Can't Take It In Big Doses

HELLO FOLKS — Flattery is like perfume — It is all right to take a whiff of it but don't swallow it.

We cannot march in a Parade and sit in the grandstand at the same time.

Happiness is one of the better things of life which usually comes as a by-product of activities directed toward other ends.

—o—

FROM THE remarks that could be heard around this place, sometimes you would think that I received very little affection. It is not necessarily so, though. I think I get my share of it, but it seems there has to be a certain amount of 'beating around the bush' before it comes out into the open.

As you perhaps all know, children love attention and they have strange ways of getting it. Take Ann for instance. She found out one of the most subtle ways to get it was to curl up in my big easy chair about the time she thinks I want it. I have found out the best way to get her out of it is to tickle her. That way we both get what we want.

The younger girls realized very soon that it works and so Adell tried it. She is small enough that I could squeeze in beside her. Soon there was a 'fight' going on. Finally she said "Daddy, if you don't stop it pretty soon you'll get out of here."

Zina is more direct in her approach. After I had been gone for over a day she came to me and reaching out her arms she said, "Daddy, I sure been missing you." Another time she said to Mother, "I have two boy friends. Mark here is one of them." When she didn't elaborate further Mother asked, "and who is the other." "Oh! He is out at the barn somewhere." — Meaning me.

Our two little fellows have to have their time of affection too. Most of which comes after breakfast. I like to rest a bit after a hearty breakfast; so I stretch out in my big chair again and tune to the "Garroway" show—that is if I have time. That is the signal for the boys to tune in. Brent is coy but Mark comes right up and gives a big hug in exchange for some tickling; about five minutes of it and that are off for the days adventure.

I got taken at April Fools this year, again. I was milking and had the radio tuned in. The announcer mentioned that it was April Fools day, so I knew that I had to be careful. About that time the phone rang and Jared said, "Mother's back is bad and she can't get out of bed." It caught me completely off guard. I hurried to the house. She was in bed allright, but — she was dressed and had gotten breakfast. The whole family got a charge out of that. They wouldn't have dared to pull such a stunt if it had been any other day of the year.

That night we had pancakes for supper. I got suspicious because we generally have them April Fools Day and I invariably find something in my pancake that shouldn't be there; like a string, piece of cloth, or some such thing. This time there was nary a thing wrong with them.