Sunday, January 12, 2014

Closing in on Mom's Title

I've now had the mailbox in front of my house knocked down for the fourth time last night. Now I don't have to contend with snowplows here in Florida like Mom did in Geneva so I hope a snow guard for my mailbox won't be necessary. Of course, the snow guard we had installed didn't seem to do much to help save Mom's mailbox... especially when it got knocked down in July. Maybe Mom had the same reckless redneck with the big pick up truck living across the street from her that I have now.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

One of those stories.....

I don't even remember what brought on this memory of Dad but I thought I should share it.... before it slipped away again. When I first moved to Tampa I was working with a sportscaster who was a practical joker and a know-it-all; a perfect combination, for a sportscaster. On Dad's first visit to the station I asked him to help me on a practical joke for the sportscaster. I told Dad that he was going to be a former head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team. I quickly explained that he, Dad, was the Athletic Director at Ohio State when Woody Hayes was fired and in the month before Earl Bruce was hired Dad was the acting head coach. I don't know where I come up with these wild ideas but I'm sure you could make an educated guess. So, into the newsroom we went, introductions all around and when we met the sportscaster he didn't really believe me at first but Dad who I thought didn't know anything about football, let alone Ohio State football was off and running. Dad named names, he threw around dates, he re-called rules and before my very eyes Dad turned into a head football coach. He sold the story hook line and sinker. When we finally told the sportscaster the truth he didn't believe that either. Brain Surgeon my ass.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Careful of what you make fun of....

When dad moved to Geneva and started frequenting the local McDonald's I made an effort to get him to hang out at a better establishment; God help me what that might be in Geneva. Constant kidding and not so subtle suggestions that he find a more suitable place to spend his days "working" were unsuccessful. I thought about my failed efforts today while I was sitting there with my ice tea in hand, stack of newspapers at my side in the local..... McDonald's; that's right I've become dad, minus the smarts, money and degree. And unlike dad's social aspect of going to McDonald's to talk to people I go for the exact opposite reason. No one talks to me and there is nothing to do except read... and re-fill my cup from time to time.

Chris