Actually, I was not at all surprised by his call. Peter Sellers is my favorite actor, a comedic genius, and I really spent the whole first half of my life emulating him. Steve Martin, though a genius in his own right, was way out of his league in re-making “The Pink Panther,” for there is truly only one Inspector Clouseau (it’s pretty cool that my spellcheck recognizes it too).

But getting back to me, I knew every line, I imitated every mannerism, and now of course I am coming to the realization that with those kind of skills there wasn’t a lot for me to be other than a clergyman. I used to call my sisters and mom “swine,” which would always make them laugh. I would always announce that I was heading to my “reum.” And though I never owned a “minkey” I did have a dog, and it did not bite. It was a great escape for the troubled soul that I was during that part of my life. And I always thought that if I didn’t have the ability to laugh I might not have made it at all.

But my life is much better now, and the laughter has stayed with me. And this week the big laugh is with me. Yep, I talked with my dad today and told him thanks for calling, but I missed the movies. Of course I also told him not to worry too.

That’s right……I own the box set of every one of the Peter Sellers Clouseau movies ever made.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!