Wedding anniversary

Today Priscilla and I have been married 50 years. She was 20 years and three months old at our wedding, I was 26 years and eight months.

Our kids rented a house for three days, near Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Priscilla and the kids had been here several times for kayaking the river. I cannot swim and, therefore, do not get in a floating device that places me so close to the water. In 1965 the Army sent me on 28-day cruise in a troop ship across the Pacific Ocean. That was okay. I was not close to the water, and troop ships seldom just up and sink. The only war we were in then was the Cold one, and Russian submarines were more likely to sink themselves than attack US ships. Five years ago, Priscilla and I went on a five-day cruise in the Caribbean. That was as good as the troop ship journey, but with better food. Priscilla and I also took a sail boat tour of Tampa Bay, but, again, I was not too close to the water.

Monday at Weeki Wachee, we rode a river tour boat and watched a presentation on Florida wild animals. The infamous “A Florida Man” of news stories was not included.

My daughter and I were given free pass cards, as disabled veterans. That was nice. We are allowed free entry for one guest as well. That was more nice.

I wore my “Best. Dad. Ever.” T-shirt given by my daughter for Father's Day. As we waited for a program, a man walked up to me. He said, “I want to shake hands with the best dad ever, because mine was an a$$hole.”

Hey, glad to accommodate.

Looking forward to the next 50th wedding anniversary.