Having recently moved from Everett WA, my parents purchased a mobile home and located it in the Ridgeway Estates near the South gate of Hill Air Force Base in Layton, Utah. I myself had recently relocated from Everett to Provo in order to continue my education at BYU. Inasmuch as Jay and I lived in close proximity to each other, we maintained a reasonably close relationship. As it so happens, Jay had become involved with a young lady who he thought rather highly of - her name was Carol. Having had very little opportunity to see my parents, I tagged along with Jay one Saturday afternoon as we traveled to Layton to introduce Carol to our parents. Hence, we were in the process of traveling with Carol sitting between me and Jay - Jay driving his car. 

I should take a moment to explain something that will become germane very soon. My father took advantage of the fact that he had a number of young sons, and would use them (at the beginning of a fishing season) to carry a new fishing line down the street. This would remove any kinks the new line might have as he wound it back onto an existing reel. It was not uncommon to be called upon to run a fishing line down the street for hundreds of yards to assure that the line was being installed in optimal condition. Because most of his sons had grown up, moved away, or were unavailable, he had ingeniously figured out how to tie a kite to the end of a new fishing pole line so that he could use the wind to extend the fishing line out hundreds of yards. Then he would wind the kite back down, utilizing the reel to retrieve the kite (and line) quickly. Recognizing his purpose, I considered his approach rather ingenious. However, those watching might not actually understand what was occurring and consider it to be somewhat unusual (even odd). 

Picture where we drove in

As we entered the mobile home community and traveled a short distance down into its homes, it became very apparent that my father was engaged in attempting to straighten a fishing line. We had traveled maybe three car lengths, and I saw my father with a kite at the end of a fishing pole (maybe 30 feet above him) with a number of young neighborhood children seemingly dancing about him. He was engaged in concentrated effort and paid the young children almost no mind. He was almost directly across the street from his home in a small empty parking lot where he could conduct his activities with little interference. It was this picture that became apparent as we approached his home. I realized that Carol would not be cognizant of what was actually happening; and I anticipated her response. It was just then that Carol stated (so we could all hear) the following; “Look at that funny man!” I was almost busting a gut trying to contain my laughter. Leaning forward I saw Jay drop his head next to the steering wheel (as if to confess) and sheepishly said “That's my father!” 

Where Dad was flying kite

As one might imagine, there ensued some surprised discussion between Jay and Carol (which I extricated myself from). We parked the car, and entered the home to greet my mother. Jay was still attempting to explain my father's behavior to Carol. I suppose I was still enraptured in moderate laughter, because I knew Jay was attempting to present his family as somewhat sophisticated (which we were not; and because Carol had presented herself as such). The endeavor had been completely overridden by an unusual circumstance and a judgmental girlfriend’s attitude! 

Because I thought Carol was not really very good for Jay, I was somewhat relieved when they broke their relationship sometime later.