Slug Habitat

While trying to catch crickets the other day, the boys discovered several garden slugs at the base of the neighbor's windsor wall landscaping. They asked if they could keep them as pets. Strangely, the neighbor did not object to the removal of the critters from her landscaping. Below is their temporary habitat, with food and decorative flowers included.

much peace,
tjb

Let There Be ...

I was driving home early yesterday evening when the back end of a three-day cold front began to pass over the city. The buildings and trees to the east were awash in eldritch light, and to the west, beneath the long line of cloud, the setting sun blazed forth. It felt like the first time I had ever seen the sun.

much peace,

tjb

The Boys and Girls of Summer

My sister and I took my sons, her son, her granddaughter and one other random kid camping at Two Rivers this weekend. The kids had a grand old time hunting minnows and tadpoles in the Platte, and they made new friends at the playground near our campsite. I took all five kids fishing the next day, which went surprisingly smoothly. Ann and I even got to play Frisbee for a half hour Sunday morning, just like the good old days in front of the house on Valley Street.

much peace,
tjb

Tremble and Despair

... as the Burbach-Domeyer scoring machine approaches its weapons of choice ...

much peace,
tjb

In Plain Sight

Dilapidated old picnic table across the street from my office. That's where I take my breaks. Turkeys sometimes wander through the green space behind it that overlooks the interstate. Today the wind is dislodging shards of sun from the trees around my little refuge.

much peace,
tjb

Catfish Spot at Twilight

fragrant evening weeds
encroaching clouds are mirrored
in the cool deep lake

Churchy?

The boys and I spent most of Sunday at the Our Lady of Lourdes Fall Festival. The boys ran around and played with their friends for seven hours, and I consorted with my betters from the parish. I always feel a little sheepishly disingenuous hanging with all the good Catholic folk, since I am not at all religious. They are absolutely solid and wonderful people,who have been better to me and my family than I can ever deserve, and I count many of them among my close friends. They are good to tolerate this poor sinner and his unbelief. I hope I have opportunity to pay forward some of the good will and grace they've shown me.

Much peace,
tjb