Two Men and A Boy

Posted Mon Jan 8, 2007 in Stories

One of my favorite eateries in Minden is Danny’s Ironwood Grill. It’s a converted Denny’s and I wonder if the name is a pun. Sunday I headed out from the motel to refuel the Bimmer, grab a bite, and wander around the valley for awhile. The restaurant was busy and I was solo, so I sat at the counter. The Jets were playing someone (I was paying much attention) for the AFC wild-card slot. The image just happened. While sitting at the counter of Danny’s Ironwood Grill Sunday, I saw a blurb for a TV show entitled Two And A Half Men. It’s an intriguing name, but I doubt the implementation thereof will live up to the name. That’s just television programming these days.

But, the notion reminded me of a couple of aphorisms Dad used to use. The first had to do with workload. A big job would be one that required “Two men and a boy.” I can’t recall the number of times I heard him use that.

I’ve used it myself more than once. Aphorisms have that way about them.

The second is one I’ve used on my sons innumerable times. “A boy is a boy, two boys is half-a-boy, and three boys ain’t no boy at all…” When the boys had friends over and there was work to do, I’d pull that one out of my repertoire. Of course, they hated it when I said that. I don’t think they disputed the truth of the saying, but it irritated them when I found much amusement in the recitation thereof.

I suspect those two proverbs are now passed on to another generation, much the same way they came to me. I know I’ve heard Older Son say “Those are Dad’s words. I just head Dad’s words come from my mouth.” more than once. <grins>