Share the Harvest

The dear hunt has arrived; it is that mythical time of year when boys become men, and men become boys -- a right of passage, of sorts.

Sunday afternoon we took a drive to a small town just 45 min north of Kirksville (Memphis, MO), near the Iowa-MO border. With finals slated all week, I was needing a little distraction, a little reprieve from studying . . . something to break me free from the self-absorbed bubble that med school requires! So we immersed ourselves in to the local culture -- National Geographic-style!

It is not uncommon to see a trailer filled with deer carcasses in the middle of a parking lot, just off main street. It is the central hub, the main artery, the locus of all comings-and-goings in town. It is a cultural amphitheater for non-natives like me. Share the Harvest is a program ran by one of the local churches (this one, I believe, is ran by the Baptists) which is designed to feed the hungry with the deer that is "leftover" from the hunt. Each hunter that gives his/her prize to the program is asked to donate $20 to help offset butchering costs.

A pretty impressive program . . .

and a pretty impressive sight!

While visiting with some of the locals, a hunter pulled up to the gas station next to us. With tailgate down, three trophy-sized racks were showcased in the back of the truck like Christmas window adornments at Macy's! Passersby stopped and admired these soon-to-be wall ornaments, stroking the hunters' manhood with every question posed. Of course, I was right there in the middle, indulging the moment as they boasted of their heroics!

Yes, it is that mythical time of year -- a time, no doubt, when living vicariously through another is just the escape that I needed.

(left to right) 17, 11 and 8 point whitetail buck

No Talking Allowed

This morning I decided to break from my normal routine and study at home. Not long after, Caleb entered asking if he could do his math in the office with me. Absolutely - Then entered Cayanna, who was wondering the same thing. Unlike Caleb who has studied with me before, this would be Cayanna's first. Wanting to preempt any distractions that may arise, a ground rule was set.

"Alright, there will be NO talking while in the office! Total quiet, silence -- that is all!" I instructed.

They both agreed, and went quickly about their work.

Several minutes later, April entered the office to check her email, which led to a discussion about the housing market and our options once our lease expires.

Obviously distracted and somewhat annoyed, Cayanna interrupted, saying, "No talking in the room; it is making me frustrated!"

Needless to say, we took our discussion to the other room so as to not further disrupt and "frustrate" the learning environment. It is times like this when I am encouraged that the huge investment of time, energy and resources that April makes daily is taking root! Nicely done, Sweetheart!

An Unpredictable Observation

Enoch (3 1/2 y/o)

The other day, while sitting around the dinner table, Enoch made a rather interesting diagnosis. Unlike the two older kids who were enjoying homemade chili relleno (potentially too spicy for the younger ones), he (along with Isaac) were the recipients of a cheese quesadilla. After a bite or two, Enoch began to cough. In between coughing bouts, he observed matter-of-factly that "I have whooping cough".

It seems that some childhood experiences will never be forgotten, as they are played out again and again -- at times, too, when we least expect it. You got to love the unpredictability of children! For me, this is, perhaps, one of the most endearing qualities they possess -- yet, at the same time, it can be one of the most maddening!

Autumn has Arrived!

Autumn has arrived! Not only is there a crispness in the air, but the color of summer is beginning to turn. Here in Missouri, we look to the soy and corn fields to confirm the inevitable -- that the frigid winter is but a few months away! Ice looming in the distance; and in anticipation, we try to keep warm by holding tight to the stale humidity of summer!

The transition from summer to winter is slow . . . but, given the conditions that we are leaving and will be heading into, it is not slow enough! This sad reality makes this past weekend all the more memorable! Here are a few of the scenes that we enjoyed on our Sunday drive out in the country!

A maze of corn . . . so tempting!

In the east, a full moon rising . . .

while in the west, the sun sets behind a silo!

Breech Class?

Elias (7 1/2 mos) and Isaac ( 5 y/o) - Aug 31, 2009

Monday evening we asked Isaac where he was going "tomorrow morning" (Tuesday). Responding with a hint of excitement, he answered, "Breech class!". Then we asked Cayanna where she thought Isaac was going. She responded matter-of-factly, "Breech class!". Somewhat befuddled yet amused, we then asked Caleb the same question. There was a slight variation in his response, "Speech class!".

It was all starting to make sense now. Several weeks ago Isaac approached me and asked, seemingly from nowhere, "Daddy, I wish all the kids were breech." Taken back yet curious, I countered, "Why do you wish all the kids were born breech?" His response was very illuminating in regards to just how quickly (and inadvertently) kids begin to define and make sense of their life-experience. "So everyone can understand me!"

"Isaac," I pressed, "do you think people don't understand your talking because you were born breech?"

"Yes!" He responded.

So come this January Isaac will officially begin "breech" class, and if you ask him he will say that he is very excited -- both because he will get to "play" and be understood!

White Coat Ceremony

It seems hard to believe, but medical school has FINALLY arrived! The journey getting here has been long and arduous (13 years to be exact), and looming ahead is the promise that this is not the end but merely the beginning! As is customary, last Saturday marked a very significant milestone in that we received our "white coat", which symbolizes our induction into the profession as physicians-to-be. In other words, our life as a physician begins NOW and not upon graduation. I find this quite encouraging! Given the fact that I will graduate from medical school one month after turning the BIG 40, it is comforting to know that my life for these next four years is not "wasting away" while awaiting for my new career to begin. It is an exciting time, indeed -- as the means are an essential and integral part of the end!

Faculty standing as the Class of 2013 enters the auditorium

Introducing myself prior to donning a new "white coat"


The source of my support!

Totally Awesome: An 80s Party Worth Remembering!

Are you, like, way bored and, like, have nothing to do this weekend? If so, then you may want to, like, consider hangin' out this weekend and having this, like, cool 80s party and stuff! Earlier this year we did just that: not like once, but twice! It was so rad, the party and all, we had to hang again!

I like called Erin, my bestest friend from school you know, and said, "Hey, you wanna have like have an 80s party when Bill gets in town?" She said, "Uh, like . . . yeah!" "We can play some real cool tunes, too . . . like Tiffany, Heart, Duran Duran, and Belinda Carlisle!" Dude, she was all over it - New Kids on the Block and all! And the party like totally ROCKED! We jammed all night, dancin', singin', eatin' and doin' the worm! It was like totally the raddest ever!

Bill Burns and Erin Klatt just hangin' out!

Caleb & Cayanna feelin' the groove!


Sharing a moment with, like, my bestest friend ever, Bill -


Just chillin' with my girl -