Monthly Archives: September 2025

9/11 Thursday Rundown

Posted on by
Reply

Today is Thursday and tradition calls for a Thursday Rundown. But it is also September 11. Obviously, tradition be damned. However, since there is a logical and respectful way to make it work, I thought I would write tonight’s post in a rundown format that would focus on 9/11. So, sorry, no weird sodas I saw at Grocery Outlet or cute photos of my kids at community events tonight.

From Inside the Towers – This week I watched a documentary that covered a perspective I had never really considered before. The film focused on telephone calls made from inside the World Trade Center towers as the attack happened (thousands were made). Many calls to 911 and loved ones were recorded and then shared during the documentary. Some people who phoned their loved ones knew death was imminent and conducted themselves with so much bravery and calm. Others who called 911, especially those in some of the upper floors above the impact zone, didn’t know the extent of the damage. The documentary said it was a rare instance when people on the outside could assess the severity of the situation better than those on the inside.

From the Planes – While many people in the Twin Towers didn’t know right away how bad things were, those innocent victims on the planes did. Back in 2017, I took a moment to reflect on a voicemail a passenger on United Airlines Flight 175 left for his wife. I won’t write it out here because you can read it below, but as a relatively new husband and father at the time, it touched me to an incredible degree. To be on a flight from hell and have the composure to leave such a loving and thoughtful message will always stick with me. If Brian could communicate in such a graceful way under unspeakable conditions, there is no excuse for me to not do the same during my everyday life conditions.

Composure, courage, and love. May God bless Brian Sweeney.

Speaking to My Kids – In 2023, Sloan asked me about 9/11 for the first time. Last year, she brought up the topic again. When we first chatted about it, she said, “I wish only the bad people who took the planes died and not all the good people.” I thought it would become easier to watch 9/11 footage and talk about it as the years went by, but it has actually become harder for me. However, despite the difficulty, I still need to speak to Sloan about it (at a level she can understand). After all, in 2019 I wrote that we must never forget but always educate.

Putting Faces to the Victims – The thousands of people who died during the 9/11 attacks came from all walks of life and all had unique stories. However, it is easy for the faces and stories of victims to be minimized when a mass killing event transpires. While watching a 9/11 remembrance ceremony in 2021, I started to jot down the names of victims who were announced. I then started Googling them and eventually wrote about five of them.

Perspective – The tragedy of 9/11 should be remembered 365 days per year—not just on the anniversary. If we do this, I think it helps us put life in better perspective. Back in 2018 I was stressing over a hurricane that had potential to make landfall near Myrtle Beach. After thinking about all the ways it could impact our property, home, and lives, I decided to reflect on the cruel and instantaneous fate that met the thousands who died on 9/11. The hurricane was a forecasted event and my family had plenty of time to evacuate…unlike those who perished on September 11. That put an end to my “woe is me” thinking.

——————–

Take time tonight to reflect on 9/11. I know it isn’t the most soothing thing to think about while trying to fall asleep but I think it is necessary. May we pray for the souls of those who lost their lives and the loved ones who still cope with the pain every single day. Don’t Blink.

Re-Visiting The Alphabet Challenge

Posted on by
Reply

It can suck to age.

Although some aspects of life improve with the passage of time (knowledge, gratefulness, financial health), other things don’t.

I can’t lift as much weight as I did 20 years ago. I can’t drink as much beer as I could 15 years ago. I can’t run a 5K as fast as I could 10 years ago.

And, as it has just been confirmed, I can’t type as quickly as I could 5 years ago. 😂

Back in September of 2020, I completed the The Alphabet Challenge. Built to test one’s typing skills, I typed the alphabet as quickly as I possibly could. Test yourself by tapping here.

I completed the task by briskly typing the 26-letter sequence in 5.917 seconds.

This was a screenshot from my time in 2020.

When it came to my attention that the half decade anniversary of my typing achievement was near, I knew I had to dust off my finger muscles and try again. I needed to see if I had lost a step (or a finger stroke).

Would the continuation of my professional career and the approximately million e-mails I have written since then (none of them AI-assisted, thank you very much) guide me to a new record? Would my continued blogging output shave a tenth of a second off my 2020 mark?

Unfortunately not.

The past five years have evidently not been kind to the nimbleness of my fingers. Despite giving myself 10 attempts to beat my 2020 mark, the fastest time I recorded was 5.925 seconds. That equates to a time that is eight thousandths (.008) of a second slower from five years ago—an eternity in the speed typing world! And, to be honest, my other nine attempts all resulted in times north of 6 seconds.

The Alphabet Challenge is simple and addicting: type the alphabet as quickly as you can.

So I have indeed lost a step…I mean stroke. But that doesn’t prevent you from taking the test and trying to beat my time from 2020 or 2025. Extra points if you beat my time and are older than 38! Don’t Blink.

Three Deep Thoughts

Posted on by
Reply

Throughout the weekend and even today I have entertained thoughts about general consciousness that have entered my head. I thought I would document the three most prominent ones:

– My children are now in third grade and kindergarten. I have pretty vivid memories from both years. I have flashes of remembrance from preschool, but kindergarten is where solid memories started to build. This is important because I can now more easily put myself in the situation of my kids and relate.

– I am exactly one month away from my 39th birthday. However, more significantly (and also more depressingly), I am 13 months away from my 40th birthday.

– Speaking of being 38 and Sloan being in third grade, here is something for you: My parents were both 38 when I was in third grade. I remember my mom volunteering in the class and my dad coming to school to eat lunch with me a couple times that third grade year.

Sloan and I at a high school football game this past Friday night. My goal is to give her memories during her third grade year.

 

Okay, those are my three deep thoughts for this Monday. Hope everyone had a great start to their weeks. Don’t Blink.

Beverage Switch Thursday Rundown

Posted on by
Reply

September is here, school is in session, and fall is right around the corner—even if we are still in the midst of a heat wave. So please feel free to cool off from the 100-degree temperatures outside and read my latest Thursday Rundown…

First Day of School Drawings – A tradition my dad did for me as a child has continued with his grandkids. Whenever a big milestone comes around, my dad will always do a quick sketch to commemorate it. Below is what he did for Sloan and Beau on their first day of school.

These are the 2025-26 first day of school drawings my dad made for Sloan and Beau.

Costco Beverage Switch – In Costco news (no, I am not going to criticize their muffins), the food court beverages are now served by Coca-Cola. We noticed the change when we visited the wholesaler this past weekend to stock up on items for school lunches. Although I do prefer Pepsi, I didn’t lose too much sleep over the change. There will come a time when Pepsi will most likely return to Costco food courts just like it did in 2013—when it replaced Coke.

Hey Sloan, switch that Pepsi cup out with a Coke one! Coca-Cola is now serving the soft drinks at Costco’s food court.

Griz Vision Star – Before I appeared in a Darius Rucker music video, I developed my acting chops by appearing in a video with the University of Montana mascot. While working in the Griz athletic department, I helped produce “Monte Movies” that were played on Griz Vision (aka jumbo tron) during football games. It was 12 years ago when we released Monte’s Roommate. I will give you one guess on who his roommate was.

The opening scene of the movie I appeared in with Monte!

Expensive Clips – We took Sloan and Beau to Great Clips on Sunday for back-to-school haircuts. The venue was clean, the stylists were welcoming, and the overall cuts were satisfactory. With that said, perhaps the $21 price-per-child cut was worth it, but I kept hearing my dad in the back of my head remarking, “When I was a kid, the prisoners at the Walla Walla Penitentiary cut my hair for a quarter.” I know I complain about prices a lot, but I feel like a 10-minute cut for a 5-year-old at a discount salon should be slightly south of $20. We appreciate the Dum-Dums though!

Sloan and Beau get their ears lowered at the Great Clips off Sullivan in Spokane Valley. Each haircut cost $21.

Blood Falls – I saw the below photo of “Blood Falls” on social media and I immediately looked it up to verify its legitimacy. Turns out, the waterfall is truly bright red (but don’t worry, it isn’t actually blood). Blood Falls is in Antarctica and the 15-meter-high waterfall is red because of iron-rich saltwater. You can look it up on Wikipedia to learn more about the science behind it but the image definitely caught my attention.

Blood Falls is in Antarctica and the water is actually red.

———————-

Stay cool, everyone! Enjoy your first weekend of September and I will touch base next week. Don’t Blink.

FroFree

Posted on by
Reply

As an end-of-summer last hurrah, I told the kids I would take them out for dessert on Monday night…you know, First Day of School Eve?

Anyway, Sloan and Beau chose Froyo Earth—they didn’t even fight about it, that is where they both wanted to go. We get there and after the circus of them “needing” to try samples and overpouring the yogurt into those tiny tasting cups, they grabbed their actual dishes and we started going through the line.

At my threat of leaving the shop with no yogurt whatsoever, Beau wisely assumed the “point finger” role. He let me hold his cup, pour the yogurt, and sprinkle the toppings while I fulfilled my end of the bargain by performing those actions based on the flavors/toppings he pointed at.

Beau and Sloan enjoying end-of-summer frozen yogurt at Froyo Earth in Spokane Valley.

When it came to the yogurt flavors, he surprised me by at least staying with all fruit options. I poured him a little bit of banana, watermelon, and blue raspberry. The toppings? Well, who doesn’t like a combination of mini M&M’s and boba pieces?

When we arrived at the register to pay, the young man behind the counter notified us that it was “Guess Your Weight” Monday. No, this wasn’t some Biggest Loser body weight gimmick (thank goodness). Rather, it was a chance to guess the weight of your yogurt because we all know that is the metric that allows froyo shops to charge so much.

How cute! Beau and Sloan feeding each other froyo as if they were groom and bride.

I told the guy that I wouldn’t even know where to begin with guessing the weight of Beau’s cup. I am not a professional froyo eater and don’t go often enough to know how much it weighs. But the employee was super nice and gave Beau a range (7 ounces – 10 ounces) to guess. We guessed incorrectly but thanks to the hint at least we didn’t guess 15 ounces when it was really only 8.6 ounces.

Next came Sloan. She put her dish on the scale and once again the staff member gave a range (8 ounces – 11 ounces). Sloan thought about it for a moment…

“10.5 ounces,” she confidently said.

“Hmmmmm,” the store employee began, “What about 9.7 ounces?”

Sloan and I looked at each other for a moment.

“Say 9.7 ounces!” I told Sloan.

“9.7 ounces,” Sloan replied.

“You are right!” exclaimed the employee.

I then expected him to take 10% off or some other insignificant percentage that might cover the sales tax. Only he didn’t. Instead, he subtracted the entire $7.08 cost of Sloan’s froyo from our order. When we approached his register, he must have been determined to brighten the day of an 8-year-old. Sloan’s froyo tasted especially delicious on Monday night.

The young man at Froyo Earth was kind enough to “comp” Sloan’s entire frozen yogurt dish.

The gesture of the Froyo Earth employee was greatly appreciated and we will be back. Don’t Blink.

Ready For a Fruitful and Safe 2025-26 School Year

Posted on by
Reply

Watch a “First Day of School” video of Sloan and Beau

It’s the Tuesday after Labor Day and that means one thing in these parts: The first day of school!

Sloan and Beau attended their first day of school for the 2025-26 school year. Once again, they are attending St. Mary Catholic School in the Spokane Valley.

Sloan and Beau started their third grade and kindergarten years today. Believe it or not, this will be our SIXTH year at St. Mary Catholic School and we couldn’t be more excited.

Sloan and Beau are ready for another great year at St. Mary Catholic School (Spokane Valley).

This year, Sloan has Mrs. Mary Remer leading her classroom. New to the school for 2025-26, we look forward to getting to know Mrs. Remer. However, I think we already like her considering her last name closely resembles ours AND it is also a palindrome 😉.

Sloan all set this morning on her first day as a 3rd grader.

When it comes to Beau, his teacher is Mrs. Kristen Mead. We have a little more familiarity with her than Sloan’s teacher—when Beau started Pre-K4 last year, Mrs. Mead was leading his classroom. However, a last-minute teacher shuffle resulted in Mrs. Mead moving up to kindergarten. Although that ended up working just fine because Beau’s re-assigned Pre-K4 teacher was AWESOME, we are looking forward to finishing what we started with Mrs. Mead.

How is he a kindergartener?! He is in store for a great year.

Thanks be to God, Stephen Hart is once again returning to St. Mary as the principal. He will continue to run an unapologetically Catholic school that strives to help students and staff get to Heaven. His leadership is infectious. Enrollment is up this year, parents/students have bought in, and the vibe I felt this morning was so assuring. We are in good hands.

Mr. Stephen Hart returns to St. Mary Catholic School for his third year as principal. This is him opening up the school doors for the first day of school.

But even though we are in good hands with our leadership, there is some anxiety this year. With the tragic incident at Annunciation School last week, everyone is a little more on guard. St. Mary has already put in place a tighter security protocol, especially when it comes to mass, but prayers for a safe school year are very much appreciated.

Please pray for St. Mary School and all schools as the 2025-26 year begins.

I want to wish everyone returning to school—students and teachers—a fruitful year. Whether you attend St. Mary or not, I am pulling for you. Hope it is the best year yet! Don’t Blink.

Summer 2025

Posted on by
Reply

It is the first day of September at the end of Labor Day weekend on the eve of the first day of school. I guess this means the party is over, right? Summer 2025 is just about complete and it seems like the only thing left is to write the blog post about it 😂.

The summer was highlighted by many activities and events but as you will see, it also brought much needed rest. As I have done in years past, I will break down the past few months into 12 themes. Thanks for reading…

Beau smiles with his cousins, Johnny and Mik, at the Concerts Under the Pines series at Audubon Park in Spokane. Going to this park on Thursday evenings for live music was one of the favorite things I did this summer with the kids. Read on for 12 themes from the past 2.5 months.

Relaxation – As you read the below nine themes, you might think how did they even get a minute to relax? Well, I assure you, we did. No matter how busy summer is, the break from school and activities changes the pace of life. Our weekday mornings were less stressful and our evenings were so refreshing. Instead of attending a full slate of after school/after work obligations, we came home and just hung out. We ate dinner, watched shows, and went to bed early. Awww…summer is so sweet.

Although we did a lot, we also had many relaxing summer nights where we didn’t do much.

Colorful Beginning – On a Saturday at the beginning of summer, Sloan and I found ourselves covered in colored powder. We completed the Color Me Rad race in Liberty Lake, Washington, and truly enjoyed the experience. Although it was on the cooler side that morning, Sloan was captivated by the camaraderie that exists when people come together for a race. It was a RAD way to start the summer.

A selfie after we crossed the Color Me Rad selfie. It was a great way to kick off the summer.

Fests – But when the work week ended and the weekend arrived, we forgot about relaxation. Different festivals and community events drew us to different parks and spots all around Spokane. From Kids Fest to Unity in the Community to Cops & Kids to Millwood Daze to farmers markets to many more (literally), we had a lot of fun interacting with the community.

A look at the foam madness at Harmon Park in Hillyard. This was one of the most unique experiences we had at a community event this summer.

Thanks Be To God – At the last day of school in June, Fr. Mike Kwiatkowski told the kids we can’t take a vacation from God during summer because he doesn’t take one from us. Did I do a good job turning Fr. Mike’s preaching into practice? Well, I could do a lot better. Still, during this summer some cool things did happen. Sloan and Beau attended Catholic Summer Camp. I worshipped at a sunrise mass with a small hiking group led by Fr. Jeff. Sid and I became godparents again. Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Bible In A Year podcast took us through the prophetic books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and more. And, we continued to attend mass at St. Mary throughout the summer while also visiting the parishes of St. Louise (Bellevue) and St. Pat’s (Walla Walla).

Me, Sidney, Fr. Jeff Lewis, Fidela, Neteyam, and Dylan pose for a photo in the St. Mary sanctuary after the baptism on July 6, 2025. Thanks be to God! (Photo courtesy of Dylan/Fidela/Family).

Water Is it even summer if you aren’t swimming? If you ask us, we would probably say “no.” From pools to water parks to splash pads to rivers, we had our swimsuits on a lot over the past few months. Sloan continued to be a fish while Beau’s anxiety around the water lessened. My favorite memory was racing Sloan down the water slides at Spokane County’s Northside Aquatics Center.

Rivers, pools, water parks…we did them all during Summer 2025.

Independence Day – It might have been just a day, but our Fourth of July receives its entire spot on our summer recap. We started the day in Coeur d’Alene at its American Heroes Parade. After an all-American lunch at one of the town’s drive-ins, we ended up at my parents’ house for their annual Independence Day celebration/cookout. From there, we went to Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake for the fireworks show.

Our 2025 Fourth of July was spectacular.

Picnics/Cookouts – Over the past few months, we never let a chance to eat outside slip by. Whether it was with friends, family, our Engaged Encounter group, or in a couple instances the general public, we enjoyed nature while eating meals. From pizza to fried chicken to hamburgers, it all tasted better in the great outdoors. Perhaps the most meaningful cookout of the summer was just this past week when we welcomed Sid’s Uncle Steve and Aunt Sharon to our home for burgers in our backyard.

This is a photo from one of our early summer picnics. We met my sister, Mik, and John in Browns Park and ate pizza.

Hoopfest – My family returned to the streets of downtown Spokane once again to volunteer at Hoopfest. I assumed my usual spot as court monitor while Sidney kept the books and Sloan/Beau helped keep score. It was another fulfilling experience that allowed us to give back while placing ourselves right in the middle of Spokane’s signature event.

My special 2025 Hoopfest crew.

Watching Sports – Nothing says “America” like baseball during the summer. When it came to Summer 2025, my family took this seriously. I took the kids to three Spokane Indians games where we had a blast at each one. What’s not to like about ballpark food, fireworks, running around the bases, and mascot fun? I also had the chance to go with my dad and brother to Seattle for a Mariners game. Don’t worry, we did branch out. In July, I took Sloan and Beau to a Spokane Velocity soccer match where they had just as much fun as they did at the baseball games.

It was Family Feast Night at the last Spokane Indians game we attended this summer! From the Indians to the Mariners to the Velocity, it was a lot of fun!

Weddings and Birthdays – In June, Sidney and I traveled to Brewster, Washington, to watch a couple we mentored—Katie and Tristan—enter into holy matrimony. Then, in August, the whole family drove north to Deer Park, Washington, where we attended the wedding of my niece, Zella, and her now-husband, Thomas. In July, we celebrated my nephew’s 8th birthday by attending his dog-themed party and then just a couple weeks ago we traveled to Walla Walla to attend the birthday bash of my cousin’s daughter who turned 1.

Weddings and birthdays played big roles during Summer 2025.

Parks Parks Parks – We lived it up at green spaces across the area this summer. Balfour, Browns, Discovery, Orchard, Q’emlin, Pavillion, and Riverfront are just a few of the parks where we climbed on the playgrounds and cooled down in the splash pads. We even watched outdoor movies in them! However, my fondest park memories from this summer took place at Audubon Park. It was here where we attended the “Concerts Under the Pines” series. On two different Thursdays in July, we enjoyed live music on perfect summer evenings.

How can an outdoor movie not be pleasant when the scenery is like this? This photo is of Beau sitting in his chair at Balfour Park on July 11, 2025.

Leavenworth Vacation – As you can tell, staying in Spokane all summer offers more than enough to do. However, we made a quick trip to Leavenworth for an end-of-summer vacation. The affordable, wholesome, and sunny adventure was just what we needed before preparing for the start of school.

This photo of my family epitomizes Leavenworth. We took a photo of us all at the exact same place last year and if we return again we will make sure to take another one,

—————

When summer ends in the Inland Northwest, we don’t get too upset. Autumn is gorgeous in this area of the country and with an exciting new school year on the horizon we are ready to transition. However, that’s not to say that we aren’t a little sad to see Summer 2025 pass by. However, In the words of a middle school cliché, we won’t cry because it is over but we will smile because it happened. Don’t Blink.