1,000,000 views

Several years ago I posted a video on You Tube captioned Cat Protects Old Dog.

Made merely to share with our neighbors the encounter I had while "walking" their 17 year old dog, I had no idea that the primitive smart phone video would become popular. It has elicited 500 comments, 2,000 "likes" and 1,000,000 views. While that number pales by comparison to the mega views on other videos, it still amazes me.

More amazing yet is the never ending parade of passionate comments. Many of them are focused on the "cat vs dog" rivalry.

My 20 pound cat chases ma neighbor's yellow lab "Daisy" all the time =D Chuck is the king of ma hood.

The cat would scratch the dog what, once? Maybe twice? Before the dog brutaly murdered the cat.

A cat may be able to get a dog to stop attacking it, but if both are committed to fighting to the death the cat would never win. Depending of course on the size of the dog.

I agree, pound for pound, a dog is NO match to a cat...cats are incredible fighters...

Y'know I don't really like cats, but I have to give credit where credit is due; this cat ain't takin' no sh*t.

That cat, no matter how brave, could end up in multiple parts scattered around the yard.

Many others are fun and witty zingers criticizing the video quality.

Footage so blurry I thought it was bigfoot and two chupacabras.

I like the part when the orange pixel protects the white pixel.

how did you record the video? with a toaster? :D

What pixel exactly is the cat? :)))

Great quality....  This must be the 'berry' flavor Captn' Crunch box camera. 

This has been fun. Please watch Cat Protects Old Dog. Tell your friends too. Especially the clever ones that are willing to post comments.

Yankee Gutters - Garden Tractor Pull

Our old house has Yankee Gutters ... which are gutters that are built into the roof line itself and not attached to or hung from the facia. 

The repair and maintenance of Yankee Gutters requires a craftsman who knows how to rebuild them. 

Lucky for us, we know Dob.

Dob is a very interesting guy. For fun, he competes in Garden Tractor Pull competitions. Last Friday night we ventured to Meriden, Kansas, to watch him compete in the the 39th Annual Meriden competition. He competes in two separate weight classes. Here he is in action.

And here he is with his two award plaques ... one for each weight class.

Yay, Dob.

July 2nd - Aria is born

On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted for the states to declare independence from Great Britain. The future 2nd President of the United States, John Adams, wrote his wife, Abigail saying: 

"The second day of July will be the most memorable Epocha, in the history of America. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shrews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

239 years later, Aria Ruth Quist was born on July 2nd thereby affirming Mr. Adams' prediction.

Mother and daughter are doing fine.

Here is Jake's idea of Take Your Daughter to Work Day.

And here is the Quist Family 4

Aria is the squished one.

Father's Day 2015

Father's Day in California

and here.

Fathers and sons hug and smile.

Mother turns 90 - Ruthie's Rollers

On June 13, 1925, a wonderful person was born in Valley Falls, Kansas. 

Known as Ruth, Ruth Marie, Ruthie, Mother, Granny, Aunt Ruthie or GreatGrandma ... she turned 90 years old today. In her honor, Heidi organized a team to participate in the June 13th Alzheimer's Walk. We named our team Ruthie's Rollers.

After the walk, and after meeting Nancy's new puppy named Dexter ...

 we headed to the Kansas State Capitol Building to admire the multi-year $325,000,000 rehab. It is breathtakingly beautiful. 

The frozen custard snack afterwards saw Hope lead her mom and Carly in an impromptu dance performance on G's stage.

Mother's 90th Birthday dinner brought us all together again. Melissa even drove in from St Louis.

Thank you, Mother for being who you are.

Happy 90th Birthday.

Arkansas 2015 - Swingin' in the Rain

2015 marked the 20th straight year our golf group traveled to Bella Vista, Arkansas, for a multi-day golf marathon. This was the year of Swingin' in the Rain. 

Not to be deterred, rain gear was donned, 

casual water was crossed

and swollen creeks were forded.

Despite the wet conditions, golf was played 

and white golf shirts were worn.

We had a blast!

Sports weekend in California

Last weekend I traveled to California to see George ... and his wonderful parents. While Samantha and Jake are doing a great job of raising George, they are not exposing him to nearly enough sports. Ta-da ... Gramps to the rescue. We did some lawn bowling

flew some kites

and shot some hoops.

Sports are good.

And so are George and his parents.

Dad turns 89

Dad turns 89.

Crows gather to celebrate.

Topeka Metro Bikes

Topeka now has a bike share program. In cooperation with the Topeka Metropolitian Transit Authority, Topeka Metro Bikes allows riders to use a bike for 2 hours a day for $25 per year. Yep, only $25 per year.

The geeky-cool red bikes have a GPS system allowing riders to know (via a smart phone app) which bike rack hub has bikes available for rent.

I'm sold. In fact, I've been taking bicycle safety classes (no kidding) though the Topeka Community Cycle Project

a non-profit designed to encourage a more bicycle-friendly Topeka.

Bicycle riding is a sport. 

Sports are good.

George and his little sister

George leads his mother, and his unborn little sister, toward home. 

3 more months.