Bicycle Race

Mattie's Papa got her this bike 2 years ago. She tried a little bit to ride it that spring, but never really mastered it. Last summer she wanted nothing to do with it. Yesterday she became interested in it again. She pretty much has it, she just needs to work on over correcting her steering, (not unlike Tommy Kugler), and getting over her fear of going fast, which will make balancing easier. Hard to believe that someone who can do a handstand on a balance beam can't yet ride a bike, but she hasn't had nearly as much practice. Few more nice days and she'll be Floyd LaArmstrong.

Unfortunately, what does it matter? Kids don't ride bikes anymore, certainly not as transportation like we did. There's a few reasons for this. Such as video games which keep kids inside the house all summer. I was gone every morning, and never without my mitt over my handle bars. I wonder where our pro athletes will come from in another generation. The next is the over programming of children, we as parents have our children in so many different leagues, groups, and classes, (guilty as charged), they don't have time to invent their own games in backyards anymore. On top of this are the parents who think their kid will be drafted out of Junior High so everything else takes a back seat to practice, games, and resting-up for games. Finally, kids are coddled and no one trusts anyone. Students barely walk to school nowadays, part of this is an unsafe environment. We live in dangerous times and people don't look out for each others kids anymore. Probably because parents don't want to listen or handle disciplining their kid when they do something wrong.

While Mattie was riding her bike I pulled the grill out for the second straight day. Monday was burgers with a little brown sugar mixed in, ala Swensons. Today was steaks marinated in Caribbean Jerk, (not to be confused with Ashtabula Jerk Rick Pugliese). Buying this grill for $20.00 at a garage sale across the street was probably the best investment I've made. I didn't want to buy a new one for fear of it being stolen from the parking lot, if this one gets taken I know I got my money's worth out of it.

This is the fourth year I have had this grill, I replaced the racks, burner, and briquettes last year, so we were ready to rock and roll. Notice the proper grill technician form, holding the tongs not to tight, yet not too lose. Those of you with a keen eye may have noticed the Winter Bourbon's Cask Ale in my hand; by New Years I had burnt out on these, and have had the "Beer Crisper" filled with them since. I see them disappearing quickly as guys come over to watch the Tribe and Cavs playoff games.

See Rob, not to downplay Mattie's accomplishments. But there's a whole post about nothing.