His summer started late with a twelve-day swim class through school, to avoid the class in his Sophomore year, and take another elective instead. Smart, no one wants to swim in winter. Brandi bought him a new swimsuit, and equipment for the class, which all arrived after the class was over. Ordering online is not her strongsuit. The pic here is of the swimsuit she bought him... which looks like an elastic loincloth. Return labels were created for Bran.Nick and Brandi mare a quick trip to Atlanta for Seth's birthday, where the kids didn't interact, or do anything at all, as usual (literally the only picture of him interacting with anyone is with the cat. The most active photo is him chewing the candy off a piece paper on his hotel bed.) The highlight of the trip for Nick was a stop at Buc-ees along the highway for a brisket sandwich. And then Seth, who can now drive, running out to bring them back junk food each day. I stayed home and enjoyed the local fireworks right from our bedroom window. He no more than got home and tested positive, had to lock into his room for ten days while we slid food under the door. Horrible for him (not really.)
Nick and I continue to practice driving on Sunday mornings, he has darnedest luck. We went out into the country one morning away from people, and the country folk decided to hold a bicycle marathon or some stupid charity ride that morning, and they're all over the roads... two and three wide on a two lane road, Nick is surrounded by bikes like an insect swarm, he's freaked out. We got around them. Ironically, nearby a few weeks later someone ran over a similar group of bikers.
My uncle passed away at the end of the month, so lots of family time. I'm impressed how mature my niece and nephews are, just a little older than Nick. I can follow Joe, who's only 16, and he will lead, whereas Nick in the front of a group is likely an adventure into the unknown. Joe makes sure I'm accounted for... Nick leaves me leftovers in the fridge and it's nothing more than a bone. Benefit of having older siblings, I suppose.
Strawberry picking this year was without Nick, who just isn't interested. We picked a more normal 14 lbs this year, which equated to four pies, and a couple shortcakes. And Brandi and I walked the Toledo Zoo one morning where I met my spirit animal, a 100-year-old tortoise who hates people. We did drag Nick to the DSO with us for the annual Summer Blockbuster show, one of my favorites. We got a late start this year, and missed a nice sit-down dinner, it was chicken on the run instead. And he and I stumbled into a car show at the Churchill's Plaza one morning. Time with Nick is less and less these days, even when he's at the pool he's staring at his phone.
Jason
