Today, I ran across a story on the Internet about a bunch of teenage girls in a high school somewhere, er, actually, it’s Gloucester, Massachusetts who made a pact to all get pregnant at approximately the same time and support each other about bringing up their children. My first reaction was, “is it debunked on Snopes?” It may be, but I didn’t check. And then I thought, “kee-reist! I was scared @#$%-less when I first got pregnant and I was 30!” And then… When I was a high school kid, probably about the same number of teenagers got pregnant per year but they didn’t do it as a group and were not usually excited about it. In fact, I’m sure some of them fully expected that their dads (or moms) would beat them for it. And I’m sure that some of their dads (or moms) did. And that’s about as far as I’m gonna go for the moment on that subject. When I get to be 80 or so, I might let it all hang out. Or maybe I’ll change my mind by then. But I doubt it.

Where was I going? Oh. I didn’t really have anything I wanted to say today that could be said on a family blahg (except I guess I already said it), so I turned to my huge and growing iPhoto archive. And I found these guys! My brother Jim and three of the four Sherman boys: David, Danny, and Paul. I don’t remember this particular day and I certainly don’t remember this picture. Usually when the Shermans came to visit with their VW bus and their pop-up tent camper, the winds would blow a gale and although we would all be running all over hell and gone and swimming in the waves (with appropriate adult supervision), there weren’t a whole lot of real beach days. The ones where you could put your towel down and tan yourself. Of course, there were always insects around to bother us. Whatever. This must’ve been an unusually hot day on the shores of Gitchee Gumee. And so, the boys dug some good holes. Deep enough that they reached water. Boy, do I miss my childhood sometimes. Other times, not so much.

Esther and Pete, you did a great job. Sherman kids, I miss you. Of course, I miss you bro’.

Peace, KW

P.S. The guys in the picture all grew up to be responsible citizens with families and I love them all. And the cute little one in front has gone off over to the other side somewhere but he’s watching us. And what is it with all the “Dan and Dave” pairs of brothers anyway?

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