Something was wrong

[WR Crane aka MrClean]

Something was off all weekend.  I thought it was because we didn't have the grand kids to babysit.  And we got a lot of stuff done as we're having a July 3rd party next weekend (fireworks by the local township with my front yard a front row seat, removed about half a mile.  People have checked in as attending so everything is in order.  Today we ate with my son and daughter to celebrate his 28th birthday.  28 already.  Eash.  Got home and mowed half the yard and the control line circle.  Came in to cool down as the sun was getting close and then it hit me.  Griffins birthday, that's usually a week after fathers day which was last week, which used to mean that THIS weekend was SIG weekend.  Awwww hell no.  I can't remember the last time I made it to the sig contest but dangit, there needs to be some castor smoke out here, NOW!

Got the Buster out and fired up the Fox as the sun was setting.  Flew by the handle on the second flight, it was out at the end of the lines.  I know because along with the tension on the handle, there'd be a little castor smoke drifting by every lap.

Griffin was 3 when I got this MrClean handle having shaved my head that year so that I could get some suntan lotion on my actual scalp and not turn bright red like I did the year before.  I know I made it up one year after that.

Oh well, off to the showers to get not ALL of the castor oil off.  Maybe I'll dip a finger on my wing and rub some behind my ears on the way to work tomorrow.  Normally that would scare off women but I work in the ArtsyFartsy area of KC so I might have to fight some of them off.

I was always worried about missing SIG.  But "The kids wouldn't stay small forever" is what I used to say as another year went by.  Now the kids are grown but I'm way involved with the grandkids thanks to them coming so soon and SIG is gone.   I packed a lot of good memories into a rather few years, but like getting a cut in a combat meet, you can only stretch those lies so far.

I guess there is always Brodaks and, them grandkids ain't gonna be small forever......

[Dan McEntee]

     Hey, I hear ya MrClean! I really miss it also and glad to see some one else does also. Last one was 2012 if I remember correctly. I started going in 1987 or 88 and never missed one right up until the end. I miss Mike Gretz also. Even after the contest ended, I would still try to email with him about something. He used to come to St. Louis every now and then to do Lindbergh research but never managed to meet him here. Got to see and talk with Hazel and a bunch of the gang at his memorial  in Montezuma last February. I'm gonna dig out all the pictures and go through them some time soon. Lots of very cool, fun things happened there, lots of very cool and fun people there also. Haven't been able to make it to Brodaks due to a job change and other life stuff, but maybe next year. I only get one week vacation now so have to use it wisely. When Sean gets back from this deployment, I hope to maybe hit the contest trail with him a bit. This time maybe HE can drive!
    Type at you later,
     Dan McEntee