Life as a Lewis

1. I think I've mentioned the What Should I Read Next podcast before, but if not, here is official notice that this podcast has become a must-listen for me. This week the podcast aired a 5-part series on kid and YA literature, and Camden and I both have enjoyed making a new list of must-read books. Camden and Rory have slowed down on recreational reading in recent months, but I think this will get them back on track. 2. Thanksgiving break could not come quickly enough. We are limping along, and I am looking forward to a break. (after school Thursday afternoon) 3. Camden's official basketball debut was . . . uneventful? Uneventful isn't totally true since all 4 games were nail biters, but he didn't play. Not surprising since he and the 2 other 7th graders are low men on the totem pole. It was still fun to watch, and he looked official. I did not take a single picture. (from tip-off last week) 4. My parents were here for a visit this week, and I did not t

1. So the election was weird, right? Brian and I were not with her or for him , which leaves us in a strange position. Obviously, someone had to win, but I feel an odd sense of sadness. In the few days since Tuesday, I have personally seen the ramifications of someone in power using angry, harsh, and offensive language. I have seen it embolden young people to speak their mind, and it hasn't been pretty. It's all well and good to push away the crazy you see on social media and decide those situations must be extreme, not the norm. It's entirely different when people you know and love are experiencing racial tension made worse by the words of our president-elect. It was one of my proudest moments when Camden spent several hours working on a way to address racial slurs in his classroom. It was one of my saddest moments as a parent when he cried in frustration after talking to other 7th graders in his homeroom. Instead of making headway, they turned their ridicule on him. Stan

So, this happened last week. (this whole selfie thing is not nearly as easy as everyone else makes it look) I don't know what you think this bottle looks like, but it is actually the most delicious cold brew I have ever had the pleasure of drinking. Not only was it the annual birthday weekend, but Becky and I took it to another level by visiting not just Ree Drummond's (otherwise known as Pioneer Woman) new Mercantile but also the silos (as in the Chip and Joanna Gaines Fixer Upper silos)! The Pioneer Woman can make a mean snickerdoodle cookie, and the Mercantile was as cute as it could be.  While we didn't see Ree herself, we did see many of her family members. Despite encouragement from the fun greeter, we refrained from asking for a photo because we are absolutely not comfortable with our selfie game. See photo proof above. Our friend Loren went with us (it has become somewhat of a tradition), and we