The best fried chicken I’ve had in decades!

 Oh hi Bakey,

I’m sitting at the dinner table with mom and uncle Tim. They’re talking about…school. Grandma came over to make us fried chicken. It was amazing. (Pictures attached) of course mom and grandma went all out. We had fried chicken with the most enormous breasts I’ve ever seen. Ben made jalapeño poppers on the smoker. Mom made Rhodes rolls and corn on the Cob. We also had Caesar’s salad, corn on the cob, and I made the mashed potatoes. Mom’s finishing up cookie casserole with some good ice cream. I hope this is getting to you after you’ve had dinner. When I eat that richly after fasting, I get indigestion soo freaking bad. I had to go right when uncle Tim showed up. He came by himself, but it’s always fun when he’s around. I just got through dumping the used oil🤢, not my favorite job.

Not a ton happened this week, so this may be a short letter. It’s been raining a lot, so hopefully the worst of the heat has passed for the summer. One night there was thunder and lightning everywhere. Joe said it gave him a teeny bit of ptsd from that storm in Texas when mom and I were at dinner that night. 

Ben was gone to San Francisco all week, but I’ll let him tell you about that. Joey missed him though he wouldn’t admit it. He worked a lot so that probably helped. I went to go pic the boys from the airport, they all seemed happy and to have a good trip.

Mom and I continued our parade of homes tour. It was fun to be with her, but I feel blessed to have our house where it is. Mom wants to pull the carpet out of the upstairs living room, but that’s not new. I may start some projects up there so we’ll have a few minor updates when you come home. Unless I get too lazy. Seems like I’ve been a little lazy in the super hot weather, I hope my energy and determination comes back as it cools down.

I found some nice teak gliding benches for pretty cheap online so mom bought two for the front porch. I spent Saturday afternoon applying teak oil and assembling one of them. Mom was anxious to see it on the porch so I finished it up this morning for her. It looks nice, even if it’s not super comfortable. I’ll finish the other this week.

As far as other projects, my model of my F-89 scorpion is coming along. The metal finish looks good, if not perfect. It’s been a fun learning experience though. Joe and I are thinking about building a bass guitar from a kit. I’ve always wanted to play bass, though I know I’ll never have the mojo to be dedicated to it. Joey may want to play it, but we’re kinda just looking for a project to work on together. I told him that I’d buy the kit and building supplies but he’ll need to buy the amp. 

In other random notes. I saw a video ad for the Chosen. There’s this one clip that reminded me of you. Simon Peter is walking with Jesus and he’s complaining about not being righteous enough to do the work. Jesus stops and looks at him and asks “Who is?” That hit me pretty hard. None of us are and Jesus knows we’re not. But then Peter demonstrates his faith and instantly replies, “you are!” That’s exactly how this work goes Jacob, He atoned for all of us because he could because he was the perfect Son of God and he expects all of us imperfect children of God to spread the message, just like you’re doing.

Mom goes back to school this week, I feel like I’ve only had a few weeks of her attention this summer because she taught summer school, spent a month on girls camp, and I went to priest’s camp. I miss her when she’s teaching. Joey and ben starts in a couple of weeks, boy does time go by fast. Then football season starts so exciting! I have to admit that my expectations are pretty freaking high, so high I’m nervous about it. Two major media outlets have them picked 4th overall this year. Crap that’s scary just thinking about it.

Aunt Lithia asked us to fast for Mark and Alex to be able to find jobs. Mark is in a tough spot with a baby coming and all. A wee bit of advice, don’t take nine years to graduate from college unless your going to be a doctor, a lawyer, or an engineer. I am worried about him though. This week he got a condemnation letter from sandy city for having such a messy front yard. I guess he knocked down trees and shrubs but never cleaned them up. This life never stops giving you lessons. Alex is the kid that is going to marry Erinn. He graduated in photography. I know how my dad felt when I told him I was going to major in art. Good luck finding a job around here kid. I think he has a job back east, so maybe they’ll live out there. 

We’ll, we’re to that point in the letter already I guess. I love you Jacob, I miss you, and I’m sincerely super proud of you. Keep going, keep pushing, recommit as many times as necessary, be kind to yourself.

Love-YA-I-tell-YA! 

Pops