Father's Day

Yesterday was my first Father's Day without a father. At no part of the day did that fact make any difference to me.

It was also a day spent without my sons. I had planned to go see Tower of Power the night before rather far out of town, and then spend the day slowly ambling back through some of the world's finest countryside, and had no desire to change that for a Hallmark holiday.

One of my sons was down away in So Cal anyway. The other called me mid-morning to see what was what, having forgotten I'd told him I'd be out of town. He was okay with it. Neither one sent me a card or present. I am happy with that.

A handful of well wishes were phoned in -- from a gal at work with whom my dating life is on hiatus, from my ex wife, and from my mother.

What did I do, then? Miss Sunny and I breakfasted at a random small-town country kitchen, ambled through a petrified forest while she giggled over the intense pain of sciatica, darted about the museum in the hot spring and mud bath resort town founded by California's most brilliant founding scoundrel, drove along and between dozens of the world's finest wineries and vineyards, and ended up at the BMan-related arts fundraiser she organized. I got rid of (donated) no less than five unwanted prints and original oils, and acquired one painting in return. A good day, Father's or not.

Your travel links:
- Far out of Town
- Petrified Forest
- Mud Bath Resort
- Museum
- Founding Scoundrel