Happy Father's Day!

Me and my Dad. Kitchen at Warren Road. ClevO.

My Dad died less than a year after Richard was born. I learned a lot from my Dad (but not hair cutting). And I learned a lot about my Dad after Richard was born. Suddenly, a lot of things about my Dad became much clearer to me.  Thanks for all that you taught me Dad.

Me and Richard (flowers by Lynn).

I spent much of the afternoon with Richard. He was in one of those moods. You know, the kind when you've have two teeth yanked out, your gums cut open and stitched up, and you can't eat hardly anything, at least not the good stuff.

We tried to play mini-golf at a place in Simsbury. First time for us but I had a coupon. But it didn't really work out. They had a Blue theme and even colored the water the kind of blue that is in your toilet. Richard found all the fountains to be annoying (too loud).

After a quick lunch at Boston Market (mac-n-cheese and meatloaf cut into tiny bits), we went to an indoor glow-in-the dark place with a nice soothing atmosphere of dance music and strange colors that jumped out of the dark. He liked that better and we ended with a tie score. See the picture at the left (Richard is in the lower right corner).

When we got back to Lynn's place, the weather was so delightful, the three of us took a walk around the block (the long way - for about 45+ minutes). By then, the rain delay for the Indians game was over. We watched the last 3 innings and saw the Tribe win on a dramatic 3 run homer for a sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yeahh!!

I really appreciate all the cards I received for Father's Day (plus the email from my brother). I taped the cards to my door so I can see them (see picture below-do you see yours?). It is a real pick me up. Thanks!

Charlie's Barbershop

Charlie's Barber Shop, Naugatuck Avenue, Milford, CT.

When we moved to Milford all those years ago, we lived for a short time near Walnut Beach. That's when I found this barber shop a few blocks away. So pretty much that is were I have been going for a haircut every month (well, except when I worked in NYC).

Walk-ins only (no appointment); Charlie is the only barber (but he does have a substitute for when he's away). He does hair cuts and shaves, no styling or shampoo as far as I know. I don't know exactly how old Charlie is but I saw something that said he's been in business for more than 50 years.

Ironically, Charlie lives in the same town as me but we both have to go to Milford for the barber shop. If you have to wait, he has the local paper and a NYC paper plus magazine: Popular Mechanics, National Geographic (my favorite), and various car and golf magazines. Sometimes, there are some interesting conversations going on: sports, religion, politics, and current events. Charlie is a big Boston Fan (Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics) and a golfer.

Today, Charlie told me about the time he and a customer were engaged in a discussion about religion (Charlie is RC) when another customer came in to the shop. This customer was holding a large grinder (that's a sub sandwich for those outside of New England). He asked if he could eat it while waiting for his turn. Being a down to earth guy, Charlie said sure.

So this guy carefully unwraps this fabulous sandwich: it had the works and was super size. Meanwhile, Charlie and the other customer are debating religion. Something prompted the sandwich man to chime in: "Aw, you guys are nuts. Don't you know there is no God?" And as he said this, he made a dramatic wave of his hand to emphasize his point but simultaneously knocked his grinder off the table and onto the floor filled with a day's worth of hair clippings. Charlie and the other guy cracked up laughing at how God had intervened so perfectly to demonstrate that, yes, there is a God.

School's out (& so are the teeth); Another win!

School's Out
Technically, Friday (6/17/2011) was the last day of school for Richard but in reality he was finished on Thursday. This past week was devoted to final exams. Thursday's exam was for Technical Theater and included setup and takedown for the graduation ceremony. Being curious and interested, he attended the ceremony to see what it is all about. After enduring all the speeches, he now wonders what all the fuss is about.

Grades should be in soon.  I wonder how he did.

Oral Surgery
In a recent post, I mentioned that Richard had gotten braces for his teeth. The rest of that story involves oral surgery needed for two (2) teeth. Since his calendar was free on Friday, Lynn thoughtfully scheduled the surgery so that it would not be hanging over his head during this summer. So Friday morning Lynn and I accompanied Richard to the oral surgeon who removed the two (2) teeth and attached a bracket to one tooth that was hiding under one that was removed.

The surgeon presented us with the two (2) teeth just like when you get your car fixed. "My what big teeth you have Grandma Richard!" Wow, what whoppers they are. If I can get a picture, I'll post it.

So now, his mouth is sore again; back to soft foods like mashed taters, oatmeal, mac-n-cheese, etc. Oh, and did I mention the bill? There goes my income tax refund.

Richard wins another one
Last week, I mentioned how Richard is adapt at winning the game of Monopoly. As he was recovering from his oral surgery yesterday (see above), he suggested a pleasant game of Monopoly as a soothing balm. You might think that since he had the effects of anesthesia coursing through his body, along with painkillers and antiswelling medication, that his winning streak would be in peril. Not to worry. He beat me again!

I think the key to his success is the railroads (that's what I get for all the Thomas the Tank Engine and model train events during his early youth). He quickly obtained three (3) of the four (4) railroads. It wasn't long before I was forking over $100 in rent. That drained my cash and I wasn't able to build houses and hotels on Park Place and Boardwalk. He finished me off by obtaining all three (3) of the Yellow properties and improving them with houses and then hotels. I quickly went bankrupt. Perhaps I should let him manage my finances.