“There were no flies on Frank that morning.”
A popular nonsensical poem titled “No Flies on Frank” starts that way in John Lennon’s book, “In His Own Write.”
Frank didn’t have a good day, even without flies.
I heard a store clerk, ringing up a purchase, ask a customer, “How’s it going?”
“I’m having a little problem with my ears.”
“Good to hear,” said the clerk.
The clerk, fatigued from dealing with too many customers, had two faults. The first was he didn’t listen, and he’d never know what his other fault was because he’d stopped listening.
The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step, but it’s fueled by encouraging words and by avoiding having chocolate-covered fish skeletons for breakfast.
I was having a good day. It’d have been a day to remember even if I didn’t remember why. I was having a good day because I had to. At least 20 people had told me to have one. That was helpful advice from a herd of kind word dispensers. It’s something stable in an unstable world. Wishing someone a good day makes a difference. They inspired me enough that I defeated a black belt last week. Next week, I’m tangling with a red sock. Wishing someone a good day is contagious. One day, despite an early morning grogginess, I was pleased a toaster had browned a slice of bread to my liking. I told the toaster to have a nice day. It may have had one.
It’s a state law that drivers on country roads must wave as a greeting. Well, it’s not really a law, but it’s expected that we acknowledge a fellow traveler. We wave at everyone. No one wants another to think we’ve gotten too big for our britches. My signature wave is an index finger extended in a one-digit wag. My father left that flip to me in his will. I’ve tried a two-finger wave but found it a bit ostentatious. Some wavers use an entire hand to make sure people know they aren’t uppity. You get more exercise that way. That’s good, as we’re more likely to find extra fries than exercise in a vehicle. Others wave as if they’re cleaning the windshield. A friendly gesture is like getting a fortune cookie in early 1912 telling you to stay off the Titanic. A wave is a kind word for everyone to see.
“Have a good (nice) day” is a fine way to wish another a good (nice) day.
I’d finished training at the courthouse and was headed out of the building when I met someone coming in.
“Have a good day,” I said in an effort to turn everyone into Louis Armstrong singing, “And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”
He replied, “No thanks. I have other plans.”
The famed basketball coach John Wooden said, “Make each day your masterpiece.”
I’m not sure if most of us would be comfortable saying that, but we might switch out “Have a good day” for something else. Variety is the spice of life. Here are a few suggestions.
Today is the perfect day to be happy.
It’s a great day to have a great day. A friend said when his boss told him that, he went home.
May your day be filled with shining moments.
You are my sunshine.
Have a good one.
Don’t step in anything nasty.
Have a good day or else.
What do you know? This one can be a slippery slope. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a “Not much, you?” Or perhaps, “You don’t want to know.” Then you’ll have to bite your tongue to keep from saying, “That’s good to know.”
Have a good day. If you’re already having one, please ignore these words.
I hope none of your toes freeze off today.
Have the day you deserve.
I hope they start serving your favorite ice cream in traffic cones.
Or you could stare at your phone and grunt while watching an unimportant video. That’s the way some people wish another a good day.
I wish everyone a good day and hope I never get a “Whatever” in return.
I wish you a day like the one Frank should have had without flies.
Have a good day.
Photo by Al Batt
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