Venus & Mars are Still Functioning

It's good to know in our world that some things don't change. JoAnn and I went out to dinner tonight for ribs. As usual we shared a half-rack, and got hush-puppies and corn on the cob as our sides. That means we got 5 hush-puppies and 1 piece of corn on the cob.

Since we always share the sides (unless it's something I don't like) I told JoAnn, "Let's divide it, each eating half." If you are a guy, what does that mean? "You eat the right half and I'll eat the left half."

If you're a woman what it means is located below:

The photo says it all. When I looked at it and looked at JoAnn and said, "I meant half each," and she responded with, "That's half." And then I laughed as she said, "I always eat all the way across." While I always eat all the way around.

It's good to know we still communicate and can still laugh about it. We still speak in terms of gender. You would think after 42 years we would have it figured out. I guess not, but that's okay because we love each other. Thanks JoAnn for keeping me on my toes.

The Cartoon Father's Day Card

Imagine my surprise when Mike sent me an email directing me to his Minidove comic site. I was even more surprised when I saw his work. He warmed my heart. I love my children.


Thank you Mike

Fathers I have Known

It is Father’s Day - that annual time of the year when we are supposed to be appreciated - even if we don’t always deserve it. That’s a different topic. I want to talk about some fathers that have been an inspiration for me. And yes, you can assume it will be biased, as it should be. I had 3 fathers in my life that were models to me, my father and my 2 grandfathers. Each was special in his own way. My own dad is an inspiration. He is now 90 years old and I hope I can be as active as he is when I’m 90. Of course I want to be a little less cantankerous, but he isn’t bad.


Dad was always there for us. He was busy, but somehow found time for us, whether it was going to Scout camp with us. I can remember long trips to visit family. When we lived in Texas we would leave for Iowa about 8 pm and Dad would drive until we got to Kansas, when Mom would take over. He never said much, but I remember those long drives. He was always a quiet presence, teaching us by example. Living on a military base we had to know how to mow, trim, and edge the law so it would pass an inspection. He taught us how to work and how to do the job right. That clearly took through our whole family and has been passed on to the next generation.

My grandfathers were special. They never lived close, but we knew who they were and as we grew older they became even more special. My brother and I would go to Des Moines and spend a month every summer with Grandpa and Grandma McLean. We would ride the trolley downtown, go the Standard Seed Company where Grandpa worked, and watched the 4th of July Parade from the office. We would go to drive-in movies, eat popcorn and drink cola. They took my brother and I on vacation to Missouri one year. It was so much fun. When I graduated from high school in Abilene, Texas I moved to California and lived with my grandparents. They had a small house and they welcomed me, took care of me, and nurtured me. For JoAnn, they were the first McLean’s she had met and I think their example helped me win her.

In some ways my Grandpa Merriam had a major influence. His example was so important to me. He was always busy, always doing something, always engaged. He was an entrepreneur when we didn’t know what that was, doing a variety of things in his life. He showed me beauty, endurance, and how to finish. He began gathering his family genealogy in the mid 1930s while living in Chicago. When we lived in Texas they would come visit. We thought Texas to be a desert (we know better now) and we lived on the edge of our housing area (we lived on a military base) he would go out, gather flowers and create small arrangements and then take photos of them. He found beauty where we found bleakness. He never gave up and he never stopped.

I have 4 son-in-laws and one son who are fathers. In each one of them I have observed attributes that make them great fathers. Each in their own way have become a partner with their wife building a relationship and a home environment where their children thrive. As a grandfather I can’t ask for much more than that. Being a father is about doing the right things, but the hardest part is learning to do the right things. Sometimes that is very challenging. I see in my son and son-in-laws efforts to try to do the right things and a willingness to learn from their mistakes. I also see a humility and a love for their wives and children which I believe is the proper foundation. I see in my son and son-in-law who are not fathers, yet, the same attributes. I’m proud of my family.

Down Trend Follows on Heels of Rise in Skirts

That was the title of an article in the Modesto Bee newspaper on February 6, 1966. So, like who cares. It just so happens that we both cared since we were in the article. We were both students at Modesto Junior College and not dating. That happened a couple of months later. JoAnn is on the left and an old friend of ours on the right (she is an old friend because we are older too).


The article was about the trend of going from heals to flats and hem lines rising. Of course, what is important in the article is that we were both in it. Me in my letter jacket, very thin, and yes, if you look close white socks. But white socks were acceptable in those days. It's a pretty good photo of me and great one of JoAnn showing a little leg. You won't get that photo today.

Did I mention that JoAnn was student government treasurer and I was vice-president, plus president of Block M club.

Let's Go!

A week ago Suzanne called to tell me that she, Ellen & Danny had been out and about in the car. Danny is 5 and Ellen is a tweener. They were sitting at a traffic signal (stop light) and when it turned green she heard Danny say, "It's green folks, let's get moving!" and a moment later she heard Ellen say, "Is he his grandpa's grandson, or what?"

I thought that was pretty cute until Tuesday and I was bringing my dad home from the hospital (he is 90) and as the light turned green he exclaimed, "It's green folks, let's get moving!" That is almost scary, if it wasn't so funny.

Saturday Morning Dreams

Two weeks ago I wrote about "Saturday Night Lights" in Spanish Fork, UT. I meant to followup with this blog right away, but somehow time just got away from me. Not that that's unusual. So here I am on Thursday evening playing catch-up.

If you are a boy and play baseball on Friday night then you should be allowed to sleep in on Saturday morning. Donna's "baby" believes that wholly - even if he doesn't play ball on Friday night.


And like any 9-year old he has his room set up the way he wants it. For example, all you can see of baby is a little hair. That other batch of multicolored hair on the far side of the bed is "Tank," baby's sleeping partner.

To be honest, I haven't seen a leaf canopy over a bed in an awfully long time (like forever), but it gives the room a certain ambiance. It's my understanding that middle child picked out the colors. I didn't count pillows and quilts, but I think he is set for a long spring sleep. If you could have seen outside you would note that the snow was down pretty low. I guess I should have cuddled up like that also (in my own bed).


Note the flashlight on the stand to the left. Standard Army issue from about 1950 to 1990. It looks good, but when I checked it there were no batteries. But then, he sleeps with a light on.

It took a little prodding, but he finally came out from under those covers. Okay, it took a little tickling rather than prodding. But he was all smiles ... which is what we Grandpas look for.