Deep in the Heart of Texas

My dad and brother flew down to visit us two weekends ago, and were our first official overnight weekend guests. My dad hasn't flown since 1997 - no joke - so we tried to prepare him as much as possible for the new airport security measures. I told him about liquids in his carry-on and taking off his shoes and belt, but somehow forgot to remind him not to try to bring any weapons on the plane. His Swiss army knife/scissors key chain gadget was quickly confiscated by the TSA. When asked if he wanted to take it back to the car, my dad replied with, "I would, but our car is parked 12 miles away." My dad now thinks some TSA worker is walking around with a "helluva nice" pocket knife.

After being "disarmed" and drinking an Irish coffee at the airport bar, they made it to Dallas. Huge thanks to Matt for helping our father navigate the airport and get on the plane. A few of us were pretty sure he would get picked out by the TSA and some of us even thought he might get detained for saying something wholly inappropriate. Whew!

We picked them up and took them straight to Hard Eight BBQ for some serious smoked Texas meats and a Shiner Bock.

Bud and DJ enjoying some BBQ

Hard Eight BBQ

Then we had to take them to the Fort Worth Stockyards to see the rodeo that night. My dad may have grown up in the Upper Peninsula, used an outhouse and eaten squisher eggs, but I think the western cowboys and bull riding were unlike anything he had ever experienced. My brother seemed to be equally impressed, and pointed out that my sister would probably be in tears watching most of the events. Quite possible.

Not sure. We were trying to walk thru Knife Alley (you might be able to see the sign above my dad's head), since he was disarmed earlier that day, and my brother was intrigued.

Me and Bud Ny

More cow butt. And 2 guys who hate having their pictures taken.

On Sunday, we went to the Cowboys v. Lions game at the  new Cowboys Stadium. Our seats were incredibly high up, but the view was amazing and the mega-normous screen was mesmerizing. I think I only looked at the actual field for a total of 34 seconds the whole game. 

Outside Cowboy Stadium

#93 Anthony Spencer - former Bishop Luers Knight

Matt, Jeff and Dad

The biggest shock my dad might have had the whole weekend was when he gave my brother a $20 to buy 2 Miller Lites and my brother handed him $1 in change. The pause and confusion on my dad's face was priceless.

The Lions were victorious, which was exciting as hell for my dad given that he's been a Lions fan his whole life.

We tried not to run my dad's "ass into the ground" like we did when he came to visit us in Chicago, but I'm sure it was exhausting driving all over hell's half acre to go to the rodeo in Fort Worth, the Cowboys game in Arlington, and our apartment in Dallas in about 48 hours. According to my dad, the eternal optimist, everything was "perfect" - including driving straight into the sun setting in the west when he forgot his sunglasses As my brother put it toward the end of their trip, Jeff could have pissed in a cup and my dad would have said it was perfect. We tried to make it even more enjoyable by giving him a bourbon and 7 every few hours.

Peace be with you all,

 

Liz