Cord Byrd: “banks of day lilies are celebrating their brief moments of glory as they turn their vibrant orange faces to the sun. The…”

“banks of day lilies are celebrating their brief moments of glory as they turn their vibrant orange faces to the sun. The days are warm and mellow, not too hot for working in the garden or in the yard. The evenings linger, fading slowly into velvet nights filled with the trill of crickets, the sparkle of lightning bugs and the soft songs of whippoorwills. These are perfect evenings to spend on a country porch, watching the day slide into night. Late spring, almost summer--it is a lovely time of year. On Sunday, June 18, the Nation will celebrate Father's Day. Father's Day does not arrive with quite the same fanfare as Mother's Day. To be sure, stores have been busy reminding us to shop for Father's Day, and the racks are full of Father's Day cards, but there doesn't seem to be the same level of intensity as that which surrounds Mother's Day. The long distance lines will not be as busy. Florists will not be swamped with orders. But fathers around the country will be treated to brunch or to some other family gathering. They will open presents of golf shirts, ties, or cologne bought by family members frustrated because dad always just buys what he really wants whenever he wants it. He is forgiven for this fault only because his family is fairly sure that dad is unaware of the approach of any holiday, including Father's Day. Of course, fathers will put their dramatic skills to the test in order to express their gratitude.…”