Every year our family gathers at my brother Stu’s house in Convoy, Ohio, to shoot off fireworks. Some crazy stuff happens. This year, Stu and his sons Benjamin and Jonathan were dueling with Roman Candles. They would stand a good ways apart, light the candles, and then hold onto one end as fireballs shot out the other. The goal was to hit one of the other persons. They each got hit at least once. Stu has a big cut on the back of one leg where a fireball hit him. 

They are trained professionals. Don’t try this at home.

Another amusement is watching the dogs–little yappy Toby and big Wrench–barking at the fireworks. Stu bought one huge string of firecrackers, and the dogs went nuts as it went on and on. That’s what’s in the video below. (If you’re reading this in Facebook, click on the “View Original Post” link to see the video.)

Kelsey with her proud parents, Jim and Kelly.

Last night (Friday) we attended the graduation ceremony at Whitko High School in South Whitley, Ind. Kelsey Mize, Pam’s niece (daughter of her brother) was graduating. And she was valedictorian! She had to give a speech! So of COURSE we went.

Her speech was delivered with confidence (or fake confidence) and full of wit. She did great. Toward the end, she rattled off a barrage of cliches, like, “If at first you don’t succeed, try again,” probably 15 of them all strung together. Ratatatat. That was my favorite part.

The graduates were all dressed in red or blue gowns, depending on whether they were Republicans or Democrats. Curiously, all of the girls were Republicans, and all of the guys were Democrats. Maybe I was missing some hidden symbolism in those colors.

I’d like to say South Whitley is heartland America. It felt like my stereotypes. But the high school gym was lilly white. I saw no blacks among the graduates, though I’m told there was one. One. I mentioned that to Pam’s oldest nephew, Spencer. “It’ll hit them when they leave. If they leave,” he said.

Can you be heartland America when you’re entirely Caucasian? I don’t know. It certainly doesn’t seem representative of today’s America. A bigger question in Indiana is: can a school like that actually win basketball games?

Make no mistake: this was a quality group of graduates. They gave a lot of statistics about academic accomplishments and college plans and such. Real high academic achievements. Lots of tassels and medallions and such. A good share no doubt headed to college. Four entering the military.

As for Kelsey: full ride to Indiana University. She’s a great girl from a great family.

Curt holding Ally, as Mandy and Jonathan watch.

Rick’s kids, Anna and Cameron, are on spring break, so he took the week off and brought them–along with Baby Ally–to Fort Wayne for a few days with Mom and Dad. Dorene remained in South Bend, working.

Stu and Joyce and their clan came over Monday night for a meal at Mom and Dad’s. Homemade noodles and Mom’s legendary rolls were the headliners.

But the real star was Ally. Everyone took turns holding her. For the record, Ally is the first of my nieces and nephews that I have held as a baby. 

Last night Rick and I trekked to the table tennis club. He plays at the South Bend club (which cranks out nationally-ranked players), and we’re both playing in a big tournament in South Bend this weekend. 

Rick has come to my club three or four times now, and enjoys it. Last night he won the majority of his matches, including the one against his big brother (we play the best of five games, and our match went down the wire to the fifth game). It is against the natural order of things for Rick, eight years my junior, to best me. I remain deeply resentful.

Pam and I have been in Branson, Missouri, since Saturday. Had a nice bed & breakfast overlooking the city lights. But no internet access. Cable, but no internet.

This was our fourth visit to Branson. So we kinda like the place.

But now, we’re back in Oklahoma City, ready to fly back to Fort Wayne early tomorrow morning.

So, what’s been going on?

• On Sunday, took the Branson Belle Showboat cruise. Loved it.
• The new Branson Landing–a mini city down by the river–is amazing and beautiful.
• Saw “Six,” a new act (at least, since we were there last, which is probably four years ago). Six brothers. Actually, there were ten brothers (“Our parents REALLY wanted a daughter,” they explained), but only six were in the act. Really enjoyed them.
• Ate at Shorty Small’s steakhouse. Superb ribs.
• Beautiful weather the whole time.