I blogged about this story about a year ago, but I wanted to record it on video too.

Well well well, Father’s Day is upon us again.

Long time readers know that the tradition here at the Depot is to watch To Kill a Mockingbird and bask in the awesome fatherness that is Atticus Finch. And I assure you, that will be done. But in addition to that, I’d like to start a new tradition, and that is to introduce dads that are just plain cool.

So today I’d like to introduce you to Monty S. Kane.

Okay okay everybody. Calm down. I’m excited too.

What’s that you ask? What makes this guy so awesome? Well, I’ll tell you! Read More...

A stick, some string, some raw bacon and just a bit of patience.





That’s all.

I started this blog a year ago to document the changes in my life as a single father. Before long it turned into a journal of my health issues, but now, hopefully, I’m back on track to my original plan.

From the start, I blogged with my identity exposed. Some bloggers do this and others don’t. I understand both sides to the issue. And recently, I’ve come to understand the real limitations to blogging fully exposed.

You see, lately, I’ve been having some really great adventures. The thing is, I’m just not sure they are the kind of adventures I necessarily want family members to know about. At the same time, I’ve discovered some really remarkable things that I only want to share with my family and no one else.

And as much as I enjoy sharing aspects of my life here at Depot Dad, the fact remains that I find I am unable to share some of my favorite stories, or even share some of my deepest concerns. That is a bummer.

But if, on the other hand, you find yourself in northern California with a free afternoon, then by all means, please stop by for some great tales. I’m better at telling stories in person anyway.

Apparently the invisible hand of the Market is reaching for a pretzel.

While grocery shopping tonight I came across this sight...

This floor to ceiling pretzel display took up half of the snack area of the store. And nearby? One brand of vinegar and salt chips, two brands of corn chips and two brands of cheesy puffs. But obviously, I am missing something when it comes to pretzels because when it comes to pretzels, my neighbors obviously want some choices. And what choices! Straight, round, thin, fat. What is so funny about this to me is that they are all PRETZEL flavored! Why are there so damn many different kinds of pretzels? They all essentially taste the same.

I don’t know what invisible market forces have crated this absurd display, but I’ll tell you this: no good can come from it.

Life has to be given a meaning because of the obvious fact that it has no meaning.
- Henry Miller

Today we set the Way-Back machine to February 1985. Long before Depot Dad was Depot Dad, he was Depot Resident Assistant at the Kansas City Art Institute dormitory. That’s right, workin’ for the man, all for the benefit of a slightly larger room, no pay, and all the responsibility of having to keep twenty-two 18 and 19 year olds from destroying the building from within.

One of the resident students at the time was a character named Darrell. Now Darrell fashioned himself as something of a modern day Edgar Allen Poe. And frankly, he pulled it off. I’ll be darned if I didn’t imagine bats swirling around his head every time he passed by. He was generally private, but also disarmingly funny. And we had formed the beginnings of a nice friendship that year.

But on this day in February, Darrell came to my room looking particularly disturbed.

“Jim,” he said in his droll monotone voice,”Will you please come to my room? I want to make sure.....I’m not going crazy.”

Read More...

On Tuesday morning, I was sleepily drinking my coffee in my kitchen when I heard an unfamiliar sound. A train horn blowing full blast. Five blasts actually. And it felt like it was in the room with me? Why? Well, it so happens that an old train track runs right behind our backyard fence. And on Tuesday an engine ran slowly through town to test the tracks. In October, three freight trains a week will be rolling through. People think it is nuts but I think I’m going to enjoy it. Here is a picture of the train engine from that morning. Depot Dad’s house is just behind the tree you see here.

What’s that?

Boring?

Well I TOLD you its been boring around here! A train going by is about as exciting as it gets lately!

And just a reminder that older posts can be found at the bottom of the right hand column. I’ll be back with more boring stuff soon.