One of the wisest people I have known in my lifetime was my maternal grandmother, Mary Alice Kidwell.  She always told me that being a parent is special, but being a grandparent is the best thing ever.  She lived to be 99 years of age and taught me much during our time together.  That thought came to mind as I became a grandparent on August 11, 2020.

Dakota is the name of my grandson.  My daughter and son-in-law chose that name because it is a Native American word that translates in English to “friend.”  They want their son to be everyone’s friend.  I am sure he will be just that.

I had no idea how it would feel to become a grandparent, but Jane & I have now experienced the thrill.  I cannot speak for my wife, but there is no way to describe the birth of your first grandchild, it defies description.

In late March, I announced an end to the news blog I have written for over 8 years.  However, COVID-19 and the racial issues facing all of us kept me writing.  I still plan to write.

The move to virtual meetings helped me stay in touch with local issues, but you may see fewer posts and not as quickly as in the past.  I hope to pick up film reviews as movie theaters slowly begin to open.

I also plan to continue podcasting, but at my own pace.  My past interviews with political candidates will not continue.  It is difficult to communicate how much time goes into preparing, recording and producing that number of podcasts.  For example, there are 11 candidates in the at-large Hamilton Southestern school board election.  I just cannot produce all those podcasts along with everything else I am doing.

So, I plan to enjoy being a grandparent and continue writing on the blog and producing some podcasts, but at my own pace and not at the pace set in the past.

After all, Dakota is here.  I am a grandfather!