Doug the Shopkeeper
If Senator McCain had made my dad a focal point of his campaign, I’m quite sure the Republican candidate wouldn’t be suffering a double-digit spread in the polls. Joe The Plumber has nothing on Doug The Shopkeeper.
My parents are visiting and we’ve spent the last few days shopping for window valence fabrics, eating too much, playing with Aaron and discussing business, the state of the economy and of course the presidential election. Every time my dad, a die-hard Republican, hears Senator Obama say, “change is coming,” he jumps up, pulls his pants pockets inside out and says with heart-felt exasperation, “But I don’t have any more change to give.”
Last night as my husband and I were going to bed, he commented that he’d not heard me laugh with such gusto in quite a while. “When you’re with your parents or your sister,” he said, “you laugh from deep inside your belly.”
For me, there’s something about old, familiar relationships that allows silliness to prevail. Whether it’s political humor for current-day debacles or shared history that requires no explanation, when I’m with family and friends who knew me long before I discovered myself, the jokes and innuendos never need explanation. I love relationships that have had time to steep and brew. I am a serious personality, an introvert, and not prone to bouts of laughter. I need people around me who can help lighten the mood and levitate my chuckle. My dad and his anti-change, pants-pocket antics have brought some needed humor to my political musings this week, and it’s been such a delight to belly-laugh my way through the last few days. I wish Doug The Shopkeeper didn’t have to leave tomorrow, but apparently he’s got a message to spread and his work here is done.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the visit with your folks – I’m a bit envious. What kind of shop did your father keep? (I’m assuming he’s retired, but heaven knows I’ve been wrong once or twice in the past…)
Jans last blog post..Thanksgiving Thursday – Cornbread Dressing
Jan: Don’t faint but my dad is only 55. My parents own two stores. One is kind of like an old-fashioned general store plus hardware, animal and farm supplies, plumbing electrical and just about anything else you can think of. The second store carries similar lines, but is a bit more modern and hardware focused.
Laughing is good and sometimes we have to laugh to keep from crying (that is my political stand at this point)!!! Glad you are having a good visit with mom and dad!!! Send my love.
Amys last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
55! A young pup!
garys last blog post..le bathroom LOL
I am glad that you guys are having a good time together. Sometimes, when things are tense, it is good to be able to take a few steps back and laugh.
WickedStepMoms last blog post..AHHHHH!!!
Ha ha! I love your Dad’s joke. It sounds like you’ve had a really nice visit.
goodfathers last blog post..Pulling the plug
Doug the Shopkeeper definitely sounds like a guy to be referred to in a campaign.
patoiss last blog post..What Shade Are You?
I love the no more change to give comment! It’s nice to hear about someone enjoying time with their family!
jills last blog post..Do What You Love
I’m still working out the wrinkles in my adult relationship with my parents. I love them dearly and they love me, but we just don’t communicate that well sometimes. I still get the impression that some of my life choices disappoint them, even though I’m happy and doing well.
Dougs last blog post..The Best Sporting Event Sponsor EVER
I love Doug the Shopkeeper! McCain is in a slump – Doug should offer up his services and volunteer to hit the campaign trail with him!
HeatherPrides last blog post..Your Vote Counts on The Short Bus
I think you’re totally onto something with Doug The Shopkeeper! That sounds like a lovely time Tricia, I hope you savor each and every moment!
I actually have a great time when my parents visit too! I love to go places with them, watch them with Sprite, even John gets in on it. My parents make the trip over to my side of the state about once a month and we have the best time when they’re here/ Your dad is very funny!
Sprite’s Keepers last blog post..Hair Apparent
this sounds just like the relationship my sister and i have with our dad…we all played together on a sports team for a few years (curling) and we would laugh til we cried some nights after the game during our obligatory Tim Horton’s coffee and donuts(and you can’t get much more Canadian than that)…the three of us have the same twisted sense of humour and the ability to laugh easily…so much fun. My mom and my brother…quite different, and quite frankly always put a little bit of a damper on things…boo on them…
thistles last blog post..The Neighbourhood…Sporting Fall Fashions
I wonder if your dad would be interested in signing up for Twitter? Tell him to look me up… I think him and I would have a lot of fun together.
That’s awesome that you have that kind of relationship with your dad… he sounds like a great guy!
Sammanthias last blog post..Mother’s Day Out
I love that you have had so much fun with mom and dad while they were visiting. I have missed them a lot while they were gone. It is so funny when your parents aren’t home… I always expect them to answer the phone when I call and be at home when I drive by and often they aren’t. I am happy that they have a life but no matter how old you get you still need your mom and dad. I can just picture dad and his silliness jumping up and pulling his pants pockets out and chanting “but I have no more change” I love that you have been belly laughing, so good for the soul.
That sounds wonderful. I, too, seem to be enjoying my parents so much now (and appreciating the fact that they’re still with me) and you’re right…something about shared histories and familiar relationships seem to be so comforting during times of uncertainty and stress.
thatcoolbroads last blog post..Cool Tune: Squeeze “Goodbye Girl”
You sound a lot like mu husband–introvert, serious…only laughs for REAL around his family of origin.
Nora Bees last blog post..Octoberangst
My Dad was the family jokester too.. and I know what you mean about that old, familiarity .. and the belly laughs.
Hilarys last blog post..The Road (more or) Less Traveled
I love the way you can be light through this political season.
That’s a gift.
Lisa Miltons last blog post..random thoughts on a random monday
Saw your comment at BigMouthBroad’s Place and thought I’d extend a personal invitation to come on over to My Asylum. It’s a random place that might make you blow that freshly brewed coffee out your nozzle.