Youth Sports Post: Iris Trophies

It has not been unusual in the past for me to post photos of youth sports. Both of my sons have been involved in sports for the past eight or nine years. That meant we were involved, too.

That changed over this past year, and now neither son is active in organized sports. I miss it.

So imagine my delight a few weeks ago to see this photo of my granddaughter Iris just embarking on her sporting career. She just turned four, and she's all kitted out and taking over the pitch.

Imagine my further delight to receive this photo today of Iris and her best friend posing with their trophies. I believe these are participation trophies, but they couldn't be prouder or happier if they had won the World Cup. 

I couldn't either. Nicely done, girls.

Isaiah and Jeremiah, eat your hearts out.

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope you've all had a happy Fourth of July. I'm in Indiana where my family, and my granddaughter Iris, made it a memorable day. I'll be back midweek, and hope to get back to some fishing posts shortly thereafter.

Family Post: Artisters

Back in October I was in Indiana waiting for the birth of my grandson Elliot. While we waited I had lots of wonderful time to spend with his big sister Iris. One morning she painted pictures--and her hand.

We hung her art on the door to dry, and I asked if I could take them home with me. Iris was more than happy to let me have them.

Then, on the last day I was there, Elliot was born. In all the excitement I was unable to get the paintings before I left.

I got a big envelope in the mail last week, and in it were the paintings. They are now gracing the wall of my study. This is my favorite.  

Iris also painted a new picture for me, and this one is signed. Pretty cool. Her mother Laura made a video of Iris as she painted it. Iris explains that this is a "statue doggy." It's the best painting of a statue doggy I've ever seen.

In the video Iris said, "When I grow up I want to be a real artister!" Her Grandpa thinks she's well on her way.

Her mother, my daughter Laura, is already there. She has been an accomplished "artister" since college. In the envelope was a painting she had done for my birthday.

She writes, "I wanted to do something with one of the flies you'd tied and, scouring your blog, found the one you'd named 'February Thaw.' It was gorgeous and matches your birth month...win/win." 

Definitely a win for me. Thanks, Babe.

Good Times On a Stream

I'm in Indiana now, hoping to be here when my youngest daughter gives birth to her second child, my fourth grandson. We've passed the due date, and my time here is running out, but I'm still hoping.

Meanwhile, I'm spending some wonderful time with Big Sister. Today, on what may have been the last hot day of the year, we went to a nearby State Park. After the Nature Center, and before time on the slides and swings, we hiked down to the creek and the pretty little waterfall.

It was one of the best times I've ever had on a stream.

No Skeleton Crew?

My kids rounded up a canoe from a friend. We're thinking of taking Iris out for her first canoe ride this afternoon. Probably take the rod along.

The problem is the thunderstorms. It's beautiful this morning, but storms rolled through last night, and more are predicted this afternoon just when everybody gets off work. Laura is nervous enough about having her little girl in a canoe without adding the threat of wind shear and lightning. So we may not get to be the skeleton crew after all.

No worries, though. We have a backup plan for my last evening here: a trip to a warm, dry, safe children's museum.

So tomorrow I hit the friendly skies. It's been cold back home, but the weather service is calling for a spike into the 80's on Thursday and Friday. Look for me on the water. Next post should be the first Trout Lake Report of the year.

Lake Lemon Report: Tops

I'm going to miss the lake opener at home tomorrow, but I went fishing today.

I'm in Indiana visiting my daughters and grandkids. Iris just turned two, so she, her mother Laura, and I went to the store today so she could pick out one of her presents from Grandpa--a fishing rig. I had been thinking of it, but wondered if Laura would think she was too young. So I was glad when Laura herself brought it up. Laura and I had some good fishing trips together when she was a girl.

Iris ignored the pink princess poles and went straight to a red and yellow Cars rig. Good choice.

After lunch we went outside and dug some worms. We were ready for Iris's very first fishing trip.

This is Lake Lemon. Laura called it a little lake but it's pretty good-sized. There were guys out in boats looking serious about their early season tactics.

We rigged up and cast out. I baited the hook and did the casting and Iris held the rod and learned how to reel in the bobber. She liked that part.

She knew from what we had told her that the bobber would move when a fish ate the worm so she kept a sharp eye on that bobber. But it didn't move.

Iris got a little bored after awhile, so Laura picked up the rod and cast out..and down goes the bobber. Laura hasn't lost her touch.

A largemouth bass, or what Laura once called a "loudmouth bass" when she was little. Iris was very impressed and excited, agreed that the fish was very pretty, but did not want to touch it. We put it back into the lake and watched it swim away.

We decided to take a walk along the lake shore, but before we left the bank I tried a few more casts. Nope. Laura outfished me again.

We wandered down to an overlook and Laura and Iris spent some time throwing rocks into the water.

Iris got crazy with the multiple launch.

But it was finally time to walk up that beautiful green hill and head for home.

I'll have some great fishing trips this season, but I'm sure I don't need to tell you that none of them will top this one.

Family Post: Easter Surprise

My granddaughter Iris just turned two. The first present she opened was this T shirt.

I couldn't think of a nicer surprise.

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE.

Family Post: Riding the Rocket

My daughter posted these photos this week of sledding with my granddaughter Iris. I wondered why Iris was crying in the first picture. Was she afraid?

So then Laura posted this photo. This was Iris's first run, just before the photos above. I can picture the excitement and delight on her face as she climbs trustingly onto the lap of her parent and they begin the descent. And then, in a horrifying flash, blinding speed, and this blinding baptism of snow--the full, in-your-face initiation to the joys of sledding. I have to wonder what Iris's expression is under that stinging plume of snow. But it's probably better that I can't see it--it would break my heart.

And it happened in a place called Rocket Park.

No wonder she was crying. But then, bless the child, she stopped crying and went down the hill again.

Keep riding that rocket, sweet girl.

Found Art: Iris's Breakfast

I saw this on my last morning in Indiana after Laura and Iris had gotten up early and headed to school. I call it...

"Still Life With Cheerios"

Having a Good Day

I'm still in Indiana, but now I'm at another daughter's home. This will be my work station for a couple of days. 

Just listen to the birds and the cicadas and the sound of the breeze through the leaves.

In a little while my one-year-old granddaughter Iris will get home and I'll go on a walk with her through the woods.

So how is your day going?

Family Post: Family Therapy

Coming in for a landing in Indy in the wee hours of Friday morning.

Hanging at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday...

With grandsons Aedan and Liam...

Granddaughter Iris...

And all three of my Indiana daughters and their families. So good to be with them.

 Looking forward to a few more days of family therapy.

One of the Best Ever Signs of Spring

The first hot day in Indiana, and Iris has her first ice cream cone.

Family Post: Happy Birthday, Iris!

My first granddaughter, one year old today. Oh, come on. I'll look at pictures of your grandchildren.