Reluctant departure, part one: invisible boys

I back up to yesterday evening, when it came time for the boys to depart. Kalib and Jobe wanted to spend another night here. When they were told it was time to go, they turned off the light in the TV room and then positioned themselves in front of the glowing box in such a way that they thought they might not be so visible to parents anxious to leave.

All Americans know of this place…

Another pleasant, tranquil, Sunday afternoon in downtown Wasilla.

Quiet settles in

Once again, this house has fallen silent. For the past four days it was filled with the happy laughter, angry tears, chaotic commotion but always wonderful noise of young grandsons. Now they have all gone home. It was a sad departure for the older boys in particular as they badly wanted to stay at grandma and grandpa's house. I shot a little photo series illustrating this, but given the way too many pictures I posted yesterday I decided to hold off. I will post the departure series later today.

Whenever the boys arrive, Chicago, the calico cat, goes into hiding. She does not like the noise and chaos. She has now reemerged into her blessed quiet. The house is hers once more.

The game is lost - black cat

ASU fought to the end, came close, but couldn't do it. There is no joy in the Hess household. Unless you are a cat. A black cat, curled up in a pleasant sleep on a warm blanket next to a warm fire on your best friend's lap. Then you are happy. Content. For such a cat, the world is a joyful place. The defeat of one football team by another is of no consequence.

It's going to be pretty tough now

With one minute and eight seconds to go, and the whole football field ahead of them to run if they want to win, Arizona throws another interception. Barring a miracle, the game is over.