Can't Hide

She has indeed taken over everything. 

Good Spot

I have been parking in this spot for sixteen years...since the 90's! Today is the last time I'll be able to park here. Tonight the entire parking lot will be fenced off and turned into a contruction zone. They are building a new high school. That building there will be razed next summer...that's my classroom window there in the center. It was a great spot. I could see my car from my classroom. It will be even sadder when my classroom goes the wrecking ball. But progress must roll on!

sigh...

 

So the meetings have begun. And there will be time when the scene above will float into my head. This scene will help me stay alive. 

End of Summer

Gotta go back to work tomorrow. I love my job. But knowing I'll be spending less time with my family is always a bummer. My wife actually had to return to work last week. It's been a fun week with me and the boy. So knowing tomorrow work begins again we went out and played tennis. 

It was a fantastic summer. First year as a Table Leader at the AP grading in Utah. Spectacular vacation in St. Croix. Camping at Cooper Lake State Park, traveling to Indiana and Oklahoma to visit family, and getting a ton of projects done. Went by fast. Too fast. 

We are blessed to have fulfilling jobs and time to spend with family. Tomorrow: time to get back to work. 

Kansas City BBQ

Texans love to brag about their barbecue. Since I moved to Texas I have done my best to convince my Texas friends that they haven't had real barbecue until they've had KC BBQ. Eighteen years in DFW and I haven't found a barbecue joint that comes close to Kansas City barbecue. 

Finally two of my buddies took me up on checking out KC BBQ for themselves. These guys are really into their BBQ. And they are hardcore Texans. They were pretty skeptical. So we decided to make a mad dash, one night trip up to KC. Eight hours is not a long trip for KC BBQ. 

We got up to KC around 7 pm and went straight to Gates BBQ on The Paseo. I was a bit worried that maybe it would not be as good as I remembered. Maybe I was living off childhood nostalgia. It had been twelve years since I had last tasted KC shortends. But as soon as we opened the door I knew my memory had not failed me. The aroma was intoxicating. I ordered shortends. They ordered ribs and sausage. Just a couple of bites in and they had to concede that it was the best they had ever had. It was so good I almost cried. 

The next day we had an early lunch at Johnny's BBQ in Mission. Johnny's was my Dad's favorite BBQ place when we were living in KC. As kids we used to complain about how often we ate there. It's located across the road from my old high school and was just a little dive. But Guy Fieri's show featured the place a few years ago and they've become so popular they've opened a second Johnny's. It was nicer inside then I remembered. And the ribs were also amazing. Better then anything I've had in Texas by far. Soon there was a line out the door. 

We took off back to Texas feeling quite satisfied. I'm telling you, if you dig BBQ, a quick overnight trip to KC is worth it. 

Athena

Two weeks we rolled over to the animal shelter and adopted Athena into our home. She is wild. Always moving. Two weeks and she thinks she owns the place.