Don’t mind if I do!
Today’s Father’s Day, and I can do whatever I want – within My Captor limits – which is near nothing.
Business first: This post posted by my weekly 8A ritual, Sea Change on the box, followed by Beck-oriented tunes. Waking up around 7, telling My Captor “That post won’t post itself”.
Spotify playing the better part of the day: Recalling my nephew Will’s thought “Anyone not listening to music is leading a suboptimal life”.
Receiving my children’s HFD calls, work schedules making personal visits difficult, the cardboard family cut-outs having to suffice.
Gifts optional. Once given, the ultimate tribute being moved immediately into clothing rotation; my gift attitude recalling my father’s “I don’t need another damn sweater!”
My Captor nailing it this year though, early gifting me T-shirts, starting a ‘… Collar or not’ conflict I wrestle every day.
A few beach beers this afternoon, followed by dinner in or out. Though My Captor brilliantly introducing Southern Soul’s Sunday fried chicken special as a meal option.
Recalling my favorite father’s day gift, she gifting a bucket of fried chicken and 12 pack of Torpedo. That’s fatherin’…
While beaching, watching the Braves game and US Open on my phone, half-interestedly. Maybe watching the final 3 holes live.
Throughout the day, reflecting on all I’m lucky for: Family, friends, and my relative good health – I still have one good hip – and beer!
In my ‘luck-pile’, I’ll admit it: I really like beer! My favorite, a couple of beers on the porch before dinner, heavy on the hops.
Or dinner out, at a joint with a happy hour until 6: Tropicalia half-price!
Doesn’t taste nearly as good at 6:01…
Beer definitely a social lubricant: The worst part of Covid being unable to have a draft beer with friends in a restaurant.
Beer also a valuable resource for fatherhood, which is a very challenging job, quietly balancing children demands – and your Captor’s.
No one really cares about your issues – How you doing? a rhetorical question – so you’re effectively 3rd in the family concern line.
4th if you have a dog.
Beer an easy way to feel better. Up to a point of course; beer is our friend, but be careful what he’s saying behind your back…
Loving beer, I aspire to be a zythophile, enjoying the intricacies of brewing processes, beer styles, flavor profiles, the cultural history of beer.
In the meantime, I’m OK with casual beer drinking. Occasionally, over-casual.
Heavy on the hops.
Though I was a Bud drinker back in the day, moving on from lagers during the craft brewing revolution.
Part of my ‘luck-pile’ having two sons-in-law who are also craft beer drinkers; they’ll drink an IPA on ‘ya.
So, I’ll toast a couple to them – and the rest of the family – as part of a relaxing, do-little day.
But I’ll also devote some thinkin’ and thankin’ time to those who aren’t here today, primarily my dad and our son Dan. But there are others, too many to mention.
And I’ll toast a beer to them – to all my precedents.
Offering thanks for their role(s) in making me the father I am.
Especially my own father, who was the perfect model. Thanks, Dad.
And Danny – – who I miss every day, but who has made me a better father.
I’ll also devote some thinkin’ and thankin’ time to those who are here today, my extended family and My Captor.
Learning from my children every day, My Captor my entire life.
The mark of a good father: Learning from every experience – good and bad.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR WITH THE FOLLOWING ‘AGING HIPSTER MUSIC/READING’:
Deer Tick’s new album is good.
And Love Is Not Enough still available on Amazon. What a great read for anyone who has dealt with mental health or addiction issues. Or just wants to read about family love and recovery.
My recent interview, detailed in Let Me Ask You (https://beersatthenifty.com/let-me-ask-you/) might be attached. As a certified luddite, I can’t be sure. But here’s a link:
Today a tribute to My Captor – and to life/aging – originally recorded by Cash and Haggard, but I’ve just heard Don William’s version. All great.
I Wish I was crazy again
I met an old friend this morning
And I stopped him and called him by name
I said, “The years haven’t changed you”
As he said, “Good Lord, how you’ve changed”
We stood there and talked on the corner
And remembered the good times we’d had
Then he asked if we’re happy together
And I only smiled and I said
Yes, she keeps me off the street
And she keeps me out of trouble
But sometimes at night, Lord, when I hear the wind
Oh, I wish I was crazy again
Yes, I wish I was crazy again
Then we stopped at a tavern
We had us a round or two
We called ourselves old desperados
As old friends are likely to do
We sat for a while and remembered
Then he said, “Let’s have just one more”
And I said, “I wish I could join you
But I best be going home”
‘Cause she keeps me off the street
And she keeps me out of trouble
But sometimes at night, Lord, when I hear the wind
Oh, I wish I was crazy again
Yes, I wish I was crazy again
Yes, she keeps me off the street
And she keeps me out of trouble
But sometimes at night, Lord, when I hear the wind
Oh, I wish I was crazy again
Yes, I wish I was crazy again
Happy Father’s Day, Jim