This is to actually assume we had a true summer to enjoy.  I can’t complain with mine — plenty of travel in the region.  Some throughout Iowa, back to Wisconsin for the book tour for my recent novel.  I enjoyed a trip to Milwaukee to take my son for his first Major League Baseball game.  Even managed a Little League baseball team, right into our first-round playoff loss.

A very successful and pleasant summer overall.

Yet a few rules have emerged for me for our first, non-flood affected summer in Iowa:

- Try to convince the kids that they cannot go to Noelridge or Cherry Hill pools unless it’s at least 85 degrees.  They’ll shiver within 20 minutes of the first jump.

- Always keep some extra dollars aside for the impromptu ice cream breaks. 

- On that note, try to convince your wife not to befriend the local Ice Cream Truck driver.  As it blares out, “The Entertainer” over and over on our street, I also know that forking over $1 for that icicle will only guarantee more of the truck until winter.

On that note, 33 days until the first full weekend of college football season.  Not that I’m counting or anything…