Getting Down Uptown

We are fortunate that our city has multiple outdoor music events uptown during the summer months. Last weekend my wife and I attended one of the Summer on Trade events. We had a good time, but the little guy below was hands-down having the best time of us all.

5 Lessons My Father Taught Me From the Dead - Number 5

My father died in 1964. I was 6 years old. Even though most of my life has been lived in his absence, his life has taught valuable lessons. This 5 part blog series is about those lessons.

5. We all have a life to live - Live It!

Shortly after my mother and father met he told her that he would not live past 36. Strange thing was there was no physical illness or history of family disease to indicate that he would be right. Yet, he was insistent that he knew he would not live past 36. He told my mother this and she believed him. They decided to live life together anyway - until death do we part.

In the 13 years that they had together - they laughed, learned, and enjoyed life. They parented three children and set the stage for their future. They would often forget the ticking of time but for my father's occasional reminders.  He was gentle with his belief, but serious.

In June of 1964 at the age of 36, my father had a massive heart attack and died. He left behind more than his widow and three children. He left behind a life powerfully and well lived that has inspired us to live with death in sight. Life should be lovingly and joyfully lived each day.

5 Lessons My Father Taught Me From the Dead - Number 4

My father died in 1964. I was 6 years old. Even though most of my life has been lived in his absence, his life has taught valuable lessons. This 5 part blog series is about those lessons.

4. Be Playfully Mischievous

I'm not sure I can illustrate this lesson clearly, but here goes. It is more the way my mother tells the story than the facts of the story that tell the tale.  My mother is not and never has been a morning person. She does well to drag herself out of bed and make a pot of coffee. Somewhere between the first and second pot, she will become somewhat awake and mildly social. She would sit, head in hand at the kitchen table - internally fighting her way into the day. My dad would always offer a cheerful "Morning Lib!" and lean over and give her a kiss. She would fain a greeting and turn back to her coffee. There was however a wickedly playful side to my father for at some random and totally unpredictable occasions he would lean over to kiss my mother and instead, playfully tap her under her breast. This always startled her and - as she would tell it even today - cause her to be aggravated to the point of amusement.

I believe it was the impish intent of his actions that always charmed her. Void of any ill, he was often playfully mischievous. He kept all of us one our toes and smiling. 

5 Lessons My Father Taught Me From the Dead - Number 3

My father died in 1964. I was 6 years old. Even though most of my life has been lived in his absence, his life has taught valuable lessons. This 5 part blog series is about those lessons.

3. You need some regular time alone.

My father dug a hole under the house, poured some concrete and laid a few concrete blocks to create a workshop for himself. It was his place and we were not often allowed. I'm sure this was partly because of the many pieces and parts (see #1 below) too valuable and/or dangerous for children's hands. As time has passed, I came to know that this was also his place of solitude. When dad went down to his shop we didn't bother him. He would return soon enough and he always seemed happier than when he left.

This was his place of working it out. It was his time alone creating, repairing, and fixing things that refueled him. I think we all need that time away. I know I do.

10 Things You Learn When You're Home Alone

My wife is traveling in Europe. While I am enjoying the time alone at home, I'm learning some interesting things:

1. Brown clothing is best washed in the dark load.

2. We use a lot of water on the plants - Thirsty little things.

3. A fish can go days without being fed, apparently (note to self - feed fish)

4. There are many things I obviously don't remember without a reminder.

5. I really don't read the newspaper - I just bring it inside.

6. Absence (abstinence?) does make the heart grow fonder.

7. I will eat about anything if it is handy, doesn't smell rotten or look too fuzzy.

8. My dogs are neurotic and needy (another note - feed the dogs).

9. Things get dusty.

10. I like the bed being made before I climb in at night.

In Loving Memory

My father died in June of 1964. He was 36. I wrote this poem in memory of him, William Earl Williams

In Memory

It should be the memory of a hammer striking the crude nail
Driving it through the rough hewn pine
Slicing grain from grain

It should be the great effort, heavy grind of stone on stone
Sliding the lid to alignment with vault
Solidly into place

Such sounds and visions would be true reminders of the drama
Moving painfully among breath and dream
Caressing wounds to scars

Yet, what remains is the dull click of metal
Latches with well insulated springs
An almost insignificant sound

As the casket closed.

What Did You Say? Episode 4

Singing along to the radio with your teens in the car can be hazardous. Let me just leave it at this - the lyrics are not "Go Charlotte, it's your birthday."

What Did You Say? Episode 3

What Did You Say? Episode 3

Do you know the song "American Woman?" Made popular in the 70s by The Guess Who and remade a few years ago by Lenny Kravitz, "American Woman" is a playful is not thought provoking romp through some classic rock. It is important, however, not to mishear the lyrics.

My son, tells the story on himself as hearing the words "American Woman" as "A Naked Woman." Insert that into the lyrics and you might understand why a pubescent male was so confused by the song.

What Did You Say? Episode 2

What Did You Say? Episode 2

There was a time when my mother was into crochet work, especially afghans. She made dozens of them and gave them to family members. They were wonderfully colorful, well made and fun to wrap-up in while sitting and reading.

One day my Grandmother was resting beneath one of mom's creations and answered the phone. I heard her reply (to what must have been the "Whacha Doing?" question), "Nothing. Just laying here under this African that Lib gave me."

What Did You Say?! Episode 1

Laughing About What We THOUGHT We Heard - Episode 1

My son (now 21) tells the story of a car ride with his mom and older sister when he was a young teen. The song playing was "Jump, Jive an Wail" sung by Brain Setzer.

He rode in the back in disbelief as he witnessed his sister and mother 'seat dancing' and singing enthusiastically the song. His problem, he learned later, was that he had the chorus line wrong. What we know as "jump, jive" he heard as "drunk drive." See the lyrics below as he heard them.

Baby, baby it looks like it's gonna hail
Baby, baby it' looks like it's gonna hail
You better come inside
Let me teach you how to drive and wail

You gotta drunk drive, and then you wail
You gotta drunk drive, and then you wail
You gotta drunk drive, and then you wail
You gotta drunk drive, and then you wail
You gotta drunk drive, and then you wail away!

Papa's in the icebox lookin' for a can of ale
Papa's in the icebox lookin' for a can of ale
Mama's in the backyard learning how to drive and wail

(chorus)

A woman is a woman and a man ain't nothin' but a male
A woman is a woman and a man ain't nothin' but a male
One good thing about him
He knows how to drive and wail

Jack and jill went up the hill to get a pail
Jack and jill went up the hill to get a pail
Jill stayed up, she wants to learn how to drive and wail

(chorus)

Funny stuff!