Victory. Absolute victory. It doesn’t come often. That thrill of victory, the pinnacle of achievement, it’s rare.

Think about it. How often at the end of a season is your team the winner? How often are you the absolute best after a long season? Not that often. That’s why when it happens, that moment is special. Something to be savored.

Well yesterday, my 12-year-old son Sam’s Academic Triathlon Team (think Quiz Bowl), did something special. They won the State Championship. Last year, they didn’t even make it to States. Yep, it was pretty cool to watch. A moment to savor.

Sam went in with the right attitude. He was happy just to be at States. Eager just to compete against the best. Then filled with joy, as they took the win.

Tucking Sam in at night, I knew that such moments don’t happen often. I glanced at his trophy, freshly perched on his window ledge. I then turned to Sam and reminded him to embrace the moment, “Go to bed tonight with a smile, because tonight, you are a champion.”

Victory doesn’t come around everyday, but it sure feels good, when it does.

“Where in the World are Jacob’s Socks?” Great question. Turns out they’re right here, right under my nose. Well, more like right beside my forearm.

Pulling into a space in the Park High School parking lot, I smiled. I needed to let my son know that I had arrived to pick him up from track practice. I had smiled for a very good reason. I had let my son know that I was going to arrive at 5:12PM and there I was, right on time. See? Proof.

Never mind the fact that I was supposed to be there at 5PM. In my book, the twelve minutes of lateness no longer counted. I have proof. I was on-time. Sorta.

I really thought that I had a chance against Sasquatch. I was wrong.

Heading to the gym, I wasn’t feeling it. The tank was kind of empty. It was an accomplishment just to get in the door.

Then I reflected on the need. I needed to be there, because of past actions. Past lack of restraint. Past indulgence. Past gluttony. Past carelessness, all leading for the need for me to work at a body well within its middle age. Humph. Stupid, past version of myself. Stupid.

Then I started sweating. Not just a light sweat, but one of those excursion level sweats where you have really pushed yourself. Made yourself work at a maximum level. Then I smiled. Smiled through the sweat at the guy in the mirror. Yep, he was the same guy that had foolishly over indulged in youth, but he is also the same guy capable of a comeback. The same guy who dragged himself to the gym. The same guy who was sweating buckets and giving it his all.

That guy deserved forgiveness. That sweaty guy in the mirror, he’s a keeper.

Tonight is a big event in the Paulsen House. Each year at this time, we pack up the family and head to the Hillside Elementary School Art Show and accompanying art sale.

Sure we do the standard look-for-your-kid’s-art, then look-for-their-friend’s-art thing, but we also come armed with cash. U.S. Greenbacks. Yes, tonight I become Patron of the Fourth Grade Art Realm.

Stand back parents, this dad has $20 in hand and I’m not afraid to spend it.

Postscript – The fruits of my labor are shown below. Plus, they threw in the kid for free!

It’s National Poetry Month, so I couldn’t resist. Sit back, grab a fine wine, and enjoy. Oh and by the way, “you’re welcome,” in advance.

“Inner Beauty”

Baked Potato,

let’s be honest.

Outside,

you’re a bit dry,

but inside,

oh on the inside,

you’re burning hot!

The morning was going so well. I grabbed my socks and shimmied them on.

One problem, they didn’t quite shimmy. They didn’t quite fit. “Tight” was a good word to describe them. Actually, “someone else’s socks” were probably the best three words to describe them.

Sorry, boys, I guess it was just time for your socks to grow up. Ready or not.

Left mine, right theirs. You can see why I’d be confused.

Even unfurled, they still look pretty much the same, but my feet know. No doubt.

I would just like to publicly thank the random person in the grocery store, who yelled, “Hold the phone, I need to go find the Manwich!”

EASY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS

“I needed to make a cookie. I needed to make one fast. Who came to my rescue? My beautiful wife, that’s who. With Pinterest in hand and an inventory of the cupboards in mind, she offered up this simple, yet tasty, treat. Enjoy!”

1 box Yellow Cake Mix

2 Eggs

1/3 cup Olive Oil

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

2 cups Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Stir together the eggs and yellow cake mix.

Stir in the olive oil and vanilla extract.

Stir in the chocolate chips.

Press into a greased 9″x13″ baking pan.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the top has browned.

Let cool completely.

Makes about 24 bars.

Revised Source – My beautiful and talented wife, Charlene, plus some random recipe on Pinterest that I can’t access.