Melançon Enterprises • a multidivision multinational since 1980

Through the mlncn.com contact form on the morning of 2008 December 3:

I'm looking to personally contact Benjamin Melancon in regards to his father. I may have a family connection but would like confirmation.
Thank you.

Judy wrote:

If I recall correctly I think today was your dad's birthday (although it may have been yesterday) ...in any case I was thinking of him and thinking of you on this day. I think back to when I housed John in the basement of the fraternity that I was living in at Tufts...tucked in a makeshift room next to our greasy kitchen, always with book in hand, very grateful for the lodging and my over zealous bread baking. A solitary but gentle soul, a man of few words but intelligent ones. I hope you are doing ok, I know you miss him very much.

I was reminded by Zeldman's 20 signs you don't want a web design project about what Dad said about working for owners. The owner, especially the small to medium-scale owner, is most likely to care and know about what their business is doing.

(I hadn't thought about this favorite saying for a while, until Mom brought it up today.)

What's your father say?

Even paranoids have enemies.

Jerimiah Was a Bull Frog (Joy to the World)

I never understood a single word he said, but I helped him drink his wine
And he always had some mighty fine wine

Some Nat King Cole Trio numbers:

Yes sir, that's my baby

And of course, It must be jelly 'cause jam don't shake like that

He had no parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, or other relatives; he had no friends; he had no relationships— he was just the father in our family. Maybe people who are close to you – such as your own father – aren't supposed to maintain a mystique, but Dad did.

Dad was always immune to poison ivy, but he said he was pulling it out with his bare hands one day, and a guy said "I used to be able to do that, and then one day..."

Dad wore gloves from then on.

Dad said he was one of the nicest members of the club, and was upset that he'd offended this four-year-old child:

"I don't celebrate Christmas! Why is everyone always wishing me a Merry Christmas?!"

Jakob: Chickens are stupid.
Mom: Your father had a pet chicken. He was fond of that chicken. He said they're not as stupid as you think they are.

[Now I remember Dad talking about this also-- come when it was called, follow him around and all.]

Mom told us this story.

Mom and Dad, young, camping the first time with a new tent (a big frame canvas one that Jakob, Dan, and I remember well from when we were young and the tent was old).

Mom eventually figured out how to get the tent set up.

Not long after, three attractive young women came into the next campsite. They could only see Dad, and came over and asked:

"Can you help us with our tent?"

Dad replied:

"No, but she can."

Pointing his thumb toward Mom in the tent.

They were very disappointed.