How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
My day so far: After the kids made me scrambled eggs, I crawled back into bed to spend an hour reading The Far Side of the World, the tenth volume in Patrick O'Brian's irresistible series of novels about the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. (Our story so far: Capt. Aubrey and ship's surgeon Maturin have just set sail on the H.M.S. Surprise for Brazil, intending to intercept the American ship, U.S.N. Norfolk.) An hour to read--and not for business, but for pleasure. Very bliss.
Next up: The missus and I will be loading the younger kids into the car to drive up to San Francisco, where we'll be meeting up with our oldest daughter, who turns 21 this very day, to ramble. Maybe we'll go to the zoo, maybe to the marina. I only know for certain that we'll end up for dinner in a Chinese restaurant, where yours truly will be very likely to indulge in a libation like the one pictured here.
That's this father's Father's Day.
Yours?
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Jan '11
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
Late wakeup- so I'm headed to the late afternoon mass at the local parish, where the pastor's homilies are so rambling and incoherent that you might be reading about how a crazed ex-Jesuit charged the altar, screaming like a Viking.
Not that I'm planning ahead or anything ...
Then it's watching the end of the U.S. Open, and repeating over and over again that I really should get out to the course myself. Kind of a ritual.
Then it's dad's choice for dinner: Jameson's. (What the family plans to eat, I haven't given much thought to. Oh well.)
At the moment, I'm listening to The Saw Doctors and enjoying the sunshine.
Kind of a perfect day for me, really.
May '10
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
My day began with a breakfast of steak and eggs. But to fully appreciate my Father's Day you'll need to understand that many years ago I had an epiphany that changed my understanding of "family". In a nutshell, it grew out of the Old Testament understanding of "house" or "household". (Ex. Gen 17:10ff -- focus on the inclusiveness, not the ritual)
As a result, by the grace of God, I am blessed with an innumerable family, mostly comprised of those who've chosen to be family rather than mere "accidents of birth". Today a bunch of my "siblings", "children" and "grandchildren" will be here for a barbeque and swim party.
The now calm and serene back yard will become a center of happy voices and activity of children swimming or feeding the koi, while the adults relax with food and beverages. Enjoying time with dear ones is, for me, as good as it gets.
Edited on June 17, 2012 at 9:07pmNov '10
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
Buttermilk pancakes in bed. Yum!
Aug '11
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
For my dear husband Mr McK, the father of my children, I managed to take decent pictures of each of our children and put them in a triple frame for a Father's Day gift. We have ribs smoking, ice cream churning; shortly I will be stuffing jalapenos from the garden with cheese and bacon to go on the grill. Various other sides and sundries will round out our celebration. Mr Mc is currently supervising the junior Mc's in some much-needed yardwork.
I miss my own Dad more and more as the years go by. How he would have loved to see our beautiful children grow. He was a WWII veteran, and some of the best advice he gave me would not pass CoC strictures. But his advice to learn all the math you can in school, never buy things you can't pay cash for, and never ever ever drive when you've been drinking certainly did not go amiss.
Happy Father's Day to all.
Jun '11
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
I only ever ask for one thing for Father's Day: let me watch the US Open in peace. I will be starting that shortly. My 8 year will join me for quick snippets to see how Tiger is doing but other than that it is a very peaceful day.
Jun '10
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
For the Catholics out there, an interesting Father's Day analogy for the role of the Blessed Mother:
On Father's Day, when five-year-old Johnny is lovingly loading the breakfast that he made (for his father) on a tray, for the trip upstairs, Mother is there to quietly replace the burned toast with perfect toast, and the undercooked eggs with perfect eggs. That's very like the intercession of the Blessed Mother. We don't pray to her, but she passes our prayers on to her Son in a deeper and more beautiful form than we could. She helps us as Mom helped little Johnny....
Feb '12
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
This is the first Father's Day since my Dad passed away. I will spend it like I have spent many of the days since his passing on February 1st. Being thankful for having him as a Dad and as a role model for how to be a Dad. He was a liberal Democrat and an atheist and what I wouldn't give to be able to have one more debate with him. Knowing what I know now I rather spend the time talking about how the Tigers are doing this season. I miss him very much.
Jul '10
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
I'm stuck over in the Netherlands for work, but I was able to get in touch with my father online and wish him a happy Father's Day 6 hrs ahead of my siblings so that counts for something haha.
Mar '12
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
Slept in a bit. Breakfast of biscuits and jam, OJ and coffee prepared for me. Off to church. Back to water some tomato plants and the odd chore or two. Now, I get to watch the Giants game and the US Open. I can flip back and forth between channels as much as I like and no one will bother me. Later on, I will grill something for the family for dinner. A very good way to spend Father's Day.
May '10
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
Same as any Sunday morning. Up at 7:15, make my wife's coffee, then 40 minutes on the weight bench, then get ready to go to church at 9.
But then we came home, and both of our distant daughters called. It's great to be a dad- no other feeling compares.
May '10
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
Working the U.S. Open... 3,000 miles from my kids. But providing like a good father should.
May '10
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
Spent the morning with Mitt Romney! (and 500 friends at a rally in Brunswick OH. Impressive, I thought, but that's a story for another day). Then brought my dad a nice bottle of wine, and now the wife and kids will be treating me to a Fishtown favorite: Olive Garden. Happy Father's Day, dads!
Oct '10
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
Nice day in the Keys today. Having Dove Chocolates and wasabi almonds washed down with Fosters as I write. Went and checked out a couple of interesting places in our area (Just passed our first year here) with Mrs. Severely and #2 son.
Very satisfying Father's Day but I'm trying to figure out how to get self and family invited to the MaggiMc household next year. We're having fresh mangrove snapper my son speared, which is not to be sneered at, but her description of ribs, homemade ice cream and stuffed jalepenos somehow hit me hard and has my mouth watering.
Jun '10
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
My father is long passed away, and I'm not a father, so, after Mass, I spent the day watching Mormon religious programs on the BYU cable channel, even though I'm not Mormon. I'm putting it down to election research. And no, I'm not won over. :)
Sep '10
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
Always wanted to be a dad, but it never worked out. My wife is off to spend a few days with her 85 year old pop. Stopped by my dad's this a.m. with my 4 month old labrador and have spent the rest of the day watching over her. I typically try to buck up, but feel a little "sucky" today.
Isley is barking at me now. Guess I don't wear "sucky" well.
Happy Father's Day, guys!
Mar '11
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
Indulging in one of my favorite things that I don't get enough of: sleep
Mrs. ChristmasBeard has taken the kids out for the day. I got a whole afternoon of peace and quiet... or a "piece of quiet."
Edited on June 17, 2012 at 11:37pmAug '11
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
Woken up by the kids with presents, which included a new garden hose (to replace the bad one) and a wok for the grill, which I put to use at lunchtime. Then a bike ride where I took a wrong turn and ended up on a twisty mountain bike trail, which I survived. Now back home to . . . work.
Aug '11
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
We can always throw a few more slabs on ... just tell us when you're coming. You ARE one up on me, though, with catching your own fish. I did not slaughter the unfortunate hog who is contributing to our dinner. I merely waltzed down the road to the meat market for him.
Jun '11
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
Spent the weekend with my seven-year-old son. We attended a father/son weekend at Camp Lakeview...a little swimming, archery, creek stompin', and even few s'mores. What's not to like?
Sep '11
Re: How Are You Dads Spending Father's Day?
Standard Sunday for the organist--up at 6:30 am, at church by 8:30 am to rehearse before the congregation arrives for Sunday School at 9:45; teach Sunday School (rehearsing the congregation on new music for the liturgy); then worship at 11:00. After worship ends (usually 12:35 pm) play music till 1:00 pm or so, then start putting everything away.
Best part of the day today? The same as every Sunday--having Daughter[3] sit on the organ bench with me. She's in the way, sometimes she helps with a chord, but during the sermon she holds my hand and quietly smiles. Which just kills me, every single time.
Happy Father's Day!