About Dad..

I watched something on YouTube today Dad, and it reminded me of you. I wasn't looking for anything specific other than entertainment, perhaps distraction from my busy mind. And when Ivan reached the part about 'what my dad taught me' I started thinking about you, and the things you taught me, and how I live every day of my life using at least one of the skills, or thinking at least one of the thoughts, or acting on one of the lessons you've left me:

When you're done with a plastic shopping bag, you never throw it out - you roll it in a long cylinder and then tie it in a loose knot. Why? It's smaller, you can keep more, and it's tidy - because pretty soon that's going to make a useful trash bag. And keep some in your glovebox, because you can hang them in your truck and keep the floor free of debris, you never want a bottle to roll under your gas pedal.

Wash off your dish in cold water as soon as you're done with it. The soap does the cleaning for you, and then dry it with a bit of paper towel and put it away. Why? You'll need less water, less soap, and less dishes if they're always clean.

Never overstay your welcome. Say please, say thank you. Hold the door for a lady. Respect your elders. Take your time and wait in line. Look both ways when you cross the street.

Your fried rice recipe.

The term "build a spaghetti". It wasn't about making food it was about creating a masterpeice that took time and thought, and was worth the effort.

Save your leftovers and mix them together. Try it, trust me, it will taste good.

Keep things you find that might be useful, even if they're not useful to you - someone else might need it. Keep your eyes open and pay attention. See? Look what I just found - a dollar. That's because I was looking.

Ravens will wait until you're not paying attention, and swoop down to steal your sandwhich. Seagulls won't wait, they'll take it out of your hand. Either way, watch your lunch - and moreso, watch the birds.

Barter.

Carry cash when you want to get things done. When you want to convince someone of something in a business sense, pull out your cash and count it. Cash talks.

Tie good knots, always.

Respect trees. Touch them. They're alive and they know more about the earth than we ever will.

Oatmeal is a really good thing to have for dinner. Pizza is even better. Jellybeans are the best.

Eagles are the earths manifestation of the great spirits that have come before us.

An airplane is a big silver bird. A bus is a big silver boat. A boat is a woman. A woman is a gift.

Big fat earthworms are the "Grand Daddies".

When the it's raining but the sun is still shining that's called a Sunshower, and Sunshowers are special.

Keep quiet and listen. It'll hide what you do know, and help you learn what you don't.

"If you don't like something, change it."

"You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you can get what you need."

Find joy in the little things, one day they'll be all you have.



I love you, Dad. I miss you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSfQKw7DGzA&feature=related