The original Captain ~Admiral

It’s Father’s Day today and that has me spending today thinking of my dad, or “Pops” as I like to call him. What can I say about my dad, well it won’t sound like a Hallmark card and but it won’t require a trip on Dr. Phil’s talk show. My life with my father was something in the middle.
I learned a lot of life lessons from my dad. Some have gotten me through a lot, some not so much and others I find myself repeating to my own kids now. My dad was always there for us, always took us on fantastic vacations (even if we were bored, pains-in-the-butts), always showed us adventure and that hard work is expected and will pay off in the end. My dad was tough, sometimes maybe too tough, but it did teach us to be tough adults. And Mom always softened up the toughness so it all equaled out!
Pops taught us that life is better with a little adventure. He was the first Captain in my life and instilled a love of water that I cannot quench. We learned how to drive a boat before a car, a motorcycle before a bicycle and that adventure is only limited by your willingness to explore.

Snorkeling trip

Boomerang (Dad's boat)

Check out the boat in the back. Any wonder why I love No Mas so?

Dad with Shelly

He taught us that there is so much world out there, just waiting to be discovered.












He taught us that no matter how big or small the fish, fishing is a heck of a good time!











He taught us not to take ourselves too serious all the time.










Some of my dad’s jewels of knowledge:

• “Walk it off!” – this goes for anything besides a broken bone, including being sad. “Exercise is the best cure for being depressed.” – I’m giving him this one even if I am the laziest girl around
• “You will go to Hell for lying.” – I now have the blessing of Jesus’ life for my sins so I know this isn’t the case but I will say this, it does get a kid to talk!
• “You’ll only do it once.” – this one I use for my kids. Hey, if they won’t listen when I tell them the asphalt is hot and they needs shoes…..they’ll only do it their way, once. You do have to use this with caution though. It can be said that a kid will learn not to play with the alligator once…..after that, he’ll have to just look at it because he won’t have any hands.
• “Stop the crying or I’ll give you something to cry about.” – okay, I admit it……I’ve said this to my kids. Not the proudest moments but hey…..I can think up some really good reasons for crying and not being able to watch Toy Story for the 11th time in a row…..not one of them!
• “Get up, it’s 0600 and it’s time to (insert activity here).” – this was used for everything from , tennis practice, water skiing before school, picking up rocks or black walnuts if we were in trouble, you name it, 0600 was the time it was going to get done. UGH! Now do I do this to my kids? Ummmmm, NO! I don’t even know what 0600 looks like unless we’re leaving for a new  destination or we’ve been up all night on a watch.
• “You can want in one hand and pee in the other. See which one you get quicker.” – I use this so often that my kids have now learned not to say “want”.
• “Give it your best” – this was for everything. EVERYTHING and yes I will fully admit, I expect this from my kids too. Set some high expectations and you’d be surprised what kids can accomplish.
• “Vote straight Republican.” – that’s what he said when he was with me for my first Presidential Election. I voted for Ross Perot, he wasn’t happy. (I’ve learned my lesson now, Pops!)
• “I love you” …….nope. This one was a trick one. My dad was not known for being affectionate when we were growing up. He is more now, maybe his heart attack gave him perspective, huh Pops? But even if he didn’t say it, we knew he did. And now he says it a lot. I love you too Pops.

So who is my dad?

He’s a veteran, a military school graduate and was a volunteer EMT for the county where we grew up.


He’s an adrenaline junkie (although he has slowed down some…..some)


He can be a softie but he is never to be underestimated and you DO NOT want him on your bad side.


He was a coach, a pilot, a captain.



He was a successful business owner:


Lifetime Custom Boat Trailers

Hwy 13 Boat Dock

He’s a very talented tennis player – ranked Number 2 in the over 70’s for all of New Zealand. After his heart attack, he was back on the court before anyone even missed him!


He’s a grandpa and he’s a father. Looking at all this, I’d say he’s accomplished a lot over his years. He’s made a difference in my life. I think I’m a better person because of him –
So thank you Pops! Happy Father’s Day to my original Captain. I love you.
~Mimzie