Department of Education

Many people wear mortar boards at this time of the year. But only one of them is Ying. My First Wife and I love Ying. We’ve known her for four years. Already?! She came to the US for college at the tender age of 17. Alone.

Ying speaks beautiful and impeccable English—with a British accent. She lived in England for several years where her father was a Chinese government diplomat. While she’s been in the US, she’s made two trips to visit her parents “back home” in Beijing, China. Alone.

This Saturday she graduated—Summa Cum Laude , thank you very much!—from the University of Missouri at Kansas City (UMKC). Next semester, she’ll be at Purdue University to study for a PhD in Pharmacy. Alone.

Ying’s very brave and determined, and quite a lot of fun, too. It’s been our blessing to be a tiny part of this special and beautiful young woman’s career.

Community Events Department

Well, folks, we got some news here for you. Happened last weekend. It fell to me to babysit our youngest granddaughter last Saturday, so the two of us took a trip to The Big City.

First, to the mall to see the dolphins.

Then to a neighborhood park to check out the swings. "Higher, Granddaddy! Higher!"

Then to another neighborhood park to make sure the playground equipment still worked.

We had PB&J sandwiches and two cookies together there under a big shady tree. She said, “This is a nice little picnic, isn’t it?” It sure was.

Four hours after we started out, we landed in a galaxy far, far away among some Star Wars characters. I have never seen my little granddaughter get so excited to see anyone as she did to see these warriors. Giddy!

Her favorite: a girl storm trooper.

Finally, our trip ended in dreamland. For someone so little, she sure did tire me out. But there’s no better way to get tired. Well, maybe a good baseball game.

Thanks for listenin’ in.