I just got back from the store.  I have had a craving for grape-nuts for several days.  It is like a big bowl of childhood.  It gets me how breakfast cereal makes me think about my childhood.

See, I used to eat grape-nuts on Saturday mornings.  I made my own breakfast most of the time.  Consequently, anytime I didn’t feel like cooking, I ate breakfast cereal.  Grape-nuts remind me of Saturdays.

Bran flakes remind me of my grandfather.  We used to eat them together.  Our favorite was Ralston brand.  You can’t find those anymore.  I miss them and I miss him.  One time my grandfather put half and half on them for me.  I tried to act like it was good but couldn’t pull it off.

Raisin Bran reminds me of getting ready for school in a hurry.  It was a standby for getting up too late.

Captain Crunch signified the end of the month.  That is when my mother’s paycheck came and we went shopping.  We would polish off the whole box in the first day.  Then I would have those nasty little canker sores on the roof of my mouth.

Cheerios will always remind of me of church with the kids when they were small.  Eating them without milk is still a habit.  They are really good with Diet Dr. Pepper.

The kids all have their favorites. Zane loves a variety of stuff just like me as a kid.  His favorite is Cinnamon Toast Crunch though.  Tiger is a Fruitloops fanatic.  Zoe likes the Apple Jacks.

Well, I’m going to kick back and enjoy the rest of my grape-nuts.  Bon Appetit.

Boys and Dad’s alike anxiously await football season.

They look forward to it all summer.

Don’t ever let anyone tell you that 6th graders can’t play smashmouth football.

Sometimes a boy can miss instead of hit.

That is when he has to grab on and hold on.

And drag the fella down.

I wondered how my boy would like his new league. He loves it. These boys are really tough.

Are you ready for some football?

My wife has been using her scanner a bit lately.

I have been enjoying the time travel. I’m not going to explain much but I hope you enjoy this anyway.

Recently we attended Fiesta del West Texas.

The kids loved the rides.

This was the first time I have taken Tiger on a carnival ride. I laughed and enjoyed it for a bit. Then he was ready to get off as you can see.

We had a good time.

Some folks say there is nothing to do in a town like Odessa. I’m not certain, but I think I have more fun than those people do wherever I am.

I also ate some fajitas that weren’t around long enough to photograph. If you have never eaten fajitas in West Texas, you have never truly eaten fajitas. It is like comparing the scallops in New England with ones served anywhere else. The local mesquite is God’s perfect cooking fuel. The fajitas are the best in the world, hands down. The brisket aint bad either.

I love this town.

Yes, a couple of weeks ago, my oldest graduated.

I know I need to cherish the days now.  It won’t be long until the rest of them do the same.