Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Croney

Croney's Journal
Croney's Journal
June 19, 2021

The curious evolution of my paternal relationships.

It has taken 76 years for all this to be sorted out.

In 1944, my mother the WAC had a one-night stand in the French Quarter and I began. She married another sailor and his name was on my birth certificate. They divorced in a couple of years and she remarried, and he adopted me.

He was not a good father. (Read into that sentence all the abuse you can imagine). I was grown and married with kids when he died. My mother ran into her first husband again and they started dating. He called me constantly and wanted to be my father. Luckily, they broke up.

She met and married a retired soldier 11 years younger than she, and they've been married 30 years. She's 98 and he takes care of her in their home. He cooks, cleans, and keeps her comfortable now that she is wheelchair-bound.

This man is the best father I've ever had, and if you knew him, you'd say I was really scraping the bottom of the barrel. He's a bigot because that's how he grew up. We argue all the time, about his stupid racist right-wing views. But he's improved a LOT. He hasn't used racist labels in years. He admitted to me (an atheist) that his piety is mostly for show, to make my mom happy.

He listens when I explain how letting people come into the country is the right thing to do. I got him to admit that TFG was not all he had thought he was. He's fully vaccinated. He's kind to people. He loves me, and says so.

So, I read people's tributes to their wonderful fathers and I'm glad for them, but in my quiet little space, I feel that I have a father. I joke about it and say I'm pitiful, but we make do with what we have.

June 13, 2021

Ticks on the dog...oh my

After walking in the woods, we knew to inspect our little terrier for ticks, and we found a couple on her longish hair. She gets monthly flea & tick treatment so we don't worry much.

Later we noticed her batting at her face with her paw. We found ten ticks just below her mouth and around her chin! We hadn't thought to look closely there. Luckily, none were embedded.

Remember this area when you check! Now I'm calling her ticky monster.

Profile Information

Gender: Do not display
Member since: Thu Jun 16, 2016, 06:54 PM
Number of posts: 4,659
Latest Discussions»Croney's Journal