The sunburned hands I used to hold

I miss you, Dad.



I miss you most of all when autumn leaves start to fall.

Movie Madness Monday 100: I Miss My Dad edition

We bring you one of the best movies about the complex misunderstanding that is unfortunately usually the basis of the relationship between father and child. But at the bottom of it all, there is love.

In honor of my Dad, who actually liked this movie, I bring you Movie Madness Monday, Century Edition. Please put your quote in the comments section without naming the movie.


"Water?"
"No, thank you-- fish make love in it."

"Small world, Dr. Jones."
"Too small for two of us."
"This is the second time I've had to reclaim my property from you."
"That belongs in a museum."
"So do you."

"I didn't know you could fly a plane!"
"Fly, yes. Land, no."

"It's disgraceful! You're old enough to be her-- her grandfather!"
"Well, I'm as human as the next man."
"Dad, I WAS the next man!"
"Oh... ships that pass in the night."

"Please, what does it always mean, this... this "Junior"?
"That's his name. Henry Jones... Junior!"

Thursday Thirteen Number 3

Thirteen Things I Learned from My Dad 1. Football teaches you about life (pronounced l-a-h-f). 2. The Orange Bowl isn't the Orange Bowl unless OU is playing in it for the national championship. 3. Barbecue is the best food ever. 4. Louisiana Hot Sauce is good on everything. 5. Watermelon is more interesting with salt on it. 6. Wuthering Heights is a great book. My dad insisted I read it when I was about 11, and I loved it. 7. A mechanic is only as good as his tools. 8. A man can live his life as a complete, patriarchal, sexist pig-- until he has a little girl who might not get to do whatever she wants. 9. A real friend helps his friends whenever they need help, and tries to do it humbly and secretly. 10. You should never be without a pocket knife-- and he was right. Everytime I haven't had one, I needed one. 11. The day is not done until the crossword puzzle is done. 12. Little children like green gum. 13. A good vocabulary can take you anywhere. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Snowed in in Oklahoma

As you may know, my father passed away nearly three weeks ago. We were supposed to have the memorial service and burial in his southwestern Oklahoma hometown today. However, any of you who are anywhere near this part of the world know that we have had sleet, freezing rain, and snow here starting yesterday afternoon. My mother made it out as far as El Reno, but stopped at a motel due to conditions. We drove here yesterday evening, and it was mostly fine until the end.

We watched some idiot woman in a Lexus spin crazily all over the highway, missing a bridge abutment by this much [] (including swerving toward us the wrong way for a millisecond) ALL WHILE MAINTAINING HER CONVERSATION ON HER FREAKIN' CELL PHONE near the Cherokee casino. She paused briefly-- and then passed us again at twice the safe speed. What. An. Idiot. She looked at US in disbelief as in, "You have 4 wheel drive-- why are you being such babies?" I dunno, I have this irrrational attachment to keeping my car in one piece and my family safe, and NOTHING will help you drive in this stuff.

So the memorial service has been cancelled. Anyone who was planning to come -- forget it. There's black ice out there, friends, with another wave on the way. And the last thing in the world anyone wants is to be stuck in southwestern Oklahoma for a couple of unexpected days. Trust me. Even in GOOD weather, I always was grateful I had reading to fill my time when we used to visit this neck of the woods. That, and catching mountain boomers was about all the entertainment to be had.

So we'll just try to get this all put behind us later-- maybe spring or summer.

An inadequate note of thanks

On a personal note, I was so very touched by so very many people leaving a kind comment here, including a lovely poetic tribute over at the Wonks' place, on the passing of my father.

Thanks so much, dan, polski, educat, edwonk, fred, graycie, john, muriel, k, nyc educator, jess, elementaryhistoryteacher, janet, mike in texas, thespis, guusjem, carol, james, shari L, janet, deann, and jenny d.

Thank you so much for everyone who left a message and who remembered me and my family in their thoughts and prayers. I believe that these thoughts and prayers do have a positive impact.

I am blessed in so many ways.

Requiem im Pace, Dad

My father passed away yesterday. Thanks to a sweet and loving husband, a wonderful group of coworkers who have written lesson plans, a very supportive principal, and my district's leave policy, I was able to be with him the last few days. Things are tough right now, but there is no more suffering for my dad.

I may be quiet for a few days, I don't know.