Our Magical Brigadoon . . .

 Of Dads...and Brief Shining Moments     

Like Brigadoon*, this is our magical moment. Unlike that mythological place, however, we don't have to wait a hundred years for it to return, it occurs every year. That moment is now. This is the peak of summer, those few wonderful days between the (nominally) popular Fathers Day and the 4th of July. This is that point in time here when night is in full retreat, when all of nature's bounty is in bloom and all is right in this northern paradise: Flip flops, tank tops, and sun dresses are di rigueur. 

Allow me to share a short, vaguely interesting back story. Everyone that knows me knows that for many years I have had a weird dislike for the summer solstice - and a love of its winter alter ego. So much so that I couldn't enjoy these marvelous days like I should. Somehow gloom rather than joy would start creeping in on little cat's feet just about now. I know, it seems irrational but I would begin a slide down a long, dark tunnel worrying that minute by minute the days are growing shorter. Slowly at first - to anesthetize us to the upcoming surgery on our soul (a soulectomy?) - then . . . dun dun DUN! it's dark at 4:30 (AM and PM.) Suddenly, as if overnight, we are high stepping through snow and slush, cursing both the darkness and the cold. Inevitably, after this brief teaser of long days and short putts, after this brief respite we would find ourselves heading back to that cold 7 month dystopia we call Minnesota in winter.

I say "had" because I am delighted to say those thoughts were the old Dear Leader, this is the new me (The new old me? The old new me? Whatever.) In the last year I have turned the corner on my unique S.A.D. condition. I am a smarter man, a more compos mentis man - I no longer leap into a paroxysm of anger, anxiety, and despondency as I once did at this time of year! 

(Oh geez, that killjoy Mrs Dear Leader just came in and admonished strongly suggested that I stop using the online dictionary to look up stupid words.) 

As I was so eloquently trying to say, like you, I now have a new appreciation for these special summer days. In fact, every day. It finally dawned on me that I’m on the (far) back side of 70 (I know, I know, I can't believe it either) and whining for half a year in general might not be the best use of whatever time I have remaining on this spinning top. Besides, we have a lot more to worry about now than a little seasonal discomfort. 

Ha, Now I laugh at your cold and snow!

Now, on to the most important thing about these wonderful days. Yes, I'm talking about the final round of the US Open Golf Championship where the best "Gowfer's" duel with their "Mashie's" and "Niblicks" for the trophy.

Just kidding! This Epistle According to Dear Leader is really about the wan dizygotic twin to Mothers Day. 

(Ruh roh, I guess MDL wasn't kidding - she didn’t say I couldn’t use my old hard cover dictionary but okay, I'll just use boring old words from here on out.)

Anyway, those same long-suffering friends also know my feelings about Father’s Day - but forget that for now. Imagine I have changed my view on this as I have with my new love acceptance of winter.

It's Fathers Day and it's time to honor them in a manly way - so to all my fellow dad's out there past, present and future . . . . . .

By manly, of course, I meant a reference to "Blazing Saddles," a movie that is the source of much manly knowledge.(Along with “Caddy Shack,”  “Animal House” and possibly "Young Frankenstein.") If you don’t know every gag from these movies, shame on you! 

So let’s hear it for those unsung heroes who spend their lives kinda on the outskirts of the family doing domestic odd jobs. Moms, of course, teach kids the important things that add up to not being a swine.You know, please/thank you, take your hat off when you eat, no elbows on the table, only throw soft food, etc. We dads, on the other hand, teach sons - and daughters - many other key things for a well-rounded life. 

For example, throwing and catching a ball, shooting a three pointer, proper throwing of your wedge in anger er, I mean, learning the etiquette of golf. Some dads even teach strange things like hockey or camping - or like my dad, bowling and horseshoes. There are other practical things as well like teaching the kids how to ride a bike, parallel parking and, of course, where to take the car to have the oil changed. Don't forget, also how to set the programmable thermostat so that your spouse can't screw around with it (cranking it up in winter and down in summer - very important!) These and a thousand other things we dads do.

Things like whatever this is?

Anyway, it's obvious that we too are important in our own minds unique way so do something special for the old man today. Unlike "some people" dads are easy to please: Take him to Arby's, buy him a car wash, let him watch (or take a nap through) the US Open uninterrupted. Whatever.

Oh, and tell him you love him — the old softy will really like that. And hey . . . don’t forget to savor these precious days of summer.

          Marvelous Marv, the Splendid Splinter

32 years gone and I still miss you a lot, pop

PS - If you are lucky enough to still have your dad around, you don’t need to wait for Brigadoon or this marvelous time of the year to give him a manly . .

    

You can do it anytime 

       .

PPS

No charge for the vocabulary lesson.

Now some music by the recently departed . . .

Hot Fun in the Summertime   Sly and Family Stone

I'm Bugged by My Old Man   Brian Wilson

Almost Like a Song     Ronnie Milsap (Famous song from "Brigadoon")

      *"Brigadoon" Explained (In case this cultural reference escapes certain friends)