My Dad

Tuesday, I had a late lunch with my Dad at a bar/restaurant called "True Lies" in El Dorado, KS. It's a little dive dance place, a country western dance bar at night and a home-cooking place during the day. Why am I in Kansas right now, you may be asking, and that's a whole other story, but... today I had lunch out with my Dad. We shared some beers and some chicken-fried steak. We sat, we talked about problems and people, troubles and health, nothing special. Had a few laughs. I had a Boulevard Wheat, Dad had a Miller. Nothing we ate was good for us. I couldn't tell you when the last time I did something like that with either or both of my parents; it's probably been two or three times in a few years. Needs to happen more.

I got the impression that the character of the place probably changed drastically after say, 10pm... The dance floor was empty when we were there, but the place looked like it'd seen it's share of low-rent country bands and probably some dust-ups, as well. On the main door was printed "It is the policy of True Lies, should you become involved in an altercation or fight, you will be removed from the establishment. You shall not and will not be allowed to return."

So we decided not to, you know, "throw down" with anyone.

I just need to point out that I feel very lucky to have the parents I have. They've allowed me to make my own mistakes (damn them!) and are always there for me when I do. There's very rarely an "I told you so," and I've always been encouraged to follow my foolhardy dreams of world domination and such. So, here between Mother's Day and Father's Day, I want to point out that I really love my parents and I appreciate everything they've ever done for me. Now, about that loan... ;)