Father’s Day 2022 started a little slow. I’m not gonna lie. I woke up missing my beloved Daddy-O, who passed away a little over a year ago. It’s the second father’s day without him, but felt more like the first, as last year it was a blur. But, I decided to embrace my feelings and let myself be okay with missing him. After a good cry and an even better nap, I was feeling happy again. We went to Smackover to see Rudy’s folks and wish his dad a Happy Father’s day. They were just relaxing, aka napping, in their recliners as usual with the television on. This time the difference was they had the National rodeo on the television. This is what changes there, the television sports. The news is always the same: Fox. Around the holidays, it’s a western or if kids under the age of high school, then some cartoon that’s mildly adult themed like Sponge Bob or the Simpson’s. But today it was something new: rodeo. A bit of discussion laid on how they stop the horses so quickly and how it’s impressive how the horses don’t snap their hind legs the way they lean back on them. Of course I joined in on this, because it IS impressive. Rodeos always are impressive. We all agreed, we would never ride a bull that was crazy and the horses were so pretty with their long manes. It was pleasant conversation. And Rudy’s dad reminisced about the good old days, as he is prone to do. But, they are usually peppered with interesting stories with a little bit of meanness, salted with a little bit of kindness and regular country living. This day did not disappoint. Today I found out he owned not one, but two different horses over his lifetime. One horse he stored in El Dorado. He then proceeded to tell a story about the guy who owned the establishment where he boarded his horse. Seems the guy was a big 300 lb muscular man, not fat just impressively big and muscular. Anyway, he told about how one day he was standing by the guy and the guy punched him in the top of the thigh on the side. The punch was so strong, it knocked Rudy’s dad right to the ground. He then reflected and said that he thinks instead of a punch, it may have been a taser, as the man carried a taser in his pocket at all times. He then quietly mentioned the man was a bouncer, glossing over the possibility he was probably at the bar and probably had reason to have received the taser punch. I always like that there is a vague middle line in his stories for which to listen carefully. It makes me smile. His second story about the large man who boarded his horse started with the description of the location of the skating rink being next door to the bowling alley in El Dorado. I kind of wonder if it was actually in El Dorado or back down in Minden, as Rudy’s mom did not join in on this story, as if she may have been hearing it for the first time. Although she seemed a little more tired than usual, and her hearing aids were not on for part of the visit. Anyway, he said that he and the big fellow would go to the skating rink and the big fellow would make a big deal while he put on those tiny skates. Then the big guy would wobble and thrash his arms about as he wheeled out onto the skate floor, everyone would clear the way and look wide eyed at him as he rolled out there. Then within a moments notice, the fellow would stand up straight and commence to skating forward and backwards and spinning turns. He was actually a really good skater, just liking to get the audience’s attention before the show. Rudy’s dad always spins a good yarn and did not disappoint.

After Smackover, we went to the grocery store where Rudy bought 4 or 5 different types of sausages. For father’s day he wanted to grill and he sure did. They were delicious. He seemed quite happy out there grilling and practicing his swing with his golf club. I made zesty curly fries and bbq baked beans as the sides. And Daisy made a funky little salad consisting of watermelon, red onion, avocado, and cucumber. It actually was quite tasty and paired well with tortilla chips as a dip. After the meal, we watched the new Nicholas Cage movie “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.” It was a second time for Rudy and I, a first for Daisy. We still loved that movie. It’s so quirky and funny, with a good plot that meanders around keeping you interested, and of course Nicholas Cage being Nicholas Cage at the most Nicholasist. It is good.

Earlier that day, Rudy got a call from Dean to wish him a Happy Father’s Day and catch him up on his adventures. And Daisy gave Rudy a lucky cat and card, which I know he liked. After the movie I called my mom. She had sent a neat video telling about the life of her daddy, which was very special. You see for my whole life my mom hardly ever spoke of her dad. He had passed away just before I was born and my grandmother had remarried Papaw Gilbert. She never wanted my Papaw Gilbert to think she didn’t love him, so she just stopped speaking about her dad Grandpa Dale. Anyway, last night it was neat to her her talk about him at great length. It was a nice conversation. So, it was a good Father’s Day, just like every day is good.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent movie – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11291274/