Here's to you Grandpa L

Ever since Owen was born, Brecken and I have done a lot of reminiscing about the enjoyable moments in our childhood and the resulting lessons that we hope to pass along.

For Brecken, there are a lot of childhood experiences that molded who she is today. Many of them she recalls, while others she is periodically reminded of by her father, Owen's Grandpa L. For instance, her love of spiders and creepy crawlers is the result of navigating through dusty crawlspaces to willingly retrieve things for her dad. Her appreciation of horticulture and all things organic stems from the warm summer afternoons she spent caring for the pachysandra. Her love for the open road and the freedom of getting behind the wheel started the moment she turned on the mower deck and rolled out to cut the grass. All of these things share a warm place in Brecken's heart and bring a proud smile to Grandpa L's face.

However, there is one thing that really makes him proud of his daughter; an unwavering appreciation for nightcrawlers and a stringer full of trophy fish (**). With her father's lessons imprinted in her mind and in her heart, Brecken took to the water this past weekend to pass along a few early pointers to Owen.

Baiting the hook and opening the bail on the fiberglass Scooby Doo fishing pole...

...Brecken proceeded to gracefully toss the bait and bobber strategically over the unsuspecting gilled prey.

The struggle that ensued will be recalled around lakeside campfires for years to come. Exhausted from the reeling and pulling required to land her catch, Brecken took a moment to pose with her prize, giving a smirk that clearly says, "Here's to you dad!"

(seen here with a telephoto lens)

Owen responded with a look of great uncertainty, but I am confident that he is already looking forward to learning the intricacies of fishing with his mom and his Grandpa L.

Have a great holiday weekend!

(**) In all seriousness, the thing Grandpa L might be most proud of is the fact that Brecken has a better eye for clay pigeons than me, but we don't talk about that. PULL!