BREAKING: Kid is coming to visit in June.

As much as possible for and older man in Northern Wisconsin, I'm excited.

I love my kid more than bratwurst itself. Honestly, I never knew that feeling of love until I held that tiny human in my arms -- in one hand even. 

Over the past 20 years, she's grown into the best human being I know. For all of you who know me, I'm not given to hyperbole. When I worked at a newspaper in the south, my colleagues shared they were surprised by direct nature.

No, she's the shit.

I love my mother as well as the Green Bay Packers. If I must choose between the Lord and bratwurst, it depends on whether he's buying the bratwurst with appropriate amounts of sauerkraut and Silver Spring Beer and Brat Mustard.

See, there is a hierarchy.

Now as I begin to prepare for the kid's visit, I must temper myself and not overdo it. I will create a nice, safe nest for her, with the softest leaves for bedding. I will pre-chew food for her and freeze so it can be microwaved.

No -- wait -- that's a momma bird. At least one with a freezer and a microwave.

I used to over plan for visits earlier but I know now I don't have to. All we have to do is spend time with each other and it will be a celebration.

But I will have to make her my secret chili recipe -- she won't eat other chilis -- and copious mounts of my egg salad sandwich recipe. Once, we had the latter for lunch and she asked me for a tutorial on how to make it, which required making more sandwiches. She took her version to her bedroom on the Pennsylvania hillside apartment where we lived and watched television. In retrospect, she once confessed, "I thought I was going to puke."

We've never had a bad visit and I can't wait to show off the Wisconsin Northwoods to her and introduce her to all its people.

I love her so much.

Have a beautiful weekend, friends, and be happy for southern climes because it's going to snow Monday, April 19, when it will be 22 degrees here.

Peace and warmth unto all of you my brothers and sisters.