Sunday Citar - Happy Father's Day

Today's Citar is dedicated to my Dad. (Instead of a quote, I thought I'd share a brief conversation ~ because it's funny and Dad makes people smile)

Dad: "I looked into that new Pet place. I asked them if they can kennel two cats while we're on the trip to Boston. The reception asked me, "How do you want them stored?" I told her, "Preferably stuffed!"

Me: "Dad! You did not say that!"

Dad: "Yes, I did" (laughing) "The receptions said - "Now, Mr. Grimball... Do you want a cage or a condo?" I was like... whhhhattt?"

Me: "Wait. Did you say, a Condo for a cat?!"

Dad: "Yeah, a condo. I couldn't believe it. I had to ask what the difference was."

Dad: "It's a larger caged area that has space for two cats and stairs for them to climb and a place for them to play. They get 24 hour care with people there to take them out and pet them and play with them. It's a size of a large closet. Sheshhhh...."

Me: "What's the cost difference?"

Dad: "That was my next question. The cage is 16 a day. With two cats, it would be 32. The condo is 24 a day for both. The condo comes out cheaper. That's the ONLY reason we're going with the condo."

Me: (laughing): "Your cats might not want to come back home after this kind of royalty treatment."

Dad: "One can only hope..."

Lol. Dad talks mean about cats and he'll tell you in heartbeat that he used to shoot cats when he was a kid, because the cats were all over the place in the country area. But he loves those cats he has now. He'll never admit it, but he does!


Below is a poem I wrote based on a childhood memory with Dad. Dad and Rob were Indian Guides and when Dad looked into what the organization had available for Fathers and Daughters, he found out about the Y-Indian Princesses.

I asked Dad to send me some of the pictures from this. I remember painting tee pees and going camping and the car race. I still have the necklace and the car.....



Memories Snippet IV


against the drummer sound
I was donned an Indian Princess
"Spring Flower" with a decorated
feather headband, wrapped around
the brow

An instant Pocahontas, clad in
buckskin jacket with patches of my
merit, no bonnet for this little lass.
We dipped painted fingers to
canvas, where teepees had no room
for shyness, gathering new friends

huntresses at the camp, throwing
balls through old tires and chanting
songs when late night fires greeted
s'mores and smiles, we never
learned smoke signals

Father-Daughter team, there was a race
~ had to build a tiny car from wood,
working wheels and paint, we made ours
black. In line for the start, I bit my lip
and he understood, "We'll win" he whispered
that twinkle in his eye

Body forward, fingers tapped
it began, almost couldn't watch, but yes!
Ours won! Car placed on a trophy mantel,
a picture moment ~ my hand to
cover a smile, which would not be contained

Placed petals around my neck, he carved
it around "Spring Flower"
a pendant for our memories strung together
in a beaded necklace of red and
yellow wooden balls, aged now it hangs on
my jewelry table, telling me....

no matter what the future might hold, Dad
will always be there for me, I'm still his little girl



HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, Dad! I love you!