![\"Father\u2019s](\"http:\/\/www.catdoodles.com\/dailydoodle\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/warbucks_page2.jpg\" "\\"Father\u2019s")
<\/a>$14 may not sound like a lot to work with, but it might have worked out OK, had they not allowed Charlotte to choose the restaurant\u2014which she also insisted on keeping \u201ca surprise.\u201d<\/p>\nAlas, when they first arrived at Cafe Beaucoup, it looked like their lovely evening was likely to go the way of Jo March\u2019s dreadful, doomed dinner party in Little Women (i.e., ending in \u201cbread and butter, olives and fun\u201d\u2014minus the \u201cfun,\u201d that is). Charlotte certainly has champagne tastes, for a cat!<\/p>\n But then Dad graciously stepped in and saved the day\u2014without even realizing it, probably\u2014as dads are often wont to do. (No wonder they\u2019re our heroes!)<\/p>\n Back at the ranch, I\u2019ve been enjoying looking through old family photos this weekend, and think I\u2019ve hit on just\u00a0one<\/em> of the (many) reasons that my dad is such a great one (aside from his enormous heart & tender love for his family, that is): He\u2019s had well over 50 years of experience!<\/p>\n Here\u2019s some early photographic evidence of Dad being a dad: lending my sister Carol some support, giving me his full attention, and showing our little sister Julia how things are done. (Though neither she nor I ever picked up on that touch-typing thing\u2014Sorry, Dad!)<\/p>\n And even though my mom is no longer with us (and therefore can\u2019t weigh in), these drawings she made for Dad\u2019s very first Father\u2019s Day speak volumes in her absence.<\/p>\n And here Dad is typing again! (Dad was chief copywriter, among other things, for the small package design firm he co-founded, in the early days of my parents\u2019 marriage.)<\/p>\n I love how Mom\u2019s affection for her spouse comes through these doodles of hers, along with her wry sense of humor. \u2014Especially below, where she teases \u201cthe dreamiest Daddy\u201d about what a good sleeper he is\u2014better than both her and their infant daughter, it seems! (Notice the little \u201cX\u201d and the dotted line suggesting who was absent from bed\u2014and why.)<\/p>\n (But heck, it\u2019s Father\u2019s Day, so why not<\/em> sleep in a little extra?)<\/p>\n Wishing all my friends a very Happy Father\u2019s Day today\u2014whether you\u2019re being celebrated as a dad yourself, are celebrating your own dad, or are just holding him in your heart, and thinking back on sweet memories.<\/p>\n And sending love and thanks to my dad, James: world-class father, debonair gent, jolly good fellow, patron of the arts (and cats and mice and daughters, too). \u2014All of whom\u00a0agree: You\u2019re the absolute best!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dad has been having a bit of an extended Father\u2019s Day celebration this year, starting on Friday, when Blackie spearheaded a scheme to treat him to a special meal \u201cout\u201d that night. $14 may not sound like a lot to … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Dad is a very<\/em> new dad here\u2014his first daughter, Carol, having been born the preceding month\u2014but it looks like Mom\u2019s decided that he\u2019s already earned his fatherly crown.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n