Dan Antion

No Essay – #SoCS

“Your typing is keeping me awake.”
Fish & Chips

Once again, I’d like to thank Miriam and Robbie for visiting last week, and for participating in the largest discussion ever in the comment section. Today’s post is shorter and fewer people are involved. Just David, Cheryl, and me at the bar, as we relax and try to handle Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt. Linda is taking us down memory lane today:

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘a phrase you grew up with.’ Include in your post a phrase your mom/dad/grandparent/sibling used all the time when you were growing up, or just write whatever inspires you based on that phrase. Enjoy!”

I grew up hearing a few choice phrases. I’m going to go with one suited to a family audience.

If we were having a beer, you’d have already ordered our drinks.

“Welcome my young friend.”

“Look at this, you already bought me a beer.”

“Well, I know your guests last week were lightweight drinkers, but I had a few John Howell Specials. I think it’s my turn to buy.”

“I won’t argue. Cheers, David.”

“Cheryl said that was the last Corona in the cooler. She went downstairs to check.”

“Have no fear, we have one more six-pack. I’ll tag two of these for Dan.”

“Thanks Cheryl. I usually only have two beers.”

“I know, but just in case.”

“You have plenty of bourbon, right?”

“More than I’ll serve you, since you drove to this bar, David.”

“Dan, did I see you planting stuff this week?”

“You did. One of the little spruce trees we planted, we planted six last year, five are OK, but one doesn’t seem to be doing well after winter. So, we thought…

“So, a spruce tree?”

“Yes, like I was saying…”

“That’s all I really needed to know.”

“I figured you’d appreciate the back story.”

“Are you like this at home?”

“Like what?”

“Treating every inquiry as if it’s an essay question.”

“Hmmm, my wife might say yes.”

“He’s always like that here at the bar.”

“Thanks Cheryl.”

“Sorry, Dan, but you do tend to go on a bit.”

“Have you always been like this?”

“Like what, David? I mean I have a lot of qualities, are you still asking about how I answer questions?”

“Yes. More precisely, how you take forever to answer those questions.”

“Well, when I was growing up…”

“Dan, ask yourself, ‘is this whole answer necessary?’ I mean, is it?”

“Yes. When I was growing up, my father had this expression when I would take a long time to answer a question. He would say, “It’s like I asked you for the time and you’re telling me how to build a clock.” I heard that a lot.”

“I think I would have liked your father.”

“You would have.”

“Speaking of storytelling, I finished reading the draft of your first book. You know, the one that’s the backstory to the book you wrote.”

“And???”

“And what?”

“And did you like it?”

“Yes, I did. I made a few comments, but you can have it back.”

“Great, thanks. Cheryl and a couple others gave me their comments. I’m waiting on a few more beta readers to get back to me.”

 “Can I have the draft of the second book?”

“It just so happens; I have your copy with me.”

“See, you could have said ‘yes.’ That was a yes or no question. No essay.”

“I could have, but then you would have asked, ‘when can I get it,’ and I would have had to answer and…I think I actually saved words by answering the way I did.”

“You think you saved words?”

“I do. In fact, I bet that the way I answer questions actually results in fewer words being spoken.”

“I wouldn’t put too much money on that bet, Dan. You want another beer?”

“Yes.”

“Very good, Dan. See that wasn’t hard.”

“I get it, David. But Cheryl asked a simple question.”

“And I have another. Do you boys want anything to eat?”

“I’ll handle this, Dan. I’d like an order of fish and chips, and I’m guessing Dan will want to join me.”

“I would, David.”

“I think he’s getting the hang of it, Cheryl. That’s two answers and only four words.”

“OK, you two. If you’re through poking fun at me, let me tell you what else I planted…”

“Sigh. Cheryl, can I get another splash of bourbon?”

Lilacs during sunrise
Sand cherries and lilacs
These are some of the larger lilacs
“Ooh, let’s go look over there.”
They’ve moved the bleachers back into place for viewing Little League baseball.
My favorite tree on our walk is leafing out.
These guys popped up overnight (not our yard).
Beauty of Moscow Lilac starting to bloom.
This is our bunny. I can’t get very close, and I only had my phone.
The bees love the Japanese pieris
The bees love the Japanese pieris
Author proof copy of Book-2. My real bar buddy is reading all the books.
Not a great cover reveal, but that’s the author proof copy of “Knuckleheads” – the backstory to this series.
The latest tulip to attempt to bloom
Somebunny has visited the tulips…again.
Mrs Robin is gathering materials for her nest.
This bee seems to own this patch of bugleweed.(Ajuga)

88 comments

  1. Dan, nice to see your proof copy book at the bar. The cover is great from the angle revealed. Let us know when it’s available to buy. Sayings we heard repeatedly from our parents in childhood? I can’t think of any in particular. I’ll have to ask my sister. Those beautiful flowers again! Love East Coast spring. Lilacs especially. 📚🎶 Christine

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    • Thanks Christine. It was fun to see the books lying on the bar, knowing that someone had read one and wanted to read the other one. I’ll have better images as I get closer to releasing the first book in the series. I’m glad you like the pictures. I might wear out the spring theme, but it’s so pretty, I can.t resist. I hope you have a great weekend.

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      • Dan, you cannot wear out the spring theme for me in CA, the palm tree state. When I lived on the East Coast I had a dogwood tree, lilac bushes and wildflowers in the fields. Your photos bring me back to the beautiful spring times I remember. A great idea to have the proof book version read by friends and Beta readers. I just sent out the pdf finished ARC manuscript. Looking forward to the first book launch. Happy spring weekend to you & your family. Whoever chose the U.S. Mother’s Day celebration in the spring, was right on. 📚🎶💐 Christine

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  4. Hi Dan – I never heard that expression before … but it sure makes sense – and some people do take their time telling a story – yet we need to know the back story. I walked back from a meeting yesterday … the chap had a croaky voice, said he mustn’t talk as he’s got laryngitis … he carried on chatting! Cheers and good luck with the novel – Hilary

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  5. As far as I am concerned Dan you can use as many words as you wish it is your right and I like to read them and in my mind hear them!
    Congratulations again on the book it looks and sounds very interesting.
    Your garden is looking great too all that beautiful blossom for the bees to enjoy, the rabbit and your beautiful dog always delight the eye. 💜

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  6. Ah, Dad talk! Words to take with us through life. That’s a great line. And these photos are great too. What gorgeous blooms you have there, especially those lilacs; I can’t wait to see more of that Beauty of Moscow. As for your book, I agree that that one photo might not show the cover well, but there’s something about being between two adult beverages which is very inviting. Congratulations — it must feel great to hold a book written by your own self!

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    • Thanks Maureen. Dad had a lot of other expressions, but I couldn’t share them here. They were colorful and comical, and my mother would give him “the eye” for using such language, but we all survived. We also all learned to laugh. We had to prune the Beauty of Moscow last year, so I was worried about it, but it looks like it’s going to be OK. Once I saw the book lying on the bar, and having people talk about it, I couldn’t resist. However well it does, that was a special moment for me.

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      • Yes, that should have been a special moment, and I’d wager that it has its roots at least somewhat in one or two of those Dad expressions. And maybe even in the Mom Eye.

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            • The two main characters of the 2nd and 3rd books had a difficult time adjusting to their “abilities.” This was in the 1960s, and the system had no room for kids who weren’t “normal.”

              In real life, my father found ways to help a lot of these marginalized kids. As an employer, a role model and giving them a nudge (or a swift kick in the rear) when necessary – he kept many of them out of trouble and in school.

              Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks Judy. I want to think that men hear tht expression more often, although our daughter can fill in the back story with the best of them. Things lust be getting colorful in your area. It must feel good to see that.

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  9. Great conversation today! The phrases used by my dad aren’t exactly family oriented! But when my mother would dole out a punishment, and I was stupid enough to complain about it, she would increase the punishment and say, “How do you like them apples!” Nope, I’m not too crazy about apples actually! 🤗

    Your Lilacs are really gorgeous, as are the Sand Cherries. Maddie is looking gorgeous too and happy winter has passed.

    Clearly you are making the bunnies VERY happy by supplying them with tulips to dine on!

    Congratulations on the books. That is an achievement to be proud of.

    Happy Mother’s Day to The Editor!
    Ginger

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    • Thanks Ginger. This is the best time of the year to be walking Maddie around the yard. It wasn’t that long ago that we needed spikes on out shoes and six layers of clothing. My mother didn’t have too many catchy sayings, but she could get her point across. Sometimes a look is worse than words.

      The bunnies do like those tulips, At least we get to see them once.

      I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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  10. You would have gotten along great with my dad. When he told stories, they were never short or without minute detail. Dad would try to novelize a story about someone he thought we should know and mom would say to him, “They don’t know who that is!” Funny, but it’s not since I believe I take after him. ;-)

    Lilacs in bloom? Oh Dan, your yard must smell so good and I’m a td bit jealous. We are behind here, although I’m starting to see tulips and daffodils and first buds on the trees. I hope within the next two weeks, we’ll start seeing the green of spring in the leaves and more flowers popping their heads out of the ground.

    Have a wonderful Saturday!

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  14. Oh, how I loved this! Yeah, I don’t need the whole backstory–just cut to the chase. 😆 I can make one comment about a TV show my husband has on, and he’ll start giving me the story. I have to tell him no, no–I’m good. I don’t need the details.
    Your flowering shrubs are beautiful. OK–here’s a little backstory 😂 I looked at your photo of Japanese Pieris and thought it looked very similar to my Lily of the Valley Shrub. I Googled them and they are the same thing! Who knew?! End of story. 😉 Enjoy the weekend, Dan.

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    • Ha! That explains why my wife loves these shrubs and the Lilies of the Valley that are taking over our driveway. In any case, the bees LOVE that shrub!

      I feel for your hubs – you absolutely need the details. Thanks Lois!

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  16. Your father’s saying immediately made me think of my youngest daughter. She will take 30 minutes to describe what should be done in five. :) Great post and use of the prompt. Congrats on the book progress!

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  17. Hi Dan, I have not hear that saying before. Congratulations on your good progress with your book. Last week’s post did have an amazing number of comments, it was good fun 😊

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  19. I can hear your dad, Dan! I don’t give ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. Yes, ask me about the time and I answer how to build a clock!! :-)

    What book are you publishing? I want to help with your blog tour.

    I organized my blog tour for my children’s book. I invited a few bloggers to help but also post an open invitation for anyone who wants to help.

    https://theshowersofblessings.com/2021/04/25/tina-lost-in-a-crowd-by-miriam-hurdle-on-book-tour/

    Many authors write different kinds of topics each day of the tour or have an excerpt each day. I wrote about the making of my children’s book. After the tour, I did a recap just to have all the posts in one place.

    https://theshowersofblessings.com/2021/04/30/the-making-of-tina-lost-in-a-crowd-recap/

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    • Yeah, I never thought yes or no was enough.

      Thank you so much for offering to help. The book that is almost ready is “Knuckleheads” – it’s the childhood story of the two main characters, as told by the adult main character yo his daughter. I’m hoping to release it by the end of May and organize a launch event in mid-June. I will let you know.

      Thanks for the links. I am such a newbie yo this process, every experience helps.

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      • It sounds interesting, Dan. I should write about my daughter’s story told by me. She’s my only child though.

        I love to host blog tours. Robbie and I host each other’s blog tours. She’ll host yours.

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  21. Congratulations, Dan! I look forward to reading your books and if you go on tour, count me in as a stop. Beautiful photos of Spring — loved them. ✨🎉✨

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    • Thanks so much, Gwen. I am thinking about a small, somewhat sporadic tour, but I will reach out when I have a plan. We are enjoying spring with all of its colors and scents.

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  22. An excellent phrase indeed, Dan. My mom was a wonderful woman but she could talk about anything at great length. :-) Congrats on the books. Must be very exciting. Thanks for the lilac photos especially but spring photos in general. I, along with C.E. Robinson, miss all that living in Arizona.

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  23. That’s such a great saying. Didn’t hear it growing up being a shy introvert but I wish I’d had it for my dad who was like that. The saying I remember most from my childhood is “You may be a pain (pane) but we can’t see through you” whenever we stood in front of the TV. Either that or “Were you born in a tent?” when we left a door open.

    Spring has truly sprung, Dan! Loving all the colourful flowers photos.

    Your books look fascinating. Can’t wait to see them published.

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  24. Haha! If only you’d been a hummingbird on the windowsill today. This was like a mimic of what went on at our house. So I was repotting some plants, sort of trying to zen… 😉Then the window opened and I was suddenly a part of Victory Garden Live. 🤣
    Love all your blooming things. I like bunnies but I love tulips. 🤦‍♀️That book looks good sitting there on the bar. Fish and chips, oh my! Have I ever told you I wish I had known your Dad? He was funny.
    Happy Mother’s Day to the Editor.

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    • Thanks Cheryl. We got cold again, but 80° days are in the forecast. We like tulips, but the bunny liked them more.

      My dad had a good outlook on life, and humor was a big part of it. Happy Mother’s Day 🙂

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  25. Cheryl must love those bee pictures! My mother had a favourite saying when I was being a handful… “I hope your rabbits die”. After a few years of listening to this I told her what it meant. Many, many years ago when a woman thought she was pregnant, fluid from her uterus was removed by a doctor and injected into a rabbit. If the rabbit died, she was pregnant. My mother never used that expression again.

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  26. Congratulations on the book reveal!! I enjoyed your clever take on the prompt – just like your dad, you’re quite creative in the words you share. I’m with Mary on the delay of Spring here in WI. It’s so fun seeing all the colorful flowers and bees and bunny photos, thank you for sharing. I did miss the flag photo ;-).

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