10 Things You May Not Know About My Dad

1. As a boy, my dad had a pet chicken. He taught the chicken to play dead, and would put it in the basket on his bike and ride around town that way.
2. As an adult, my dad raised a duckling named George. George imprinted on him and thought he was mama duck, so my dad taught him how to fly by running across the yard flapping his arms.
3. My dad grew up in New Jersey, and one of his teenage jobs was making salt water taffy on the boardwalk in Atlantic City.
4. He has also been a bacteriologist (Minute Maid), biology teacher, assistant principal and security guard (Orlando Temple).
5. On a family road trip, my dad wanted to warm up the chicken we were going to have for dinner. So he duct taped it to the engine of the car.
6. He recently won third place for his age group in the 2011 National Senior Olympics for archery. He also hunts javelinas (wild pigs) with a bow and arrow.
7. During my single college days, I told my dad that I was going to wear a black armband to protest on Valentine's Day. So he sent me anonymous roses, hoping I would think I had a secret admirer.
8. While driving his parents' brand new '55 Plymouth, my dad hit some ice and rolled the car. Despite the bowling ball in the front seat, he and his two passengers were unhurt.
9. My dad has always had a deep obsession love for cars. He is constantly buying and selling them, and has owned over 180 cars in his life.
10. When my parents moved into their home 42 years ago, it was a 2 bed/1 bath with a carport. Over the years my dad has transformed it into a 5 bed/3 bath with a 2 car garage...with his own hands.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I am so proud of all you do and all that you are.

(Thanks to my friend Natalie, who gave me the idea for this post.)