Caramel Apples, Yellow Jackets And Other Signs That Summer Is Over

What I've Learned So Far...

Over the past couple of weeks two things have happened. First, Nan and I, who have been sharing partners for more than 34 years, have shared a really interesting case of the of the flu. Since I haven't written a medical column in a while, you may be hearing more about that next week.

Second, my book is just about to go to press; What I've Learned So Far... Part I: Bikes, Docks & Slush Nuggets. This means that I've been pretty busy approving cover designs and so forth - whenever it's not my turn to lie on the couch groaning. Because this hasn't left much time for writing, I'm sending you a column that you may have seen a little over 4 years ago:

Caramel Apples, Yellow Jackets And Other Signs That Summer Is Over

October in Michigan is a magical thing. The leaves are beginning to change, the nights are cooler, and the kids are back in school. From the football stadium, the festive sounds of the marching band, the referee’s whistle, the tearing of ligaments, and the snapping of bones fill the crisp autumn air.

We’ve all been spoiled by a long wonderful summer of warm-weather activities, when we could go out to the lake or the golf course or the chain gang on just about any afternoon and enjoy soaking up enough ultraviolet radiation to toast a bagel. But now the boats are snuggled away in their shrink wrap and the old nine iron is resting peacefully on the bottom of that pond near the green on number twelve. It’s time to switch over to Fall Fun.

One thing I always like to do is visit the neighborhood Cider Mill And Yellow Jacket Wasp Preserve. This is a place where you can enjoy cinnamon donuts, caramel apples, fresh apple cider, and stinging insects motivated enough to swipe a Coney dog right off your paper plate.

Read On...

If you enjoy What I've Learned So Far... and would like to see it in your local paper, just send the editor an impassioned plea and this link to my Web site.

Also, chase all your friends on over to my Web site to sign up, so they can enjoy it too! They'll thank you, and so will I.

- mike

Mike Ball

Author of What I've Learned So Far...
Winner of the 2003 Erma Bombeck Award

Web: whativelearnedsofar.com
E-mail: mike@whativelearnedsofar.com

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Learnedsofar Message

What I've Learned So Far...

And Now They Are One

Well, they pulled it off. My son and my New Daughter (that "in-law" stuff seems like a pretty impersonal way to talk about the love of my child's life) have joined hands and become husband and wife. And I'm here to tell you that their wedding was absolutely, positively the most beautiful event in the history of the world.

 The plan was really amazing. The whole thing was held outdoors on the grounds surrounding the country home of their friend, Timmy. There was a "chapel" set up with bales of hay making up the pews and an arch beautifully decorated to form the altar. On the other side of the house there was a giant tent, decorated as elegantly as any banquet hall, to house the reception. There were neat signs, hand-painted on driftwood, and other clever details everywhere, all perfectly designed to make the wedding uniquely theirs.

OK, if you want to be technical about it, I'll admit that there were a few unexpected hitches in the celebration. Some elements did not come off exactly as planned. There were a few bumps in the road, a little sand in the peanut butter.

Read On...

 

If you enjoy What I've Learned So Far... and would like to see it in your local paper, just send the editor an impassioned plea and this link to my Web site.

Also, chase all your friends on over to my Web site to sign up, so they can enjoy it too! They'll thank you, and so will I.

- mike

Mike Ball

Author of What I've Learned So Far...
Winner of the 2003 Erma Bombeck Award

Web: whativelearnedsofar.com
E-mail: mike@whativelearnedsofar.com

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One Last Job Before The Big Day

What I've Learned So Far...

One Last Job Before The Big Day

The kids will be getting married in less than a week now. I find myself walking around with a big stupid grin on my face at the thought that my son - who I am pretty sure does not yet know how to tie his own necktie - will be standing up before God and all his pals to promise the rest of his life to his new bride. I am completely certain that Shannon and Pat will be the best bride and groom ever.

They live about two hours away from us, so I can only assume that all the preparations are going well. At least, we haven't received any hysterical phone calls. We did see this message posted to Shannon's Facebook page:

 

Things I need ASAP: 

 

A.) Someone to drive an 18 passenger old school Dodge shuttle van from the hotel to the wedding site (approx 3 miles) from 4:30-5:30 & 10:30-11:30pm. 

 

I can pay you, you just need to be sober. 

 

B) A bagpiper that doesn't cost an arm and a leg from 5pm-6pm. 

oh yeah... AND I need 3 strong boys that wanna help Pat get 2 300lb cement flower pots out of his truck tonight at the wedding site. They are VERY heavy!

 

I thought about picking up the phone to tell her that as a general rule you are better off if you don't cut corners when it comes to your bagpipers. 

 

Read On...

 

If you enjoy What I've Learned So Far... and would like to see it in your local paper, just send the editor an impassioned plea and this link to my Web site.

Also, chase all your friends on over to my Web site to sign up, so they can enjoy it too! They'll thank you, and so will I.

- mike

Mike Ball

Author of What I've Learned So Far...
Winner of the 2003 Erma Bombeck Award

Web: whativelearnedsofar.com
E-mail: mike@whativelearnedsofar.com

You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL:

http://www.jmball.com/dlist/mail.cgi/u/wilsf/

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