Write a tabloid-style headline to describe your current situation.
Father of 3 boys declares, “I’m the richest man in the world,” takes family to Big Boy for dinner.
What are the contents of your pockets?
Well, let’s see. Here’s a ballpoint pen; a ticket stub to “Wallace & Gromit ”; some gas receipts; a smooth, gray stone with the inscription “prayer”; a paper clip; a crumpled dollar bill; and a scrap of paper with a phone number on it. That’s what’s in there today but most
of it will eventually get transferred to a special drawer at home which is filled with ticket stubs, gas receipts, and paper clips—it’s quite a collection.
With what candy were you obsessed as a child?
Oh boy! I don’t know if I’d call it an “obsession,” but when I was a kid they used to sell “Spearmint Leaves” in a yellow box at the movie theater. They were shaped like little green leaves, softer and chewier than Dots and covered in little sugar crystals. We didn’t get them a lot, but they were cool and sweet and great to mix in your mouth with salty, buttery popcorn at the movies. I savored each one of those tasty little leaves. I couldn’t believe it when other kids told me they were buying the big box of Junior Mints, only eating half of them, and then throw the rest at the screen. What a waste.
What was your very first job?
When I was little, one of my first “jobs” was picking thistles out of the yard for my dad. He was going to pay me 5 cents for the small ones and 20 cents for a big one. For some reason, I really got fired up and even went across our pond to dig up some of the big ones in the woods. When it was all said and done, I had about 120 thistles that added up to $8 or something like that. My dad was shocked but did pay out the money. My brothers thought it was great, and I worked myself out of a job.
What are the top three bookmarks in your web browser?
Bookmarks? Hmmm, bookmarks you say? I actually prefer to think of myself as an Internet “free spirit” who is not tied to any specific sites but boldly goes where my search engine takes me. The one site that I do have bookmarked is “Walton Verona Schools,” which I use to catch up on the latest practice schedule for the kids.
Your name is the answer in a crossword puzzle. What’s the clue?
A 7-letter name that is like “Bradley” but without the “B” and spelled similar to Raleigh the bicycle or North Carolina. Often confused with “Randy” or “Rodney” and frequently shortened to a 3-letter derivative that rhymes with “glad.”
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
There’s just something about a well laid out breakfast buffet that gets the Wakefield’s all wound up. It starts with a “drive by” to check out what’s on the menu, followed by strategically planned trips for each course. The trick is to pace yourself and take small servings—that’s what I tell the boys. Finish up with some tasty desserts, a fine cup of coffee, and a mint for the road.
In the biopic of your life, what song should play over the opening credits?
Wow, a biopic, that sounds cool! I don’t know if anyone would want to see it, but I think it would be kind of fun. One song that I just love is Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man.” It’s probably way too grand and dramatic as an intro to my life but how can you pass up the percussion and brass lines? Powerful stuff.
What makes a good neighbor?
A good neighbor is someone who really cares about the needs of others and is willing to help, even when it might be impractical or inconvenient. We experienced this first-hand from our neighbors when we lived in Minnesota. They brought meals when my wife Tracy was on bed-rest and helped dry our basement when we were selling the house and it flooded.
For your dream dinner party, what five guests do you invite and what do you serve?
You know, over the years there are all kinds of famous folk I would have invited to a dream dinner party, but at this stage in my life, here is what I’d like to do. My five special guests would be my wife Tracy, my oldest son Radleigh, my twin boys Jeremy and Joshua, and we’d have an extra special invitation for Jesus himself. Wouldn’t that be something? I’d grill up some burgers, corn on the cob, and we’d have some nice salads. We would talk, laugh, and ask a lot of questions. More than anything, we’d really enjoy each other’s company. Wouldn’t that be awesome? I can only imagine.
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