Daffodils and Dog-Ears

Memories of growing up in rural Indiana offer some soul searching, humor, and insight into the moments and values that guide each of us. Family and friends have always been there for me. Grandpa's farm, the schools, and the church have been influential, and books and television have had an impact as well. I found my first dog, fought a bat, and have spoken with the Tooth Fairy. The third grade still haunts me, and a motorcycle ride eventually led to a wedding. The family I was blessed to have been born into and the one I have lived with for nearly forty years have been the sources of my greatest joys and of my toughest challenges. I never dreamed that I would be surrounded by such beautiful ladies (Julie, four daughters, and two granddaughters) or that I would be so confused and hurt as I was when our April died just before her nineteenth birthday. Though our paths are different, the vignettes will feel familiar to you at times. The book welcomes you into my life. It invites you to remember and to share your own experiences. That takes a little courage and a lot of humility.