Good Times

***It's ironic that the for the last day or two it was in my head to write about hockey/dogs in my next post, then I come across this--the only comic I read regularly--today in yesterday's paper***

It's been a good week. The weather has warmed up (60 today), the sun is shining. I've spent my time editing, playing hockey, walking and running outside. Sports-wise, we're at the base of an annual crescendo. In this part, this weekend featured the Minnesota State Hockey tournament, which is likely the best of its kind in the country and one of the finest high school tournaments of any type within the good ol' USA. The bond between hockey player and sport is not unlike that of human and canine, each occupying an everlasting presence in ones soul. Trust me, I'm accutely familiar with both. Hockey players stick together, sharing not only the fascinating ability to do what hockey players do on the ice but also a kindred connection with teammates and foes alike. Put it this way: I could name off every hockey teammate I ever had, but only a handful of baseball teammates. Safe to say I'd do about anything for a hockey brother and vice versa.

As you can see by today's "picture" accompanying this post, dogs love hockey. Bernie loves hockey. Bernie and I love Marmaduke.

While reading this week about the high school tourney, I came across a story that somehow I'd missed over the course of this season. It's about a junior hockey player at Hill-Murray High School, which is a bit of a hockey powerhouse here, which is saying something. This kid started high school at Shattuck-St. Mary's Prep, which is THE hockey powerhouse of Minnesota and has run through such great players as Sidney Crosby and Zach Parise, to name two. In other words, this kid, Duke Peiper, had a bright hockey future. I encourage you to read his story then proceed to his Caring Bridge site. Hockey players are tough and never give up, and Duke's story will inspire you to enjoy beautiful sunshine that much more.