The Green Car

-

Back in the summer we headed off to Yankee Stadium to wave goodbye to Derek Jeter as we watched the 27-Time World Champion Greatest Franchise in the History of Organized American Sports.

It was a great trip.

My nephew Johnny was along for the ride and a couple of great conversations that prompted him into sending me the photo that is included.

As you will note, Johnny wrote about my 'Green Car' and he signed my name as 'Clifford Clifford'.

Both funny items.

Johnny had been standing next to me when the confused hotel clerk looked at my I.D. but somehow came to this conclusion:

"So," she asked, "Do I have this right? Is your name 'Clifford Clifford?'"

Johnny laughed straight in her face.

Which caused me to laugh straight in her face.

Which caused Sam to laugh straight in her face.

Which eventually caused my beautiful wife to step in and take over because we were laughing in the face of the poor, confused clerk.

Johnny has called me, 'Clifford Clifford' ever since that moment.

The 'green car' comment also originated on that trip because evidently I'm the only person in the family who believes that my car is not blue.

"What color is your car?" that clerk had asked prior to screwing up my name.

"Green," I said.

"It's blue!" Everyone told me.

Yet.

The first time I admit I'm wrong will, well, be the first time.

I still think the car is more green than blue.

Since July we have yanked total strangers out of their lives to ask the question:

"What color is that car?"

Every single one of them...so far...has said 'blue'.

I won't stop until someone agrees that it's green!

'Cause it's green!

So, Johnny sent that photo to me this week.

That's a move that his Dad would certainly make.

Never let them forget a mistake, was straight out of Jeff's playbook.

It brought a smile to my face on a cold day.

Clifford

Clifford.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more