I believe theres a secret chemical thats turned loose when you have kids that says youve got to survive, youve got to be strong. That keeps you on your toes, besides all kinds of other things, when you have three little ones running around.

In my case, a papadaddy is a father. My paternal grandfather was called Papa by my father who was called Daddy by me.

Because I was born in the South, I'm a Southerner. If I had been born in the North, the West or the Central Plains, I would be just a human being.

Because all writers are human beings first and writers second, my guess is that any advice for living with a writer is about the same as advice for living with a plumber or a refrigerator salesperson.

Being a father can unreason your worldview, or at least make it very flexible, and that can create all sorts of fun and insights. Its sad that childrens open-eyed wonder and sense of play begin to fade as they approach adolescence. One grand function of fathering is to keep the fading to a minimum.

I once tried to raise two tomato plants, and they died in spite of the fact I fertilized them every morning. Duh.

Because we men have been physically stronger and more arrogant, weve influenced much of the cool stuff of the world, like basing the definition of courage on what we do on battlefields rather than on the patience or endurance or tolerance necessary for a sometimes painful daily grind that includes small children.