Words from Dic(tionary)

Aka: (abbr.) also known as: e.g.John Merrick, aka the Elephant Man

J. R. Practix.

That’s the name on my birth certificate.

But during a brief season of playing football, I was aka “Big Jon.” Matter of fact, through high school, I was “just Jon, without an h”. I often joked that I selected the name because I wanted to “get the h outta there.” Some people thought that was funny.

• A tiny handful knew me as “the music guy.”
• There were those in my town who acquainted my personage with “deadbeat.”
• Aka “Daddy,” which became “Dad”–and on more formal occasions is even announced, “my Father.”
• Aka “Studly,” even though that was used so infrequently that I’m embarrassed to bring it up, but still, willing to propagate the myth.
• Aka “Composer.”
• Aka “Vagabond.”
• Aka “Writer.”
• Aka “Preacher”–though I was never actually able to embody the look or attributes of a parson.
• Aka “Musician”–though I must bow my head in the presence of the true clerics of chords.

Then came grandchildren. So …

• Aka “G-Pop.”
• Three of my sons were adopted in my heart as god-children, and they chose to refer to me as “Pop.”
• Aka “Husband.”
• Aka “Lover” (in generous moments by forgiving females)
• Aka “Business man” (unless you look at my books)
• Aka “Traveler” (Just check my odometer)
• Aka “Human being,” of which I am most proud.

I realize today that I have so many names associated with me that if I had a driver’s license to match each one, I would look like a criminal on the lam.

And speaking of lamb, I recommend it … with mint jelly.