For FishingMagician.com, I'm Eric Granstrom. My mother in-law just headed home yesterday after a 9-day visit from Western Washington. This was her third trip across the Cascades from Marysville aboard Amtrack. By the way, it's a pretty inexpensive way to jump back and forth across the hill during winter if you don't want to challenge snowy roads. For her visit, Marion purchased a thousand-piece puzzle featuring a Real Tree outdoor theme. Kathy loves to do puzzles, so we thought it would be fun to sit around the table, enjoying conversation while the snow piled up outside. One topic of conversation that came up was about kids being involved in extracurricular activities or having a hobby. Of course, the "back in my days" verbiage came up and how different kids are today than when I was young. Interestingly, they both asked how I got involved in hunting and fishing as a pastime. I simply said, "my Dad." The broader conversation centered on Mom's raising boys in single-parent households and how that could be a reason some boys/men don't play sports or hunt or fish. Could be. I just know Dad was my hero and I wanted to be like him. Until next time, Good Fishing!