The 39th Chapter in the Book of Brian

Thirty nine years ago, this handsome little devil decided it was time to make an appearance on this chunk of granite that we like to call a planet (full credit to Blues Traveler for the rhyme).



Early on he showed an affinity for his sandbox, peanut butter and the Floppy Show.



Naturally, he was quite a ladies man and always seemed to have a gaggle of young lovelies congregated around the homestead. I mean, could you blame them? The shirt really says it all.



Later in life he met his mechanical soulmate - also known mah bike. Check out the Mongoose badness. Yes, I still have it. Don't judge me.



By the time Jr. High was on the radar it was clear this Mr. Man had himself a talent for halfassing school and fullassing (the more intellectually stimulating) mischief. Man, am I glad they didn't have Ritalin or diagnoses like Oppositional Defiant and Conduct Disorder back then.

About midway through his high school years (otherwise known as Brian's attempt at a remake of the Ferris Bulleur movie) he encountered this girl. Apparently she had a plan, a vision, a long range strategy. It involved him. She said knew what was best. He wasn't so sure. One time he tried to breakup with her, she said "no".

As it turns out she was right (please don't tell her I said that).



The morning of his 39th birthday that handsome little devil got up to 6-8 inches of snow drifting in his driveway. He set to the unenviable task of shoveling it (no mechanical snowblowing assistance for this bad boy). About midway through his youngest daughter, Allie, came out to "help".



Soon, plans for a camouflaged snowfort took shape. The doorway is snugged up to the garage door and isn't visible from the street.



The incognito nature is necessary because of the pack of ruffian young boys that roam our neighborhood. They are under heavy suspicion for the early demise of the Vampire Penguin Snowman.

Ruffians, we are watching you.

Katie came out just in time to curl her nose up at the juvenile idea of a snowfort and take a quick sledding pass on the freshly Dad-plowed driveway. Thanks for all the help Katie.



I piled the snowfort high and packed it tight, carved a door and then it occurred to me: That handsome little devil did a lot of tripping, fumbling, bumbling and falling along the way, but somehow still wound up to be one lucky little devil. I hope the next 39 are as good as the first.