THE FATHER BLOG

If I could no longer work and just travel all 52 weeks of the year, I would do so without hesitation. But that isn’t how life works…at least not for me and the overwhelming majority of us in the world. However, I’ve been lucky enough to do some great traveling over the years and have been inspired by the people and places I’ve been. So if I can only travel 2 weeks out of the year, then maybe bring some of that back with you to enjoy the other 50 weeks at home.

A few years ago we finally got around to the plan to have a deck built off the back of the house. I had some very specific specifications (a few to do with Deke at the time) and worked with the architect to design what I wanted. And what I wanted was both designed and decorated in a fashion that brought me back to a few of the Caribbean Islands over the past few years that we visited as a family. Here was my inspiration and the final product:

There was an entire line of colorful Adirondack chairs on this beach in Aruba. I loved the vibrant colors!

Mary and Emily at a restaurant in the Bahamas. I liked the ocean blue color of the walls but also the open rafters on the ceiling.

The covered deck overlooking the infinity pool and the island of Nevis while we stayed in St. Kitts.

All of these trips led to this in my backyard and each time I sit outside…..it brings me back those wonderful trips and family memories.

Answer as always: it depends.

Deke has curly and kinky poodle -like hair which is prone to matting. However, he loves getting brushed and I don’t have much trouble keeping him looking nice.

Delaney has velvety smooth hair but getting her to sit still for brushing is like a damn Olympic event. She likes it but she rolls all over, tries to bite the brush, etc.

Bottom line for dogs who have hair that grows vs dogs with short hair/fur that doesn’t: it’s about every 4-8 weeks.

Deke got his haircut and grooming a week or so ago. He hops into the mobile grooming truck and a couple hours later he looks great. Delaney has to have hers done at the groomer attached to the vet office and go through “Chill Protocol” which is a nice way of saying we need to drug the hell outta her to make her grooming even remotely possible. Hopefully as she gets older and more mature, she will calm down and start to embrace the pampering.

Here is a “before and after” of Delaney.

What a coincidence that St. Patty’s Day falls on a Booze Tuesday blog day. Are you celebrating tonight…or all day? Let me know if you do anything special for today.

We will be hosting our 22nd annual St. Patty’s Day party this weekend. It is quite possibly my favorite day of the year. What’s better than great drink, food, music, and friends all day while I get to stand behind my bar and pour pint after pint of Guinness for friends and family? Everyone is happy, in a great mood, and since many of the guys bring the whole family, it’s a great opportunity to see the wives and children we don’t often see.

What started 22 years ago before Mary and I were even married continues on and hopefully will for many years to come!

So the kegs of Guinness are in the kegerator. The whiskey is set on the shelves. Corned beef is piling up in the fridge (I think Mary is making 6 or 7 this year). We have a few more things to prep before Saturday but we can’t wait!

So enjoy the day! Slainte!