Barclay Branson Bash '07

I just returned from my 27th trip to Branson, Mo., with the whole family – including 10 aunts and uncles, both my parents, one sister and fifteen cousins, most of whom under the age of 8. It was chaotic, as usual, but not as bad as last year. That was the infamous year of the "incident," which involved flying deck furniture, vicious curse words hurled at an elderly woman and the alleged wielding of a butter knife.

I'm happy to report that there were no "incidents" this time around. At least none that I was forced to witness. So, it was generally a good time. I even got to drive the pontoon boat (top picture) for the first time. And I posed for a whole bunch of photos with my youngest cousin, Brenna (bottom picture) because everyone was suddenly fascinated by the idea of the youngest Barclay cousin and the oldest (me, of course) interacting with each other. It was all good though, because she is super cute.

Can't wait for next year's Branson trip ... and now there's talk of adding in a second trip this winter. I might not be able to swing another vacation this year, but we'll see. Can you tell my family is freakin' obsessed with Branson?

It's nice Up North

I took a much-needed mini-vacation (after the hell week of the whole execution thing) this past Sunday-Monday and went up to my uncle's lake house in northern Minnesota. Despite the fact that I lived in Minnesota for almost two years, I never actually traveled anywhere north of the Twin Cities. But my uncle's cabin (top photo) is about an hour north of Brainerd, so that's a good ways up there, and it is, in fact, much, much cooler up there than down here in the sweltering heat of South Dakota. You'll notice the sweatshirts, jeans and long-sleeved swimsuit cover-ups in the photos.

It was very relaxing. I spent Monday doing basically nothing: I read a magazine in a hammock, laid out on a raft in the lake and took a nap, and sat on the deck with my laptop to surf the Internet (the cabin is equipped with wi-fi). All while sipping some fine red wine. It doesn't get much better than that.

The best part? I'll be heading back to the lake next weekend - this time in Missouri, though. Yes, it's time for my annual trip to Branson again. Hee Haw hell, here I come!!!

Respect for life my ass...

The death penalty is not something I've ever really witnessed up-close. I lived most of my life in Iowa, which (thankfully) does not have the death penalty, then a few years in Minnesota, which also does not have the death penalty, and now in South Dakota – which hadn't executed anyone in 60 years, until last night.

The spectacle that unfolded outside the Sioux Falls prison where the execution took place was incredible – I didn't witness it first-hand, of course, but heard about it from all our photographers and reporters who were at the scene. There were about a dozen pro-death demonstrators, such as the guy holding the lovely sign in the photo, who apparently spent much of their time harassing and shouting at the 100 or so death penalty opponents who had also gathered to pray and hold a candlelight vigil.

The sign speaks for itself. This is a state that makes a big show of "respecting life" – witness the abortion ban passed in the 2006 Legislature. As far as I'm concerned, it's beyond hypocritical to deem yourself pro-life but also support the death penalty.

And it's beyond revolting that the state of South Dakota is now officially in the business of murder. To hear the press conference afterward, with all the state officials slapping each other on the back and exchanging "congratulations" for an execution well-done was deeply disturbing.

"Way to kill a guy, Larry. He didn't even twitch."
"Haha, thanks Bob. Want to go get a beer?"