Happy early Father's Day to you, Dad, and to all the men I know who are fathers. We, like mothers, are honored with a national holiday. According to the National Days Calendar, "In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers on the third Sunday in June. President Richard Nixon signed into law a permanent national holiday in 1972 over 50 years after Mother’s Day came into existence." Hope you have a nice day, Dads, and remember what Father's Day is all about – you are/were responsible for raising your children so show your appreciation to them as well.

Speaking of fathers, my Dad, who will turn 87 in September, has seven children and the fifth in line, brother Glenn, joins the Burnham 60-year-old club today, June 13. Glenn, as a lot of you know, sang with several bands after high school and continuing into his 50s. I welcome him into the 60-year-old club and I was going to warn him about taking care of his health as 60 seemed to be the magic number with me regarding dealing with health problems, but Glenn's gotten everyone beat in our family. He's probably seen more doctors than two or three of us combined in his first 59 years, so he's used to it. Keep on going, brother!

Mosquitoes, black flies ... and chiggers (trombiculid mites). I had them all attacking me over the weekend as I got the chance to finally clean up my lawn (after weeks of, you guessed it, dealing with some health problems, and the ground-soaking rain). The chiggers didn't get to my legs as they were correctly covered, but my exposed arms took a beating – or should I say drilling. These tiny buggers don't bite but actually drill a hole in the skin and secrete their saliva, which causes lots of red bumps and itching.

Note to self (and readers) – wear some bug spray next time, or long-sleeved shirts.