Cancun called; we answered

Had a couple firsts last week.

First visit to Cancun, Mexico. Also, first stay at an all-inclusive hotel - the Riu Palace Peninsula.

Some observations: 

** The first person I met at the resort was from Brandon, SD. We lived in Valley Springs, five miles away, for 15 years. The last guy I talked to was from Iowa. His son plays football at my alma mater Augustana in Sioux Falls, SD. What's that saying? It's a small world after all.

** Reminded me of Vegas. It was relaxing but don’t go for the peace and quiet. A lot of noise, a lot of people. 

** Food was great. Though my wife lost a battle with a grilled octopus. The all-inclusiveness was cool as you could get about whatever you wanted whenever. 

** Do not book an "adventure" with Mexico Travel Solutions. Wife booked a scuba thing for us, got sick the night before. I called at 4 a.m. to cancel, as directed, and I went down at 7:30 to talk to the van driver, who knew of the call. But they wouldn't refund our money, despite her purchasing insurance, because she didn't have a doctor's note. Seriously.

** Cancun, Mexico, is a lot like Florida but more people speak English in Cancun.

** I never understood the allure of pool bars. I like pools; I like bars; but standing up to your waist drinking doesn’t do it for me. Never saw anyone leave to use the restroom. Just saying.

** Didn’t talk to an a-hole in six days. New record.

** I held my own in sand volleyball with the young punks. 12-12 serving would’ve made Coach Haugen proud.

** I’ll bring some dressier clothes next time. Especially for evenings. I just threw shorts and shirts in a bag the night before like I was going to Florida.

** All in all, it was fun, glad we went. But I wouldn't go every year. I still prefer St. Pete's Beach, FL, during spring training. Unfortunately, it's seldom my decision.

Stories of my late father continue to pop up decades after his death

 I received a message the other day from my brother-in-law's brother that led down a rabbit hole that ultimately concluded with a story about my dad, as so many do. Here it was:

"Mark, I was wondering if you wanted my Prince record collection? I’m not trying to sell it. I just want to give it to somebody that I think would like to listen to them."

Well, duh, of course I do. He sent me the covers of about 20 albums or singles, I'm not sure yet which are vinyl and which are CDs, but I guess I'll find out soon enough. The last of the attachments showed a silly picture of my dad with a "love poem" he'd written. The guy had worked a couple years with my dad at an alternative high school in Beresford. The poem read:

"I shake & shiver

stutter & quiver.

Is it Love

or only my liver?"

I asked him what the back-story was to that? He wrote:

"We had an "Artist's in Schools" artist (writer) for a week. It must have been late 90's. Your dad sat down with the group and the writer asked the group to submit poems. I am not sure if the poem was his original or one he heard. At the end of the week we submitted poems to Prairie Winds publication, but not sure if your dad's poem got in there or not. I think that photo of it was taken from the collection we made for all the students. Your dad was a good writer and joke teller. He'd say, "Wanna hear the shortest poem ever?" We'd say sure...He'd reply...."Fleas, Adam had'em"  LOL!"

Yesterday was my dad's birthday, so I thought it relevant to post "would've been more relevant to post it yesterday, but, hey, best laid plans ...). It's just one of a thousand stories told about that man. I need to make the effort to compile them. That's my New Year's resolution.