Okay, I’m stumped. This evening, I haven’t a clue what to write about. As a result, I’ll just post a recent photo of my dog. Enjoy and I’m sorry.

Dear Lord,

Confession time. I’m feeling just a tad guilty. You see I had a small breakfast and I got a bit excited to see that it was Communion Sunday. The thought of a little snack sounded good.

Once again, sorry about that.

Love, Dave

As the waitress brought my drink, I could have sworn that she called me, “Kaiser.” I’ll admit that I was more than a tad confused, but I gladly accepted it. “Kaiser,” quite a title. An honor. Finally.

Happy about my new title, I told my friends. We were all confused, but still found it cool. I was now somebody. Officially. A Kaiser.

Soon she brought my friend a drink and get this, she also called him, “Kaiser.” Sure there was some confusion. Some interpreted her bestowed honor as “Kind Sir,” but I knew the truth. We were “Kaisers.” Pretty much a table full of highly respected dudes. Finally, someone noticed.

Then the waitress returned with something else. More bread or to take orders or something like that. Unfortunately, this time, she clearly addressed me as “Kind Sir.” Nope. No way. That would be nice, but certainly a step down. Nope, Kaiser. I liked it. I was gonna keep the title. No one could take it away now.

So next time you see me, don’t act different. Just give me a knowing glance. A smile and a nod. For now you know, your friend is special. More than a kind sir, a Kaiser. No doubt about it.

Okay tree, you’ve proved your point. We can all see that you’re good at this leaf thing. Feel free to drop those leaves any day now.

Today was Thursday. A rainy Thursday. A rainy Thursday during Spring Break. What better place to go on a rainy day than the mall? What better mall to visit than the Mall of America?

So off we went on an adventure of epic mall proportions. New burger place. Check. Mini golf. Check. Plenty of stores. Check. A gigantic candy store. Check. A store full of just socks. Check. Did I mention that it’s name was “Sox Appeal?” Check. Popcorn, rides, more rides, and an arcade. Check, check, check, and another check. The arcade even had a bar attached, so add a beer. Bonus check for Dad.

A great day. Plus, I had four pennies remaining in my pocket. Perfect for the four Paulsen boys (a dad, plus three lads) to throw into the pool in one of the mall’s walkways.

I took my penny and had plans. I was going to show my boys how it was done. Placing the penny on my thumb, I let it launch. I looked at the surface of the water and waited. Nothing. The penny hadn’t landed. Glancing around, I saw a young boy (not mine) on the other side of the pool reach down for a penny (mine) that was rolling toward him. I had almost struck an innocent child with my wish.

So be it. Let it serve as a reminder. A reminder that I don’t need a wish. My wish has already come true. A healthy happy family and a day full of fun. Certainly wish worthy.

Every now and then, it happens. The dog escapes out the garage. This time it was my fault. I had not secured the two mud room doors and the pup snuck out, while I was taking out the trash.

Drats. Plus it was a rainy night. Double drats.

Yelling “treat” outside did not generate a response. We would need to send out multiple search parties. Triple drats.

I began to look around the yard, when I spotted it. A lone track in the snow. A track that could belong to a beagle.

Another track. Then another. Then another. Plus, the snow between the tracks had been moved on the surface. The sign of a belly close to the ground. Another beagle indicator.

I began to gaze across our fog covered suburban landscape. Our dog was out there, I knew it.

Channeling my inner Daniel Boone, I set off across the snow following the tracks. After a good fifty feet or so, I glanced around a corner and there he was, Kirby the Beagle sniffing snow.

Ah, life happens. Dogs run away. This however is what I know for sure, sometimes snow serves a purpose and sometimes I actually use common sense. Both infrequent occurrences that sure made a fine pairing.

Our kitchen sink has been broken for a good week or so. It still works, but every now and then the nozzle flies off and a small waterworks show follows. Annoying, yes. Emergency, no.

So I’ve been working on this challenge a little bit each night. One night, determine the manufacturer. The next, figure out the parts needed. Guess where to purchase the parts… unsuccessfully try to order them online… another night cursing life and questioning why this is so difficult… you get the idea.

Well, today I made a phone call to try and order the parts. Much to my amazement, it worked! I had taken a real step toward fixing the sink. I felt great about myself. Hey, ordering those parts was certainly a manly act. I puffed out my chest. M-A-N, that was me.

Then I got to thinking, “Gosh, it must feel amazing to actually fix stuff.” I had just taken a tiny step toward fixing the sink. To be able to actually fix it. To carry the project to completion. Whoa, dream a little dream. I could only imagine. Emotional Valhalla, who knew that kitchen sinks hold the key?

Close call as to which is worse, sitting in a meeting and realizing that you are the reason for a project delay or looking down at your work from last week and realizing that this is what you jotted down for “Recommendations…”

You know it’s bad, when even the snow advocates begin to turn.

Waiting for the court to open for my 4th grade son’s basketball game, I watched the proceeding game conclude.

As seconds on the game clock ticked away, a dad in the stands was visibly mad. A dad who was yelling something that showed his disappointment in how his son’s team was playing, then holding his head in his hands.

Now, I don’t know all the facts, but I do know that his young son’s team trailed by 19 points with a little more than one minute remaining. Dude, no matter how much you scream, pout, or get angry, nothing’s gonna help your team win now. Even if the dear Lord provided your children with the skills of Chamberlain, Jordan, and James, your team is still gonna lose this game, so save the passion. Permanently shelve the anger. Take a deep breath. Go for a long walk.

There’s a time to get all bothered. That time is not now.