Our family sat around the kitchen table talking about old times when my Mom brought up Dad's songs. She said that when they would travel back and forth from Texas-Illinois, he would make up outrageous songs. Dad chimed right into the conversation by singing some of his little tunes. I can't repeat any of them..but I can tell you they are quite funny. If you get the chance, ask my mother about it...or better yet, ask Dad to sing you one! While we were installing floors Dad would suddenly start singing a song that sounded good, but you never knew what kind of lyrics he was dreaming up as he sang along. It was always entertaining working with Dad.
Dad had a natural talent for whistling too. I've only heard one other guy who could whistle anything like Tom. While he was in the Navy, he frequented a club where people would get up on stage and whistle tunes. I wish I had been around to see that! While playing pool he would whistle like a bird just to annoy the other players. It usually worked to his advantage too. If you ever heard it, you would definitely remember it. I've tried and tried to learn to imitate that whistle but could never duplicate it. He added a reverb that is hard to describe. He can't really do it anymore because of the COPD, but I'll never forget it. Good times and good memories!
The unofficial biography and anecdotes of tomjtexas. Stories are in random order and posted as I can remember them. He passed away on January 17th 2013.
former HEALTH UPDATES are here!
(scroll to the bottom as they are in chronological order)Archived updates are
here
Dad during my navy days and beyond
When I joined the Navy my Dad supported me and was glad for me to go and see the world. Most of my adult life, I've probably been his closest friend.
After boot camp, I went to school in Pensacola Florida. I had become a section leader at school and had things pretty easy so Dad made the trip to Florida just to visit me and some of my friends. We got to get away for 2 days and we went all the way to Biloxi Mississippi and worked our way back going from casino to casino. We lost until we got nearly back to Pensacola and he suggested we try just one more casino. We ended up playing blackjack until we had our pockets full! He stayed on the base for a week and I got to see him daily except for duty days.
While I was stationed in Norfolk (really Oceana) he would call me almost every night. Just wondering how school was going and checking up on me. Then it was on to Japan...
After I got settled in and saved for awhile, I bought a computer. We used Yahoo messenger to communicate nightly. Dad would wait up half the night just to get to talk to me for 15-20 minutes. I discovered a new program called Dialpad. I could use my computer with a headset to make free calls back to the states. As you can guess..I talked to him as often as possible.
When my time was up for serving the country...my command didn't want to let me leave. They tried to negate our contract. I explained that Dad was in poor health and I was needed back home, they didn't believe me so I needed proof from a doctor. Dad went and talked to the doctor and he wrote a letter to my commanding officer telling them that Dad was terminally ill and I should return home. They sent me home in less than 2 weeks. I arrived back home in October of 2000. After hearing he was terminally ill, I was just mortified..dreading facing him..but dying to give him a big hug.
It's been more than 10 years and I've done my best to see that he's been comfortable, happy and enjoying life. I'm hoping for another 10 years at least. I don't believe that being told you are terminally ill means that you should just start dying...Dad didn't! He's fought tooth and nail and he never told anyone but me that news. He's counted on me and I do the same with him..it's like a partnership and neither one wants to let the other one down.
Tomjtexas is my father and I'm damn proud of it! Everyone who tells me to get a life...walk a mile in my shoes before you judge my choices in life. I'm needed and I'm here!
After boot camp, I went to school in Pensacola Florida. I had become a section leader at school and had things pretty easy so Dad made the trip to Florida just to visit me and some of my friends. We got to get away for 2 days and we went all the way to Biloxi Mississippi and worked our way back going from casino to casino. We lost until we got nearly back to Pensacola and he suggested we try just one more casino. We ended up playing blackjack until we had our pockets full! He stayed on the base for a week and I got to see him daily except for duty days.
While I was stationed in Norfolk (really Oceana) he would call me almost every night. Just wondering how school was going and checking up on me. Then it was on to Japan...
After I got settled in and saved for awhile, I bought a computer. We used Yahoo messenger to communicate nightly. Dad would wait up half the night just to get to talk to me for 15-20 minutes. I discovered a new program called Dialpad. I could use my computer with a headset to make free calls back to the states. As you can guess..I talked to him as often as possible.
When my time was up for serving the country...my command didn't want to let me leave. They tried to negate our contract. I explained that Dad was in poor health and I was needed back home, they didn't believe me so I needed proof from a doctor. Dad went and talked to the doctor and he wrote a letter to my commanding officer telling them that Dad was terminally ill and I should return home. They sent me home in less than 2 weeks. I arrived back home in October of 2000. After hearing he was terminally ill, I was just mortified..dreading facing him..but dying to give him a big hug.
It's been more than 10 years and I've done my best to see that he's been comfortable, happy and enjoying life. I'm hoping for another 10 years at least. I don't believe that being told you are terminally ill means that you should just start dying...Dad didn't! He's fought tooth and nail and he never told anyone but me that news. He's counted on me and I do the same with him..it's like a partnership and neither one wants to let the other one down.
Tomjtexas is my father and I'm damn proud of it! Everyone who tells me to get a life...walk a mile in my shoes before you judge my choices in life. I'm needed and I'm here!
Eyes on the prize
I haven't had time to share anymore stories about Tom lately, he's been in pretty bad shape. Since the broken bones..he's been pretty miserable. Scroll on down to read about happier times. There are plenty of stories to read so check out his whole blog.
Today we go back to the doctor and find out if Papasan may have broken more bones. This time, it seems to be on the opposite side from where he fell. He's having painful spells where it literally takes all of his breath away. He's had two very bad nights and hopefully the doc can give him some relief. Even with pain killers he's only sleeping for an hour or so at a time.
*UPDATE* We are heading to the Michael Debakey Medical Center. They are admitting him to the hospital. If I can get internet, I'll keep everyone posted!
The good news is, it's time to start getting him excited about a garden because we cannot make the trip to Illinois for mushroom season this year. There isn't much that gets him more excited than trying to have the first home grown tomatoes every year. Gotta set goals! I'm planning to document the entire process for him this year on his blog. Stay tuned, more stories to come....
Today we go back to the doctor and find out if Papasan may have broken more bones. This time, it seems to be on the opposite side from where he fell. He's having painful spells where it literally takes all of his breath away. He's had two very bad nights and hopefully the doc can give him some relief. Even with pain killers he's only sleeping for an hour or so at a time.
*UPDATE* We are heading to the Michael Debakey Medical Center. They are admitting him to the hospital. If I can get internet, I'll keep everyone posted!
The good news is, it's time to start getting him excited about a garden because we cannot make the trip to Illinois for mushroom season this year. There isn't much that gets him more excited than trying to have the first home grown tomatoes every year. Gotta set goals! I'm planning to document the entire process for him this year on his blog. Stay tuned, more stories to come....
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