Paul R. Hinlicky (aka Dad) and I have just wrapped up two years’ worth of episodes on the Queen of the Sciences podcast, which boasts the tongue-in-cheek subtitle “Conversations between a Theologian and Her Dad.” I’ve recently rediscovered a “conversation” we had thirty years ago, when I gave him a notebook full of questions to fill in at Christmas 1990. What follows is an exact transcription (including eccentric spelling and punctuation) of the original. You can also listen to us read it (nowadays, not thirty years ago) on the podcast proper. Merry Christmas!

Did you travel around a lot with your parents when you were a little kid?
Before we bought the farm — yes. Every summer we went to Chicago to see Gramma’s family. When I was five we went to Florida. But that was so miserable with five kids and no AC that I think it was one of Grandpa’s motives for buying the farm.

What were your elementary school grades like? high school?
I always did well in school. Like you, I learn to read early and really like to read. I didn’t work as hard as I could have in high school.

What is one of your most vivid memories of Grandpa Paul?
Sitting on the couch with him in his living room in Byram, his arm around Mark and I, watching TV as he smoked his big cigar, filling the room with blue smoke. He loved us.

What sort of food did your mother make for dinner when you were a kid?
Spaghetti
Spaghetti
Spaghetti
chuck steak once in awhile…