On the way home from church, the boys began debating the Houses of Harry Potter and to which one each of us would pledge our allegiance (or whatever they do in Harry Potter).  Not knowing a thing about the subject, I was unusually quiet, which left me as a target.

Sure enough the topic turned to me.  They were all in agreement, “Dad, would be a member of Hufflepuff.  No doubt.”  Not sure what that even meant, I inquired.  Much to my surprise, it was a compliment.  An apparently very nice compliment.  My oldest son Jacob explained, “You don’t have any enemies.  You are likable and after a few minutes of meeting someone, you are like ‘Ah, my new friend!'”

What a great start to the week!  I won’t bother mentioning people that I suspect hate me to my kids.  Although, I do believe that to be a fairly short list.  In many of the cases, indifference or annoyance, as opposed to hate, might best describe a few folks on the list.  So I suspect “the people that hate me” list is pretty short.  Regardless of quantity, anyway, you look at it though, a pretty good image for my kids.  Sort of a Will Rogers type fella, “Never met a man I didn’t like,” and all that.

I’m still not sure about the term Hufflepuff, but as for “Likable,” I’ll take that any day.

The Girl Scout cookie time of year comes with many challenging questions.

How many boxes of Thin Mints will be needed to last all year?

Where will I hide the Thin Mints to ensure that they last all year?

What shall be my purchase ratio of Thin Mints to other Girl Scout cookie varieties?

How many boxes can I purchase before my wife begins to think that I have a problem?

What kind of cold soul can turn down a Girl Scout selling cookies?

Why must I live in such challenging times?

Faced with these mostly unanswerable questions, I was forced to try and sneak one more box of Thin Mints into the house.  Seeing me with my contraband, my wife questioned my purchase.  I was forced to use my final option.  Turn from the cookies and embrace the cause.

How could I pass that table of Girl Scouts, who are trying to learn entrepreneurial skills?

How could I not be part of the solution?

How could I not help build their self confidence?

How could I not help arm them to face gender equity issues?

How could I not play a part in closing the wage gap?

How could I not use the Power of the Thin Mints to help make another crack in the Glass Ceiling?

Really, when you think about it, my cookie purchase is less about feeding my addiction and more about enabling future generations to create meaningful change.  Yes, I truly do believe all that, I had just never thought of my cookie purchase that way before.

Yes, I had also played my final hand.  My final box of cookies for the year has been purchased.  Now, I can taste mint, chocolate, and pride all at once, because I’ve done a lot more good than just purchasing a box of cookies, I’ve helped make the world a better place.  Savor that delicious thought for a while.

I had seen him at the gym before, the random guy in my spin class.  Other than taking the class, I had previously seen him being grumpy with staff.  Hum, maybe a guy having a bad day.  Whatever.

Well, tonight they had a substitute instructor for spin class.  She did fine.  It took a while to adjust to her style, but after a while, she taught a really nice class and provided a hard workout.  A nice job for a pinch hitter.

Walking into the locker room, I realized that random guy had the locker next to me.  Trying to be cordial and covered in sweat, I said, “Great workout tonight, huh?”

Without hesitation, random guy responded, “Actually, I don’t care for her classes.”  Now providing a hesitation to soften his approach, he continued, “So you are probably talking to the wrong guy.”

Oh yes, yes I am.  I don’t need that vibe in my life.  Thanks for the warning, I’ll take my happiness elsewhere.  Good day, sir.  Good day.

Today, I was tired.  Nothing specific, just rundown.  Daily activities had drained my reserves and I was one sleepy pup.

Sitting down to type my thoughts for the day, nothing particular stood out.

My wife had made a really nice dinner and looked amazing, even after working out at the gym.

I had discussed the Egyptian plagues at length with my middle son, who continues to delight me with this comprehension.

I got to chat with my best friend, during my morning commute.  No matter how many years have passed, he still manages to make me laugh and understands me with unconditional support.

My oldest son practiced his readings for church and showed talents well beyond his years.

Kirby our beagle wanted nothing more than to play rope with me.  A simple pleasure for us both.

Our youngest son spoke of basketball and delighted in providing each tournament update.

Yes, I have every right to be exhausted.  I live a busy life, but I have an incredible team with me to share this journey.  Tired, but blessed beyond measure, that’s me.

Charlene had a morning meeting, so I had drop off duties for the boys.  First stop was Middle School to drop off my 13-year-old son Jacob.

We said our goodbyes (mostly a mixture of grunts and “bye”) and Jacob exited the car.  I watched, as he started out on the sidewalk.  Then Jacob promptly headed on a diagonal path toward the school’s entrance.  A diagonal path across the school lawn.  Across the school lawn that is covered in snow.  Through the snow, while he was wearing tennis shoes.  Tennis shoes that had a hole in them.

Yes, I could take a pretty good guess that by walking across the snow, my son would have cold wet feet for the next few hours.

Such are the joys of watching your kids grow.  Watching them forge their own path in life.  Even when the path they choose involves cold wet shoes.

As I reviewed my Fourth Grader’s geometry homework, I was reminded of seeing all this before.  Yep, once when I was in the Fourth Grade.  Again, when my oldest son was in the Fourth Grade.  Now, with my middle son Sam and in the future with my youngest son Ben.

Some would say an endless progression.  Each step different, but yet never ending.  Sort of like 3.14159265359…

It had been a rough trip to the gym.  My boys had gotten into a scruff during their game.  In the locker room, I even needed to pull Jesus into the mix.  “Do you guys know what YMCA stands for?  Young Men’s CHRISTIAN Association.  Are you acting like a Christian?”  Sorry to involve you Jesus, but your help was appreciated.

Lots of silence on the drive home.  Plenty of grumpiness.  Brotherly love replaced with brotherly grudge.

As we arrived home, they all went to their own spots with plenty of room between them.  This seemed to help until dinner, when they were all expected to coexist around the table.

Charlene, knowing nothing of the underlying angst, asked, “How was the gym?”  Stepping in, I responded, “It was fine.”  Then to my wonder and in an act of solidarity beyond measure, the boys responded with silence.

Ah, good job kids.  Stop the bleeding.  No need to ratchet up the dispute.  Healing through mutual avoidance of further pain, it’s a start.  Boys, keep up the good work and keep those mouths shut.

COOKIE BUTTER NACHOS

“Looking for a fun dessert without much thought or prep time involved?  Well, you’ve come to the right place.  ‘Cookie Butter Nachos’ are playful, tasty, and oh so pleasing to the eye.  Make some tonight and say, ‘Olé!'”

Bag of Unsalted Tortilla Chips

1/4 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 cup Cookie Butter

Container of Fresh Strawberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spread a layer of tortilla chips onto a baking sheet.  You will have some tortilla chips left over.

Heat the tortilla chips in the oven for 10 minutes or so.

While the tortilla chips are heating, stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon.  Set aside.

Cut up the strawberries into at least quarters.  Set aside.

Place the 1/2 cup of cookie butter into a bowl.  Microwave for 30 seconds and stir.  The consistency of the cookie butter should now be runny.  Set aside.

Take the tortilla chips out of the oven and place the baking sheet on a cutting board.  You will have the option of serving the cookie butter nachos directly off the baking sheet.

Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture onto the tortilla chips.

Drizzle the tortilla chips with the melted cookie butter.

Sprinkle on the cut strawberries to look like salsa/tomatoes.

Use a spatula to individually serve on plates or serve a group directly from the baking sheet.

Enjoy!

Makes about 10 servings.

Revised Source:  “The Kitchen” on the Food Network.

Since tonight is Daylight Savings Time and we lose an hour, I figured I should make this post short.

Earlier tonight, I took my three boys to the YMCA.  While they played basketball in the gym, I ran on the treadmill.  Just so happens that at our Y, you can pick from a few treadmills that overlook the gym.  There below me, I saw something beautiful.  My kids playing together.  Smiling, shooting baskets, enjoying life and each other.

This has to be the same view I would get from Heaven.  Watching my beloved boys experiencing pure joy.  That type of happiness is truly timeless.

This morning, my Fourth Grade son Sam gleefully approached me with the quiz that he had been given in school.  “What state had the second highest number of Presidents born there and is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame?”

“Ah,” I replied, “the Hall of Fame gives that one away.  It’s Ohio.”

Sam was happy to confirm my guess, “Yes.  Ohio.  Cincinnati, Ohio.”

I paused for a second and then followed up, “No, it’s Canton,” but Sam had already run off.  He was onto the next thing and in too much of a hurry to hear my correction.

Well, I guess Sam has already mastered a very popular habit, “Never let the truth stand in the way of a good fact.”