A Father's Day Gift

This beautiful bird bath is not the only gift I received for a Father's Day that ranks as one of the top 30 days of my life, but it *does* happen to be a belated gift from Junie that was given to me two days ago.  Thus, it came up front and center when I opened my phone gallery lol

The Father's Day Hike at Hawthorn Glen

Last night Lisa suggested I take Smiley on the annual Father-Son Father's Day hike at Hawthorn Glen.

"It's important to keep the tradition alive," she said. 

 I thought for a moment. It had been cancelled because of Covid in 2020 and '21, and now Smiley is a 6'3" man on the verge of adulthood. 

 "The tradition is dead," I said.

 Naturally, the first thing in the morning I was gung-ho and we headed right out LOL!

[I called my friend Tre and invited him and my Godson at the last minute, and they jumped to return to the annual event!]

Sadly, I apparently can't read a schedule, because the hike was SATURDAY, not today. Oopie. 

It didn't matter of course. The .75 mile nature trail has a self-guiding tour, and even if it didn't it's all old hat to us. So off we all went. 

There were a few new things. Some planned, like this observation deck (which was still waiting for stairs) and others unplanned, like a tree that had fallen across the trail.

This pile of sticks reminded me of "Eeyore's House" from our old hikes in Downer Woods :)

As always, Hawthorn Glen was beautiful, and the weather was perfect.

Smiley even pulled some wild onion for our dinner (don't worry - on every previous hike, the host encouraged us to pick some)

It was a great way to kick off Father's Day, and I'm glad we kept the tradition going another year!

A Father's Day Delivery

"Dan, this package is for you," a coworker said, handing me a box that had just been delivered. 

"Was it the adjective on the box that gave it away?"   I replied. 

Inside I found a beer glass

A "bouquet" of beef jerky

And a wonderful card with this message inside:

Thanks for the Father's Day surprise baby!

Oh No!

For Father's Day many years ago now - it was, by my recollection, 2004 or '05 (it was referenced here in 2008) Lisa bought me a bird feeder. It was an odd gift, as I would never have bought it for myself, but my word was that a great gift. I've used it ever since, and enjoyed the heck out of the local bird population. 

And then, a few weeks ago, after a night of 50 mph winds, I found this on the front lawn:

I was devastated, but comforted that it happened in a spring where birding groups are encouraging you NOT to feed, so as not to spread the current Avian flu epidemic that recently cost the life of a bald eagle in my neighborhood.

GRRRR

To quote Maury: you are NOT the father.

How Father's Day Went

Father's Day 2020 went well, even if Covid cancelled the annual hike the day before. In the early afternoon LK and I visited with my Dad, the first face to face meeting with my parents since before the pandemic.  Then I went home and grilled steak,  baked potatoes,  and fresh asparagus for the family before opening my cards and gift.  Later,  LK made me beer bread. A very nice family day.

Father's Day Wishes

Father's Day

Love you Dad! - Junie

The Annual Father Son Hike

I'm with Smiley, Tre, and TJ at our annual Father's Day Hike and BBQ at Hawthorn Glen.. Unfortunately, no group photo this year. But we did have a turkey selfie, so there is that.

Happy Father's Day Dan

Happy Father's day to the best Dad I know! - Lisa

The Zoo on Father's Day 2016

     On Father's Day after I opened my gifts, I wanted to take the family to the zoo. Due to the heat and general apathy, only LuLu and Ginger decided to go with me. In some ways it was far better that way: less pressure to make it a "memory", less personality conflicts, less $$ out of my pocket. 

     That last point was my favorite. 

   

 Just about as soon as we arrived we hit the big cat house to see the lions and whatnot. 

Then, with extra cash unexpectedly in my wallet, I let the girls go on the sky glider. 

I promised this worker internet immortality. 

The big hit of the day, to my surprise, was the reptile and fish building. Not because, as they claimed later, of the air conditioning, but because they both seemed genuinely fascinated with each exhibit and actually interacted with one another.

The primate house was a disappointment, not the least of which because this guy threw poop at the glass.

In the primate house was a device to measure your grip strength in relation to that of an orangutan. I topped out at 85 pounds per square inch (I think that was the measurement standard), and 70 with my left hand.

By that time my hip was hurting, and so was Ginger's ear (her tube is working its way out), so it was time to leave. We still stopped and saw the bears and elephant before hitting the road. 

It was a blast. Thanks LuLu and Ginger!