Grand-Kids + Updates + Turkeys + TV

Conversations w/Grand-Kids

Bentley, our 4-year-old [courtesy of Derek & Rachel] was over at our house the other day. He & I played several games of UNO--Bentley Rules. He still needs some coaching about colors, numbers, special cards, strategy, etc., but we had an engrossing "conversation" during our 3rd & final match. He had a toy transformer, Optimus Prime, I believe, & he started using O.P. to pick up & discard his cards, complete w/sound effects. It lengthened the match, but I got a first-hand lesson in O.P. sound effects.

License Plates

A plethora * of my faithful readers have wondered how Lois & I finished 2017 & our license plate survey. We came up 2 states short of a 50-state feat, failing to spot Hawaii & Rhode Island. I started the New Year by spotting a Georgia plate in town, & I'm going to be at both the Mayo Clinic in Rochester & Mall of America in the Twin Cities within the next 3 weeks, so prospects look advantageous for a most favorable start. 
* By "plethora" he means, "none." LCBLCT **
** Leckband Cornhusker Bog Lite Consulting Team

Thank You, Lord!

As I was processing my Christmas card * mailing the other evening, I noticed something that I should have but hadn't absorbed until now. We take our Christmas pictures at Thanksgiving when the whole family is together. I realized that our son-in-law Craig was in the 2017 picture. He missed the 2016 picture, because he was deployed to Baghdad. God is good!
* Actually, it was an Epiphany mailing. More to follow.

Epiphany Mailing, as promised (More to follow)

So, literally only a few hours ago at 11:45a, CST, THU 1/4, I dumped this year's Epiphany mailing in the postal drop-box at Hy-Vee. Did I mention that this year I sent an Epiphany letter instead of a Christmas letter? Yes, I did, as some of you will find out when you receive this self-absorbed, tedious yet pretentious manuscript within the next few days. [Unless I miscalculated the postage.]

Most cards have the enclosed letter; most have a family picture that we took in Norfolk last Thanksgiving. * A lucky few will also find enclosed our annual "turkey picture." I thought that it might be helpful to point out some features on both pictures. This will come in handy when you receive the actual pictures, so you'll want to save today's blog so you can follow my narrative.
* You can tell that it's a Christmas picture, because our Christmas tree is intentionally visible. **
** If you do NOT receive a turkey picture, but your curiosity is piqued, just send a self-addressed, stamped enveloped, & enclose $3 for shipping & handling.

Christmas Picture

• The first thing you may notice is that Craig's head is partially amputated. This was an unintentional--I think--mistake, but I don't want to embarrass whoever lined up the camera for this timed photo. [It was either Nathan or Laura.]
• Calvin does not look particularly thrilled. It might be because his grandmother, who may or may not have been jealous of his grandfather, was pinching him.
• Our grand-daughters are certainly growing up, aren't they? 
• Bentley almost got guillotined, too, but last year he sobbed his way through the pictures ["Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, I want Mommy!"], so this year's picture was certainly 100% better.

Turkey Picture

• Can you find the photo-bomb? 
• Calvin looks pretty sober again. He may be looking for his dinosaurs which were his present but appropriated by Bentley. [In fairness to Bentley, Calvin appropriated his trucks.]
• Bentley is smiling . . . a 100% improvement over last year's sob-story pictures.
• If you look carefully, you can see that one of the "turkeys" is not wearing any shoes & socks. I don't want to embarrass him. [It was Derek.] Wouldn't you say that this ruins the solemnity of this picture?
• Nathan gets the prize for classiest outfit, thanks to his tie. [Seriously . . . what's with that?]
• Craig gets the prize for most festive outfit. Note the red shoelaces.

Television Update

We started watching the original CSI series on CBS.com. We watched this show pretty regularly back in the day, so some episodes seem a little familiar. We had forgotten how dark this series was, both literally through lighting effects & figuratively because of the subject matter. Unfortunately, for reasons we don't understand, the episodes skip from Season 2, before resuming w/season 3. What's with that? 

Postscript

Lois & I are headed to Tu Casa, a Mexican restaurant here in town. Happy Hour has already started. Drinks are discounted. [I'll probably stick to fruit juice. I don't want to incriminate my trophy wife by surmising what & how many exotic beverages she may imbibe.] Free chips & salsa. Cheap date!