For the second time in Niko’s life, he has a “recital” in a few weeks. Last year, it was on Veteran’s Day, and he was sick, but we made him to go and perform and then afterwards, Nina waited around and took him home while my parents and I had breakfast tacos (see, I have…
Tag: The Dad Speaks
Apple Watch
A few weeks ago, Niko asked me if he could have my Apple Watch. I originally purchased it around Thanksgiving of 2024. I used it to wake me up in the morning and keep track of my walking. Yeah, I could check my text messages and take the occasional call if my iPhone was not…
Doctor Dad
On Tuesday morning, and literally five minutes before Niko and I were leaving for school that morning, he complained that his foot was hurting very badly. Last year, we had this same issue and he had a walking boot for a few months and did rehab. He had a few instances in MN where it…
The Dad’s Armoire
I have had an armoire since 1990 that belonged to my grandfather. I also had a matching a night table for a long time, but I gave it to my brother. That way, we each have a part of our Pop! It’s been through a lot (stuffed with clothes, some time in storage in my…
Warm Things (that don’t SPONSOR me…yet)
It’s cold, and snow has been on the ground since Thanksgiving. But, I am very glad that I have warm things, and I don’t have to suffer. It’s not like we don’t use the heat and fireplace, we do, but we don’t maximize them. If I have to go outside to get mail or place…
Ice Day
Last Tuesday, Niko’s school had a late start in the morning due to ice on the road, and about an hour or so after we got that notification through a text message and an email, they canceled school that day and told us it would be an “E-Learning Day”. I am very glad that here…
Back To School
After three weeks off from school (one of which he was sick), Niko goes back to school tomorrow. So, what did he do? Well, me and him went to the indoor pool at the Community Center twice. The second, it was snowing lightly and I was extremely reluctant to go, but Niko told me I…
Happy 2026
Normally, I reminisce about all the great things that happened during the year from the perspective of being a dad, being a husband, being a full-time employee, being a reader, and being a writer. But, this year, I won’t go on and on and on about it. I will just say, it was a very…
The Dad Is OOO
Well, I am off from work all next and the following week, as I go back Friday, January 2nd. Last year at this same time, I was off, but it was because we moved. And, totally unexpected, I also had emergency surgery for a heart attack a few weeks before that move. Yeah, shit happened. …
Snow Shoveling/Blowing
Since the day before Thanksgiving, snow has been on the ground where we live. Wait, where else would it be? In the air? I have already used the snow shovel and snow blower multiple times to clear the driveway. Our snow blower is a Toro, and it worked very well and quick. Don’t tell anybody…
One Year Heartiversary
One year ago today, I was discharged from Methodist Hospital Texsan, one of the top heart hospitals in Texas, after an experience that changed everything. On December 5, 2024, I woke at 3 a.m. with chest pain, sweating, and a pounding headache. They were classic heart attack symptoms, but instead of calling an ambulance like…
Sushi
If you don’t know me, my name is Mark, and I like to eat. Not Sushi, though. It doesn’t appeal to me to eat raw food! I have never actually eaten Sushi, but that changed when Niko saw a video on it, and was intrigued to try it. But, Nina and I had no clue…
It’s Cold (No Snow Yet)
I am definitely not used to the cold weather. All of my life, I lived in Texas and have had to deal with extreme heat for most of the year! Car and home A/C blasting super cold air all of the time. Now, we live in one of coldest cities in the country. Even going…
Firsts – Snowflakes, Northern Lights, and Walking on the Mississippi River
Last Sunday, it was cold. So cold and cloudy. With precipitation. Add that up, and that afternoon, I saw something flying through the air and realized it was a snowflake! A few more snowflakes arrived. I sat on the couch and just watched as snowflakes flew downward. It was very surreal and pretty, and this…
Beds Are Not Burning
In July, Niko declared his current King bed not comfortable anymore and he was really struggling in the evenings to go to sleep. So, I gave him my Queen bed and took his uncomfortable King bed. For me, it was a no brainer swap as his sleep is the most important in the house. That…
Halloween 2025 – No Snow Yet
Up until about a month ago, Niko wasn’t even thinking about what to be for Halloween. But, then, he watched KPop Demon Hunters, and he wanted to be Jinu as a Demon! Fine with us. Nina found his hat online and made the robe herself. She used makeup on Niko and drew the demon markers…
Minnesota Winter
In June, we moved from one of the hottest places in the USA to one of the coldest places in the USA! We are ready for snow, as we have lots of warm clothes and continue to buy more. We got a TORO snow blower delivered last Wednesday and I turned it on yesterday, and…
Niko’s Time Off
Niko was off from school Wednesday through Friday, for no particular reason. I guess that is how the schools in Minnesota function. He does get time off like this throughout the year, in addition to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. But no Spring Break like in Texas. Nina worked most of her hours on Monday…
The Dad’s Trilogy of Random Thoughts
I got three random things I wanted to share and didn’t feel like separating them out over the next three weeks. So, you get them all today. 10/10/2025 On Friday, Nina and I celebrated 15th wedding anniversary. I took Nina to lunch at a “nice restaurant” on the lake near our house. Not the one…
The Dad Isn’t a Lifeguard
Last Saturday and Sunday, Niko and I went to the community center where they have an indoor pool. He took swim lessons over the summer at the local high school, and now, he is a professional swimmer who loves showing off his skills. When we do pool, I strive to be there right when they…