Did you know that there were 1.5 billion fathers worldwide? Almost 67 million dads live in the United States! We Americans spend roughly $780 million dollars on Father’s Day gifts, the vast percentage of that amount spend on ugly ties. (Just guessing about that part!) This holiday has alway been very important to me, despite the fact that my own dad refused to confirm that I was actually his son in public. (He was, however, quite nice behind closed doors.) What can I say? When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astounded at how much he had learned in seven years! (I should mention, in passing, that this was first said by some guy named Mark Twain.)

Growing up, I made my dad a special breakfast in bed every Father’s Day. Looking back, I probably should have made those pancakes in the kitchen, rather than in his bed, but the bathtub was such a convenient place to rinse the dishes.

Just for your own edification, it wasn’t until 1972 that Father’s Day was officially made a U.S. holiday, when President Nixon helped set aside the third Sunday in June for dads. By the way, don’t you think that Juneteenth should be move to June tenth for the sake of clarity? Just saying.

You know, I actually remember the very first words my dad said to me. I had just been born, and my mom was holding me in her arms, and she whispered, “What a darling little treasure!” My dad nodded, then said, “Yeah, let’s bury it!” Of course, he was just kidding. But I sometimes wonder why he always offered to bury me in the sand when we went to Coney Island Beach. I guess he just “dug me.”

Remember, dear ones, the difference between “bad jokes” and “dad jokes” is one single letter

On that note, I shall take my leave of thee. Best wishes to all the wonderful dads out there. Keep up the good work! If you scroll down, you might find some more photographs of my recent trip to Israel. Hopefully, you will find some lovely shots of the American Colony Hotel and its gorgeous courtyard. Be safe, and have a laugh-filled week!

Love to all,

Doc Yanoff