Dinner with My Dad, June 11 edition.

I had dinner with my dad last night. MY mother and he would have been married 57 years yesterday. Have been married 57 years yesterday. I don’t think he has been without her since her death in October of last year. I think she is watching over him every day.

I knew this day might be tough for him, so I stopped by after my doctor’s appointment to ask what he wanted for dinner. He said he didn’t feel like going out. I suggested sandwiches. It was a busy day form me and I didn't feel like cooking.  Truthfully, I had no plan. I told my dad that my son and I would be over with some sandwiches later. He was fixing himself a drink. Kentucky bourbon on the rocks.  I knew it was that kind of day.
 

I went home to get Tim and the sandwiches. We stopped at the local Subway shop.

I had dinner with my dad last night. Somehow I feel like I let him down. He didn’t like the bread I chose for his sandwich. My first career was in the food industry. I had 20+ years in restaurants as a cook/chef. And all I had for him for his anniversary dinner was a store bought sandwich on “sh@#ty” bread (my term, not his). I let him down. He only ate half. Save the rest for tomorrow’s lunch, I guess.

There was nothing much to say at dinner.  He did the math.  57 years.  At first he said 37 years.  That didn't sound right.  He caught himself right away.  57 years.  It would have been. 

Life is fragile.  It seems even more so these days.  He doesn't move very fast.  He misses driving his car. He liked being able to go get a haircut without having to plan so heavily.  I know he misses his freedom.

Vacation in a few weeks.  I think the trip will do him some good.  I hope he enjoys it.  It will do him good to get out. 

D. 

Jada Williams

Came across this news story about a week ago.  I find it fascinating that people's agenda gets in the way of getting the job done.  I find it amazing that idealogues let their wants and needs get in the way of what is right.  Poor girl.  I hope she finds the right school.  Read the article.  Thanks.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/05/black_teen_run_off_the_liberal_plantation.html#ixzz1tpp0eHQZ


D.

Dinner at Dad's

Sunday night dinner with my dad.  I think he liked it.  He asked for seconds and asked that we leave some for tomorrow's lunch.  Nora found a great deal on Swai.  (2 lbs for $8.) 

So, I Dore'd it (flour and eggwash) and sautee'd it in a large skillet.  I served it with chopped tomatoes, sliced black olives and capers.  I warmed that mixture with a compound butter.  Salt and pepper as needed.  Wonderful dish. 

Great item.  Check it out.  Enjoy.

D.  

Years

Years, again come knocking


(August 23, 2006)

In my summer days when traffic cops appear,
I, too, need some pointing as winter soon draws near.
Of simple days I dream; of some days’ end I fear,
As the coldest moon does rise, at the closing of my year.

Life, at last, conquers fear on tales of Autumn sheddings,
As Christmastime draws near, unrewarded lives are dreading.
Another task awaits this soul, ill-defined and treading,
But life’s not done, till farms are sold for bedding.

Yielding pleasure chosen or pain deserved, Eternity awaits.
Be wise and choose your path, leave not your end to fates.
But what of toil has bought you, but what if love berates?
The purest soul will rise and regret cannot exterminate.

David R. Normand
Copyright C 2006

A Metaphor of Life.  I guess I have been feeling this way for quite a while. 

Caine's Arcade

Check it out on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIFNkdq96U

Dinner with My Dad

The wife and I had dinner with my dad this evening.  Since my mother died several months ago my sisters and I take turns during the week going over there and fixing my dad dinner.   It is really a fun thing to do.

Tonight we had peas and salmon.  My wife had asked if we needed knives on the table.  I told her no because the salmon was very tender.  So, we sat down to eat a very nice meal.  After a few bites I realized that we did need knives, to push the peas onto the fork.  This reminded me of a poem my dad always used to tell us and I told him:

"Peas and honey, Peas and honey,
I've eaten them all my life.
Peas and honey, might sound funny,
But it sure keeps them on the knife."

Dad laughed at that.  He remembered.

My wife had to get up and get Dad some water for his pills.  Two cubes of ice from the automatic dispenser in the fridge door.  The "cubes" actually comes out as half moons.  (Why the manufacturer calls them "cubes", I have no clue).

After she sat down, the refridgerator replenished the recently removed ice with an audible "burp" as the ice dropped into the bin. 

"I keep waiting for the refridgerator to say 'excuse me' when he does that," my dad said. 

We all laughed.  I thought for a second, and leaned over to my dad, and told him that, if the refridgerator does ever answer him, he probably shouldn't tell anyone. 

D.

Ramblings - who has the time?

Just some idle ramblings from the other day.  Wondering what was going on.  Who had plans. 

When is Easter? April 9? I used to get Good Friday off…Union thing. Not anymore. Different company. So I look more for holidays rather than holy days. Funny. The reason is the same; renew the spirit; celebrate the Spirit. Yet, for the most part, I am more secular than religious.

Been thinking a lot lately about that. I feel God all around me, yet I wonder. I talk to God all the time, but have trouble hearing or interpreting his response. I am going crazy. I have a lot to say, but I can’t write it down. I need to.

had an interesting day the other day. My daughter put on Facebook that she had a phone interview for her first real adult job. She was really excited as it is almost exactly what she wants. She would be working what could be her dream job. She had a phone interview that went so well that she lined up an in person interview for today.  That went so well they called her for a follow up this Wednesday.  This job is only 1.5 miles from our house. She could live rent free while she pays off her loans.  I wish her well.

Please say a prayer for her.

I was so excited by this news that when I got off the phone I wanted to call someone. The first person I thought of was my mom. I wanted to call her and tell her the news.  It broke my heart when I couldn’t. A bittersweet moment. 

Ahhh.  Life goes on. 

D. 

Offramps, strip malls, diners and coffeeshops

Sitting at a local Starbucks watching families and friends enjoying the great Sunday morning, celebrating the Lord's day in the company of love. 

In how many communities, villages, and towns is this taking place across America? 

These parties are a part of the American scene.  I do so enjoy them. 

D. 

Nation of Immigrants

At a mall on a Saturday during the past month, the store greeter, a small Filipina, greets me as I walk to the American hamburger stand inside. While waiting in line with a group of African-American ladies, for a cup of Ethiopian coffee served by a latino, I noticed a Chinese lady sitting and reading her Chinese language newspaper. Sipping that said coffee in the mall listening to a Chaldean family, whose children were sporting the latest southern California T-shirts, shorts, sandals beach wear.  Later,  while out in the parking lot we walk amongst the imported Japanese and German cars parked there.

America, this nation of immigrants, must again become strong and remain that way. Let the free market survive.

Once again, "Notes from a (semi-)Clean Desk"

Some time last year I sat down and wrote these beginnings.  Prose poems, notes, essays... I don't know where they will go.  Just thought I would share them. 

1.
I arrive every morning at five minutes to six.  Usually, a half hour before dawn.  "Oh dark thirty".  Suits me just fine.  No traffic, quiet commute.

I pull into the parking lot and have the pick of my spots.  Most of my associates pick a spot in the parking structure, the garage close to the building.  I prefer a spot outside in the lot about a hundred yards from the entrance to the building.  I pull in and park in the corner right next to the six inch berm.  Stepping out of the car each day I step on the berm.  Everyday I have the same thought, "Oh, to be six inches taller."  What a different perspective on the world that would be. 

This one particular morning I followed the same routine.  But this morning I exited my car with a new confidence.  I stepped on the berm and notice how good I felt, spiritually.  Not just the confidence of the berm but I believe I am entering a new phase in my life.  New job, new responsibilities, new goals and challenges.  This is an amazing revelation.  

2.
Notes for future poems:

When I was young I wore a checkered cap.
I had successes and misfortunes,
I had a checkered past. 


Last night I dreamt of your wedding day, and how I wasn't there.
You wore white, and shoes, and had flowers in your hair. 



What can I do with these?  

Any ideas?


D.

Baseball, spring training, Dallas Green, Ken Caminiti, Gaylord Perry

Updated - December 1, 2022

Recently I had a conversation about baseball with a good friend.  It brought back some baseball memories. 

I grew up in New Orleans. New Orleans had a minor league team for awhile in the 60s (before my time there) and then again in the 1980s to present (after my time). I remember the newscasters talking about local players, but never as much as a hometown team would have warranted. 

I was a fan as a kid – played little league and all that, never any good. But I never had an allegiance until I move here to SD for the second time in 1981 (I lived here for six months in 1979). I remember, when I was working at Denny's, cooking breakfast for Gaylord Perry, who was on his way to spring training in 1979 (right after he won the Cy Young in 1978). Wish I had gotten his autograph. I was 20 and stupid. 

I learned about the inner workings of bb in the fall of 1980. I wanted to go fishing during the playoffs. My roommate wanted to wait until after the Phillies finished out their playoff game. Dallas Green was the manager and he made some strategic moves that, once explained to me, made me realize that this was the game and intellectual pursuit I was looking for. And for the next 18 years it was. Until Ken Caminiti died. And I realized that is WAS all about money. I may get back into it. I don’t know.

My friend invited me and my wife to Spring Training but I am still trying to catch up financially from my layoff.  And my wife isn’t really interested in that kind of trip.  My son is more involved with his band and getting out of school.  I may not get to spring training this year.   Maybe next season. We shall see. 

D.

Requiem for Childhood

(For my Mom and Dad)

From boyhood to manhood you pass
like sweet morning rain.
The songs you sang the morning last
are now a new refrain.
No longer held in mother's arms
no longer take of father's bread
This life is yours with great alarm
there's another place to make your bed.

Make of your life what you will
be never too ashamed.
Your dreams are but your plans to build
your tools are what you've gained.
If ever dreams let you down
if ever dreams go nowhere,
There are greater things to get you down
and greater burdens to bear.

by David R. Normand
C. 1979
 

Come to Me, a Poem by David R. Normand

If ever lives were destined
Ours were of the fate.
Hoping to be entwined
We wound up separate.
Time was all you asked for
From one such as me,
But my impatience was at war
With my loyalty.

Compassion from the heart
Forgiveness from the soul,
Despair is just a state of mind
With no place to go.
Come to me, my lover lost
And soothe the heart that yearns
Before I die old and gray
The oldest man that learns.

By David R. Normand
C. 1979

Notes from my desk. 

Happy Thanksgiving, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Celebrate the joys in your life. Hug your family. Tell them that you love them and that they are so special in your life.  I love my wife and my two wonderful, talented and happy kids. 

I am thankful for my Mom. I miss her everyday. How can I cook Thanksgiving dinner without her? She was always the planner. 

I am thankful for my Dad. Had he not spoken to that beautiful girl in the registration line at college 57 years ago, my brothers and sisters and I would not be who we are today. Thank you Mom and Dad. Thank you God, for putting them together in that spot. 

Happy Thanksgiving.

D.

snacks on my driveway

Took a sick day today.  I was fighting a cold.  Mega doses of Vitamin C helped. I am feeling much better after a day of rest and de-stressing.

I got up this morning and had some coffee, read the paper and settled down on the couch.  I opened the curtains, grabbed my blanket and coffee and was hoping to read a book.  It was real nice sitting there reading with sun coming through the trees and the window.
 
Sat there with my book when all of a sudden there were several black flashes outside the window.  Shadows were moving in front of  the window.  Ok.  What is that?  I got up and looked out.  There were three crows wandering about on my driveway.  They were picking up the seeds from the ash trees.  Fine.  Not bothering anyone.  And the seeds they eat don't sprout in my flower beds.  Less weeding for me.
 
Have fun.  Enjoy the snack. 
D.