Zoo Keeping

At the end of last week and in the midst of distancing, I initiated an education plan inside our abode. The centerpiece of the plan was an "Animal of the Day". And since the inaugural animal (red fox), there has been a zoological zest to combat our captivity. Here are some of the things we have learned, from our animal kingdom to yours:

The female red fox is called a vixen. I have called my 3-year-old, reddish-haired daughter many things, but never a vixen. According to a dictionary, a vixen is "a spiteful or quarrelsome woman." My 3-year-old is in fact a vixen. 

The octopus is a unique creature of the sea. We watched an amazing video of the ingenious way an octopus steals crabs from a fisherman. Youtube search "octopus steals crabs from fisherman" and recognize the world's most intelligent invertebrate!

 Do you know the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? Do you know there is a cousin of those reptiles known as the caiman? Our daughters now can differentiate between alligator, crocodile and caiman. There is only one place in the world where they could find an alligator and crocodile sharing the same habitat. The answer - The Florida Everglades. I've been there. One of the most memorable experiences of my life. 

Elephants belong to complex social groups led by a female aka the matriarch. My wife was the teacher on this day. I glued a photo of my wife to construction paper and then I drew the outline of an elephant. My wife's head was now inside the head of an elephant. Then, my 5-year-old executed a painting of our matriarch. Masterpiece. Initial design by man. Creation by woman. Inspiration - my woman. This is probably the only way you can compare your wife to an elephant and gain appreciation. 

There is a website where you can listen to an array of owl hoots. After practicing our "balcony hoots", my daughters and I critiqued hoots from the Great Horned Owl to the Barn Owl. If you traveled to the North Pole to find the Elf Owl it would not be wise. The Elf Owl actually is found near the border of the United States and Mexico. 

Starfish are not fish. Fish have backbones. Starfish do not have backbones. Neither do jellyfish. Do you know who eats jellyfish tentacles like spaghetti? Turtles. No sauce, no sting. Bon Appetit. 

My wife and I were once at an ostrich farm in Aruba. During the last two weeks, I've daydreamed about running wild with ostriches. They can run up to 43 mph. In my daydream, I am faster. Also, I dream I can fly. Ostriches cannot fly. 

The golden eagle can have a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet. We used a tape measure to demonstrate that incredible range. Again, I imagined flying. Minutes later, I was pushing a vixen and her sister in a Radio Flyer red wagon. Dads cannot fly. 

During a torrential downpour, I picked up Saturday night dinner from Luna Azteca in Westmont. Bon Appetit, parents. While in the parking lot, a bird of prey swooped right in front of my windshield and landed on the neighboring building. Like a crazy apocalyptic Dad, I stood in the rain and photographed a perched hawk. The golden eagle is on the flag of Mexico. Chicken flautas would be on my flag of fatherhood. 

On Sunday morning, we enjoyed The Evergreens latest homebound concert, a dedication to The Beatles. I colored a Winnie the Pooh page that read "Life is simple in the Hundred-Acre Wood". Beside Pooh and Piglet staring into the stream, I added "Bright eyes cheer the heart; good news strengthens the bones" (Proverbs 15:30).

Ostriches have acute eyesight, able to see predators from miles away. I don't know what tomorrow will bring. I am indeed not an ostrich. I can't run as fast. My neck is not 4+ feet long; however, if I keep pulling that Radio Flyer, I might extend something. Alas, my bones remain strong. 

Johnstown, wake up each morning with bright eyes. Cheer someone else's heart. Be a good news teller. Parents, teach your kids daily even if sometimes being stuck in the house is like chewing on jellyfish tentacles. 

Monday is another day. Animal of the Day: "The Chameleon!"

Spring Saturday Top 10

Sheltered. Secluded. Survival. In troubled times, humor needs to shine like Saturday's sun. This all happened in a 24 hour springtime span:

#10: Professor Daddy Diddums

Alter-ego. From now until question mark, I am Professor Daddy Diddums. Don't worry about the name or why we started school on a Saturday. This is a makeshift operation. I am the educator. My daughters are my pupils. They would not respect my classroom if I were Dad. When I become Professor Daddy Diddums, I am Harvard educated and my students value my wisdom. We have an animal of the day (octopus) and we combine multiple disciplines, including gym and art. Special guest today - Bob Ross on Netflix. Thanks, Bob. Let's color this canvas!

#9: Geography Lesson

At one point after school my 3-year-old was looking for me. My wife told her I was on another planet. My 3-year-old found me in the dining room. She declared, "Dad, this is not Jupiter. This is a home."

#8: Teaching on the Trail

Before lunch, my daughters and I made the Stackhouse Park descent via the Brownstown Trail. It was rocky and riveting. My 5-year-old warrior was on foot. My 3-year-old was strapped to my back. I pushed our adventure stroller the whole way knowing I would need it for the ascent. My favorite teacher of all-time is Mother Nature. There is no one like her.

#7:  Words Not Needed

As I was making my way back to my front yard, I was Dad sweating; pushing a 45 pound sandbag and carrying a 30 pound potato sack. I looked up and saw the bright lights...of a Fed Ex truck. As it drove by, the driver gave the most empathic thumbs-up I have ever received. I could see his smiling silhouette through the window. In this era of social distance, it was an incredible man-to-man moment. Respect, Fed Ex driver. Respect.

#6: Coast-to-Coast Connect

Throughout the day, I made calls to friends across the country; from Washington State to South Carolina; Portland, Oregon, San Francisco Bay and Greensburg, PA. Friendship is a blessing. Keep fighting the good fight Mary, Dave, Tim, Ben, and Jeff. Miles apart yet in this together.

#5: Mac-and-Cheese Connect

The apocalyptic meal of choice is mac-and-cheese. It satisfies each and every soul unless you don't have a soul. And if you don't have a soul, this blog can't help you.

#4. Tent Thrashing

My daughters love when I fold a tent in half and shake it psychotically with them in it. From the street, this is terrifying theatre; a grown man just violently vibrating a tent. But, inside the tent, there is pure joy and madness. And, I will thrash that tent until they ask me to stop. Or, the police command me to stop. I thrashed the tent from approximately 3:00 to 3:15 PM on Saturday. Great bicep workout. Johnstown Police. Respect.

#3: Wagon Ride

After dinner, our family of 4 went on a wagon ride. I pulled. My daughters rode. My wife pushed. 50% of us got a cardiovascular workout. 100% of us got fresh air. 0% of us were in the house. 100% win.

#2: The Evergreens Live

This Johnstown duo has enriched our lives with music, positivity, and friendship. They put on a Facebook Live performance on Saturday night that was the essence of resilience. The music will keep playing. The connection shall not cease. Our family put on our Evergreens T-shirts. We got weird. We connected. We appreciated. Amanda and Laurel - your melodies make magic. The evergreen tree often towers over its competition. Ladies, keep growing, keep going, and keep playing!

#1: Together

I have a hard time staying in one place. Today was no exception, yet this week has been unlike no other I have experienced on Planet Earth. Yet, I still have faith in Mother Nature; have the love of family; have the support of friends; have a community I call home.

Love and laugh. My 3-year-old peed on a yoga mat this week.

Namaste.

Stay Positive

The lead story every day moving forward will be the number of confirmed cases. Each community will attempt to confirm or collect positivity without much connection. It is going to be difficult and unpredictable. I'll respond with predictable positivity. It might not be easy yet if there is anything I want to teach my kids it is this; every day, your lead story, can be gratitude. Choose to be grateful. 

I was in the middle of writing a blog related to all the positive experiences I have had recently in Johnstown when life began to change. My kids had a blast on Leap Day at the Heritage Discovery Center in Cambria City. That same night, my wife and I attended an annual tradition, Copernicus Day at the Boulevard Grill. Jacob plays an amazing accordion. Even if you are bunkered down in some basement, keep playing Jacob.  Our family attended Nature Works, an event where Bottleworks transforms into a maze of natural and recreational wonder. We had fun and observed - for the 3rd straight year - a community on the move. 

Now, we are quite still. It is weird. It is alarming. It is uneasy. Stackhouse Park remains my refuge. I have gone on many a March hike, listening to the birds chatter. One day, I walked snow covered trails in the morning only to walk green paths in the late afternoon. Talk about dramatic change. 

In the days and weeks ahead, individuals, families, small businesses, and big plans will be put to the test. Health, security, risks, and rewards will overwhelm our world. Point out the positive if the overwhelming is transforming to overpowering. 

My youngest daughter celebrated her 3rd birthday on this Saint Patrick's Day. She was healthy. She felt secure - two loving parents, a strong sister, and a Mr. Potato Head Hulk - yes, there is a Mr. Potato Head Hulk. If you have lost all hope, welcome back. There is a Mr. Potato Head Hulk. 

My daughter risked jumping off her bed and waiting until the last second to go pee. She played until she was overwhelmed by the need to nap. We have had three rewarding years of her. 

Here we go, Johnstown. Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Support small businesses. See the bigger picture. Call upon Mr. Potato Head Hulk when you need him most. 

No matter what happens, be grateful.