Are classes really about to start?

It is amazing to think that we are six months into this pandemic thing.  The family is managing pretty well, considering.  Conner continues to fish with Preston, his longtime fishing buddy.  This is a pic Preston took with a prizewinner Conner caught on Preston's family's boat at Perry Lake. 

Both boys have been working hard with their lawn care businesses, and Carson chose to spend serious cash on this lovely bicycle.  He rides with Jack Pfeiffer, his longtime St. Johns buddy, Thomas White, the college kid who lives in our neighborhood, and Keith McMahon, our next door neighbor who is a KU prof and serious biker.  20-30 mile rides have become common!

This looks like homework, but it is really eagle scout work.  Conner has only one year to complete this work before the big 18th b-day. It is a nice way to prep for classes which start in (gulp) two weeks.

If you look closely, you'll see an impressively swollen forearm.  Carson has always reacted bigtime to bug bites of all kinds.  This was a bee sting that we said made him look like Popeye.  :-)  A constant challenge for the kid who works hours a day in people's yards!

A cat on a leash?!  Yup.  Smink has not quite been the same since her surgery to remove a large amount of fishing line from her stomach.  She is a bit more neurotic than in the past, and has been so focused on the outdoors that we have softened a bit on the rule that she is strictly an indoor cat.

Practice has already begun for Carson's sophomore season in cross country.  We found this cool picture posted by a local running service.  That's Carson in the green, just left of middle.  Lots of questions about what this season will look like.  Fingers crossed that he gets to run, and do so safely.

Conner made a significant purchase too.  He got a fish finder that helped him make this stellar map of Uncle Ted's pond.  We think it is suitable for framing!

 

Admittedly, this is not something you see at the Marsh household. Neither boy is much for napping, but none of us is immune from the mental and physical drain of the pandemic.  The next entry will describe the first weeks of classes, and we really hope things proceed safely and successfully.  Buckle up!