow moon. Every moon has a name and February’s is snow. The moon this morning was 98.2% of the full moon phase with the true full phase occurring later this morning at 10:56 AM. By that time the sun will make observing the moon impossible or the clouds will obscure it, regardless it won’t be visible to the naked eye so, I am thankful to have seen the moon each of the past two mornings when I let the dogs out at 5 AM.
We have snow in the forecast for tomorrow, and I believe my students will be a little excited with the prospect of a snow day on Thursday along with the effects of the ‘snow moon.’ So today’s will likely be an interesting day of learning.
We are still learning about light and every day there is a new reveal, that’s life as it should be. Something marvelous and full of wonder each day, like present.
Today is gonna be an awesome day, I know it and I can feel it, so I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. And also, press publish. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, looking for wonder and sometimes finding it.
What has filled you with a sense of wonder recently?
W^2 or W squared for Wordless Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Michigan State College marker, date unknow. East Lansing, MI August 28, 2021 6:10 PM
Saturday morning, we loaded our car and took off to take our youngest daughter off to college. It was a hot day and we got everything into her un-air-conditioned dorm room. We helped her unpack and put things away and then drove home. The drive home seemed so much longer than the drive there. Same distance, different circumstances, lighter load and for the first time in twenty-three and half years we are on our own again. Life begins anew. I remember my first week or so away from home and off to college, but I never thought how hard it was on my mom. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, beginning a new journey all over again.
Do you remember your first day away home?
today was O’s first day of class and I sent her greetings from my class! (notice my Alma mater on my mask – Texas A&M University) – Naperville, IL September 1, 2021 10:15 AM
