As we round the turn on the last week in September and the 4Q of 2025 begins, this is shaping up as a perfect kind of weekend for me-even should the Astros fail to make the playoffs as I began predicting at the beginning of the season. I never believed in this Astros roster-Manager Joe Espada did a great managing job with through all of the injuries-but GM Dana Brown needs to go!!!

Friday Night Lights-My Way: The Hazel Park Vikings’ stadium abuts my backyard, and the Vikings entertain the Clintondale High School Dragons at 7 p.m. EDT tonight-I always walk out avec camp chair about 20 minutes prior to kick-to be able to rise and sing The Star Spangled Banner with the Hazel Park Vikings High School Marching Band. I might watch a series or two through the bleacher slats.

Nerd-Vana: My primary responsibility is nephew Nubs, but I’ve got two Power Points for webinars we’re taping on Monday and Tuesday (Grandparents in Estate Planning; and Asset Protection), two articles I’m writing; and the three decks for my upcoming three-session course on one of my life heroes, Voltaire; and probably five other projects. So lots of my favorite activities: thinking and writing!!! I am easily amused, thank God!!!

The asset protection aspects of estate planning have oddly flipped in the 39 years since I became a lawyer, but the family aspects of grandparents and trusts or estate planning for their grandchildren remain counterintuitive for both tax and non-tax reasons.

The Baldy Swami: The Baldy Swami, my electronic Charlie MacCarthy, has been picking curated college and NFL games for several years. In 2023, the Swami was .600 against the spread. In 2024, he was .544. In 2025, to-date, .607. In response to the first picks for Saturday, the Professor noted: “If anyone knows anything about gambling, hitting 60% against the number while not “buying” down or up on key lines is the envy of every professional gambler. Swami also doesn’t double up on any games and is tackling 10 plus games every weekend. His roi is already at 120% of his original, (fictional) bankroll. Give the Swami his due…he is CRUSHING it.” So the Swami’s gotta pick games!!!

The Old Guy’s Club: This is the end of the MI Ren Faire season, and, thus, the end of my weekend old guys’ parties with Nubs. We old farts harumph, toot, and nap just fine together-and have a ball!!!

Chicken Andouille Gumbo Preparation Saturday Morning: I bought all of the ingredients for a chicken andouille gumbo, including the Trinity. Eight things of chicken, beef and/or vegetable stock. And even andouille to have enough for red beans afterwards!!! 

Looking forward to the therapeutic (even though I suck at chopping-just the hunt-and-peck typist I remain after having written nine books) chopping of the Trinity before the making of a pot of red beans and rice with andouille sausage. With visions and memories of Momo and Ma-Lynn dancing around, and maybe Lâche Pas la Patate by Jimmy C. Newman or La Porte d’en Arriere by DL Menard playing in the background. Aiiiieeee, cher!!!

Having fun and Making a Difference!!!

Paul