Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.

Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.

I was thinking about all the fathers in my life - the ones I especially appreciate and am thankful for. My Grandfather, Bob Coston, taught me to see nature; birds in trees, turtles and snakes on logs and other wild animals that hid themselves so they would'nt be seen. Old John, a black share cropper was one of his best friends - unheard of in Louisiana in the 40s. He was a loving and gentle man. My father, Harvey Harrison, loved my mother and me more than life itself. He was kind and charming and he let me swing on the trapese upside down (my mother thought that activity might damage something). My husband, Roland Gatlin, was a wonderful father. He knew things most people don't know. He was the smartest person I've ever known. And he was kind and loving and the single worst driver I ever rode with - in the car with him driving is where I learned to really pray.

My sons, Ten Bears and Brady, are terrific fathers. Ten Bears, an outdoorsman, loves taking his son and neices and nephews horse back riding and teaching them about wildlife and geological surprises. Brady has a wisdom and playfulness with his children that is amazing. He is a loving father; very gentle and fair. My son-in-law, Jamie Stephenson, is also a wonderful, fun-loving father and he truly enjoys his children. And Wesley Woods, Deanna's father, is a great dad. He supports Deana in her activities and maintains a close relationship with her and the rest of us. These guys love my grandchildren!

Each of these fine men bring something special and individual into my life and I'm so very fortunate to have them. I love them - each and every one. I hope they have a wonderful Father's Day with ugly shirts, funny socks, soap-on-a-rope and silly, mushy cards.

The embodyment of Roland's favorite phrase

I got this e-mailed to me to day and had to laugh. Someone, somewhere has a sense of humor that says "it doesn't have to be boring just because it's work." I love this.

Austin's Graduation

Family Fun?

What an eventful week (and it's only Monday). Austin fractured his collar bone when he tumbled off his bicycle at his Grandpa's house. He hates being incapacitated and last I heard he was refusing to wear the sling the Doctor gave him. He also got a black eye and skinned up face. Jamie shaved his head - I think Brady gave him the idea. Everyone loves it but Kelly. Holly thinks she may have shingles but that's not a sure thing. Delaney started to summer school today. And I went to the Dentist for the next in my series of procedures.



Seems like the family can go for months - even years - without any serious injuries then they start. While I was in Europe Bradyn walked into the swing his big brother was in before Megan could get to him. Besides the black eyes and broken nose he ended up having to have surgery to fix it. I think he is ok now; until the next time. Lexie in her own distinctive way is staging a rebellion. She wouldn't pick up her toys so they were bagged up and put away. Now she is slowly loosing her clothing by leaving it in the floor and refusing to pick up. Wyatt is doing great I think.



Anyway, check out the slide show for some of the antics of the week.

Memories and Complaints and fears

I came home from work yesterday and there was a chalk hop scotch game drawn on my driveway. Delaney and Austin had drawn it. I was surprised that children still play hopscotch and was immediately transported back to grade school in Shreveport, Louisiana. We played hopscotch all the time. The deal was you needed a heavy chain bracelet to serve as the rock. When it was your turn you threw a "rock" on the next square. You had to jump over squares with rocks in them. Sometimes there would be so many rocks in a row it was impossible to jump over all of them so there were some cheat lines which moved you closer to an empty square. The first player to complete all the squares up and back won the game. You had to hop on one foot the whole way up where there was a rest circle then hop on one foot all the way back. Strange the things we remember.

I went to see Indiana Jones this week. It isn't worth seeing - I don't care who the director is. Surely it was some kind of spoof. Terrible! I hate it when I waste money on such crap


Had my second dental appointment today. Things sure are interesting at that office. The first time I went I opened the door to leave and a snake came in. I knew it was a garden snake but no one else did. It was total chaos. One of the receptionists was standing on the desk screaming. A couple of the dental techs got brooms to try to sweep him outside and the rest of the patients were standing on chairs. I held the door open until it dawned on me that those brooms could sweep the snake on me. The snake was panicked and trying to find a place to hide. He finally headed for the door and escaped. The receptionist, I found out, has a snake phobia.


Today when I got there the phobic receptionist was on the phone with someone who wanted free dental services. She patiently told him he had to pay over and over again. Finally he apparently threatened the dentist and she said she was calling the police. I don't know what happened after that because they called me back but I did hear one of the assistants say the police were on the way.


The entertainment makes the appointments a little more bearable.