Thursdays are nice.

In just about an hour, a tradition ends. No, that’s not true. Tradition pauses to catch its breath until next year. Strong feelings are running through me now. I have their treats ready. Nothing big. A mini orange soda (each) a sugary treat (cupcakes) and a lunch sized back of chips. For them, it is a Royal Feast. For me, it is…fun. 

I have been picking them up on Thursdays every school week since they started school. They are finishing up their Sixth and Seventh Grades now. In a kids life, that is a long time. In mine, a flash. 

In the Winter they hug me because as Penny once said: “You are a heater. Like having your very own large soft toasted marshmallow.” Lincoln hugs me for the warmth too. Because when Penny gave me that moniker of “Your very own toasted marshmallow”- he agreed. 

Sometimes in the car, we laugh so hard I become a hazard to the lane next to me. One time Lincoln and I passed a truck with a crane and orange ball on it. Lincoln was convinced it was to move buoys in the river so fishermen didn’t get their lines stuck. My theory was it was a wrecking ball. And no way could a truck like that wade into a river. Penny acted as a Moderator and stabilizing voice, as Lincoln and I stubbornly stuck to our own hypothesis. 

When we got home, we Googled it. We were both wrong. The Orange Ball is there to keep tension on the Crane wires so they don’t tangle. We laughed at our ignorance. 

Another time we decided that Aliens that lived on Jupiter or Saturn, would have to be giant hot air balloons. That led to an entire lunch conversation about how air (both inside and outside a lung) works. Atmospheric Pressure, Gas diffusion, pumps and muscles…we worked out how they might breathe under those pressures and gasses. 

Never realizing our conversation was being overheard until the two ladies sitting at the next table said to us:

“What in the world are you three talking about? Are you Scientists?”

The kids laughed. So did I. Inside my head tho…I thought: “Not yet, but maybe.” 

We ate by the river one time and watched an eight foot alligator prowl under the dock. When I told them folks made shoes, boots and purses out of alligator…well, the flood gates opened. 

“Who would wear something that is designed to work in a swamp?”

And that when I told them about Ostrich boots….and man, did they come up with pigeon shoes, penguin suits, and sheep shirts. When I explained that wool keeps you warm even when it is wet, they surprised me. 

“Well of course Pop Pop, sheep are mammals, warm blooded. Alligator skins won’t keep you warm, because they are cold blooded reptiles. “

Hmm? Never thought of it that way. Where does the heat go? And another conversation started. 

One time, several months ago, I told them about how I got my EMT license and a Medic MOS while in the Army. They asked me why I didn't stay in the Health Field. I said: "I loved the biology. I loved the Science. I hated the reality." 

My grandson said: "I am going to burn that sentence into my brain. It makes sense."

When I asked him months later if he rememered when we talked about me learning to be and EMT/Medic and he said: "Sure do. You loved the Biology. You loved the Science. You hated the Reality." I guess he did burn that into his brain. 

Another time, I had a flare so bad that I had to use both canes and could not use steps at all. Those two hovered like Guardian Angels on both sides of me. Warning me about trip hazards way before they appeared. 

Penny: “Big curb coming up. It is a step down. I got you.”

Lincoln: “Yep. I have this side. Watch for traffic.”

Warriors both. 

We have sat sweating in 95 degree heat, eating on a barge on the river. We have sat outside a whole in the wall Pizza Joint, where you had to sit outside with your slices and fight off pesky birds wanting a bit of your crust. The kids, of course, shared with the birds. 

We went to a fancy restaurant once. They thought the prices were outrageous and proudly declared: “My Mom makes better sandwiches…and they are free!”

Another time, we drove a hundred mile round trip  to a famous hot dog place here in NC. They both bought a bottle of the special “dog sauce.” They thought that was tasty. But what they enjoyed the most, was the Owner was NASCAR fan, and had his own racing car. The kids captivated him right away. And he captivated them with pictures of his races, and then he took them (and me) to the garage next door to see the Car. 

Everyone beamed. On the way home they wondered what is like to go 150 miles an hour …in a car. “I bet you can’t read road signs!” We howled. 

Another time we passed a place that sells fishing boats. We stopped and looked at all the beautiful powerful boats. Some with as many as three engines on the back. We found out the cheapest boat was just under 100 grand. The most expensive …just shy of 500 grand.  

The kids grew quiet. 

“You know Pop Pop, you gotta be pretty rich to buy a hundred thousand dollar boat to fish, only to leave it in storage for most of the summer.”

And then a moment later …this thought. 

“You know, fishing is better from the side of a creek or the river. Don’t need a boat. Just a pole and a string. And who cares if you catch anything? You’re fishing.”

Yeah. They get it. 

Well, I have to go now. Last time this year. So I will leave with this story from last week. 

“Tell us a Dad Joke!” 

I tell them a new one every Thursday. 

“Okay, A guy is on Safari over in Africa. At the end of the day everyone is gathered around the campfire. It is dark night, and the fire is sparking pretty little red fireflies. A lizard stands up on its hind legs and tells funny stories. 

One of the guys on Safari leans over to one of the Native Guides and says:

“That is a very funny lizard.”

The Guide smiles.

“That is no Lizard. That is a Stand Up Chameleon.”

They rolled. 

So did I. 

Thursdays are nice.