Alex is seven years old. That's how old I was when the training wheels came off and I learned how to ride a bike. Alex hasn't had much of a chance to practice riding even with training wheels due to the fact that we live on a rough gravel road. So yesterday I took him to the parking lot at his school for some practice- without training wheels.
My first instruction to him was that no matter how frustrated either of us would get there would be no yelling at one another. He agreed. I also added that no matter how many times I repeated an instruction, he should just say "okay" instead of his usual "DAD! I know!" He agreed. Though it may seem counterintuitive, we began our lesson with learning how to stop. Alex practiced applying the brake while I held the bike up for him. Then he practiced catching his balance with his feet off the pedals. Then I pushed the bike around and held on while he tried to keep the bike from leaning too far either direction. So far so good. It was time to let go.
At first, I had Alex push himself around the parking lot with his feet touching the ground. He was quickly able to cruise for a few feet without touching the ground. Then I had him put one foot on a pedal and the other on the ground. He looked like he was using a scooter (which he is pretty good at riding). Well I guess that's when it clicked for him. In no time at all he was able to get some momentum going by pushing off with one foot and the next thing you know- he starting pedalling. After a few shaky starts he was soon able to pedal for 20 or 30 feet without stopping. Within 20 minutes of his first attempt, he was riding circles around the parking lot and was so comfortable he was actually whistling while he rode. It was amazing to watch.
Needless to say, I was quite the proud papa. I was cheering and clapping and smiling so much my cheeks hurt. And Alex was proud, too. At one point, he rode over to where I was sitting and ditched his bike. As he walked toward me I asked, "What's wrong?" He said, "I just wanted to give you this..." and he gave me a great big hug. Then he hopped back on his bike and rode across the parking lot, weaving and whistling all the way. And I sat there on that curb thinking to myself that my little boy wasn't so little any more.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Maiden Voyage
Yesterday, I called a guy who posted an ad for a 4 horsepower boat motor on craig'slist. Bethany picked it up in Holt Summit on her way home from work. Today, Alex and I loaded up the boat with all our fishing gear, slapped the motor on the back, hooked it up to the old truck and headed to Little Dixie Lake. (Yes, I tested the motor first.)
On our way, we had to stop at the Department of Revenue to get the boat and trailer licensed, but that didn't slow us down too much. Anyway, we made it to the lake and "sped" across the water with no problems. The old motor (an old, old Montgomery Ward model built by Chrysler) ran great. Within minutes, Alex caught the first ever fish in our new boat. It was a really nice bluegill and he landed it with no help from old dad whatsoever. I was mighty proud and he was, too.
We puttered around the lake for a few more hours never catching another fish but we didn't care. It was already a perfect day.
On our way, we had to stop at the Department of Revenue to get the boat and trailer licensed, but that didn't slow us down too much. Anyway, we made it to the lake and "sped" across the water with no problems. The old motor (an old, old Montgomery Ward model built by Chrysler) ran great. Within minutes, Alex caught the first ever fish in our new boat. It was a really nice bluegill and he landed it with no help from old dad whatsoever. I was mighty proud and he was, too.
We puttered around the lake for a few more hours never catching another fish but we didn't care. It was already a perfect day.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Confidence
Years ago, in an ad campaign for aftershave (I think), Jack Palance used to say, "Confidence is sexy- don't you think?" I say, "Yes", Jack. My loyal followers know from reading over 350 blogger, myspace, and facebook posts that I do not lack confidence. I am unapologetically myself- and I like that. With that in mind, I have two things to share with you.
On Saturday, while my family was in Hannibal and I was left at home alone to care for our small zoo of pets, I decided to mow the yard. It was hot that day and when I completed the task I went inside and disrobed in anticipation of a soothing shower. As I walked through the house, I noticed that there was a lot of dog hair on the floor, so I decided to vacuum. Before I knew it I also mopped the kitchen and living room. Then I made beds and straightened up the rest of the house. In no time at all, my to-do list was done. And yes, I did all of my housework completely in the buff. Go ahead, let that image burn a hole through your mind's eye. (Not you, Mom.) I knew that if any supermodels showed up to borrow a cup of sugar they would not have looked away. I know that I am a smokin' hottie. That's confidence.
I've been mulling over another diversion that requires confidence as well. Poker. Everybody knows that I'll do most anything to avoid having to work for a living. That got me to thinking of ways to make money without having a job. The only thing I could think of that would be plausible would be to become a professional poker player. It is plausible. Thousands of other people with unused college degrees have already answered the calling, so why couldn't I? What do they have that I don't? Experience? I've played a few rounds of cards in my life. I've lost a lot of those times, but I've won a few, too. Know-how? I study the poker pros on TV. I learn from playing with "the guys". I have started reading books on the subject. (Currently reading "Super/System 2" by Doyle Brunson.) Proximity to a casino? St. Louis and K.C. have plenty of poker rooms within a two-hour drive. Someone to help get me started? My good friend Jerry is becoming quite familiar with the poker rooms in St. Louis, Mississippi, and Vegas. He'll be a good resource for getting me into the swing of things. Bankroll? Three words: economic stimulus check. Confidence? Please. I think I've got that one covered. Do you know anybody else who would have the stones to stage an assassination attempt while delivering an address to the student body as the Student Council president in high school? For those of you who don't know, I had the "shooter" fire a cap gun painted black and had my "bodyguards" (who were wearing dark suits and sunglasses) leap from the stage to drag him out of the auditorium while two other guards whisked me offstage. That kind of stunt would fall under the "zero-tolerance" rules today and would have ended my participation in public schools. (Oh, you should have heard the screams!) Brash. Bold. Confident. So do I think I have what it takes to make it as a poker player? I wouldn't bet against it.
I think it's time to do some more housework...
On Saturday, while my family was in Hannibal and I was left at home alone to care for our small zoo of pets, I decided to mow the yard. It was hot that day and when I completed the task I went inside and disrobed in anticipation of a soothing shower. As I walked through the house, I noticed that there was a lot of dog hair on the floor, so I decided to vacuum. Before I knew it I also mopped the kitchen and living room. Then I made beds and straightened up the rest of the house. In no time at all, my to-do list was done. And yes, I did all of my housework completely in the buff. Go ahead, let that image burn a hole through your mind's eye. (Not you, Mom.) I knew that if any supermodels showed up to borrow a cup of sugar they would not have looked away. I know that I am a smokin' hottie. That's confidence.
I've been mulling over another diversion that requires confidence as well. Poker. Everybody knows that I'll do most anything to avoid having to work for a living. That got me to thinking of ways to make money without having a job. The only thing I could think of that would be plausible would be to become a professional poker player. It is plausible. Thousands of other people with unused college degrees have already answered the calling, so why couldn't I? What do they have that I don't? Experience? I've played a few rounds of cards in my life. I've lost a lot of those times, but I've won a few, too. Know-how? I study the poker pros on TV. I learn from playing with "the guys". I have started reading books on the subject. (Currently reading "Super/System 2" by Doyle Brunson.) Proximity to a casino? St. Louis and K.C. have plenty of poker rooms within a two-hour drive. Someone to help get me started? My good friend Jerry is becoming quite familiar with the poker rooms in St. Louis, Mississippi, and Vegas. He'll be a good resource for getting me into the swing of things. Bankroll? Three words: economic stimulus check. Confidence? Please. I think I've got that one covered. Do you know anybody else who would have the stones to stage an assassination attempt while delivering an address to the student body as the Student Council president in high school? For those of you who don't know, I had the "shooter" fire a cap gun painted black and had my "bodyguards" (who were wearing dark suits and sunglasses) leap from the stage to drag him out of the auditorium while two other guards whisked me offstage. That kind of stunt would fall under the "zero-tolerance" rules today and would have ended my participation in public schools. (Oh, you should have heard the screams!) Brash. Bold. Confident. So do I think I have what it takes to make it as a poker player? I wouldn't bet against it.
I think it's time to do some more housework...
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Taking Over the Internet
Al Gore may have invented the Internet, but I am seizing it in a non-violent coup d' etat. I have just launched my own Facebook page. I also have this blog and a myspace page plus I am a contributor to Paul & the Violent Farmers' blog and co-creator of the "Bill & Trav's Excellent Adventures" blog as well. I may have too much time on my hands.
It's time to wake up and smell the writing on the wall, people: Blog Daddy is taking over the world. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Or at least be annoyed. I'll settle for that.
It's time to wake up and smell the writing on the wall, people: Blog Daddy is taking over the world. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Or at least be annoyed. I'll settle for that.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
"Retirement" Chore List
I find that it is helpful to make a list when faced with a daunting number of tasks to complete. Our list is below. (That economic stimulus check sure would be nice right about now. Oh, yeah- we're still waiting for ours.)
1. Repaint Alex's bedroom in advance of his new brother's arrival. Alex wants a Chinese dragon theme.
2. Build a loft/bunk beds in boys' room.
3. Remove wallpaper & repaint kitchen.
4. Haul away junk that's in and around the barn.
5. Add gravel/pave barn floor.
6. Re-roof the party porch.
7. Get boat & trailer licensed.
8. Have car worked on. (I got a recall notice for it that says the cruise control will catch fire spontaneously. It also needs an oil change and possibly new ball joints.)
9. Add gravel to the driveway.
10. Clear fallen trees from hiking trails. (The ice storm created a lot of firewood at least.)
11. Install koi pond near the party porch.
These are just some of the tasks that I am faced with this summer. How am I gonna have my summer of fun and still get all of this stuff done? I don't know. Maybe Extreme Makeover Home Edition will swoop in and magically get all of it done for me. And Overhaulin' can trick out my car, too. That would be sweet.
1. Repaint Alex's bedroom in advance of his new brother's arrival. Alex wants a Chinese dragon theme.
2. Build a loft/bunk beds in boys' room.
3. Remove wallpaper & repaint kitchen.
4. Haul away junk that's in and around the barn.
5. Add gravel/pave barn floor.
6. Re-roof the party porch.
7. Get boat & trailer licensed.
8. Have car worked on. (I got a recall notice for it that says the cruise control will catch fire spontaneously. It also needs an oil change and possibly new ball joints.)
9. Add gravel to the driveway.
10. Clear fallen trees from hiking trails. (The ice storm created a lot of firewood at least.)
11. Install koi pond near the party porch.
These are just some of the tasks that I am faced with this summer. How am I gonna have my summer of fun and still get all of this stuff done? I don't know. Maybe Extreme Makeover Home Edition will swoop in and magically get all of it done for me. And Overhaulin' can trick out my car, too. That would be sweet.
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