LDKBox

This weekend my son, Kellen and I participated in a Cub Scouts function at Arrowhead Lake just 20 minutes from Harker Heights.  I had mentioned to my wife that I would not let Kellen down and be prepared for the outing.  I am happy to say that we attended and had a wonderful time.  It is our third year in Scouting and Kellen is learning things that I know will help him today as well as into the future.  In three years I have been very pleased with the growth that Kellen has shown in attitude and interest. 

It was a typical function with many dens gathering up to spend a little time outdoors but the full intent seems to be to let the kids have  fun all under the guise of learning how to orientate in the woods.  The boys spent a lot of time sitting around whittling on sticks.  All trying to produce that elusive perfect stick to place marshmallows on for Smore’s.  I was surprised at the attention span that the kids had.  You would think that seven young Cub Scouts with knives would be sort of dangerous.  Each Cub Scout knew, that with a knife in hand,  everyone needs to be on their best behaviour.  After questioning Kellen so often as to why he is not listening to me I was glad to see that Kellen is listening most attentively to the Pack leaders.  He made me proud many times during the outing.  His, “Yes, sir,” and “No ma’am,” responses to each pack leader during the day kept me happy.

Since the boy’s were constantly kept busy with one activity after the other it was not surprising that Kellen requested that we hit our bunks around nine o’clock in the evening.  Although I was not particularly sleepy I was glad to see that Kellen was tired.  In events like this if the child is wanting to go to sleep it is a sure sign that he wants to get a good nights sleep to be able to do it again in the morning.  Which we did.

It was dark, wet, and rather cool on the outside of the tent but inside we were two toastie tenderfoots resting within the confines of the tent.  Kellen laying on an air pad and his Father laying on an even bigger air mattress.  I was somewhat embarrassed with the use of the air mattress until I saw a neighbor pull out a full size Queen air bed which both he an his wife were to sleep on.  I am a big fan of being comfortable but a full size queen airbed is a bit much for this old duffer.  My wife has a cot that she uses made with canvas and a sturdy aluminum frame.  When I had a pickup to haul things around it did not matter what one carried with them to the camp.  Now that those days are gone it makes a difference to me what I carry since the HHR made by GM Chevrolet truck division has a lot of fun inisde the cabin of the truck but it does not have a lot of storage space so Kellen and I have to be picky about what we take to camp.  Although as long as he is warm I am sure that it really does not matter to my young tenderfoot Bear Cub Scout. 

To be honest the best thing about the weekend campout for this old duffer was when my son woke up in his sleeping bag feeling a little cold.  I had heard him sit up in bed so I pulled my bedroll from over my head and opened up my sleeping bag.  Nothing else needed to be said.  Kellen scurried over to my bedroll and curled up under my arm and blanket.  There were no more heating problems for Kellen and we both slept several more hours very comfortable and warm.  I treasure the complete trust that Kellen displayed to his Father.  Every parent knows of what I speak.  Some things cannot be described credibly.  The one thing sure is that I want more of those experiences in my life and know that they will come less and less as Kellen grows older.  Hopefully, even as they become less and less he will remember them as fondly as this “old goat.”

Comments (0) Oct 12 2009

Hi everyone!!  I know it has been a long time since my last post.  Wish I could say that there was a reason why I was not posting.  Suffice it to say…my reasons are paltry compared to others that continue to do the things they need to do in order to move on to bigger and better things.  I was reading the local newspaper this date when I chanced upon a story of a young military disabled veteran returning to Texas with his fiance to begin a new life.  What most impressed me about the article was the constant reference to the young soldier’s positive attitude and his general attitude of always being in a good mood and working hard.  He never made an excuse about anything.  I think he still is the soldier even after his discharge.  HE certainly has a “Can DO” attitude.  It made me think….”What can I DO?”

What can I do?  Hmmm…I think I can get up this morning.  Check.  I think I can make coffee.  Check.  I think I can get the paper.  Check.  I think I better start doing something.  That disabled veteran did not think about doing anything… he just did it.  So in that vein I start anew to try and post more often.  To my most loyal fans I apologize for my absence.  

Things are changing at the house.  We have a new driver in the clan.  It has taken some of the effort of getting ready for school easier.  That is for sure.  Jonathan is our 17 year old senior.  He is doing real well in school and life for him lately has seen a smile creep into an otherwise moody 17 year old.  I was watching him make a sandwich the other day when a big Chesser Cat smile came over his face.  He looked at me and said, “Man, it is cool to be able to drive to school!”  I am glad he found something to be happy about.  Life is good!!

Facebook has been good to me of late as well.  My Father had siblings that had children that had children that are having children.  I do not know most of them personally because of where I have lived most of my life.  What I am pleased about is that these new found relatives are willing to receive me as a friend of Facebook.  I gotta say that everytime that I have requested something on Facebook in regard to my new family,  I have been received with welcome and open arms.  Of course I revel in the good feeling it brings to me.   I have found Facebook to be a private little get together that brings me a glimpse of what these people are doing.  They are all doing something.  I enjoy the comments, pictures, and the events listed.  I can comment or not…usually not.  Yet,  I get to see the smiling faces of their children and the activities that each is involved in as well.  A very varied group of Norweigians to say the least. Var so good!!

Comments (0) Oct 04 2009