Horse Manure Park

I'm enjoying the first day of spring doing a couple of my favorite things... Catching up on some reading with a cup of extra strong Peaberry coffee from Costa Rica (thanks Scott and Ann!) and savoring a fine cigar from the Dominican Republic, while chilling (literally) in the crisp Minnesota sunshine. My dad used to tell me I was named after Sammy Kaye. I never really knew if he was kidding me but it is interesting to learn more about the big band leader whose namesake I may (or may not) be. I found this little treasure while browsing my favorite used book store (if you're in the Brainerd Lakes Area, check out Emily's Used Books right next to BIR. You won't be disappointed). It was published in 1967 and it is simply oozing with information. The author (George T. Simon) wrote for Metronome   magazine; he had an encyclopedic knowledge of the big band era. Simon passed away in 2001, but what a gift he left us. A wonderful read!

In memory of my father this Memorial Day. I visited his grave for the first time in several years yesterday. It was good to say hello.

One hundred years ago today a baby boy was born near Somers, Iowa. That baby grew up to be my dad. That's right, today is my father's 100th birthday.  I think of him every single day and use him as my role model through life. I know I will never be half the man he was, but I do my best to make him proud of the child he raised. My dad in Rome, 1944, after the Battle of Monte Cassino.  When I looked at this picture as a kid, I always thought my dad looked like a movie star. My dad with my two brothers, Bob (left) and Dale, about 1951.  Still one of my favorite pictures. Me and my dad in the spring of 1970.  He was a 55 year-old grandfather in this picture, starting all over with yet another son! Me, my hair and my dad, autumn of 1988. Happy birthday, Dad.  Thank you for your service to our country -- you were a true American hero, even though you never really talked about it. Thank you for passing on your love of football to me.  I a...

Happy Father's Day to my pops.  He's been gone for 17 years, but it seems like just yesterday.   I'm glad that I still remember his voice and I'm thankful for all the letters he wrote to me.  There are times I visit with him through those letters when I need advice. My dad on December 31, 1985 at a VFW somewhere in Minnesota.  I was playing a New Year's Eve gig that night.   Judging by the bottles of Schmidt, Howard's got a good start on the evening! Such a shame you had to go So much more that I'd like to know So many things you forgot to show me how to do... I got two kids of my own now They grow up so fast and how I wish you did not miss that part of who I am... But I keep doing all that I can do And I smile when they ask about you I will sing to them every day With voice and the words that you used to say... --"Always Remember" by Train

His friends and family knew him as a hard-working man; honest to a fault with a quick wit and a great sense of humor. His was intelligent: an avid reader of World Book Encyclopedias, "how-to" books and novels.  A prolific writer.  Always doodling with some sort of brain-teaser or mathematical problem. He served his country with distinction as a decorated veteran in World War II. He loved music, although he couldn't play an instrument.  He rarely sang, but he always knew the words. He enjoyed a cold beer and good conversation.  No one ever remembers him turning down an Old Milwaukee. He was a grandfather at the age of 53. Then at the age of 54, he had the shock of his life: he became a father for the third time. He was born 99 years ago today and I wouldn't be here without him.  You see, I was this man's third child. Even though I am ten years younger than my dad was when my mom broke "the news," I can about imagine how speechless, how ut...

I forgot today was Father's Day until a co-worker wished me "Happy Father's Day" as I was walking out of work.  I got some nice cards from my babies and my present is in transit - so my wife says.  Or did she forget too?  Hmmmm.... Dad and me I love this picture of me and my dad.  I suppose I was about three years old when this was taken, and judging by Dad's clothes, I am guessing he just got off work.  He worked for Mid-America Dairymen for many years.  He was the butter man. Anyway, I miss my dad everyday.  I really wish I could have had another 20 years with him, but it wasn't part of the Plan. In other news, my daughter asked a terrific question tonight.  One of those questions I've never really thought of.  We were watching a cartoon where a rocket ship blasted off: "5...4...3...2...1...0...Blastoff!" Ava turned and looked at me with that thoughtful look on her face and asked, "Dad?  Why do you count backwards when a ro...

Poof!  Just like that, there goes another weekend. It is kinda funny, in my last post I mentioned it was in the 70s and that "spring was officially here".  Since then, we got about a half inch of snow and it hasn't gotten above 50 degrees... or at least it sure hasn't felt like it.  Most of the snow has since melted, but depending on which forecast you choose to believe, more snow is on the way this week.  It might not hit us, though.  It might go further south and east.  I hope so.  I am ready to open the camper and get on with summertime. At least one person was happy about the new snow.  Ava making a "snow bunny." Sandy and Ray stopped by yesterday and gave the kids Easter baskets.  We had coffee, pie and chatted.  It was good to see them and a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  It sure beat working! Yesterday was the first time Beth and I had been home together in over a week.  It was nice while it lasted, b...

So begins a new work week.  I'll put in my 56 hours this week, then enjoy next week.  My brothers and sisters-in-law are coming for our annual winter weekend get together in two weeks.  We always have a blast when we are together.  We haven't seen each other in a long time, so we've got plenty of catching up to do. We've had a slow, but steady snowfall since late Saturday/early Sunday.  The forecast was calling for 5 to 8 inches of snow by Monday, but it looks more like we have between 2 and 3 inches.  I'm just "eyeballing" it, but we certainly didn't get half a foot. I watched the Super Bowl yesterday.  I was disappointed in the outcome.  Yes, I was cheering for the Colts.  I felt the Vikings had a better team than the Saints and it makes me vomit bile to think it could have been the Vikings in the Super Bowl defeating the Colts. Now, if my dad was alive, he would say that the Saints winning the Super Bowl made the Vikings look good....

A special birthday wish to my dad, who would have been 94 years old today. It is hard to believe you have been gone for 12 years. I miss you very much, but I feel like I talk to you every day. I know you and Mom are doing fine. I'll have a beer and a cigar for you tonight... you know, just in case they don't allow that kind of stuff upstairs.

My days off are done. It is Monday which means it is back to work tonight. Mondays are tough. I usually sleep in as late as I can -- typically until about 10 a.m. Then Beth heads off to work at 10:30 a.m. and Ava and I hang out together all day. I then head to work at 10:30 p.m. and get home about 7:30 a.m. the next morning and my head finally hits the pillow at about 8:30 a.m. All this means I usually have to stay awake for 22 hours on Mondays, which isn't very fun. I usually find myself switching to autopilot and just getting through it. So right now I am on autopilot. So right now I am on autopilot. So right now I am on autopilot. So right now I am on autopilot. So right now I am on autopilot. So right now I am on autopilot. So right now I am on autopilot. Oops. Sorry. My autopilot got stuck. I am letting Ava watch Noggin today. She had no t.v. all weekend long, so I am letting her get her fill today. I think she learns a few things watching these Noggin programs. She...