Yesterday Dad took an 8-mile bike ride through a nearby forest preserve, “with frogs in full song,” and tiny spring flowers—crocus, scilla, and vinca—in evidence everywhere. His best girl, Charlotte, went along of course, channeling Kate Winslet to his Leonardo DiCaprio.
When he told me about his ride afterwards, it reminded me of a conversation we’d had a day or two ago, about how wonderful this time of year is, and how, when he first steps outside in the morning to get the newspapers, he looks around and thinks, “Gloriosky, Zero!” So I couldn’t resist making that the subject of his morning doodle today.
Full disclosure: I had to ask him where the phrase “Gloriosky, Zero” comes from the first time he mentioned it, but I suspect that anyone of my dad’s generation already knows. For those who don’t, Zero was the name of Little Annie Rooney’s dog, a comic strip character who sprang to life around the time of the Little Orphan Annie craze. “Gloriosky, Zero!” was one of her signature utterances.
From now on, whenever there’s a really beautiful spring day, I have a hunch I’ll think “Gloriosky, Zero,” myself, and picture Dad and Charlotte, out together on a lovely afternoon ride.
Hope tomorrow is another gloriosky day for all of us—Happy Wednesday night, and have a wonderful Thursday!
I had just commented on my facebook page today how much I’ve been enjoying hearing the spring peepers singing at least two weeks earlier than usual.
It sounds like they are rooting for an early spring as much as the rest of us, eh?
Meanwhile, it was 80 degrees here today. I wouldn’t mind another 3 months of weather like this. —Just perfect!