Happy Fathers Day

Fathers Day is pretty cool. It's a holiday I've liked since before I became a father. I remember giving my dad his Fathers Day present and wanting to make his day special. I have 2 older brothers and an older sister who says she's younger than me. I'm the baby of the family, all 200 lbs.

When I came along, my dad was a fireman like his dad before him. My dad was always my hero. He would go to work and come home in his dress firemens uniform. Back then they required it. If he was home sick or injured he would have to wear it whenever he left the house. He looked very heroic in it. Before the days of direct deposit, he would take me with him if he was off on pay day, to pick up his check. He would put me in the drivers seat of the back-up fire engine while he shot the bull with his coworkers. I had a blast.

He drove school buses for 25 years part time. He had to support a wife, 4 kids and a dog. We never went hungry, always had a roof over our head and clothes to wear. I got my work ethics and family responsibility ethics from him. When I picture him in my mind, he's in his firemens uniform and has his flat top hair cut. He's passed away 14 years ago and there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of him.

Now it's my turn. I have 2 sons and a daughter. They are all my favorites. Nick is 23 and drives a truck for a local company. Ryan is 20 and weighing his options on what to do next. Cassie is 17, has one more year of high school and starts working at McDonald's today. They don't get in trouble or cause any.

I feel that I'm a pretty lucky dad. I have great kids. We've had our ups and downs, but with them it's always been up. I enjoy their company and I'm always wanting to hear what they got going on next. Each one has a totally different personality. I am a pretty lucky dad.

Have a Happy Fathers Day, I am.

OK, I know this isn't a blog about me, my family or fathers. It's about Bird TLC & its birds. Last night Ruthie, Cassie and I picked up eagle BE 05-36 at the airport last night. She came in from Sand Point. Things don't look too well though. She has gangrene setting in her right wing from her wrist to almost her shoulder from puncher wounds. We gave her 3cc Baytril and beded her down for the night. Keep your feathers crossed. That's eagle #36 to come through Bird TLC this year.