It's summer . . . for today anyway

The tornado siren in Vermillion wailed last night, but we survived the accurately predicted wave of severe storms that formed in Nebraska and headed for Iowa. (For all people complain about South Dakota's weather, be aware that it all forms either in Colorado and Nebraska---the severe weather season stuff---or in North Dakota and Montana---the howling winter-weather stuff. It's not our fault we're always in its path. We had candles and flashlights ready because the lights flickered a couple of times, no doubt at the same instant the radio station in Yankton momentarily lost power and the same instant powerlines went down up in Centerville. But by 9:00 it was still outside though still humid and really warm for that hour. We got through the winter without a severe blizzard here though the winter seemed eternal; perhaps we'll get through the season of unruly weather with just the usual bells and whistles from the TV forecasters. . . . . .

The sky is blue with puffy clouds, and the temperature is climbing, surely to 80 or thereabouts. It feels like a summer day though not an August summer day. We're due for another tomorrow. It's about time. We had a day the other day when, for the first time, our very cool basement seemed comfortable. . . . . .

President Clinton brings his presidential campaign to our town of Vermillion tonight, and he has a beautiful night to speak at a rather picturesque photoworthy location---in front of Old Main on the USD campus. We'll probably walk up there with the dog and remain at a respectable distance just to see what all the commotion is about. Oh wait, President Clinton is not running for President, is he. But if his wife turns out to be a candidate this fall, one question I want answered before I vote for her is what will become of him. He not in the least seems like the type who will remain behind-the-scenes in a Hillary Clinton White House. Perhaps a former President that close at hand is an advantage for a new President. There just is something that makes me uneasy about the fact that, if the Clintons win the presidency for four more years, and maybe eight, it will be (by the end of 2012) a stretch of 24 years when the presidency of the United States of America will have been in the hands of a grand total of two families---Bush and Clinton. I'm not so sure enough isn't enough. . . . . .

On Fridays grandson Dylan stays home with me rather than going to the university's daycare center where he spends Mondays through Thursdays with his 3- and 4-year-old peers in the Turtle Room. We have had a good day. Dylan was up with the roosters long before his mother hit the road at 6:45 a.m. to make her Sioux Falls job by 8 o'clock. He watched his Public Television kids' shows, had some breakfast, and all. Once we got him dressed, we went downtown to the public library where he delved into games and books in the children's section. After picking out five new books for him to check out, we did the Hy-Vee grocery shopping thing. Then we rode bikes (actually he did; I hung close by to keep him away from the street). Then we played catch. By that time it was 1:00. I was about to fix him some lunch when, on his own accord, he turned off the TV, curled up on the living room couch, pulled a blanket over himself and announced he needed to get some sleep. Fine with me! He's still sleeping now at 3:50.

We have had some very fun days, he and I. A couple of weeks ago we spent several hours over at Prentis Park, not only using the swings, slides, merry-go-round and all but also taking advantage of the baseball field. Nobody was in sight, so Dylan, showing boundless energy and enthusiasm, ran the bases. Back and forth he went, from home to first, from first to second, from second to third, from third to home, sliding into each base in a cloud of dust. Then he stood on home plate, waiting for me to yell "Go!" so he could take off again for first base. I wish I had had a video recorder with me to preserve that scene. We managed to dirty his clothes quite substantially, but considering how much fun he was having, I considered it a washing machine job well-earned. . . . . .

Since the two baseball teams I am now covering for the Vermillion Plain Talk didn't have games over the Memorial Day weekend, I had only one story in this week's paper---a preview of tomorrow's Baseball Day. But there will be four games tomorrow, another Sunday night, and I will have at least three stories, maybe four, to write for next week's paper. It's good to be back in the newspaper business for real and especially nice to be able to do the writing here at home without ever having to show up at an office and maintain office hours! . . . . .