Thalia stands on the pantry stool practicing her oratory skills. “Gawhhhh-nnnn is the fisherman — Gawhhh-nnnn to the seeee-ah!” Nia corrects. “Lake.” “Wehhhllll — It’s a BIG lake!” Tal shoots back, then adjusts her posture and places a hand on her heart. “And its fahrrrrr, fahrrrr away.”
Well, almost two months when I entered the Naval Academy, but I could write and receive letters, and make (pay phone) calls on Sunday. This was Plebe Summer, so I had Other Stuff going on. 😁
I was on patrol for 10 weeks on a missile sub. Zero communications out. Families could send four (4) “grams” of (if I remember right) 30-odd words, which would squeeze into normal encoded radio traffic to the sub. (This was actually a benefit to the Navy — the Soviets could not tell when something was up, because the blocks of communications could be 50 pages of important orders or 200 pages of personal messages plus news and sports.) One message to me said that my father was doing fine out of the hospital; the clerk who was supposed to send it actually called my mother to make sure that “this would not upset Midshipman Herlocker?” No no, he knows about it, my mother assured him. Um, no, no I didn’t. *Little* bit upset. 😕 Nothing I could do about it! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Not sending bad news was standard procedure. So no “I’m leaving you for a guy who is always home every night!” messages, because morale and all. Something like this was a gray area.
There was <cough> discussion over the phone after I got back. My mother SWORE she had told me my father had a procedure coming up, scheduled for a few weeks after I left; my father (in the background) said, “See! I told you the kid never pays attention!” He might have been correct 😐
I sense the influence of abstract art today. Highlighted with elements of Nip/Tuck?
As I am more concrete (dense 🤔 ) some days than others, I know you won’t be surprised to hear I couldn’t see the bass at first! And as my problem solving sometimes takes random paths, I decided to lock Portrait Orientation to view the overall image.
Bingo! Large mouth agape. Gills where they should be. Dorsal fin. Tail fin. Rising out of waters imbued with some flotsam and jetsam. Complete with line, hook, and minnow!
Nią must have tossed and turned all night, as she seems to have a burr under her saddle. 😑 Once again I love “seeing” Tal in larger than life proportions. Cal, as she does so well, rises above the background chatter and makes us see the big picture. Big fish! And the kid’s willingness to perform on a bigger stage, hoping also for big fish.
A note from LoveLetterist:
I am quite certain I am not the only parent to recognize that our children are sent to us as teachers.
This week week the kid is embracing risk and setting comfort aside while he chases his dream.
Who can't learn something from that?
I’d like to suggest that “the kid” might be off chasing his dream because of lessons you taught him. Reciprocity? Synergism?
Perhaps with a child’s arrival life becomes a classroom for both...
More than anything what I hope I have taught him is to believe in himself. ❤️
>>”Who can't learn something from that?”
Like, invest in an AirTag to put at the bottom of his tackle box? 🤔
Y’know, in case it gets lost?
Or he does?
Thank goodness for cell phones!
Didn’t you once tell me about leaving your family when you entered the Navy? How long was it until you spoke to or saw your parents?
Well, almost two months when I entered the Naval Academy, but I could write and receive letters, and make (pay phone) calls on Sunday. This was Plebe Summer, so I had Other Stuff going on. 😁
I was on patrol for 10 weeks on a missile sub. Zero communications out. Families could send four (4) “grams” of (if I remember right) 30-odd words, which would squeeze into normal encoded radio traffic to the sub. (This was actually a benefit to the Navy — the Soviets could not tell when something was up, because the blocks of communications could be 50 pages of important orders or 200 pages of personal messages plus news and sports.) One message to me said that my father was doing fine out of the hospital; the clerk who was supposed to send it actually called my mother to make sure that “this would not upset Midshipman Herlocker?” No no, he knows about it, my mother assured him. Um, no, no I didn’t. *Little* bit upset. 😕 Nothing I could do about it! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
How thoughtful of the clerk to call and question your mother!
How interesting that your mom said you were aware when you weren’t. 🤔
Not sending bad news was standard procedure. So no “I’m leaving you for a guy who is always home every night!” messages, because morale and all. Something like this was a gray area.
There was <cough> discussion over the phone after I got back. My mother SWORE she had told me my father had a procedure coming up, scheduled for a few weeks after I left; my father (in the background) said, “See! I told you the kid never pays attention!” He might have been correct 😐
Much appreciation for you stories Jack! Thank you!
We’ve all been caught out on not listening, haven’t we? I know I have!
I sense the influence of abstract art today. Highlighted with elements of Nip/Tuck?
As I am more concrete (dense 🤔 ) some days than others, I know you won’t be surprised to hear I couldn’t see the bass at first! And as my problem solving sometimes takes random paths, I decided to lock Portrait Orientation to view the overall image.
Bingo! Large mouth agape. Gills where they should be. Dorsal fin. Tail fin. Rising out of waters imbued with some flotsam and jetsam. Complete with line, hook, and minnow!
Nią must have tossed and turned all night, as she seems to have a burr under her saddle. 😑 Once again I love “seeing” Tal in larger than life proportions. Cal, as she does so well, rises above the background chatter and makes us see the big picture. Big fish! And the kid’s willingness to perform on a bigger stage, hoping also for big fish.
Bingo! Loveletterist. 😊
Nia is a darling. I love her deadpan honesty! Who doesn't appreciate a little curmudgeonry? 😉
🙋🏽♂️