A Day With Uncle Pat 

Well of course, I was complimented. Hearing good things about the stuff I do always gives me warm-fuzzies. And I am truly blessed, because a lot of folks have said a bunch of really nice things about the stuff I do on the Web. 

But there was something special about this guy, Pat -- which is not to say that there isn't something special about everyone who writes me. But the way he came across, even in that very first email, was unique.

Harry P. "Pat" Gallagher

Now I do my best to write back to everyone who writes, so I sent a little note back to Pat. Usually, that's the end of it. But Pat wrote back. So, I wrote back, again.

Autumn came, turned into winter, and pretty soon it was spring. And all the while we kept on swapping notes. We chatted about our families, the Internet, Gozarks, computers, homeschooling, and an assortment of other stuff. Along the way, Pat invited all six of us Weiss-kins to come by his place for a ride on his float boat. And finally, on September 24, 2001, we did exactly that!!!

L-R: Pat, Josh, Shawna, Adam, Christine (that's me), and Shalom. My hubby, Daniel, is taking the picture!!!

A friend of Pat's, by the name of Prosper, came along for the ride. Originally from France, Prosper and Pat and their respective spouses are "roof-mates" (living side-by-side in a duplex-type condo) in California (where they all live most of the time). 

Gentlemen and scholars, in both the academic and worldly sense of the terms, Pat and Prosper treated us like royalty. 

Indulging the children with games and allowing each of them to pilot the boat.

Above: Daniel and Shawna.

Just being out on the water was a great treat for me. I love lakes, rivers, steams, and everything that goes along with them. I love the scenery, the playfulness, the relaxation and most of all the smiles.

Talk about getting "all puffed up"!!!

The breeze was brisk and the fresh air made us all ravenously hungry, and Pat had a plan in mind. After tethering his regal vessel, we stuffed ourselves at the all-you-can-eat Pizza Hut buffet and it was great.

Then Pat had a practical-joke "surprise" up his sleeve. You see, his brother owns a landmark home in Heber Springs. Its octagon shape perched high atop stilts draws lookie-loos from far and wide.

But just a plain old visit didn't seem tantalizing enough to Pat, so he enlisted my collaboration and we played a little trick on the kids. 

We drove to his brother's home but pretended that none of us knew the folks who lived there. We told the kids we were just going to drive by and have a look at this really neat house. As they ooed and awed, Pat suggested that we pull in the driveway to have a better look. When the car came to a halt, he got out and said he was going to ask "the owners" if we could have a look around. 

Now remember, the kids didn't know that Pat's brother owns the house and they were somewhat amazed at his bravado. "But hey," he said, "the worst thing the owners can do is say no.. right? So we've got nothing to lose."

Inspired, they nodded their heads in quick agreement as Pat strode to the door and knocked real loud. But when no answer was immediately forthcoming, they all disappointedly moaned. Then Pat did the "unthinkable." He turned the knob on the door, opened it wide and called to the kids "Hey, it doesn't look like anybody's home. Let's go in and have a look around."

Well, the confused looks on their faces were priceless as their aghast eyes bounced furiously from me to Pat, wondering what on earth they should do and they nearly fell over in shock when I said, "Sure, Pat, let's go in."

The suspense soon vanished as Pat's brother appeared and introductions were made all around. But the fun continued as we toured the elegant household, ate watermelon and played games in the backyard.

Shalom even got to sit in the "car of her dreams," a beautifully restored 1960's V W Beetle. "It's just the perfect color, Mom." she exclaimed.

And all too soon our day with Uncle Pat was ending. It was time for all of us to mosey on back home. But not before Daniel grabbed a unique opportunity to take a "reflective" photo of he and I. Can you guess how he captured the image below...???