77 Zealous Inches

Sam and Justin. The diversity in character of these two hearty folk is illustrated beautifully as follows below:

This evening, they are in the kids room watching after their baby daughters in the most attentive and tender manner…..while they discuss – most animatedly – the technique of gopher slaughter.

Sam: “And then I took a ____ and ran it through its ______ and its whole ______ was hanging out of its ______ and then its ______ popped out and there was _____ everywhere.”

Justin: “Dude!”

I love our handy handymen.

Whodda ever thunk that the combination of Hugo Weaving, a black wig, and a smiley mask could be so dead sexy?

I’m very happy that my last taste of worldly input was a good one.

Going on a month long worldly input fast tomorrow to cleanse my soul of the poisons that have set in. Too many movies…must detox. Very encouraging messages from the Lord, lots of promises of the benefits. I’m actually very much looking forward to this, can’t do nuthin’ but good right? Lord willing I shall emerge thirty days from now a stronger, happier, more uncompromising disciple. Pray for me, tis my deepest hope. Pray it sticks too….that’s the important part.

Like my header?

I’m particularly fond of the one of Angie and I. I look like the Rock of Ages or something very immovable next to her tender little frame.

Dad, all things considered, you’re a pretty cool guy. I hope you had a good birthday at Wordstock. They better had done something fun for you other than dressing you up as Bacchus for the third consecutive year, though I have to say you are dynamite in that role.

I can’t remember if you’re turning 58 or 59, though either one is downright hardcore – one or two years away from 60! Rock on Dad! I stand firm in my opinion that you’re in your prime; better looking than when you were thirty if the photos aren’t lying. Age improves you, I think. Mom thinks the same, so she tells me.

Dad, here’s a couple of the things that stand out when I think about you.

During one parent time: “Hey kids, here’s a super fun activity! Are you ready? You all watch me while I take a catnap and make sure I don’t open my eyes!

Wresting with you while you tried to hold me in front of “the mirror of truth” so I could “see myself as I really was”

Driving with you every Saturday to Blockbuster to pick out a movie (pre-renewal, naturally) and gleefully anticipating the moment when you would inevitably say on the way home “Hey, wanna stop for an ice cream”?

         Napping in the backseat of the truck while you were driving on one of our countless cross-country road trips when all of the sudden you would break out into a Indian whoop and shout “The Miiiiiiiiiighty Diesel!”

         Going with you to pick up mom at the airport. I loved seeing you so happy to see her again.

         Trying once to provision a hotel from an Indian man, you started shaking your head and talking in an Indian accent without noticing it.

         Trying to sweet talk you into paying for my lunch, long after I should have been paying for myself. It always worked. I am a mastermind! You’re a softie!

         Reading the chapters of your book as you wrote them. And you took my suggestions too, that made me feel pretty cool.

         I still haven’t forgiven you for dragging us to see the Alamo in the rain on our last road trip, but give me another year or so and I’m sure be thankful I got to partake of that priceless bit our nation’s history

Okay, this is sounding like Chicken Soup now. But really Dad, I love you! I wouldn’t have any other father, none would be as quite as snazzy as you are. Thanks for being born, thanks for marrying Mom, thanks for doing your part to make my childhood wonderful, and thanks for following the Lord through so many major changes. I wasn’t sure you could do what you did in the last year and a half but you did it and I’m really proud of you! You are quite snazeroodlez and I miss you! I really hope you had a special birthday and kept those hormonal young people in line!

Have faith.