It’s that time of the week again. I hope you have had a nice Thursday and are now ready to relax with five random topics (that must be super exciting to you). Here we go…

2026 Father/Daughter Dance Photo – Last week our official “couples” photo from the St. Mary Father/Daughter Dance was delivered to Sloan. I don’t think there was a better way to start off this rundown than by displaying this true “Beauty (Sloan) and the Beast (me)” picture.

The official photo of Sloan and me at the 2026 St. Mary (Spokane Valley) Father/Daughter Dance.

Favorite Part of St. Patrick’s Day – It was 10 years ago this month that I wrote about my favorite part of St. Patrick’s Day. At the time, I explained that it wasn’t the green beer, the leprechauns, or even the shamrocks. Rather, what I liked the most about the holiday was actually a sound. Can you guess what I am referring to? BAGPIPES. I love the sound of bagpipes and would always enjoy listening to them at St. Patrick’s Day parades. But that was soooo in the past because there is something I like about St. Patty’s Day waaaaaay more than an instrument that makes a cool sound. March 17 happens to be Sloan’s birthday!

Me sporting a St. Pat’s shirt while hanging with my parents during a visit from them in Myrtle Beach on St. Patrick’s Day 2015.

Knights of Columbus Fish Fry – As I have mentioned before, the St. Mary Knights of Columbus council I belong to stages a fish fry every Friday during Lent. It has always been the best one in town but I think the food quality has gotten even better this year. If you live in Spokane and want a terrific dinner, stop by the St. Mary gym for the three remaining fish fry events this Lenten season (3/13, 3/20, 3/27).

This was my plate at last Friday’s St. Mary Knights of Columbus Fish Fry. Attendees can enjoy fried or baked cod, French fries or baked potato, clam chowder, and a roll. Cole slaw is also available.

Sloan Playing Basketball – In third grade, students at St. Mary can start playing on the basketball team. Sloan signed up this year and it has been fun to watch her. The team (comprised of third and fourth grade girls) is currently halfway through the season with a 2-1 record. I will provide an update when the season concludes early next month.

Sloan is playing basketball this season for St. Mary.

Dennis the Menace Anniversary – It was on this date in 1951 that the first Dennis the Menace comic strip debuted. As a lifelong newspaper reader, I have enjoyed the strip over the decades thanks to its single frame and minimal text style. It looks like in today’s commemorative strip that even Mr. Wilson can seemingly tolerate Dennis. Just wait until tomorrow though 😉. Happy 75th anniversary, Dennis and friends!

Today “Dennis the Menace” is 75 years old. I have read the strip for decades.

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Thanks for your readership, friends. Pray for peace in our world. Don’t Blink.