I’m working on a new piece for next week but before that I thought those of you who told me you enjoyed my recent LOUD DAD notes might appreciate me reposting this story, especially as most of you weren’t here when I originally posted it. I’ve recorded an audio version this morning (response at my spoken word events suggests this might be the best way to consume it) and added a bit of extra stuff about the remarkable Rod Hull and his fake bird, Emu. P.S. If anyone is thinking of upgrading to a paid subscription, and wants to go for the cut-price full annual option, I’m sending out two signed books to everyone who does, wherever on the planet they happen to be.
Love this story so much, as a fellow toady. Only just discovered you late last night, too late, but listened to the whole thing anyway about abandoned houses and aging. You crack me up real good with your allsorts jumble of tactile and ephemeral. I shall read/listen on with reckless abandon. Thank you
Ah, James Herriot lives on. 'He's womitin, sor! Womitin' sumfin awful.' I hope you might appreciate how hard I had to work fighting the spell check hootnanny on this dang phone. Sent with love. Fabulous story, that.💙
Very entertaining anecdote Tom. If nothing else - who doesn’t love a toad?! I remember the Rod H television aerial story well. I had a mental image of him actually on the roof with Emu, having a fight over the positioning of the aerial and that being the reason for the fatal fall. It still seems to me to be a fitting way for him to have gone. Cheers, M
Tom, this was a very enjoyable read. I was totally charmed by the story. I’m ten years older than your Dad, and I recognize in him the idiosyncrasies one develops as they age. You Dad sounds like a peach.
I just read this over the phone to my dad. I had to speak very loudly every time your dad spoke and now I need some water.
Love your dad and that cheered a crap morning. Thanks Tom.
Love this story so much, as a fellow toady. Only just discovered you late last night, too late, but listened to the whole thing anyway about abandoned houses and aging. You crack me up real good with your allsorts jumble of tactile and ephemeral. I shall read/listen on with reckless abandon. Thank you
ALWAYS A DELIGHT TO READ (AND EVEN HEAR) ABOUT YOUR DAD!
Wonderful ! Both the writing (have always laughed when your Dad speaks) and the Emu sketch is a masterpiece. Thank you.💚
I had read this before
but now listening to it
was like I was in England hugging my old friend Paul
I also remembered a time when his parents
were visiting and how much I could see the shocking difference between our cultures
You here, when you bring father's voice, bring me exactly that feeling
an immense cultural difference in the manifestation of love
As Paul said me once , in my culture we touch each others life deeply , in a different way
Yes you took me there , I love England
Thank you
this made me feel all sorts of emotions and im not sure why
Ah, James Herriot lives on. 'He's womitin, sor! Womitin' sumfin awful.' I hope you might appreciate how hard I had to work fighting the spell check hootnanny on this dang phone. Sent with love. Fabulous story, that.💙
The fish outline though 🤣🥹
Very entertaining anecdote Tom. If nothing else - who doesn’t love a toad?! I remember the Rod H television aerial story well. I had a mental image of him actually on the roof with Emu, having a fight over the positioning of the aerial and that being the reason for the fatal fall. It still seems to me to be a fitting way for him to have gone. Cheers, M
Laughed helplessly through all of this. (Or rather, until the sad FNs at the end.)
Tom, this was a very enjoyable read. I was totally charmed by the story. I’m ten years older than your Dad, and I recognize in him the idiosyncrasies one develops as they age. You Dad sounds like a peach.
You gotta love how "Loud Dad" mentions the "loud jazz". My Grandma is the same with the television. The older you get, the louder you'll get.
This is hilarious and dear. Utterly so. Thank you for all the laughs, and the brilliant, beautiful writing.
Thank you !!! I enjoyed reading your post very much. Your mom and dad sound amazing !!
I genuinely laughed out loud several times over this piece of writing. Your dad is a gift...