lessons learned in this year's dust bowl

* Call your grandparents before you show up a day early.  A hotel with a pool and Wi-Fi is nice, but that $91 in your pocket would be nicer.

* Buying shit tons of groceries for your picky toddler is pointless.  You're just going to have to relent to the fact that he is going to consume nothing but watermelon and somehow survive.

* Forcing naps in the New Mexico heat is a fruitless effort.  Sadly, he won't go to bed any earlier but not stressing the fact that he's overtired makes it way easier to deal with.

* Trying to get your kid to drink water is also pointless.  Every member of your family will provide all sorts of sugary beverages to keep him hydrated to the point of not death, so don't freak out.  Watermelon is made of water anyway, right?

* Taking two dogs and a toddler on a hike up the mesa and through the canyon any time after daybreak means you better have at least three people capable of carrying said beasts back to the ranch in the unbearable heat of midday.

* Watching your dad sneak closer to your child, who's chasing flies with a plastic fork, will make even the most daddy issue-ridden soul soften towards the old guy... and maybe even almost shed a tear.

* Planning a mild sunburn may result in the appearance of wearing olive skin-toned overalls when naked for the rest of the summer.

* Early morning runs in the middle of nowhere beat runs at any park in the city any fucking day.  Also, 15 year old dogs are not good running partners.

* Letting your child run wild with his family, with few rules and little supervision, is one of the greatest gifts you can give and receive.

* There aren't many things better in this life than your filthy kid falling asleep in your arms on a breezy deck.  Throw in shots and beer being delivered by those you cherish and you're pretty much the richest person in the universe.

* Sneaking out to take in the stars by yourself is something you should really strive do as often as possible.

* Love really is all you need... besides like food, water, and shelter and stuff...

And now, just a few peekturs: