Clash of Clans as an Extension of Cabin Fever-Fuelled Sibling Rivalry

There are three children in our family and among that trio are a pair of 11 year-olds — identical twin boys. They may be indistinguishable in appearance (at least to those who don’t know them), but their personalities couldn’t be more different. And they’ve reached that stage of sibling rivalry that I had forgotten about from my days at home with my brothers. It’s extreme, it’s loud, it’s very active and it’s driving me a little crazy. Especially in the deep of winter when the Polar Vortex refuses to go somewhere else and as a result, they’re largely trapped indoors. The boys quickly imported that boisterous, energetic, head-scratching mania into Clash of Clans. I can’t keep it straight. In the course of just four hours, Jon had joined our clan twice, been promoted by his brother, demoted once and kicked out of the clan twice. That’s a lot of politics. And it’s gone on like that for days.

Continue Reading
Before and after the mud bowl

Fall Hiking With Merrell Proterra Sport Gore-Tex Shoes: Grippy and Dry

Hiking is one of my favorite outdoor activities, and the fall is my favorite time of year to be doing it. It can get mucky around here — especially if we run into light snow — but it’s cool enough that overheating is less of an issue, the bugs are a non-issue and the fall colors are always spectacular. With my daughter now old enough to babysit her brothers, my wife and I have had the opportunity to duck out for quick hikes this fall. We have to keep things realistic and stay close enough to get home quickly if a fight breaks out, so that means a mix of urban walking and light trails. Merrell sent a pair of Merrell Men’s Proterra Sport Gore-Tex hikers to try out, and the timing couldn’t have been better. If you’re in the market for waterproof, minimalist hikers that are comfortable to wear in mixed terrain, these would make a great choice.

Continue Reading