You’d never believe that I actually think about this blog at least 3 or 4 times a week. I load my daily run post under the Run Streak page (found above), but I never really get anything posted as an actual blog post. Frankly, it’s because most of my daily “blogging” occurs on Facebook and Twitter and I don’t think about putting it here. So, here’s a review of December 2023 to get us caught up and a hope to be more present here on the blog.

The first weekend of December was spent with the KC Symphony Chorus and “Messiah”.

Our holiday dinner for all of my partners at University Health Lakewood was held at Wandering Vine at the Castle. What an amazing filet mignon and great fellowship with my partners and their spouses.

Linda and I attended a Hanukkah dinner with the Johnson County Jewish Community Relations Bureau; the antisemitism has definitely increased since the Hamas/Israeli conflict that escalated in October. We must dispel the darkness.

When the Taylor Swift Eras movie became available to stream, Linda immediately planned a watch party for a number of friends. I believe we jammed 18 or so people into our basement for the 3+ hour movie. Lots of singing and dancing ensued.

We went to see the basketball game between KSU and Nebraska at T-Mobile Center. The seats were way up there, but it was fun and we won!

Christmas Eve dinner with family

…followed by the annual watching of “Christmas Vacation”.

Birthday presents to me and Ed (my brother-in-law) were tickets to the Barley Bus (with trips to Border Brewing, Cinder Block Brewing, and River Bluff Brewing). We had a great time.

And finally, the year was finished with neighbors coming over to ring in the New Year. They brought long twirly straws that spell out Yay. Yay to 2023 and here’s to 2024.

You’d never believe that I actually think about this blog at least 3 or 4 times a week. I load my daily run post under the Run Streak page (found above), but I never really get anything posted as an actual blog post. Frankly, it’s because most of my daily “blogging” occurs on Facebook and Twitter and I don’t think about putting it here. So, here’s a review of November 2023 to get us caught up and a hope to be more present here on the blog.

Veterens Day at KSU Football game, with our friends Dave and Kaela helping hold the US flag during pregame ceremonies.

Our first KC Symphony Chorus concert took place November 17-19. We performed some gorgeous music by Arvo Pärt (Salve Regina) and Giuseppe Verdi (Stabat Mater and Te Deum).

Linda and Emily got to attend the KSU vs KU game in Lawrence. They met up with Governor Laura Kelly before the game.

Anna and I couldn’t attend because of the KC Symphony concert, but we did at least get to see the first part of the game (which we won).

We attended the final KSU game in Manhattan (against Iowa State). This was a miserable game in the snow and we lost. It was not a great trip – but we can say we were there and were supportive of our team.

You’d never believe that I actually think about this blog at least 3 or 4 times a week. I load my daily run post under the Run Streak page (found above), but I never really get anything posted as an actual blog post. Frankly, it’s because most of my daily “blogging” occurs on Facebook and Twitter and I don’t think about putting it here. So, here’s a review of October 2023 to get us caught up and a hope to be more present here on the blog.

Thanks to my friend, Mark, I was able to get a tour of the massive Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ at Helzberg Hall in the Kansas City Performing Arts Center. This organ is maintained and used by our friend, Jan Kraybill of the Kansas City Symphony. She gave a small group tour and I was fortunate to be one of tourists. It was fascinating.

Linda and I attended the Mainstream Coalition Gala.

More K-State football… on Harley Day.

Had lunch with my nieces Ashleigh and Hollee when they were in town.

One of the several times we saw the Taylor Swift Eras movie, this time at Union Station on the 5-story tall screen.

You’d never believe that I actually think about this blog at least 3 or 4 times a week. I load my daily run post under the Run Streak page (found above), but I never really get anything posted as an actual blog post. Frankly, it’s because most of my daily “blogging” occurs on Facebook and Twitter and I don’t think about putting it here. So, here’s a review of September 2023 to get us caught up and a hope to be more present here on the blog.

We started September with seeing The Chicks in concert. We’ve seen them several times over the many years and they never disappoint.

I hit my 1170th consecutive day in my Run Streak, reaching the same number of days that Forrest Gump ran before he decided to stop. I celebrated by doing my daily run in a Forrest Gump outfit.

September means returning to Manhattan for Kansas State football.

Celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the beginning of the Emergency Medicine residency program at Truman/UMKC. Got to see couple of my classmates, Amy and Nikki.

I ran the KC Hustle Run 5K, which was on of my fastest 5K’s in quite a while.

Got to attend a K-State game with Anna.

You’d never believe that I actually think about this blog at least 3 or 4 times a week. I load my daily run post under the Run Streak page (found above), but I never really get anything posted as an actual blog post. Frankly, it’s because most of my daily “blogging” occurs on Facebook and Twitter and I don’t think about putting it here. So, here’s a review of August 2023 to get us caught up and a hope to be more present here on the blog.

We attended the Johnson County Fair to meet up with Rep. Poskin and Rep. Hoye.

The biggest news in August was the engagement of Emily to Clint Saunders. We met up with his family afterwards for a lovely lunch and celebrating the couple.

Linda and I travelled to the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area to tour a number of Frank Lloyd Wright houses, but especially Falling Water. We also toured a number of local breweries. Elaine drove up to meet us for one of our days of touring.

We started at The Church Brew Works – a brewery that is in a restored Catholic Church.

We then went to the Andy Warhol museum; it happened to be his birthday, so it was free for admission.

We travelled to our Bed & Breakfast about an hour out of town:

Our first FLW tour was Polymath Park where there were several homes to visit. This is where Elaine joined us for the day.

We visited the Fred Rogers museum

Visited Helltown Brewery.

The next day was the big tour at Falling Water. What an amazing house and surrounding scenery.

Next, we drove to the Flight 93 National Museum. Somber…

More breweries, including Unity Brewing where I got a pickle sour that was actually green. Linda’s Facebook post is classic.

Final FLW house was Kentuck Knob at Ohiopyle.

After returning home, we attended the Johnson County Democrats Gala – Forever the Free State. It was a great evening with Linda’s closest friends from the Legislature (her Sunflower Sisters).

Lastly, at the end of the month, I drove down to Oklahoma to visit my Dad. The seas the first time doing a long-distance trip in the Tesla, which I’ve had since March 2019. It went much easier than I thought it would, charging every 100-120 miles and being there only 15-20 minutes each time. This was just enough time for me to find a bathroom and purchase another coffee and snack. By the time I got back to the car and scrolled through Facebook and Twitter, the car was ready to go.

Finished August off with another Town Hall, this time our neighborhood park.

You’d never believe that I actually think about this blog at least 3 or 4 times a week. I load my daily run post under the Run Streak page (found above), but I never really get anything posted as an actual blog post. Frankly, it’s because most of my daily “blogging” occurs on Facebook and Twitter and I don’t think about putting it here. So, here’s a review of July 2023 to get us caught up and a hope to be more present here on the blog.

Being the industrious worker that she is, Linda began to rip out all of the carpet on our 2nd level, in preparation for wooden floors being placed. It took 3 Bagster bags to get all of the carpet out.

The highlight of July was Taylor Swift Eras concert here in Kansas City. Elaine and Helen arrived from DC to join us. There was Taylor-gating beforehand and lots of trading of friendship bracelets. I’m not ashamed to announce that I’m a Swiftie and I had just as much fun (ok, almost) as all of the other ladies.

The family also went to see “Legally Blonde: The Musical” at Starlight. This was also very enjoyable.

Yet another monthly Town Hall with Representative Featherston:

We saw comedian Trae Crowder at the Kansas City Improv. This was our second time seeing him and will go back every time he’s in town.

Linda and I went to St Louis to tour the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Ebsworth Park. We also went the Botanical Gardens to see the nighttime Chihuly exhibit.

You’d never believe that I actually think about this blog at least 3 or 4 times a week. I load my daily run post under the Run Streak page (found above), but I never really get anything posted as an actual blog post. Frankly, it’s because most of my daily “blogging” occurs on Facebook and Twitter and I don’t think about putting it here. So, here’s a review of June 2023 to get us caught up and a hope to be more present here on the blog.

Linda started her summer outside of the Legislature staying busy with many different Democrat gatherings and meet-and-greets, including to traveling to neighboring counties where the local Democrats don’t have any representation in the House, but are looking forward to making it happen.

Another Royals game – a time-honored summer activity.

An evening out to hear Jess Piper, a Missouri Democrat working to make the rural Democrat voice heard. She’s a staunch supporter of public schools and maintaining individual rights. Included on the panel is our very good friend, Representative Mari-Lynn Poskin.

Ran the Fighting Fentanyl 5K, and met up with friends Kyle and Andrew.

The family took me to Blade & Timber Axe Throwing for a Father’s Day surprise. Anna was amazing at throwing the axes. I was downright pitiful, but the beer was good.

The best part of the outing was someone coming up to Linda, quietly, and stating “I know who you are and thank you for all you’re doing in Topeka”. It’s always affirming when someone you don’t know recognizes the hard work that is being done.

We went to Lawrence to watch “Something. Rotten”, including Julia Ruddy, the daughter of one of Linda’s best friends from high school. It was an absolute hoot!

Linda continued to tackle the back fence, listening to Royals games on the radio while staining the fence.

She also began to paint each of the bedrooms upstairs in preparation for new flooring.

Linda and I travelled to Wichita to see Chris Stapleton in concert, which included Marty Stuart as the opening act. Amazing concert.

We then travelled down to Oklahoma for some rest and relaxation with friends at Grand Lake.

We finished off June with a nice bike ride with friends on the Rock Island Trail, traveling from Lees Summit up to the Royals Stadium.

You’d never believe that I actually think about this blog at least 3 or 4 times a week. I load my daily run post under the Run Streak page (found above), but I never really get anything posted as an actual blog post. Frankly, it’s because most of my daily “blogging” occurs on Facebook and Twitter and I don’t think about putting it here. So, here’s a review of May 2023 to get us caught up and a hope to be more present here on the blog.

The family attended a Royals game, bringing along Emily’s boyfriend, Clint.

Always a highlight of each summer is attending the Kenny Chesney concert.

We celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary with dinner at Lidia’s.

Linda started one of her summer projects of power washing our backyard fence, which she then stained. Her determination to tackle and complete a job is astounding.

I ran the Bill Snyder Highway Half Marathon in Manhattan – one of my favorite races. Also met up with my old high school friend, Bob the night before.

After the Half Marathon was over, I jumped in the car to head down to Council Grove to meet up with Linda and other friends who were biking the Cottonwood 200, a 3-day bike ride. I joined them riding the next 2 days.

You’d never believe that I actually think about this blog at least 3 or 4 times a week. I load my daily run post under the Run Streak page (found above), but I never really get anything posted as an actual blog post. Frankly, it’s because most of my daily “blogging” occurs on Facebook and Twitter and I don’t think about putting it here. So, here’s a review of April 2023 to get us caught up and a hope to be more present here on the blog.

Anna, Emily, and I went to see Hamilton. It was as amazing as I’d always hoped it would be.

The family took a much-needed vacation to Cancun for several relaxing days away from our respective jobs (or law school).

After returning back to the cold of Kansas, I ran the Garmin Marthon (with Ron).

You’d never believe that I actually think about this blog at least 3 or 4 times a week. I load my daily run post under the Run Streak page (found above), but I never really get anything posted as an actual blog post. Frankly, it’s because most of my daily “blogging” occurs on Facebook and Twitter and I don’t think about putting it here. So, here’s a review of March 2023 to get us caught up and a hope to be more present here on the blog.

I attended a rally at the Kansas State Capitol in support of Medicaid Expansion.

More marathon training in the cold with Ron.

Plenty of hanging out in the basement with Sally and Suzy while watching basketball.