When I arrived at Sharon’s house to pick them up, Daphne came toward the car calling, “Shotgun.” During our lunch last year I had given her the nickname “Trouble.” It was apparent that the nickname was going to stick. Her older sister, Sophie, and Sharon climbed into the backseat and we were off to lunch.
After lunch we headed to my house so the girls could meet Stuart,my therapy dog, and our seven chickens. My wife, Lyn, introduced the ladies to the chickens, and soon I noticed Trouble carrying one of the younger chickens.
The gals soon noticed the horses on the other side of the fence,which is part of the Southport Equestrian Center. After they visited with the horses, we drove around to the center’s main area and saw some other horses and Charlie the donkey. Stuart and Charlie are pretty good friends.
On Saturday our daughter, Michelle, drove down for a Father’s Day visit and lunch date. Michelle was the original young lady to have the nickname “Trouble” issued by me. Back in her teen years the nickname was a perfect fit.
There is a third “Trouble” in my life now. Our youngest grandson’s girlfriend, Diana, has earned the nickname “Little Trouble.” She was at our house the previous day when I had my friends over to meet the chickens. For a while we had two Troubles at our house at the same time. Had Michelle been available Friday, we might have set a record for the number of Troubles in one back yard.
Around 5 p.m. Lyn and I went to the Marian County Fair so we could listen to our good friend Carly Brooke sing. Carly is only 16, but this is the ninth year she has performed at the fair. As her career blossomed, she and her family moved to Nashville, Tenn. She has a bright future, and you can look her up on social media to hear her sing.
That evening Lyn and I went to the Indiana Fever’s basketball game, and they defeated Atlanta 96-64 for their first after starting the season with 10 straight losses. The team, although it played great in the second half, is struggling with three first-year players. The Fever are continuing to regroup since Tamika Catchings retired. We have enjoyed the same seats for several years, and we like everyone who sits around us and the staff that works in our area.
I received a call from my son, Mark, Sunday morning. We are making plans for lunch. Later, Lyn and I ate at Lincoln Square. The entire staff is friendly, and our waitress was wonderful. It was a special three days and a wonderful Father’s Day. I’m a lucky guy.