Kansas City is nice, but these days, it just doesn’t hold the allure it once did. I’m here for appointments Thursday, but other than that, it’s just a reason to get out of Russell. I like seeing people I know, but sitting in Buffalo Wild Wings playing trivia over 10 hours a day doesn’t seem to do it for me like it once did.

St. Louis may have ruined Kansas City for me. I want to get back to the other side of Missouri. I want to get back to the old cathedral and take pictures without having to worry about my iPad burning. I want to go to a Blues game. I want to eat at White Castle and shop at Schnuck’s and Dierberg’s.

I never dreamed I would say those words after what happened in 2006, when I wonder if I blew my one chance at true love. Then again, I’m not relationship material–at least without some major improvements in my life.

At least I still have the two ladies I care about most, and that’s more than most can say.

I went to Lindsborg last Saturday to see Caitlyn and Ottawa play Bethany. The Braves lost the first two sets but rallied to win the next three and the match. I was afraid I wouldn’t be allowed to come to another match if Ottawa lost after what happened in St. Louis. Just kidding.

I went to Lindsborg to see Peggy for the first time in three months. Clark was there, as were Conor and his new bride, Melanie. They were married in April the weekend I was in Columbia.

Conor got married young (23), but he did not meet Melanie until after he left Norton. I’ve noticed a lot of couples who date in high school in rural Kansas get married, but none of the Cox children are married to high school sweethearts.

It makes me realize my moaning and groaning over not having only one date in high school was completely silly. I didn’t think I was mature enough to handle a relationship 10 years ago, and to think I could have handled one 25 to 30 years ago? Geez.

I don’t know what I would do if Peggy and Caitlyn exited my life. It’s been hard losing people. Fortunately, some have returned–Brenda, Bill Franques, Dan Borne–but I still think about those who haven’t, and some just leave a very sore spot in my heart. Of course, there are some whom I am better off without, even after hundreds of nights of crying.

Lord knows I’ve given Peggy reasons to leave. I’m trying to not drop those problems at her feet. There are times I slip up, but I am more conscious of it. Crista has helped with that.

I don’t want to lay anything on Caitlyn. She’s too young. She needs to be a college student and college athlete. She needs to live her life to the fullest, because you won’t get those years back. She’ll have enough times for problems her parents have and I have.

Peggy and Caitlyn were on my list of the special people I would never want to lose touch with when I wrote about two years ago. They are still on the list, as are Crista, Dr. Custer, Dr. Jones, Bill, Dan, Robb, Dawn and Liz. Brenda was on the list of those whom I despereately missed two years ago, but she moved to the other list after the visit to Baton Rouge 18 months ago.

I could be offered $1 billion dollars to not see Caitlyn and Peggy anymore. I’d say hell no. Same with the chance to marry any supermodel or super rich actress.

I mean it when they are irreplaceable to me. Caitlyn and Peggy, I love you. Always.

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One loss was all it took for Chiefs fans to go into a tizzy. The setback to the Colts Sunday night at Arrowhead has fans panicking about the lack of offense.

Come on. It was one game. If it turns into a trend, then it’s time to worry. The AFC West is proving itself to be not so strong, and if the Chiefs can’t win the division, shame on them.

It could be worse. The Chiefs could be where the Redskins, Dolphins and Bengals are.