What Dad wants…

A Dad stands, with his 2 year old daughter, on a busy sidewalk in front of a store. A dog comes toward them with a low growl in its belly and a whisper of a snarl on its mouth, stalking and weaving through the crowd. Dad looks down to see there is no joy in dog’s eyes as its gaze locks onto the toddler beside him. Dad takes a step to put his foot and leg between the dog and the toddler. The dog looks up and sees determination in Dad’s eyes, so it decides to withdraw from the scene. A stranger observing the scene remarks to Dad “that was gutsy.” Dad looks down at the toddler and pulls her close as he replied “no, that’s my daughter.”
Years go by and the little girl grows into an independent young woman. She has her own mind and is a loving person. All a Dad wants from a young suitor is to be a person who would put himself out there to protect his daughter from the wolves when necessary. If he can do that and make his daughter happy, then he’s got my vote!

Dad Likes: Father’s Day

Almost anyone can be a father but it takes a special person to be a Dad! We should rename it “Dad’s Day”.
Dads come in many flavors- any race, gay, straight, trans, step Dad, Grand Dad, Uncle, and many other titles we give each other.

Dad took his queues from some great guys from different places on the generation spectrum.

And it’s not about politics and whether you agree with all the values they displayed. It’s about Love. Dad knows firsthand how it felt to hold you child for the first time. The first time you see the mother of your child with your child- transformation happened in those moments.

Dad got to grow with his wife and daughter- always on a spectrum of love that changes and deepens with time. And the journey continues…. Dad-ness is a spectrum and a journey.

Dad likes: Rock and Roll

Rock music wasn’t that old when Dad was a kid. Dad grew up hearing a lot of Elvis, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc.

And the beat went on into folk, add Joni Mitchell, James Taylor. Dad expanded into metal with KiSS, Alice Cooper and came back to Rock with Bowie, Hendrix.

Transition into country with Waylon, Willie and Dixie Chicks (with a heavy dose of Johnny Cash). Then his daughter introduced Dad to Eminem and some selected Rappers. Finally, Imagine Dragons rounded out an introduction to Indy music.
There were many others who spent time on Dad’s musical palette. The point being this- people change. It isn’t always obvious but it happens everyday. Sometimes people change political party, come out of the closet or transition to a new sex. Change is part of Life. So next time you hear someone say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks- just say nah.

Heaven has a helluva group forming…https://youtu.be/s5BJXwNeKsQ

Dad likes: Grateful living & learning

Dad likes Life with his girls, Mom, Laura and Willow! I am grateful for the life we have and the life Laura is making for herself. She has an interesting and rewarding profession and she is seeing more of the world than Dad or Mom. As a parent, it’s rewarding for Dad to see Laura’s progress.

It’s rewarding to be at a place in life and doing things you want to do. Dad is still learning- in the past year German, French, Russian and Japanese. Learn about people- learn a language. It’s cool, expand your reach try it sometime! https://www.duolingo.com/

Dad likes- photography

Photography is Dad’s favorite language. It’s a great way to make a memory or express your feelings. A combination of light, shadow and color to say something about your experience of the world.

It doesn’t have to be complicated- simple is more.

What matters is what you feel about it.

Dad likes… what Americans can be

During Dad’s Life, America has made progress in some areas and not so much in others. Technological progress made Americans the envy of the world and infrastructure made life easier. Social and equality issues are still problems because the politicians seem unable to agree on legislation to improve the situation.

The struggle for civil rights goes on. Dad thinks that amendments to police union contracts to punish unacceptable behaviors and reward good police work in America. On the flip side, Dad knows that Americans need to be more civil and tolerant of each other. If Americans can accomplish those things the it may be possible to avoid more Uvalde school shootings and January 6th riots in the future?

What do you say America let’s get along- can we give it a try? 🇺🇸

Dad likes… memories

Dad likes to remember departed loved ones on their birthday, maybe you do too? Let’s try… 😎❤️

Dad likes… my day with the girls

Dad has survived a lot of hardships in life- some with his fellow Americans and all with his Family. We take for granted the time we have- don’t!! Dad knows what it’s like to be young too. He was lucky to get Mom and Laura. Outnumbered so that even our dogs are female!!! Outnumbered and loving it… 😆

Young adulthood is a hard time of Life for some. Trying to figure out who you are and how you fit into the world can be a tough time. But if you learn to trust yourself and rely on the people who love you- it will work out for you in the end. But don’t rush to get to the end.

A wise person once made a film (A Musical Thing https://youtu.be/vGLvAvg2OrQ ) that taught me Life is a musical thing and that you are supposed to dance while the music is played.

Dad says enjoy your time with the ones you love and your Life will count for something… 💕🎶

Dad likes: the 2020 Democrat ticket

Dad likes the DEM’s ticket this year! Biden and Harris should win, barring anymore interference in the mail system by trump. Dad still wants to see more improvement in the way our police treat our black and brown communities.

Too many black Americans are dying at the hands of seemingly racist cops. One of the latest victims appears to be Mr. Jacob Blake of Kenosha, Wisconsin, 29 years old and with his kids in the car!

More violence erupted in Wisconsin as a self described “militia” man shoots protesters as cops roll by him, as demonstrators identify him as a shooter. Eventually the cops arrested the shooter.

Meanwhile, back at the conventions- Republicans (who don’t identify their platform) are quick to point at the Democrat’s platform as “socialism.” Problem is this, Americans love socialism…

So much for that angle, what else do you have trump? Dad continues to remind all you millennials to vote in November! AMERICA needs all of you.. 🙂 Til then, stay safe and take care…

Dad likes.. Casa Blanca (1942)

Dad likes the classic movie that reminds me about Americans before trumpism gripped and twisted the nation. No, America was not perfect (ask any average person of color who lives here), but it had so much promise. Dad’s favorite scene is when the bar crowd breaks out an act of defiance by singing the French national anthem is the face of the nazis singing “Fatherland.” Let’s see, where have I seen that kind of resistance lately, oh yeah- American construction workers…

With  a president who suggests Americans inject disinfectants to prevent or treat covid-19, we need to help ourselves more than ever. Maybe it is time for VP Pence to activate the 25th Amendment to remove the trump menace and protect America for a change? It is definitely time for ALL of you to vote this threat out of office. In the meantime,  follow the stay at home orders, keep our distance and protect each other- – we cannot trust trump to help us. Listen to the credible scientists, Governors (with half a brain) and local health officials. “Here’s looking at you kid…” (Bogart, 1942). Stay home, stay safe. and take care.. !