Settling In for the Fall

As we drift along we notice milestones, those markers that help us stay grounded in where and when we are. Today I noticed several milestone markers that herald fall. The following are the ones that I wanted to share:

Spencer sent me an email and it's reprinted, in it's entirety, below. This shows that the boys are back in school, it's a fund raiser!

Do you need to renew your magazines, let them come for another year, or want a new magazine subscription? Then consider QSP. they have magazines like People, Sports Illustrated, etc. They also have books and music! sorry, US only. 40% helps North Rockford Middle school. Just e-mail spencer_travel_agency@yahoo.com if you want anything. or visit http://www.qsp.com/ to bring it into the digital age. Thank you. Spencer Young

I returned to BSF, a Tuesday night, men's really pretty serious bible study. By serious I mean that I think this is as intense as a college course. The beauty of it is that it's focused on a book I already own. It was cool to see the guys that I met last year and as you all know, I really enjoy learning more about the Bible, so it's cool. This year we're studying the book of John. I can't wait to see the discussion on the football verse. You know, John 3:16, perfect season to discuss it, that's for sure.

Leaves are turning and falling! I can't believe it, but it's happening, some of the best weather that we've had all year and it's just in time for the fall color tour. The following shot is and I quote the website: "Haven Falls near Lac La Belle. One of several beautiful waterfalls located in the Keweenaw Peninsula"

The landscaping from Labor Day is paying off with grass seedlings starting to show themselves. I think the back yard will be a cool place again, just not right now.

I saw a woolly Caterpillar, which I think means a tough winter.

Those are the milestones I saw today. Just a reminder, we're supposed to stop and look around once in awhile.

Have a great day!

Pat

Troop Elections

Since it's troop elections night, here's the showing of viable candidates.

Today were the annual troop elections where the boys elect the Senior Patrol Leader, that would be the top lad for the uninitiated. The Senior Patrol Leader then selects his own Assistant. After that the boys split up into their smaller groups for their patrol elections. We have 3 patrols, the Spartans, Wolves and Dragons. Ian was elected the patrol leader for the Dragon Patrol. I was pretty proud of him, but not able to say much for fear of causing Teen Angst.

It's fascinating, for me, to watch the boys as they vie for the coveted top position. Of the 21 boys we had there tonight, 6 were nominated for the top spot. Then we had a town hall meeting style of debate where each candidate was asked the same set of questions. The boys were really quite amusing. They laid out their platforms based on fun, service projects, fun, better campouts and, did I mention fun? You could always see how a block was voting based on how much attention they would give someone. We have simple rules, vote for one of the 6, you need a solid majority, meaning 11 votes, to lock in the position. 21 votes cast and we narrowed it down to two candidates. Now it's really simple, 21 votes possible, you need 11 to win. Here's where Florida came in, one guy gets 10, the other 9, 2 were thrown away because of official election protocol violations, well, actually they voted for Obama and Obama was not active within the troop enough to qualify. Re vote and one of the boys was selected as the clear winner. His first act was to select his Assistant, it has been found that having them select their own second helps with leadership unity. Best of all, he chose the other contestant from the run off election.

Finally, on to home news. Our landscaping is nearly complete and with completion comes the issue of maintenance. I'm pretty sure I agreed to the sickness and health part of the vows, as for weeding, well, I just don't recall. With a backyard getting pretty, some degenerates are moving in, such as the woodchuck shown below. (Please note, these are not actual photos of our woodchuck, rather they are images that I snagged off the Internet that represent our woodchuck.) Holly first told me about this guy, let's call him Phil, about 4 weeks ago. I suspected that there was some level of make believe and so I was less than supportive. Turns out that she was right and that Phil was digging around in the backyard. I was less than amused and swayed by the cute factor and so, Sunday I sat out with my weapon of choice, a Red Rider Model from Daisy. I nearly got the varmint, but he scampered before I could properly draw a bead on him. I know I only have a little time till he goes down for the winter, but I am hopeful! (actually, I also realize that I will only scare him or make him mad with my little BB gun. But I gotta try.) I'll keep you posted.

Have a great day!

Pat