Burn Baby, Burn

As long as I can remember I have had a fascination with fire. Growing up in suburban Southern California we didn't have much need for open fires, but when the chance was available I took it.

When I was 12 0r 13 it got worse. I can remember once I stayed the night at my best friends house and we scoured the house gathering up all the chemicals, cleaning and lubricating agents and went on trying to figure out which one would give us the best flame. Not too safe or smart, but fun for a boy. Then our family took a trip to Mexico, the land of fireworks. Can you say pyromania? Three months of paper route money plus some spending money from my dad all went up in a shower of sparks and exploded. What a rush. We returned to Mexico a few more times through my adolescence and I never grew tired of the fireworks.

Many years have passed and marriage, kids, career, callings, and the like seem to be more important than playing with fire. Maybe I'm more mature. Perhaps more wise, or like the Apostle Paul said, "I put away childish things". Maybe I could have believed that before a recent a stop in Evanston, Wyoming, but not anymore.

I thought it would a nice thing for a Dad to do to pick up a few fireworks for the kids for the fourth of July. As we exited I-80 there were three warehouse sized stores selling fireworks. Which one? PyroCity seemed like the one who's name suited me the best. As I walked in I got real giddy. The saying, A kid in a candy store comes to mind. Difference was I was not a kid and I was not playing with kid type funds. I could buy everything in that store if I wanted. I was numb with glee, I don't even think my feet were touching the ground! My kite 0f excitement was tethered to the spool of string that I call Rachel. She did indulge me; she was fine with me buying a heaping shopping cart full, but she had to stop me when I was considering trading the Excursion and all the kids for more. It was alot of fun.

The Fourth of July fireworks show is another story, but the giddy childlike anticipation was something I didn't know I still had it in me. I guess I'm glad I still do.

Two of my biggest fans, both nephews.

1/4 milestone

Last month I decided to swim again. I decided to swim a quarter mile every day, save Sundays. I kept to my goal except for the last day of the month. My month end total was 7 miles, I love swimming.

2,294

We just returned from our family summer vacation. We spent one week with the Hixon family and one week with the Poppletons. Lady luck was smiling on us as both 'reunions' were about 30 minutes apart from each other. From our home to our furthest destination was 1,602 miles round trip. When I pulled into the garage late last night/early this morning my trip meter read 2,294. I started going through my mind making an account for the 600+ miles. It was fun to think of the highways, byways, scenic routes, detours and whims along the way. It seemed like we were able to do all the things that we wanted to do and then some. It was a good two weeks. I am very thankful for the opportunity to do this kind of stuff, and spend time with all of my most favorite people.