My daughter, Tayler, passed her Minnesota driver’s test last week. The reason I know this is because my insurance rates just went up and also for the past two weeks Tayler has reminded me of how bad a driver I must be because she knows all the rules now.

It started out nicely enough with Tayler just letting me know the new rules she has been learning in Melinda Talamantes’ Albert Lea Driving School class.

It quickly turned into “Dad, you need to use your blinker all the time,” even though I was turning into our driveway and no one was behind me.

Or: “Dad, did you know it is like a $200 fine for having that air freshener hanging from your rearview mirror?”

And finally ending with: “Mom is a lot better driver than you are,” which is actually very true as my wife is a very good driver (insert “Rainman” joke here).

I did get her back, though, as not only does she need rides everywhere until her actual license comes in, but she needs to also drive with her parents for about six months before actually receiving it. So being the good parent that I am, I make her tell me — out loud — how I am the best driver in the world over and over before I will drive her anywhere. She does not like this, but as a parent I am obligated to taunt her as much as I can as payback for higher insurance rates and well, everything else.

Actually, Tayler is going to be a great driver, and I am super proud of her for passing this big test. Good job, honey!

Man-crush on Favre

It has been a lot of fun to hear the same Viking fans that thought Brett Favre was terrible and overrated when he played for the Green Bay Packers (greatest team of all time) to now being Brett Favre fans. It is amazing what winning a couple of games will do for the hardened Viking fans.

Last week, with about 6 seconds left on the clock, Brett spun a 55-yard game winning touchdown in the Vikes’ home opener. Now you know why I have been telling you for 16 years that Brett Favre is a great quarterback.

I will let you know that although the Vikings have looked good as of late, they will need better play from the offensive line if they plan on going anywhere in the playoffs.

Speaking of the Packers and Vikings, I do think there is a special “Monday Night Football” game coming up in a few days that will be the most-watched regular season game in many years. This is a don’t-bother-daddy-kids-he’s-busy-type-Super-Bowl-of-the-Midwest game.

My prediction: Packers 24, Vikings 21. And you can quote me on that one! Watch the offensive line Vikings fans. It will break down.

Old-fashioned ways

The Big Island Rendezvous is this weekend, so please stop out with the kids and take in a tradition in this area for a long time. It is fun to see how we used to rough it years ago and how easy we have it nowadays.

Man, they did not even have remotes for their TVs back then. Enjoy.

Happy birthday

A whole bunch of birthdays are coming up in October.

Happy birthday to my mom (Oct. 5) first and foremost!

OK, now happy birthday to my brother Tim and sister Teresa (Oct. 16) and to my friends Dan, Kelvin and Tiffany (also Oct. 16).

Wow, this is so much easier than a card or money.

More birthdays are my best friend Dan Budinger (Oct. 29) along with Brett Favre (Oct. 10) turning 40, Pablo Picasso (Oct. 25), Teddy Roosevelt (Oct. 27)and Pat Sajak (Oct. 26).

October is a big birthday month. Wow!

Tribune Publisher Scott Schmeltzer’s column appears every Saturday.