KnoWhutIMean Vern?

If you are roughly the same age as me, you should be very familiar with the title of this post. Ernest P. Worrell.

When I was growing up kids, Ernest played a pretty big part in your Dad's life. His "safe" style of comedy which started in the world of commercials and moved onto film helped your old man lay a base for understanding comedy but more importantly, helped your Father and Grand Father develop and cultivate a bond that has only gotten stronger with time.

It was the summer of 1987 some time in late May. At this point, I believe we had started spending most of our weekends in the summer at our trailer in Silent Valley just near Mount Forest. On one of these weekends, your “Grampy” had taken your Dad and Aunt to the local theatre in town. The movie… Ernest Goes To Camp! A fitting movie since we were camping that weekend.

The theatre itself was this little dive on the main street. Not many seats but sure a lot of gum on the floor. Walking around, you would almost think the floor was made by the Velcro company. Anyways, after getting our small drink and popcorn, we sat down and waited for the movie to start. I still remember before every movie back then, a “Welcome to Stinsons” theatre logo would pop up with some pretty cool music. I still miss those beginnings.

Now back then, my parents didn’t take me and my sister to the show too often so when we did go, it was a real treat. To top it off, it was just Dad that took us. Practically unheard of at that time. I Loved It! I felt so special. It was one of those moments that everything was perfect and you never wanted it to end.

The movie was great. I laughed so much. Actually howled with laughter in a few spots. To this day I can’t think of the word “eggsaronious” without grinning. But what made the movie all that much better was the fact that your Grampy and I would laugh at all the same parts! We were thinking and understanding on all the same wave lengths. I caught my old man looking at me a few times throughout the movie and as we were leaving the theatre, I believe he realized just as I did what kind of connection was made during the antics of Ernest P. Worrell.

Ernest came out with more movies. Somewhat of a machine in that regards actually. But none was ever good as that first one.

Your Grampy and I grew closer with each movie that made us laugh afterwards as well. We were no longer just Father and Son but friends as well.