June 16, 2013

Virtual Beer on Father’s Day

The Rising Daughters blog often honors the women in my life because...they surround me. However, it occurred to me this past week it was nigh time to send out some public love and thanks to my Dad.  As the still-incredulous leader of my own clan, I’ve learned that being a father is a lifelong job, yet it isn’t on anyone’s resume. Do I think dads are unsung heroes? Sometimes.

Moms seem to get better PR.  Sure, they handle the lioness’s share of the myriad responsibilities of raising kids. Still, dads tend to bring home at least half the bacon, teach practical life skills, offer an occasional boot in the ass complemented with “advice”, and generally try and guide their kids they best way they can to make their lives the best it can be.  That was my experience with my Dad.

So this week, I was mulling how I could bridge the distance to deliver a manly thanks from over 10,000 km away. Eureka: a virtual beer with my dad.
Skype is godsend for families living in different parts of the planet. For Father’s Day, I arranged a virtual beer with my Dad. And it was good, although I had to settle for sipping namby-pamby non-alcoholic beer because it was 0730 here when we spoke. My brother Steve-o joined in, and we had a males-only bonding session. It was, to quote Steve, “sweet.”
What did we talk about? Nothing specific. It was just having a beer and talking shit, which in of itself is quite fulfilling. You don’t need to speak much to say a lot.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad. Ya done -- and are doing -- good!

June 7, 2013

Happy Birthday to my Mom

Say it loud, say it proud: Happy birthday. We love you!
And now an excerpt from our sponsor:
(Think of a certain song by the Beatles)


…Dad is quite handy mending a fuse
When your lights have gone.
You can sand a desk by the fireside
Sunday mornings sleep in ‘till nine.

Doing the garden, digging the weeds,
Who could ask for more?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When you’re 39-no-more?

Every winter you should rent a cottage
In a warm place, if it's not too dear
You have scrimped and saved
Grandchildren on your knee
E., M., and 'no-way!'


Doo-de-doo…happy birthday.