Richard Day's picture

    PICNICS

    WHAT I WAS THINKING

    I am so damn sick of the political mess.

    I could not stand it anymore.

    I began working on this blog and the word thingy was not working and I was about to lose my thoughts.

    hahahahaha

    like, I never have the opportunity to lose my thoughts.


    I had the opportunity to see my grandchildren twice in five weeks time.


    I had so much fun!


    We all ended up at the Park both times. The Park (I capitalize it because of its importance) is really grand in terms of our small municipality. There must be City and County and State contributions involved in this park's maintenance.


    I told my son that we have always discounted the contributions of mom. 


    I mean I have to make a list and check it three times so that all the accouterments are present. hahahaha


    We must have water and Kool Ade (watered down of course without sugar but Mama still destains. hahahha) and peanut butter and jam sandwiches and crackers and cheese and water bottles and straws and.....


    Yeah, but what if Dad wants something? He is always hungry. hahahah


    Well Mommy was there the first time.


    And you know what?


    When Precious had to go to the bathroom and when Daddy had to watch Jolee on the obstacle course, I was left with Willow.
    hahahahahha


    Here is this old man watching this precious little four month old on a blanket on the grass.


    SHE IS SO VERY PERFECT.

    And sometimes I would pick her up, scared that I would do something wrong.


    And some Dad running after his four-year-old looked at me and said:
    YOU GOT IT EASY!
    hahahahah


    He laughed and I laughed and I had the opportunity to kiss little Willow on the forehead again. hahahahah


    I fixed the grits.


    I had watered down kool ade (without sugar of course) and I had peanut buttter sandwiches (as dictated by my son) and I had crackers and cheese and water bottles purchased from the fridge at the small store and I had coloring books that did not work hahahahhaha


    I mean, one would think that picnics are easy.


    And I never even thought of potato salad which I hate. hahahahha


    But imagine that a couple would allow me to take care of a four month old? This all recalls old Law and Order episodes. hahahah


    THE SECOND TRY

    This time Mama did not show up and neither did Willow.
    It was just Daddy and me and Precious and Jolee.

    I was better educated following the first picnic.

    Daddy told me: No More Toys. hahahaha

    Just crayons and big big coloring books.

    But I made a list and checked it twice.

    I had the watered down kool ade in some strange container, and I had the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in hot dog buns, and I had special bottles of water, and I had straws, and I had crackers and cheese (my son picked out the right cheese at the store of course) and I sliced some apples and I had a spool of paper towels and....

    This is all complicated. hahahaha

    You do not even go:

    WILL THIS WORK?

    It is more like: I think this will work.

    Well, the peanut butter and jam in the hot dog buns just sold like crazy. hahahha

    And then we ran to the park side obstacle course.

    And then Daddy said: time to change Jolee's diaper.

    And then.....I was in charge of Precious who always hated me. hahahaha

    And I planned to sit on some bench whilst the youngster played and she yelled:

    POP COME PLAY WITH ME.

    So pop went and played and ran and chased Precious on this obstacle course; which I assume violates a hundred Federal and State regulations.

    Precious would tell me what to do and at least hint at what to do and....

    It took three hours, but we all ended up at the picnic table.

    We had our cheese and crackers.

    Then it was time for Daddy to take Precious to the bathroom.

    And he handed Jolee to me.

    Jolee was not content in this arrangement.

    But I put her on my knee and gave her another cracker and another straw stuck in water and she abided.

    hahahahah

    ​This little two-year-old trusted me for ten minutes.

    And both these little tots say 

    THANK YOU.

    That is all Daddy, but Daddy learned that from me. hahahah

    I would have said years ago that this essay involves nothing.

    But, it involves everything.

    Today anyway, I do not give one goddamn about politics...even though I should.

    I cannot take it anymore.

    Tomorrow is another day.

    We must work so that Mussolini shall not rule this nation.

    But....there are other things we must consider.

    But this week and this month has given me such pleasure that involved no money and no expectations and...

    I do not like Rod Stewart but I like this song.

     

     

     

    Comments

    You're simply wonderful sometimes, Mr. Richard Day.  And what's most wonderful of all is that you always know when those sometimes should be.


    I agree with Missy completely.  You always make me smile, DD ... and remind me of things.  In this case, you reminded me of potato salad ... or rather, a joke about potato salad.  I came up with this running gag many years ago for a naive and silly character, who would, out of the blue, tell people that, "You know, potato salad isn't really a salad at all.  It's potatoes ... and mayonaisse."  For some reason, that always makes me laugh.  And wouldn't you know, after all these years of using that line with my friends,  I heard someone on TV the other day, say basically the same thing ... I think they said egg salad instead of potato salad. But that made me laugh too ...  The universe played "telephone" with my joke and now it's about egg salad.   Life is funny.  Thank you for always making me smile and think ... and remember.


    Even as a kid, I always hated potato salad!

    And remember when, in the olden days, every newspaper come August, would discuss the problems involving Salmonella?  We are all going to die as a result of potato salad? hahahah

    ​Anyway, I am happy that you are happy with this week's ramblings.

     


    So much fun to wake up on a Saturday with Kudos from Missy!

    I hope you are having a nice Summer.


    Friday's night dance party and take a break. Wonderful starry nigh and ice cold strawberry margarita siting in front of you.

     New Orleans Ladies. Le Roux 

    Now imagine a ride on a river boat. Mmmm smell the magnolias. Take A Ride On A Riverboat. Le Roux

    No body  said it would be easy.  Now is not the time to give up. Le Roux

    Good night Richard.  

     

     


    Hi Momoe.

    This is a band I am not familiar with but these songs are certainly timely as we hope that those in Louisiana survive their latest climate catastrophe. 

    Hope you are doing well.  

    And before I leave...


    Lovely, DD. You and your son are very fortunate, you know.


    I already wrote on your satirical blog today.

    But I wished to add this note; cause I do not know where else to put this.

    although I wrote about my conversation with my daughter on your point about being fortunate.

    We get to the van in order to leave except Precious runs ahead of us and is going to the other side of the vehicle and my son and I yell at the same time:

    NO NO NO NO COME BACK HERE!

    At the same time! Instinctual.

    Now Precious obeyed these outcries but when we enter the van, Precious already knows how to climb in and find her seat and click herself in?

    Daddy puts Jolee into her seat and clicks.

    anyway

    We get to my tower which is one or two miles away and I am dropped off.

    And Noela wishes to make sure that I am OK and that I am home and that I can take a nap in the big bed Daddy brought to me years ago.

    Now remember that these little kids have all these grandma's and granpa's and aunts and uncles who care about these little tots.

    Like I told my daughter a few months ago:

    Times are goooooooooood and every adult has a job and all the mortgages are up to date and no creditors are banging on your doors and everyone is healthy and; that is all any of us may ask for. hahahaha

    But these little kids are actually worried about other people and their welfare.

    THESE ARE GOING TO BE FINE ADULTS.

    the end

    It took me awhile but


    I am so happy for you Dick.  It is amazing to see these little ones develop their brains, a sense of humor, and empathy.  My 3 year-old grandchild asked me last week when she was here what my parents names were.  She has never met them and I've never talked about them with her.  When I told her my mother's name was Virginia, she said "I LIVE in that state!"  And when I told her that everyone called my father Toots, she said, "Oh, that is sweet!"  About 6 months ago she created her first joke!  

    I tell you, it is amazing!  What a joy!


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