DadTalk

A Day Out on Goldwater Lake

On Father’s Day, I took the family up to Goldwater Lake for some hiking, kayaking and grilled burgers. The lake, which is near Prescott, Arizona, is perfect for young children and only costs a couple bucks to park.

Like last year, Lael didn’t want to stay out on the lake for more than a few minutes. Unlike last year, my wife, Anne there to take our daughter off my hands. At least Anne was able to shoot a few cute photos.

Seth and I enjoyed time together in the kayak, exploring coves and watching dragonflies skirt the water’s surface. We even saw ponies on the trail.

After eating, we walked to the far side of the small lake where Seth and Lael played in the water. After a while, we started collecting rocks for grandma, who has a penchant for such things.

The trip made for a great Father’s Day that was more about family than just dad.

Growing Up Without Dad

My dad died when I was 9. For most of my life, I would have denied that his death had any real impact on my development.

After all, I was a fiercely self-sufficient young boy with a strong sense of awareness at a very young age. On the day my dad died, I mentally took on the role of “oldest male” in the house and never really saw his death as a negative. I suppose that’s strange, but I’ve always been the type who rises to meet adversity.

Of course, there was a touch of silliness to it. I didn’t get a job as my grandfather did when his dad died. I didn’t take over the role of raising my brother. And in actuality, I didn’t know squat.

But, I did grow up a lot on the day my dad died from an embolism caused by a metal plate used to mend a broken leg. My sense of responsibility was immediate and immutable. In many ways, I acted as adult-like as my immature mind could muster.

It wasn’t until my kids were born that I started to realize something had been lost. Consider:

Dad Talks on Iowa Public Radio

I’ve never been on the radio before, but when I got the email from Iowa Public Radio to be a guest, I jumped at the chance.

I’m not entirely sure why the news producer thought I’m one of the funny dad bloggers – I tend to be a bit sober as far as writers go – but I recently had done a post about my daughter cutting her own hair. Certainly, I’m not as funny as massively popular Danny Evans of Dad Gone Mad, who was the other guest.

I’m glad the audience couldn’t see me while I was on air. I couldn’t stop smiling! Is that a normal reaction to being on radio?

At one point I was incoherent, and at another I was dropped from the show, but neither incident put a damper on my mood.

If you want to listen, go here. Danny and I are on during the last half hour of the show.

Flower Power Winners It Was a Tough Call; Find the 20% Off, Free Vase Coupon

While contests tend to give my blog a small boost, I find learning about other people more rewarding. Consider that most of the stories I received about why a loved one deserves flowers reveal a bit about what is going on in America in a way that the media fails to capture.

Below are a quote or two from one runners-up and the winners, who will be notified by email. And for those of you who read this far, I have another surprise. By clicking on this link, you will receive 20 percent off and a free vase if you order flowers from ProFlowers. (Yes, another ad, but what the heck.)

And now, for the winners:

A Toy for Dad’s Day

In recent years, I’ve said no to gifts on Father’s Day and even my birthday. We have enough financial pressures – and clutter – as it is.

Yesterday, though, my wife surprised me with a handheld Play Station – God of War edition. Part of the fun for me is figuring out how these things work without looking at the instructions. I only looked at one page – to enter my name in – before I was blasting away.

Seth was fascinated by the machinery while Lael was fascinated by the game. I refused to play such a violent game in their presence though. I will have to find a few games they can play. Perhaps there is a train simulation game? Is Hot Shots Golf Open Tee good for small kids? Any other recommendations?

I told my wife this was the biggest surprise gift I’ve ever received and I’m not kidding. I’ll be the first to admit it’s not easy to buy gifts for me.

And the Winner Is…

When I first came up with the idea of seeking “the  most original, captivating TRUE Father’s Day story,” I didn’t really know what to expect. The publicist who offered the watch left the contest details up to me.

The response has been phenomenal. The story that was most “like my life,” came from Marlene. Like her dad, I desperately crave a day of quiet. Of course, as soon as she started the story, I knew how it would end:

As Barney (the dog) sat down at my Dad’s feet, he touched my Dad and woke him! My Dad jumped because he was startled. We screamed and the dog and kids ran out of the room. We heard our Father say, “Being a Father means there are no more days of peace and quiet - just moments in between.”

Noreen’s story about the last photo of her grandfather was particularly poignant to me because my grandfathers died four weeks apart. I got to say goodbye to one, but not the other. Here’s Noreen’s words:

My First-Ever Giveaway

A lot of my blogging compatriots have made great use of free giveaways. My wife has given away books. One blogger I know has handed out T-shirts, iPods and music CDs.

I’ve given out, um, bupkis. Why? I don’t know, I guess I figured no one wanted my old shoes.

But then yesterday, amid all my dozens of e-mails cajoling me to post this or that about Father’s Day was this:

Since your blog is dedicated to Dads, I thought I might check in to see if you ever do giveaways; specifically I have an opportunity for a Father’s Day giveaway. Casio has a new timepiece called the Waveceptor that would be a perfect treat to any of your blog visitors this Father’s Day.

Free watch for Father’s Day? Brilliant!

Anti-Depressants, New Cholesterol Drugs May not Be All That Great

When it comes to health, I’ve been very fortunate: most of my problems have been limited to colds, occasional stomach bugs and stubbed toes. I say fortunate, because the few times I’ve ever run to the medicine cabinet, I’ve experienced nasty side effects.

Aspirin hurts my stomach. Painkillers dehydrate me. Penicillin causes my shoulders and neck to break out in a rash.

So I rarely take drugs. I even avoid vitamins. Still, it’s good to know that modern science provides a slew of options should I need them. Insulin for diabetes and antibiotics really work.

Because of this, most of us believe that antidepressants and anti-cholesterol drugs work as well.  Perhaps we are mistaken.

It turns out that pharmaceutical companies never bothered to publish the full story about antidepressants, reports The New York Times:

My New Business: Baseball Trading Cards (on Steroids)

I’m not a close follower of sports, but it’s been hard to miss what’s been going on with the baseball drug and steroid scandal, which is summed up in The New York Times. The scandal confirms my belief that there are few compelling reasons to turn my kids into sports fans.

In fact, I consider it payback for all the times newspaper sports editors told me: “Bicycling isn’t a real sport. Only baseball, football and basketball are.” There was some debate about whether hockey constitutes a real sport.

On the other hand, I think there may be a way to profit off this ugly mess: My very own line of “Sports Trading Cards (on Steroids.)” I offer two samples here. The backsides would include a complete breakdo wn of steroid use each season. Since I doubt athletes will publish their true drug-use numbers, I will ask fans what and how much they think each player was using and then average the results.

If you want your very own Sports Trading Cards on Steroids, let me know in the comments section.

I Learn of My Failings in The New York Times

I can be pretty dense, especially when it comes to people’s needs. I simply fail to hear what is being said to me.

Case in point is a story called “A Bundle of Joy Isn’t Enough?” by The New York Times.

It’s all about how wonderful dads happily buy deserving moms fantastic baubles as a thank you for carrying and delivering each child. Linda Murray, executive editor of BabyCenter.com explains to The Times:

“It’s more and more an expectation of moms these days that they deserve something for bearing the burden for nine months, getting sick, ruining their body. The guilt really gets piled on.”

Adds Sandra Miller of Arlington, Mass:

“Women can and do expect a thoughtful token of appreciation. It’s a way to honor a mother giving her emotions, body and hormones over to a baby for nine months, culminating in an experience which, when done naturally, redefines the meaning of pain. And when not done naturally, it’s still an act of sacrifice.”

After writing a particularly clever post, I asked my wife what she thought about this budding tradition. Boy, did I get an earful on this one.