On Wednesday night, it was a pretty evening.  A little hot, but otherwise perfect weather for a jog outside.

Coaxing the boys into joining me, we embarked on a three mile jaunt.  After a bit, we settled into a pace, where our oldest son took a healthy lead, our youngest son tried to stay close behind, and our middle son, 10-year-old Sam, joined me in the back.

Approaching Mile 2, you could see that Sam and my conversational style of exercise was using precious breath.  As we panted along, Sam let out a tired expression about his remaining strength, “My legs our dead, it’s just my feet carrying me now.”

Yes, it’s hot, but “dead legs?”  Seems like a bit of an exaggeration to me.  Not sure where he gets that from.  So types the Father, who manages to find something epic to write about each day.  Classic case of the Daddy Pot calling his Son the Kettle black.

Sports Fans, BIG news to report!  After spending most of last Sunday strategizing over multiple spreadsheets and analyzing every available statistic, all of the hard work paid off.  Yes, our beloved team of 2nd Grade baseball players, the Giants, got their first win!  Plus, they won BIG by a score of 12-6.

Truth be told however, all of the credit goes to my fine team that really launched the ball this evening.  (Well, a little credit goes to the detailed analytics.  Partial truth be told.)

“Tonight’s blog post is brought to you by our sponsor, ‘Sheer Exhaustion.'”

“‘Sheer Exhaustion’ bringing you the haze that is now yesterday, the long hours that were today, and the tiring thoughts of tomorrow.”

“‘Sheer Exhaustion’ taking all it can and leaving you with just enough to hobble onward.”

“‘Sheer Exhaustion’ available wherever Summers take place.”

Not to ruin anyone’s day, but I feel the truth should be known.

The powerful have kept us in the dark.

Lies and legends have filled the void left by a cloaked reality.

It’s time you knew.

Baby carrots are big carrots that have been cut up and polished.

I’m truly sorry that you had to find out this way.

Poor Sam’s batting helmet had broken.  Poor Sam had to go shopping for a new one with his father.

Finding a good looking batting helmet at a decent price, Sam tried it on for size.  I asked, “How does it fit?”  Sam’s answer was brief and to the point, “Fine.”

Worried that 10-year-old Sam may not have been listening, I asked again (because one can never be too sure), “How does it fit?”  Sam’s answer was again right to the point, “Fine.”

Concerned that Sam did not understand the importance of having a helmet that actually fits, I asked for a third time (Good Lord, David, you ask fewer questions, when you purchase a home), “How does it fit?”  Looking down at Sam, I suddenly realized the error of my ways.

Not only did the helmet fit, but the helmet was also promising me that it would fit.

Right there on the bill (hard to read in this photo, but trust me, it’s there in big letters), “One Size Fits All.”

Sorry son, you’re fine.  Your father however has learned a sad lesson.  Apparently, the Power of Observation is a “One Size Fits Most” kind of thing.

Dropping my son off for the final day of the 7th Grade, I noticed a stark contrast.  60% of the girls were dressed really nice, while 60% of the boys looked like the had just jumped off a train, after finishing off some pork and beans straight from the can.  No kidding, they could not even do right by the word “dishevelled.”

Really?  Dudes.  There will be lots of photos taken.  Photos that will live long after you have seen the error of your ways.  Four words:  shirt with a collar.  You’ll thank me someday.

BROWNIE – PURE AND SIMPLE

“Searching for a classic brownie?  Straightforward and pure?  Look down and see, the brownie you are searching for was there all along.  Classic chocolate taste and moist textured bite, this brownie has just what you need in your life.  Enjoy!”

1 cup Butter

2 cups Sugar

4 Eggs

2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

1 cup Flour

3/4 cup Cocoa Powder

1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1 cup Chocolate Chunks (the bigger chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt the butter.

Mix in sugar.

Mix in eggs and vanilla extract.

Mix in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

Stir in the chocolate chunks.

Lightly grease a 9″x13″ baking pan.

Spread the brownie batter into the pan.

Bake for 30 minutes.

Allow to cool and enjoy!

Makes about 36 brownies.

Source:  “Hershey’s Best Brownies” recipe on food.com.

“Pure, just like the grass under your feet on a perfect Summer day.”

What goes great on a hot Summer day?  Dashboard Meringues.  If temps are above 80 and the sun is shining, prep some meringue batter (recipe on page 70…  http://cookiesbydave.com/today-is-a-great-day-for-a-cookie-my-original-cookie-cookbook/).  Instead of popping in the oven, place them on your car’s dashboard.  Six hours in a sun drenched car later and you’ll have some perfectly baked meringues.  Enjoy!

Dashboard Meringues “in action”

One never knows, when the thermostat has a “Gingerbread Button…”

…you will either have fresh cookies delivered or you will be baked at 350 degrees.

I’d say it’s worth the risk.

I am happy to report that my kids selected a Kellogg’s breakfast cereal packed with fiber and high in protein.

I am however scared of the roaming pack of angry badgers that appear to have opened the box of Mini Wheats.