Closet Extremist

Sometimes life's just good.

I just got back from visiting with my Mom and Dad, and I had a wonderful time. You see, the 'rents are living out my Dad's Dad's dream, which was to live on a houseboat. I always enjoy heading on down to the marina, and getting to "set a spell" with them and visit for awhile.

My sister and brother-in-law showed up just before I did, so we had (essentially) the whole Fam Damnly there. After supper (steak and au-gratin potatoes, mmmm-good) Dad, BIL, and I struck out in search of the elusive and wiley underwater denizens of Tellico Lake.

Our foe this day was the hated and feared (and also known to feel pain) crappie. For those of you out there who have never heard of this particular species, the correct pronunciation is craw-pee. More information is available at this site. So we hit the old fishin' boat at around 7:20 or so.

Meanwhile, 2 lost fishing lures, 3 trees caught, 1 two-pound bass, 3 non-keeper crappie, and 6 keepers later, I looked up and realized that I was having a great time, and was more at peace than I've been in weeks. It never fails to amaze me how much good spending a few hours with my family does for me. I know that I won't have them forever, so I'll just continue to make as many memories with them as I can.

When I was a teenager, I was always too embarrassed to tell them that I loved them, but now I've gotten over that. I always try to tell them how I feel, every time I say goodbye. It's incredible how your perspective changes once the age of thirty is behind you.