Growing Up Scouts

When I was eight years old, I had the attention span of squirrel. In fact, I was often called a squirrel, even through high school. Today "experts" call it Attention Deficit Disorder. Back in the 60s they called it being a boy. Most of my friends were the same way, especially in Scouts.

I too was a Cub Scout and remember nights at den meetings, Saturday outings with the dads, and the occasional awards ceremony where we were pinned with metals for boiling water, good manners, hiking, etc.

Today they have badges for Disability Awareness, Computers, and yes, Photography. I think I would excel at some of today's awards, despite the fact I am still an (old) squirrel.

Norman Rockwell Moment

Los Angeles, CA -- Norman Rockwell had a knack for drawing attention to human idiosyncrasies. Norman drew national appeal mainly because he illustrated in his paintings what many of us see in the typical American child and adult. He took a smirk, a gesture or an event and recreated it in a more endearing, animated style.

Mr. Rockwell paid particular attention to the Boy Scouts of America and was able to capture the true assents of scouting with his works in Boys' Life Magazine as well as illustrations in more than 40 books including Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.

This photo is not even close to Rockwell excellence, but the subject could very well inspire Norm to produce a winner for 2010. All that's needed is a frog, a willow stick fishin' pole and a slingshot hanging out of a pocket.