The Boy Teacher and the Father Student #? Best Friends

Friends are great. I have an elder one across the fence. He is a successful gambler. That is how he makes his money. Not an addict at all and good at it. I gambled back in the ‘70’s and did quite well, back room tobacco rooms filled with hookers. A few trips to Vegas that went very good. But after marriage I haven’t done it sense. I started gambling hard core, but on life and no more cards. Whiskey, smokes and gambling do not lead to a healthy marriage and children. Although I must admit my wife at the time was real good at it. They called her Betty Boop.

Elder will be called father here. Chris is about ten years older than I am. I will be the boy for a bit.

B: So Chris thanks a bunch for those grapes.

F: The birds are eating them. So what the heck.

B: Are you telling me that is the only reason you share them.

F: Why else?

B: Maybe because we are friends and like Gabe?

F: Do not get all over yourself.

B: OK I was just thinking that maybe you did it because you like us.

F: Nope I just had to get rid of them so the birds would not eat them.

B: So what is wrong with the birds eating them?

F: They piss me off.

B: Maybe you are a grumpy old man.

F: Shut up I do what I do.

And the beat goes on. Where would I be without elders? And make no mistake them thar grapes are hot ditty darn the best I ever tasted – Well I admit to some Italian wine. Funny thing. Naturally grown grapes require you to pull of the stems with care. Yet I understand that some great wine from the ‘70’s actually had some small stems in the mix.

Well all schuckle doodle is that a metaphor for life? Stems can be as part of the sweet nectar if we let them be. My youngest does not want to know what goes into the food I cook. He does not like some of it but he loves the meal. This old man stays away from salt. But I use a pinch to create flavor in a dish.

So this is a boy teacher article. Does a pinch of salt do him well. I am just posing the question. Maybe I should add in some anger, but he just laughs when I try.

Back to the elder lad of mine.

F: Wow you called me out of the blue – how great is that.

B: Now calm down dad. LOL

F: How are you doing and about that gal of yours – tell all without exception.

B: We are doing great. Played a gig up north and had an awesome barbeque party yesterday.

F: Charity play like normal about beach cleanup?

B: No a Veterans deal up in Navato.

F: Boy oh boy son your mom really taught you well.

B: Dad you may have had a small hand in it.

F: No boy, you know I am an ill conceived evil no good rotten SOB with rotten self serving intentions.

B: Should I put that on your death brick.

F: I would like that. Hihihi

F: So how is surfing going your little bro and I tried real hard on Sunday last with your big sister.

B: Dude the waves have been foul and it sucks. But I got a gnarly longboard and rejoice to be back on one.

F: Is it wicked cold in the water or are you getting our wave of heat.

B: South flow is coming in so the rip is intense but the waves all to the good and the water nice temp.

F: So are you treating your babe right or being a jerk? I know your anger issues.

B: Dad you are calling the kettle black. You know I am more sane than you.

F: Road Trip!!

B: I am on for your birthday where are we headed?

F: I am thinking the mountains of Mexico.

B: Sorry pops but no. Over to Sedona.

F: Redrocks and the canyon is so boring.

B: You lie, let’s do it. You are going to die by Christmas do let’s make a trip home.

F: Hmm, who taught you, other than college, to be so insulant? You blasphemy your old man. No respect at all. You should be hung like the evil devil you are.

B: Dad how is my boy doing. Is he back in school and in AC? I heard he did bad on a test.

F: Gossip mongers. He retook it and got 95%. His genius makes you look like a fool even with your fancy degrees.

F: So how is your babe?

My friend told me that I looked like him. Darndest thing I am white and he is black. But what up with that, we went to a mirror in my child's school and WOW we looked the same. I am not smart enough to figure that out.

Well my little one at nine plus is going full bonkers on me. Maybe time for a shrink. His recall of conversation is off the charts. Now do not get me wrong here. He is playing and having a normal imaginary great time. He does sports and loves comic books. But he is cookoo. Other kids will start calling him nuts. Believe me I know.

B: So dad, camouflage is the coolest thing. There is so many different kinds. I wish I could camouflage.

F: Son you are playing too many video war games. It really does not work that way except maybe a sniper.

B: You are so funny dad. I am talking about our lizard in the backyard. He changes color to blend in and the Swallow tail butterfly looks like a monarch because they are poisonous to birds.

F: OK that is just plain weird for a 9 year old who has not studied biology, earth science or the environment yet. Where do you come up with such notions?

B: Dad I know I kid you but I really do listen to you. You taught me that stuff.

F: Fine punk butt. What does E=Mc2 mean?

B: Wait I remember. Energy and mass.

F: Oh crap!! I was just rambling on while cooking dinner. The heat and the food are about temperature effecting the actual mass of the food. I was just thinking out loud. You were supposed to be playing your game.

B: Sorry dad.

F: You worry me boy. But maybe in a good way.

F: I would say that we should go out and look at plants and such but you would probably tell about Arachnoids and chlorophyll.

B: I think arachoids are spiders and the green is the Chlora stuff.

F: Now I am freaking out. Let’s not play chess but basketball.

B: Alright, you should see my new moves.

F: You are scaring me again boy.

B: Dad you are just joking.

F: Whew, yes I am. But admit you are a little strange.

Now just assume you took nearly a decade off. Just to raise a child. Assume fancy pantsy degrees up to doctorate and a preaching background and a lifelong pursuit in writing and earth sciences. Now that can cause real damage to a child.

But hugs and kisses and kicking a soccer ball can stem the tide, thank goodness. A good mild normal wife can make a world of difference. But we fear that crazy smart is not easily tamed. We must be vigilant in maintaining real.

Life is a mystical cavalcade of water flowing over natures dams. It is not ours to stop the flow but rather to swim along with the children in it.