I’m blessed with four amazing boys. Each is gifted in his own way. Each loves the outdoors; including the water and everything in it that crawls or swims. This past month my three oldest submitted artwork to a local fair. Before running off to funnel cake and ferris wheels, the boys sprinted into the exhibit hall to see where they placed.

Ribbons were won by all. Once again; I’m blessed with good, talented boys.

But for the sake of Casting Across, I’m sharing this blue ribbon winner. My seven year-old used watercolors to paint this bluegill. Perhaps I’m biased, but I think that it was certainly deserving of the award it received. And, more pertinently, that he was deserving.

On a personal level, this weekend’s fair visit marked a brief respite from an incredibly busy season. Busy at work, busy at home, and busy in some other places as well.

My intention is to fish. My intention is to hunt. And my intention is certainly to continue to put written and spoken content on Casting Across.

Inevitably, some of that will reflect the busyness that I have gone through and am going through. Hopefully that will resonate with you. I think it will. You’re probably familiar with what it is like to be busy, too.

But the short of this brief post is this: I’m thankful for my four boys who love the outdoors and love reflecting the beauty they experience when they’re outside. Celebrating a blue ribbon with a caramel apple is also something for which I am thankful.