Father's Day - 2013

As many of you already know, I have the best Dad ever!  When I asked him what he wanted for Father's Day, without hesitation he quickly replied that he wanted a chocolate shake and some French fries.  As it ended up, he couldn't resist the lemonade either.

Happy Father's Day 

to the best Dad ever!

Mother turns 88

Ruth, Ruth Marie, Ruthie, Blondie, Sis, Mother, Granny .... whatever you call her, she turned 88 yesterday.

She is as sweet and loving as ever.

Arkansas Golf trip - 2013

Last Wednesday, I returned from the 18th annual golf trip to Bella Vista, Arkansas.  In four and a half days, the most hard-core of us played 171 holes of golf. (27+36+36+36+36)  Here is the group on our last night.

Can you say nap-time?

The Crows move in

Several months ago, a family of Crows came to visit.  We love it when family comes but no ... this is different.

These Crows have feathers.

Months later, they are still here.

While their presence has provided ammo for wise-guy neighbors, it's all been kinda fun - until this morning.  Did I tell you that these guys are LOUD?  Really LOUD.  This morning around 5 am (or so) they perched themselves outside our bedroom window and proceeded to argue with each other.  Caw this and Caw that.

 LOUD!

There is no indication they are ever leaving.

20 years ago today

20 years ago today I graduated from Washburn University School of Law.  Here is a graduation day photo:

I had no idea that law school would introduce me to such great friends.  Except for the guy in back wearing glasses, I see (or talk to) the other 5 guys frequently. Even though we are scattered over 3 states, since 1995 the 6 of us have gathered annually for a multi-day male-bonding golf trip. We accept almost any excuse for a group meeting. I am really lucky to have made such good friends in law school.

Jan Lisiecki concert - Mother's Day Lunch

Last August when we met up with Phil in Paris, he introduced us to his girlfriend, Hania. Here are Phil and Hania last August at the Place du Tertre in the Montmartre quarter of Paris.

Phil is now in graduate school at the London School of Economics while Hania is in Warsaw.  Hania is beautiful, charming and super fun.  As it ends up, Hania's cousin is an 18 year old professional pianist named Jan Lisiecki.  As luck would have it, Jan's recent tour included a concert last Friday night in Kansas City.  

We went ... and it was amazing.  It was fun to connect with him after the concert.  Needless to say, he was stunned to hear that we knew his cousin, Hania.  Jan is the tall one in the middle.

Jan's mother warmly received us in a gracious and dignified manner.  

Here is a short You Tube clip of Jan playing Chopin:

As eluded to in the video, Jan plays completely without sheet music. 

Sunday was Mother's Day.  Aunt Nancy joined us for a Mother's Day lunch.  

We are very lucky to have two wonderful mothers.

Happy Mother's Day to mothers everywhere.

Thank you for all you do.

Crow Dinner Party II - Dad turns 87 - CMF wheat

After a two year hiatus, we reunited our 5-couple dinner group last Saturday night.  A simple dinner combined with great people makes for huge fun.

The next day was Dad's 87th birthday.  An Annie's chocolate milk shake before dinner was his birthday wish.

Today, after golf at FireKeeper Golf Course,  I drove to Crow Mountain Farm to check on the wheat.  While I'm no farmer ... I thought it looked great.

The clear blue sky over the lush green field was a beautiful sight.  I love Kansas.

Nile turns 60 - Crow dinner party - THS after prom

Friday was Nile's 60th birthday.  I have know Nile since he was 4.   We grew up across the alley from each other and we still hang out together.  We do golf trips and have lunch almost every Friday.  Old friends are special.  Here is a picture of Nile's 60th birthday party.  Nile is the old guy in the middle with his pretty wife, Kate, on his lap.  Happy 60th birthday to my dear friend, Nile.

Saturday night we hosted good friends for a soup and salad dinner.   We love these guys.  The dessert was beautiful and we all wanted our picture taken with this multi-layer masterpiece.  No, Helen didn't make it.

A little before midnight, we went to Topeka High School to serve as volunteers for the after prom party.  The parents' Booster Club hosts this magnificent party designed to keep students entertained and safe.  The parents transform the school into a themed fantasyland

where carnival games

casino games

food and assorted prizes are free and plentiful.  Those students who stayed until the end ... about 4 am ... had a chance to win expensive electronics or other snazzy prizes.  At that point, most students were ready to call it a night.  We sure were.  

Mega kudos to the parents who raised tens of thousands of dollars and donated thousands of hours to provide this safe and fun environment for their kids.  Kudos also to the parents who help make Prom itself affordable by providing super-discounted prom dresses at the Topeka High School Prom Closet.  We are proud to remain associated with this great school.

$2 bill from Dad

Many years ago (I cannot remember how many) Dad gave me this $2 bill as a good luck charm.  

I have carried it every day since.  Thanks, Dad.

Sports Day Trifecta

Last Monday was the Dan Crow Sports Day Trifecta.  I met some golfing buddies at the very interesting WinterStone Golf Club in Kansas City.  The story is that every day at 3 pm, golfers will hear and feel a rumbling from underground as miners blast the limestone nearby that will be hauled out of the ground for processing.

Before Thunder Time began, we left WinterStone and proceeded to Kaufman Stadium to watch the Kansas City Royals rally from behind to win their Home Opener.  As you can see, our seats were in the nose-bleed section but even so, it was great fun.

 The day ended with the NCAA Men's National Championship basketball game.

Even though I had no dog in the fight, it was a great game and the perfect ending to the Sports Day Trifecta.