SR columnist Shawn Vestal offers this Facebook thought: “I often wonder what a rugged Western frontiersperson would think about our lives. Today, I wondered what a Lewis or a Clark might think upon visiting the YMCA, seeing people sweating while running in place while watching people cook on little personal TVs, then departing to a shower with nice warm water and sweet-smelling soap, and noticing the little machine that spin-dries our swimming suits so we may all avoid the hardship of carrying home a wet swimming suit in our automobiles, and then noticing the sign on said swimsuit-drying machine: 'Use at your own risk.'”

Question: How much tougher was your life growing up than it is today? Or do you think life is tougher today?

The more I’m around high school sports, the more I wonder why coaches want to coach these days. The reward – and I’m not talking about wins or state championships for that matter – seems to be overshadowed too often by having to deal with discontented parents. A classic case is the firing of Casey Curtis (pictured) as Lewis and Clark’s girls soccer coach. LC athletic director Jeff Norton made it clear that he didn’t support Casey’s dismissal. Norton also emphasized that he’s a good soldier and he supports his boss, principal Shawn Jordan, who made the final call. Curtis was told he lacked communication and leadership skills. This came after LC went undefeated in the Greater Spokane League last fall and Curtis was named coach of the year/Greg Lee, SR. More here.

Question: Would you want to coach a high school sport and deal with toxic parents?