Dads and Birthdays and Favorite Stories

Happy Hump Day

Hope you don't mind but I'm going to start with something a little different today.

My father was a great story teller. Not fiction, he'd just tell stories of his life but he was so good at it people always wanted to listen. I remember my brother once complained that his friends would come over to hang out and end up gathered around Dad, just listening to him talk.

This week I'm thinking a lot about a story Dad loved to tell. It's the story of his 24th birthday - the day I was born. I'm going to try to tell it the way he did, in his words.

I was working days and going to school nights on the G.I. Bill, like most guys after the war. It was about 10:30 at night and I got off the bus a couple blocks from Kay's parents place. We were staying there so they could help take care of Corky - he was about two then - while Kay was pregnant. I was coming down the sidewalk and I saw the car at the corner, with Kay and her mom and dad, waiting for me.

I said to myself, "Well, isn't that nice? They've come to take me out for an ice cream for my birthday." I didn't want to spoil the surprise or act too excited so I was playing Joe Cool, sauntering down the sidewalk, taking my own sweet time. As I got to them, I said, "Hey, what are you guys doing here?", like I wasn't even thinking about it being my birthday.

Kay's dad, who never swore, smacked his hand on the steering wheel and yelled, "Will you get in the G-- damn car. She's having the baby."

I got in and we raced to the hospital. I was wheeling Kay in - you know, in the wheelchair - and this nurse stops us. She's got a clipboard and a pen and she says, "Hold on. We've got to complete these forms before we take you upstairs."

And Kay, in that quiet way of hers, said softly, "Oh, I don't think we have time for that."

Something must have told the nurse Kay was right because she shoved the clipboard at me, told me to start filling it out, and took Kay upstairs.

Fifteen minutes later, Linda was born.

***

I know I don't tell it as well as he did but I just felt like sharing it today.
He always said I was the most expensive birthday gift he ever received.

Growing up, there were times I actually resented having to share my birthday. Every cake always said, "Happy Birthday - Linda and Dad".

As I got older, I loved sharing that cake with him and singing "Happy Birthday" to each other..

I'm very lucky that we got to spend all of our recent birthdays together. Including his last one.

This Saturday, May 9, will be the first birthday I haven't shared with my Dad but I think I'll sing to him anyway.  And I'll put both our names on the cake.
Happy Birthday, Dad.

Okay, I know it's still hump day and you need your funny, so here's a quick joke. (Dad would have loved this one.)

Two little old ladies, Connie & Evelyn, were sitting on a park bench outside the town hall where a flower show was in progress.

Connie leaned over and said, "Life is so boring. We never have any fun anymore. For ten dollars I'd take my clothes off and streak through that stupid flower show."

"You're on," said Evelyn, holding up a ten dollar bill.

So Connie slowly fumbled her way out of her clothes. She grabbed a dried flower from a nearby display and held it between her teeth. Then, completely naked, she streaked (as fast as an old lady could) through the front door of the flower show.

Waiting outside, Evelyn heard a huge commotion, followed by loud applause and whistling. Finally, the smiling Connie came through the exit door surrounded by a cheering, clapping crowd.

"What happened?" asked Evelyn.

"I won $1,000! First prize for 'Best Dried Arrangement!"'

Come on, you know you laughed.

 And, of course, I wouldn't leave you without your "aw".

How about this one?

 

Snuggle-buddies.

That's it. Thanks for letting me share a bit of my dad today.

Hope we got you over the mid-week hump and cruising to the weekend.
Have a good one.

See you next week.

Thought for Today:

I Love You, Dad

The world is diminished by the passing of a great man.

 Frank Masterson

May 9, 1925 - September 10, 2014

He taught me about honesty and integrity.

 He taught me about sacrifice and taking care of others.

He taught me about laughter and embracing life even when life was hard.

But mostly, he taught me about unconditional love.

He was my dad, my hero, and I'll miss him every day of my life.

 Thank you, blog friends, for your prayers and good wishes. I got to spend a lot of time with my dad these last few weeks and I was holding his hand when God called him home. 

I plan to resume my regular blogging and visiting next week. Hope to see you then.

Quote for Today:

To her the name of father was another name for love. ~ Fanny Fern

Just Stopping By...

Um, happy day-after-hump-day.

I'm just stopping by to thank everyone for your prayers and good wishes during these past couple of weeks. I want to give you an update, share a happening, and offer some slightly overdue hump day funnies.

Just after my last post, Hospice told us to gather the family to say goodbye to my dad. I guess Dad was enjoying everyone's visits because he rallied and is still with us. We're treating every day as a special gift from God and, naturally, I'm spending as much time as I can with him, so my online activities will be limited for a while yet.  Please continue to send prayers and good thoughts for Dad and all of us who love him.

My dad, my brother, and me.

In between visits to Dad's, I managed to attend the Killer Nashville mystery writers' conference last weekend. It was great. Kudos to everyone connected with the conference. While there, I had an opportunity to share a couple pages of my book at a roundtable session which resulted in a request from an agent for the full manuscript. I'll admit it, I'm excited. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Should I even mention that just before Dad got sick, my beloved spouse and I contracted for some renovation work in our home?  I'm also juggling not being here to answer questions when I'm at Dad's and dealing with a house full of workers when I'm home. Oh well...

Okay, as promised - your hump day funnies.

I did a post with "dog selfies" a while back. How about this one?

Oh come, that's funny.

Little old lady joke (you know why I get to tell these).

A Highway Patrolman pulled alongside a speeding car and was astounded to see that the little old lady behind the wheel was knitting. Realizing she was oblivious to his siren and flashing lights, he lowered his window and yelled, "PULL OVER!"

 

"No," she yelled back. "It's a scarf."

Here's a good one to follow all that yelling.

 

Very, very true.

I like this next one.

THE  LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

 A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter.

Little Rick was excited about the task - but he just couldn't memorize the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.

On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was strangely calm. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, 

 

"The Lord is my Shepherd...and that's all I need to know."

 

Yup. That's about it.

 

And, of course, I wouldn't forget your "aw".

Check out these eyes.

I'm going to admit to a personal connection to this one. My Dad's dogs have always slept on the bed with him but he had to trade his regular bed for a hospital style one and the dogs don't understand. This is the expression I see on their faces. It's an "aw" every time.

Okay, that's it for today. A little late for hump day but hopefully you're racing toward a glorious weekend.

I'll do my best to answer comments here and try to visit when I can but if I don't make it to your place, I know you'll understand.

 

Take care.

 

 

Thought for Today: 

 

One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.

Hump Day Funnies and a Favor Needed

Happy Hump Day

First, thanks for all the poor-baby's last week for my dental crisis.  It took a couple (not fun) dentist visits and I really do miss that tooth, but all is well now.

Next, I want to ask a favor. My dad is seriously ill. He lives a few hours away so I'll be spending a lot of time on the road for a while. If I miss visiting you or if I don't answer your comments, or if my hump day post doesn't happen until Saturday or not at all, please bear with me. Also, for my friends of faith, please offer a prayer for my dad and for all of us who love him so much. Thanks.

Now, as promised...here are your hump day funnies.

This one's a little long but it gave me a good laugh.

I had everything planned and told my wife I would not be going to church with her on Sunday.

She reminded me that Sunday was the Sabbath Day and hunting a trophy buck should not be part of the Sabbath.

So I explained to her…
1. I scouted the area all summer.
2. I searched out the best location for my tree-stand.
3. I set it all up a month ahead of time.
4. I trailed the herd and picked out a trophy buck.
5. Two days before opening day I rechecked every aspect of the hunt.
6. Everything was in place. This was destined to be an epic hunt and I was going.

Sunday morning, I woke up at 2 a.m. I put on my camo, loaded my pack, and set out for my stand.

As I approached my deer stand, I saw...

I called my wife and told her I had decided not to hunt on the Sabbath and would meet her at church.

The Sunday sermon was entitled...  "The Lord Works In Mysterious Ways".

My husband isn't a hunter but I still thought that was funny. 

 

I found another headline I'd thought you'd like.



Good to know.

This isn't a newspaper but it calls for the same question...



Who edits these things?!?

I've got a bit of a problem this week. I can't decide on your "aw". And since my brain is too tired to make decisions, you get a special treat. Two "aw"s for the price of one. (Such a deal.)

These are both dogs so no dog/cat rivalry here. 

And I think there's a theme.

 This guy wants out...

 And this guy wants up.

What do you think? Both worth an "aw"?

 

That's it for today. Are you there? 

Over the midweek hump and headed for a great weekend?

I hope so.

Thanks again for your support.

Thought for Today:

If you want the rainbow, you have got to put up with the rain.