I’ve been encouraging the boys to think about careers. The job market is so rough these days. I figure an early start might provide the competitive advantage they need. And so they both have been weighing their options.

Kato seems born to play the politician.

Look at that winning smile, that affirming affect. Policy bedamned! Give me a candidate who seems to have the answers.

He’s already picked his running mate. Clearly, she’s sold on the sunshine campaign.

He even has his victory stance perfected.

Too bad about the presidential minimum-age requirements.

If politics don’t pan out, Kato might consider horticulture.

Or competitive swimming. Now that Michael Phelps has exited the scene, Maryland needs a new aquatic sensation.

August, on the other hand, is considering animal husbandry.

Or fireman.

Though I don’t think it’s likely he’ll stick with it. He complains of always moving away from the fires in question.

Golf is also an option.

But all of the clubs we’ve found are taller than he is.

The other day, he seemed to have found the answer. Lollipop taster.

I mean, someone has to do it, right? Otherwise, how would anyone know if they were good?

He briefly considered auto racing.

But was frustrated by restrictor plates. “I’m an all or nothing kind of guy,” we recently heard him say.

One thing we know for sure…

…competitive jump roping is not the answer.

At least, not yet.

His lack of vocational prospects has him blue.

I try to tell him that he has a few years yet, but he will not listen. “I’m basically finished,” he said. “Washed up. Just waiting for my first Social Security check to arrive.”

But then we had an idea. A great idea. A wonderful idea. What about baking?

He seems to have the curly hair needed to do the job well.

Look at the resemblance. It’s (a little too) uncanny.

He starts his apprenticeship tomorrow. I hear he’ll be on sun bun duty.

Tasting them, you know? To see if they are good.