Rud was Wrong.

 Maybe 2012 - I don't know, maybe it was 2013...doesn't really matter because we had the conversation more than once. Annually Brent would get caught listening to me contemplate my future in coaching the varsity football team. I typically went back and forth with a litany of excuses and maybe a few positive takeaways thrown in there to balance things out. The reality was that after a dozen years in the program, I was planning my exit strategy and running it by an outsider looking in. 

Brent was never convinced. He even went as far to say that he thought I'd be Logan's Varsity football coach. Which at the time meant that I had 10 more years to look forward to - kind of calling me out and saying that although I was testing the waters of stepping away, he didn't think I could do it. 

In 2015 that decision was made for me and a series of Blog Posts chronicled my year in Alaska.

Rud was Wrong. I am not the Varsity Football coach anymore and tonight - Logan will be driving the ship. Our son, will be taking 1st team snaps at Quarterback and leading his team against their rival, the Braham Bombers, in the Home Opener. 

He's got 2 seasons of Varsity under his belt as an Underclassmen and although he was a major force on defense and a significant role player on offense - this year the Tigers will be looking for him to lead the way. It's hard to say if they'll be able to duplicate their recent success. This old coach thinks the road may be a little bumpier this season with a new offense installed and a turnover in coaches, along with the graduation of some great friends that were good football players. No matter, Logan is up to the challenge. He's going to do great. 

Right now, Logan's living the All American Dream. He's got the perfect suntan from a summer spent working at the pool. The kids in swimming lessons adored him. I frequently fielded feedback for folks that loved watching Logan teach swim lessons. The All American Dream - got a truck to drive and a boat to haul behind it. Logan spent the summer catching fish in Mom's sparkly bass boat. 

He talked his girlfriend into going a few times and got her little brother out often. Speaking of girlfriend - he's living the All American Dream - got a lovely little lady to share each day with. Cady and Logan have been friends since they were preschoolers and now they compliment each other perfectly -  Each bringing out the brighter side of things in one another.

Rud was Wrong... I'm no longer the Varsity Football coach - and tonight #16 starts his Junior year. We couldn't be prouder. He works hard. He's humble. He's a great teammate and friend. He's a happy kid and treats others kindly. Go get'em BEAR!

I detect a Pulse....

I know that there are plenty of things happening in our mundane, day to day lives that warrant a Blog Post. I often find myself thinking, "hey, that'd be a good story". 

HOF announcements, Family reunions in Bemidji, Swim Lessons and Water Aerobics, random tearing off of the shed roof and Michele's cross-dressing friend in Vegas...all of which could easily turn into a 3 page essay with my wordy ways...

But the Blog sits dormant sometimes - all volcano references make me think of our friends in Hawaii...and there goes another missed opportunity for me to have written things down - Emma's trip to the Islands!

Speaking of Emma - I think she's the one that most often reminds me the value contained here within. She gobbles up novels regularly and when the feeling strikes, she fires up "the Kirby Krew" as a walk down Memory Lane. What started when the kids were so young as a way to connect with family and friends from afar has turned in to a digital history of the storylines that bind us together. 

I'm grateful that Sista Emma is still clicking away. 

I'm sure Brent, Dillon and Uncle Jeff click by periodically - more often than not they're greeted with the same old story that was here the last time they got the hankering to check in on the Krew. I apologize to everyone....it's a pattern I know all to well....Love the Blog and write like a fiend for a while and then neglect it like a nagging back injury until you can't take the pain anymore. I wonder who else visits undetected.

I am so proud of this collection of ramblings and musings. Michele would want you all to know that it was her idea a hundred years ago and that I initially balked at the Fufu idea....turns out, Michele was right. I guess she really is a Hall of Famer.