Wow, Jim, you get to the bone in every story. Your skillful use of language in this portrait of a father who is obsessed with everything but his son tells the story with beauty and sadness in so few words. Your description of the son entering the ballpark is magnificent. My father took me to see the Yankees play the Kansas City Athletics in the early 60's at the old Municipal Stadium downtown. Mantle was past his prime but played. I'll never forget it.
Thank you K.C. It's a bittersweet tale but mostly sweet. I'm glad it brought back fond memories. Yes, Mickey had bad knees for the latter part of his career, that's why he ended up playing first base. It was a thrill for a little boy to see him.
This brought back wonderful memories of my dad (sober-)teaching himself to play the ukulele, complete with “My Dog Has Fleas” and “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” (he thought our horrified reactions to his falsetto were funny). And the story itself was a delight, particularly the imagery during the baseball game. I loved it!
Thank you Bridget for your comment and for sharing the story about your own dad. I laughed at your reaction to his tiptoeing through the tulips as I'm sure your dad did. These are memories to hold on to.
There's a beautiful musical cadence throughout the story. I think what worked particularly well for me was the subtle setup in the second paragraph with the mentionung of the records.
I like the story, but OMG what a boring song. I hope your dad jazzed it up a bit with his harp. I need to know: was it the 48 note one, or the 64 note one? I've got a 64 one here, and one of these days I will teach myself to play it.
It's the 48. I inherited it but I would feel funny playing it. He was very good at embellishing and adding flourishes to songs and was proficient at clarinet and of course the uke. I have a collection of blues harps but I haven't practiced in years.
Awww! Thanks so much for bringing this back. This guy was, no doubt lovable. You get five gold stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for best line ever: "Ok, listen to this, I’ve got it now. Tiptoe Through the Tulips. Wait, where you going?"
I do remember. I wish I didn't. He WAS creepy. Why would anyone want to act like that unless it was out of pure self-loathing? But, then, there are a lot of things in this life that I do not understand.
Wow, Jim, you get to the bone in every story. Your skillful use of language in this portrait of a father who is obsessed with everything but his son tells the story with beauty and sadness in so few words. Your description of the son entering the ballpark is magnificent. My father took me to see the Yankees play the Kansas City Athletics in the early 60's at the old Municipal Stadium downtown. Mantle was past his prime but played. I'll never forget it.
Thank you K.C. It's a bittersweet tale but mostly sweet. I'm glad it brought back fond memories. Yes, Mickey had bad knees for the latter part of his career, that's why he ended up playing first base. It was a thrill for a little boy to see him.
Prose, poem, lyrics, info, prose, poem.... Yeah, I like this. You go Jim!
Thank you Helen!
This brought back wonderful memories of my dad (sober-)teaching himself to play the ukulele, complete with “My Dog Has Fleas” and “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” (he thought our horrified reactions to his falsetto were funny). And the story itself was a delight, particularly the imagery during the baseball game. I loved it!
Thank you Bridget for your comment and for sharing the story about your own dad. I laughed at your reaction to his tiptoeing through the tulips as I'm sure your dad did. These are memories to hold on to.
There's a beautiful musical cadence throughout the story. I think what worked particularly well for me was the subtle setup in the second paragraph with the mentionung of the records.
Thank you Elia. Yes, definitely was trying for a beat here. Thanks for the kind comment!
What a character you got to grow up under the "guidance" of. But you made it, apparently no worse for the wear - Fleas and All.
Thank you Mark. Spit and smile!
I like the story, but OMG what a boring song. I hope your dad jazzed it up a bit with his harp. I need to know: was it the 48 note one, or the 64 note one? I've got a 64 one here, and one of these days I will teach myself to play it.
It's the 48. I inherited it but I would feel funny playing it. He was very good at embellishing and adding flourishes to songs and was proficient at clarinet and of course the uke. I have a collection of blues harps but I haven't practiced in years.
same here, sadly. A shame, because you look like a bluesman. It's the shades.
Haha, The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades.
😂
Awww! Thanks so much for bringing this back. This guy was, no doubt lovable. You get five gold stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for best line ever: "Ok, listen to this, I’ve got it now. Tiptoe Through the Tulips. Wait, where you going?"
Thank you Sharron. Do you remember Tiny Tim and his strange falsetto rendition of it in the seventies? The guy really creeped me out.
I do remember. I wish I didn't. He WAS creepy. Why would anyone want to act like that unless it was out of pure self-loathing? But, then, there are a lot of things in this life that I do not understand.
Splendid, Jim! What a picture you paint. And Mickey Mantle, too!
This reminds me of our friend Mitch Allen, who used to write on Substack. And his mystery mansion. And GCEA. It all started with this post of yours!
Yes, Heather. I miss old Mitch. I wish we could get him back here.