My name is Stefan Szumko (stef’in sum’ko). I am the Slugwhisperer and can be reached via email at slugwhisperer@gmail.com should you have any questions, comments, concerns, queries, or confessions for me. Better yet, save me the trouble of posting these items for you, by entering your text in the comment box. Unless, of course, you wish to remain anonymous. I can appreciate that.

My communication with slimy invertebrates began when, for many moments, I was raised by squirrels as a six-month-year-old baby.

It was then, I learned the “Sacred Lore of Rodents” and the secret handshake of the gastropods. All of this is certainly a true story which I will create in future posts perhaps?

Anyway, here I am, in Ann Arbor, my hometown, blogging about my life as a homedaddy, a stay-at-home-father (SAHF) for those needing clarification. I am an educator by calling and profession. So I chose to stay home with the boys to make sure they came out all right. So far, the boys are doing well.

Jameson is three. He is beginning to display his personality and beginning to understand the basics of crime and punishment…7:25 PM…THE CRIME: The entire bathroom floor is literally covered in a quarter inch of water despite previous discussions about how this is not appropriate…THE PUNISHMENT: Daddy’s voice set to 6.8 on the volume dial saying, “No. No. No. No. No. My goodness! Look at all the water on the floor! I am upset and disappointed. Now I have to clean it up!” This caused tears, genuine sorrow, and a bit of father-figure fear. Followed by an, “I love you. Please keep the water in the bathtub.” Things are all right. Hopefully he’ll remember this all when he gets back from Grandma and Grampa’s.

Alex is seven, going into second grade, and is proud to be a Wolf Cub Scout. I was a Cub Scout too, earning the highest rank, the coveted, “Arrow of Light”. Then I left scouting to return for my boys as the cubmaster of the pack after spending a year as den leader. Scouting is really good for Alex. He likes the structure, reward system, and the activities offered. Since he was a little kid, we’ve strived to let him use real tools and participate in adult endeavors to the best of his ability - whether it be helping make a recipe in the kitchen, splitting logs, or taking apart electronic components. He was a fun little guy back in the day, but I know that he’s now at the stage where he needs to learn from more than just me.

Roscoe is one hundred and fifty years old. This non-human child is my rental property in Depot Town, Ypsilanti. Like a child, houses require time, money, and attention once in awhile. But like the good landlord I am, I try to spend as little of each of these, letting my tenants enjoy themselves without me spying on them. But an old house, requiring constant repair, will be a great learning experience to share with my human children. Plus, Ypsilanti is a worthwhile destination for parents and their offspring. One just needs to know where to go.

Christine is my wife of ten years. She is a former Captain in the US Air Force, separating two years ago with 8.5 years of service, plus additional ROTC years. This actually makes me unusual - a civilian husband of a military spouse. In fact, I have been decorated by the Air Force for being a great husband and father by being the first male to win the “Sydney G. Ellis Spouse Award” at the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, in June, 2005. I did what I have always done and still do today. I took Alex out to museums, parks, and historic sites, went fishing and golfing with him, and shared my enthusiasm for the natural world with other spouses and children.

As I mentioned before, I was born and raised in Ann Arbor. I was dragged around the town and county by my father, Jim, when he was a Realtor. I now look at my hometown through the eyes of a tourist, having spent several years living in such far away places as Ypsilanti, Germany, and Virginia. I like to walk and take pictures of bugs and other natural phenomena, so I keep my eyes open for new things to do and try.

Now, as a blogger for annarbor.com, I’m torn between sharing all my secret spots with you, the readers, or just keep on repeating the announcements you can read for yourself in your favorite places. I’m sure that I’m willing to share, so keep an eye out for my posts. And please, let me know if you know of a place that I should check out with my boys.