Happy Birthday to My Dad

Pop in the middle with his dog, Mike and brother, Paul.
He looks ready to throw down.

Today is my father, Tom Nolan's, 70th birthday.  I thought all day yesterday about my dad, and the things I've learned from him. I wish I could write an elegant, witty post to share with the world what an outstanding person I have for a father.  But, the words won't come so I think I'll share my Top 5 Favorite Sayings courtesy of Pop:

5.  Upon the lighting of  the candles on any one's birthday cake: "Boy, Mickey Lockwood would've loved this cake."  Mickey Lockwood is some kid Pop grew up with who would eat the candles off of a birthday cake.  I've been hearing this one since I can remember, and it never gets old.

4.  "It'll feel better when it quits hurting."  

3.  "Right of way don't mean sh*t when you're dead."  This was stated rather loudly while teaching me to drive and is a corollary to the law of gross tonnage.

2.  "I searched the world over, and thought I found true love.  You met another and thwpp you was gone.  Leave a message after the beep."  No, he didn't write the song (from the show Hee Haw, no less) but he sings it as the outgoing message on his voicemail.  That has always been my parents' message, since their first answering machine.  They've had all kinds of hilarious messages left, including one from animal control in which the singing dog catcher let them know their dog George didn't have rabies.  Top that.

And last, but not least,

1.  "Don't call me Pop!"  This, on his 50th birthday.  Of course, it stuck and twenty years later even the girls in my office all call him Pop.

Happy Birthday, Pop.  

Love,

Julie