You know that Twitter-feed-turned-book-turned-website-turned-TV-show-(briefly), Shit My Dad Says? I am convinced that I could have (nay, should have) come up with the concept first. I would have been rich and famous already, because I gotta tell ya, my dad has come up with some real gems over the years.
“I love your parents,” Tara says. “They’re hilarious.”
Take the other night, for example. We had them over to our place for dinner. Went all out, too – we made grilled Peruvian lime chicken, mushroom risotto, salad, and a homemade huckleberry pie – which has nothing to do with my story, but I’m so freakin’ proud of that meal I just had to mention it. Anyway. We served the pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and my parents were talking about how they like to microwave their ice cream. And then my dad took it a step farther and announced that he microwaves his cereal every morning.
“You microwave your cereal?” I asked, incredulous.
“That’s right. Otherwise, the milk is too cold and it hurts my teeth.”
“Mmm-kay…”
“For sixteen seconds.”
“Hold on. Sixteen seconds? Why not fifteen, or twenty?”
“Sixteen is exactly long enough.”
“That’s weird, dad.”
“No, it’s not. I push the button for 30 seconds, and stop it when it reaches 14. It’s perfect.”
So. Let me get this straight. Not only does my dad microwave his cereal, but he does so for an oddly specific period of time – and on top of that, he feels it’s too much trouble to push two buttons (1 and 6) and instead pushes one button (30 seconds), carefully watches the microwave until :14 is displayed, and then pushes another button (stop)? Doesn’t all that extra work negate any trouble he’s saved by pushing the 30-second button in the first place?
And he gives me grief for wanting a Big Wheel. Whatever!
My dad’s got a handy list of phrases suitable for many occasions, many of which I now find myself using. I guess this just goes to show the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! Here are a few of my favorites.
- “It’s better to have and not need, than to need and not have.” Let’s say you’re going to the beach in June. It’s sunny and 80 degrees at home. Should you bring along a sweatshirt? My dad would grab one out of the closet while regaling the room with this quote. It’s true, and has become a mantra of sorts for Tara and I. Anytime we’re on the fence about something, we remember my dad’s wisdom and end up taking the cautionary approach. It’s much better to have a sweatshirt in the backseat of the car on the off chance that a stiff breeze picks up off the ocean, than to sit on the beach shivering uncontrollably for three hours.
- “Old age is hell.” This one started when a family member, at the ripe old age of 30, started suffering from myriad health woes. Ever since, anytime we scraped our knees, stubbed our toes, got a paper cut, or suffered from a headache, we’d trot out that line. And then, last year, my gallbladder revolted and I spent six nights in the hospital. You know what? Old age IS hell!
- “A bite of meat, a bite of bread.” My dad’s idea of proper dining etiquette; this actually originated with my grandmother, who would declare that, when eating, you should always vary between food groups. Don’t gobble up all your meatloaf and then tackle the roll; take a bite of meat, followed by a bite of bread.
- “Look at that horse’s ass!” or “What a horse’s ass!” Whenever we pass a horse trailer with the rear end of an equine visible, my dad would invariably utter this. As kids, we thought it was the funniest thing in the world. As an adult, I still use it!
There are probably a dozen more that I’m forgetting at the moment. Trust me, he’s a funny guy. And speaking of humor, I just want to say I am so glad that I found somebody who “gets” me! I tend to be a slapsticky kind of guy. Case in point: last night we were shopping for groceries. I grabbed a carton of butter and started tossing it in the air while saying, “ow – this is hot – it’s burning my fingers – ouch!” Pretty silly, I know. Other people were gawking at me, probably thinking I had lost my mind. But not Tara. She was laughing quite heartily.
In my last serious relationship, if I had done something like that, I would have been met with a stony glare or, worse, icy silence. She never appreciated my jokes and just didn’t understand my sense of humor. “It’s like we’re speaking different languages” was a favorite phrase, and I had to admit that she was right. Things I thought were funny she didn’t, and vice-versa. It’s very hard to relax and “be yourself” when you’re constantly holding back or feel like you’re walking on eggshells. Oh well, just one more reason why Tara is “da bomb” while my other relationships just bombed.
And now excuse us, ‘cause we’re headed to the Washington coast for a weekend of camping. This time without the kids, and hopefully, it won’t rain. Cold weather we can deal with. Wet weather, not so much. But we’ll bring jackets along anyway.
After all, it’s better to have and not need, than to need and not have.
Mark My Words 
Mark, your Dad DOES sound like a funny guy indeed!
Tomorrow morning I’m going to try cooking my cereal in the microwave before eating. But I have a feeling it’s going to turned into OATMEAL – HA!
“A bite of meat, a bite of bread.”
I do the same thing when I eat. And I never understand people who eat one thing, then move to the next, then the next. I like tasting every thing at once!
Hope you had Tara have an awesome time on your camping trip this weekend!
Love the closing photo and caption. What a HOOT!
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Yeah, I was going to say: if the cereal happens to be OATMEAL, that makes sense. Raisin Bran? Not so much…
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He is right. All sensible people know it is 16 seconds. Also 16 seconds for danish and muffins. It seems you must age another 20 years to understand these things.
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I’ve learned so many important lessons from my elders.
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I live by the “just in case” rule myself, which includes a sweatshirt in my beach bag or a hoodie or fleece depending on time of year in the backseat of the car. I’ve been made fun of for this before, but hey, I live in New England. Its seriously gone from being 80 and sunny to 30 and snowing in the span of about 3 hours. You’re ALWAYS prepared here. Heh.
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Yeah, it’s the same here – though not quite as extreme. We might go from 80 to 50.
OK, I guess it’s not the same here…
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My senior year of college, I left for classes at noon and it was about 80. I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt and had a hoodie on. I came back at 5 and it was sleeting and about 35 degrees. I wasn’t amused.
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I can see why Tara loves your parents so much….those sayings are just priceless!!
And I agree. 16 seconds is all it takes. 15 seconds are not long enough and 17 seconds are too long. Yeah, it would be easier to push the 1 and 6 but if you’re not careful it could go to 116 and that, my friend, would be disastrous.
Talk about your hot butter….
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Or…gasp…166 seconds, which of course would be even MORE disastrous! I can see that my dad is wise beyond his years, after all.
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It’s funny, Chef and I laugh at the same things too and think the dumbest stuff is so funny. I didn’t have that with my ex and honestly didn’t even know what I missing.
Like this side much better 🙂
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Agreed. This side is the place to be. Nice to see your face around these parts again, my friend! 🙂
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It’s funny what you pick up from parents & grandparents. I find myself laughing just like my mother or hearing her voice coming out of my mouth. I use phrases used by my parents & grandparents & it never fails to bring back a laugh or a good memory. (needless to say I never say the things that bring back the bad memories).
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True dat! I wish I had more witty phrases from my grandparents that I could use.
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BTW, I microwave my ice cream too! But I do not microwave my cereal – yet!
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Oh, no. Don’t say that!!! My mom is going to be ALL over that comment…
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See, I’m not the only one to microwave my ice cream!
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…just like that. 🙂
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As you get older & the arthritis sets in, it’s too hard to stir your ice cream soft like I used to. Using the microwave just gets the process started so it becomes soft ice cream much faster. Want to know a great way to make a homemade malt? Sprinkle Ovaltine on your ice cream after you microwave it & stir till it’s soft – delish!
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I started using Monty Python and the Holy Grail as a litmus test. If the men I like don’t find it funny, then out the door they go. (Ok, not literally. But seriously, how can you NOT laugh at the Black Knight scene?) If they don’t think it’s funny, they won’t get me. 🙂 and I can quite amusing at times.
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I just very recently saw that for the first time. And, you’ll be happy to hear, laughed my ass off. Funny, funny stuff! “It’s just a flesh wound.”
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Hell, I didn’t even know there was such a show. Tells you how out of the loop I am. But Tara is right–your dad is a hoot! Love the cereal story. Reminds me of my mom clipping a clothes pin to her lapel to help her remember something. I’m totally serious about this! Great post, Mark.
Hugs,
Kathy
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Do they even still sell clothes pins these days? Sorry, random thought. The show didn’t last long, but the website lives on!
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Hey, I microwave our dogs food for 16 seconds. I think its a non commital number. not too long, not too short. its just right. I take the time to hit the 1 and the 6 though….although I do try to open the door right before the beep. Dont know why, just do. lol.
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You microwave your dog’s food? I think I’d like to be reincarnated as a Labrador retriever and come live with you! Then I could chase squirrels on family vacations in Poskin. Sounds like an amazing life…
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