Dear Old Dad

I called my dad.

It was his birthday yesterday.  I tried to call yesterday (truly!) but at first he wasn't home and then I received a busy signal.  A busy signal.  In today's world?  He must be the only one left that doesn't have call waiting.  Oh well.

When I finally connected with him I asked how he was.  He said,

"Aw rite, ah gess."  (translation:  All right, I guess).

This is his standard response to everything.  He had to visit a nerve specialist - and that's the response to how it went.  He just came out of heart surgery - that's the standard response.  He's got a lion chewing on his foot - standard response. 

I suppose we could learn a lot from that response.  What's the point in complaining?

Of course if it was my mother - she could complain about winning the lottery.  Hmmm.  That must be the short explanation as to why that marriage didn't last.....but I digress.

I asked what he'd been up to.  You totally will not believe the response.  I know I was shocked.

Apparently he's been "trappin' cats."

Yeah, I know.  I was like, "WHAT?!"

In his leisure time, apparently, my father has been trapping cats.  When questioned about this activity I was informed that "the damn cats are takin' over the neighborhood; they are tearin' up the trash and scratchin' up cars."  So, dad has apparently taken it upon himself to be the neighborhood vigilante against feral cats.

I asked, very nervously, what he was doing with the cats that he caught.  I was terrified of the response.  Wouldn't you be?  I mean, dad is a good ole' boy from the country.....

Whew!  He is calling animal control to come and take the feral cats.  I was thinking of far worse fates for these cats.  Although, depending upon the animal control....maybe their fate isn't as nice as I'm thinking?  Let's not go there - and don't burst my bubble please.

Apparently in order to trap the cats he must set the traps and then go hide in his truck.  The cats won't come 'round if he is sitting in his chair in the yard.  The image of him lurking in his truck, in his driveway, while trying to lure cats into traps sends me into fits of giggles, I must admit.

I've always wondered what Hubby would do with himself once he retires.  Now I know.