Observations on quality time spent with my father, day 4:

• He wears long sleeve shirts all of the time, regardless of the weather. It could be 85 degrees out, and he’ll still be wearing a long sleeve shirt. Flannels, thermals, often two layers. When I point this out to him, he says, “It’s a sweater” as if that makes a difference. When I worked in his Manhattan hardware store in the late 80s/early 90s, he would often come in and complain that it was too hot and “We should call that goniff who sold me that lousy air-conditioner!” I would then remind him that he was wearing a long sleeve thermal undershirt and it was July. I really don’t think he’s ever been able to dress himself. I did think that as he had moved to Los Angeles almost fifteen years ago, he would have changed. Hah! Who am I kidding?

• He loves to go to the emergency room. Some older people like bingo or “The Price Is Right”. He likes the emergency room. I guess someone will listen to him complain there and his insurance doesn’t have a deductible for ER visits. It’s cheaper than a night out at the movies. I caught a cold just before I got here and it hit full bloom on day two of the visit. He immediately said, “Do you want to go to the emergency room?” “No thanks, dad. I’ll just take some over the counter stuff and take it easy for the rest of the week.” Ruined his whole day. And by the way: he never takes the medicine they give him.

• I mentioned to him that someone posted on his Facebook page. He said “I have a Facebook page?” It’s almost all postings from my mother (“Hi, I love you!!!”), pictures of him from one of my sisters and one message from a granddaughter saying “Hi grandpa!” in 2010. His only Facebook entry was in response: “How are you today? Im cool with the facebook, and hip with the jive!” I of course ignored his friend request back in 2010. I don’t want him reading this stuff!

© Curt Weiss 2014