Out Of The Will Again

It all began innocently enough. I reflected on Fathers' Day, and found myself in deep doo-doo! You see, I not only have some wonderful father figures in my life, I also have a Tutter.

What exactly is a Tutter, you may ask? A Tutter is something no family should be without. With a Tutter, you never have to be hungry, organized, or tacky (as a Tutter can and WILL correct all those things!), never have to remember a recipe or phone number, and never have to recall how you are related to someone. Iguanas, spitting frogs, and crabs are no match for a Tutter either. A Tutter is better than a restaurant or grocery store, and can easily feed a family on Sunday as well as several college kids the rest of the week. A Tutter can come to the rescue, as well as listen to your troubles. Are you alone in this world? A Tutter can fix that too! Before you know it, a Tutter will put you right in the middle of a large family and mix you in so well that the younger ones don't know for years that you're not a blood relative.

Tutters are often referred to by other names. These include Julia, Sister, JuJu, Battle Axe, and Ms. Van Aster. The use of some of those might provoke a smile, and others might cause you to yell "uncle" while pinned behind the dining room table.

I really feel sorry for the rest of the world, because I am quite sure we have the only Tutter there is. This is really a good thing, as the world isn't ready for more than one. I know that I'd certainly be in more trouble than I already am! But I'm a jealous sort: Though I might share my Tutter with you, you can't have her. I might pick at her about her Clarabelle suits, dead pillows, and pizza recipes that self-destruct when they cross the state line, but I'll fight anybody around for her. I love my Tutter!


...Am I back in the will yet?

Father's Day

Fathers come in all shapes and sizes and have their own particular style, but they are all special in their own way. I have been very blessed to have some great people in my life to celebrate today.

Let's get one thing straight right away...my daddy was the best! I don't know of anyone who did not respect and like my dad. Daddy always set a good example for me, and I try hard to live up to his expectations. Daddy was strict with me, and I am better for it. I got spankings when I was wrong, and I didn't turn out to be an axe murderer because of it. Daddy was a big influence in my life. I'm a ballet school drop-out because of him - He got me hooked on bluegrass music, and you just don't do pirouettes to that! He taught me to sing "Indian Love Call" before I could hold my own head up. I can change a tire, cut wood, shoot, and plow. I learned that "no, by God, not EVERYBODY" was doing stuff, and that "if a frog had wings he wouldn't bump his big old butt." I also learned to love people and to love helping them. Daddy had friends everywhere - old, young, rich, poor, every color, and every background. Daddy was an honest, upright gentleman.

I had lunch today with my grandfather. Papa is another wonderful influence in my life. He has probably forgotten more than I'll ever even learn! Papa never seems to be at a loss on how to make something work. Papa is still a hard-working and very intelligent man. He may be 80, but he still gets that excited-little-boy look on his face when he and Barry get their rifles and cammo and head off to the woods for the day! Papa is just an all-around good guy!

Barry has to rank up there in the father department. He sets a good example for our little men - both of whom try their best to be like him and make him proud. I think that is why they enjoy scouts as much as they do, because it is an activity they can do with him. Barry is their hero! I'm always impressed with the way people in all positions in the military defer to him. His head just stores way too much stuff!!! He has a wonderful, loving heart, and a beautiful soul!

If I'm going to list fathers and father-figures, I can't leave this one out: Uncle Bob. When I was little, it was really cool to have an uncle in the Navy in an exotic place. He'd bring home pilot wings and Navy hats and hermit crabs. He was brave enough to haul a bunch of us to Six Flags and the Varsity, and brave enough to help teach me to drive. He's the kind of guy you can enjoy a Disney cartoon with or have a deep theological discussion with. Uncle Bob has always been there for me, no matter what.

Thanks guys.

My Baby's Getting Too Big

The last couple of months have been a time of tremendous growth for my boys. Both have gotten much taller, but what has gone on inside has really been the big change. Mama said I grew up too fast, and with my own sons I see it too.

Daniel has been really asserting himself as a leader this week. He reminds Aaron of things, and suggests consequences when Aaron makes a mistake. I have to remind him that he is the YOUNGER brother! Aaron, to his credit, has not whacked him yet. Daniel is a very funny little guy. While we were out I saw some plants in a yard called red hot poker plants. I remarked how pretty I thought they were. Daniel said they looked like toilet brushes. I don't think I'll plant any of those after all.

Aaron leaves in the morning for Boy Scout Camp in Tennessee. This is the first time he's been away from home with anyone other than family - and a whole state away! He was thrilled, Daniel was looking forward to being King-For-A-Week, Barry was fine and dandy with it, and I have been a worry-wort. That's my baby! I don't care if he's 11 or 70! And I worry like a mama: Did I pack enough socks? Can he manage his money for a week? Will he be safe and happy? Will he still be my little boy when he gets home and still need me? I love seeing the young man he is becoming, and I'm proud of him. It's just happening so fast now!

This week, Aaron became the first of the new scouts in his troop to earn their first badge. He came out of the scoutmaster's office with a big smile and the new patch in his hand. I want to see both of my boys stick with scouting and get their Eagle awards in a few years.

And yes, I'll be standing there looking at them and saying, "That's my baby!"

Cub Scout Day Camp

What a busy week!!! This was the Yellow River District's Cub Scout Day Camp week, and every day we dealt with over 175 scouts! Barry was the Woodworking Director and I was the Arts & Crafts Director. It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun! Many of the kids remembered us from last year, and kept asking me if we were making snakes again. Last year we made them by stuffing men's neckties! This year, since the theme was "Scouting At The Beach", we made sunvisors, crabs, painted shells and shell creatures, and fish windsocks. Barry had them making birdhouses, toolboxes, and sailboats. In addition to our two stations, the kids did swimming, sandcastles, outdoor cooking, tie-dye, sports, surfboard simulation, monkey bridge and knots, songs, nature, handicrafts, BB's, and archery. These kids had the time of their lives!

In addition to all the activities, there was a special show each day at lunch. Monday was music and comedy by the Chicken Man, Tuesday was a magician, Thursday was a luau complete with a pig roasted in the ground the night before, and Friday was Family Day with an All-American cookout. Wednesday had to be the best of all, as we surprised the whole camp by having a US Army Blackhawk helicopter land on the ballfield! The pilots and crew were wonderful sports. They allowed the kids to climb in the helicopter, answered questions, signed autographs, ate lunch with the kids, and posed for a huge group photo. In the middle of the photo session the kids were sitting and standing in front of the chopper, and spontaneously broke into chanting "USA! USA! USA!" This was right in front of the news crew that was there, and really gave the pilots a big boost. What a rush to have over 200 people treating you like a hero!!! I just can't say enough about these guys. Barry was the man of the hour for arranging the whole thing too, and was presented with a framed group photo at the Closing Session in front of all the scouts and family members. It was a great week!