A Journey of...

     It has been said the Journey of a Lifetime begins with a single step. I'm inclined to say the same may be true of sounds, for those of us who are fortunate enough have the ability to produce sound. Not just any sound, but words. Vocal wonderment. A baby crying, a dog barking, the sound of a loved one's voice can be calming, joyous, angry or fearful all at different times. For all of the amazing power of words, so it the power to use them. In renaissance times bards wandered the lands telling stories. They earned a living as poets, and writers. Word-smiths crafting verses, stories, or books. The journey of using words has developed as long as humans have. Knowing this makes it even more puzzling why it is difficult to talk sometimes.
     We all have individuals we are apprehensive about talking to. One of those in my life is dad. Yeah that's right, my dear old pop. This is the man that taught me about knife safety in boy scouts. He showed me how to take care of a family and the value of good and honest work. He is one of my hero's in life, and can still make me feel about six inches tall.
      Recently my wife and I decided to become a one car family. This was partially from wants, and mostly from economics. We want to be able to continue to eat good food. Economically we need to be able to pay our bills, and can no longer justify a car payment. My parents agreed to help with the the difference of what was still owed on the loan, vs what the car is worth. After checking the payoff information, and getting a offer on selling the car we discovered the difference in the two figures was greater than I anticipated it would be. Upon telling my father, the reaction I felt like I was getting was "You screwed that up".  I know that was not what my dad was telling me, but that's how I felt. I know that feeling, and I do that to my children sometimes. I see it on their faces, and in their body language - sometimes. I 'd like to tell my father I wish he wouldn't tell me I screwed up, I know that! I wish he'd ask me how I could fix it! I hear my wife ask our kids that, and I think to myself - I've got a lot to learn...

An egg started it all

 Tonight after dinner my daughter, who we call the bean and I went to give our ladies (the chickens) some treats before bed. We have watched the ladies grow from 6 day old chicks together, and were hoping to get fresh eggs at any time. Today was the day!! Tonight, together we found our first egg! We were so excited, and the Bean very carefully, and gently carried the egg from the coop to the kitchen to show mommy and brother.  Mommy was really excited too! (brother was napping in the baby carrier)

  Oh to take a picture of the Bean holding our first egg - her first egg, only I dropped it. I did not drop the egg, I did not use my words. 

   The Bean was gently and carefully holding the egg with both hands surrounding it. I was holding the camera. Mommy said to the bean" don't hold it by your face" - referring to the egg. Without using my words, but a simple opening of my hand I dropped it. The words I wanted to convey were "open your hand, so we can take a picture of the egg."  The words my daughter heard, through my lack of using my voice were " Alright bean, give me the egg." This first egg, with it's slight blue tint rolled out of her hands; as she was giving it to me. This daddy realized too late I had just instructed my daughter to drop the very thing she was soooo excited about, and I wasn't ready to catch it.  

     So, that in an egg shell is why I am here. The Daddy Man is embarking on a quest to vocalize. To use words first, and never be sorry for the things I didn't say.  Welcome to my journey, thanks for listening.

Here I Am

Hi,
 I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself. I am the Daddy Man. I am a hardworking father of three kids, and married to a wonderful woman named mommy. I am a mid - west living, sustainable pursuing, urban farmer wanna be with too many things to be thankful for. The Daddy Man is embarking on a quest to vocalize. To use words first, and never be sorry for the things I didn't say.  Welcome to my journey, thanks for listening.