Happy Father's Day

 

It appears that Fathers in my area have not been overlooked on their special day. 

It was slim pickings for cards at the grocery store. 

Dad, as a cherubic toddler

Dad was a man of many talents. 

I never knew he could play the accordion, but recall finding this one in the attic.

Mom and Dad, perhaps at some sort of mixer during their college years. 

My Dad insisted on a Father/Daughter dance at my wedding.

Dad's manner of babysitting! 

Dad at 96, a year before he died. 

He never lost that smile and the twinkle in his eyes! 

Happy Father's Day.

You are always in my heart. 

Proverbs

 Do you have personal proverbs that guide your life? (Or perhaps there are adages that irritate you?) My dad constantly told me, as well as my brother and sister, (and probably my mom) that we should always be doing something constructive...and that we must finish what we start.

These sayings certainly have shaped my life. But, maybe not always in a good way! If/when I don't finish something, I shoulder a bundle of guilt and carry it around until I get that project that is nagging me completed. 

As a quilter and crafter, I have many UFO's - unfinished objects. See the two stacks of  bins on the bottom of my shelves? Those are just some of my projects-in-waiting! There are more projects scattered elsewhere in different stages of completion... as well as pictures with ideas for projects on my phone, and my head is full of ideas as well!

For some twisted reason, in my mind, I have decided that my dad would feel that sitting and reading a book is not constructive use of my time. Therefore, I find it extremely difficult to enjoy reading during the day! Well, it's not just the constructive thing weighing in, I also just see so many things around me that I want to do! Just yesterday I was raking up some leaves and cleaning up my back garden. As I swept the pea gravel off the stepping stones I realized that the large stone was begging to be made into a compass rose! Bam! Another constructive thing to add to my list!

I could paint something like this on that stepping stone...dontcha think?!

Sweet Memories

I had a conversation with Mom today. I unpacked Christmas bins and memories came flooding back. Mom gave me these candles as a Christmas gift...some time around the turn of the century! When I chatted with her today I told her how pretty they still are, and how I wish she was here to enjoy them.  Christmas was her favorite time of the year - I inherited that from her! 

They have always been too pretty to burn!

I'll find a way to gently heat them and correct their candle scoliosis!

Maybe this year I'll actually light their wicks.

Maybe not!

Love you, Mom and Dad 💕

You are here this Christmas,

...in my heart.

All My Bags Are Packed

Here I sit at the airport. Waiting.

Lucky for me, I'm not heading to the northeast,

where a wicked winter storm is looming.

Air travel used to be so much more fun;

Is that because I was young and liked the sense of adventure, and didn't mind the hassles, or has it really become that much more onerous?

I'm heading home for a few days to see dad and help his wife with some chores. So my packing was pretty easy: laptop, power cords, purse and jacket. 

 Mr. Dreamy tells me I'm lucky, and may not even need that jacket. The weather in Florida is supposed to be colder than that at home. The day I fly back to Florida, Colorado will get back to more typical winter temperatures, and Florida will be turning warmer. Good timing on my part!

Gypsy Jabbers: Moving Boxes

That Dreaming lady took me for a ride, all by myself. I didn't have to share the back seat with Tucker. It was mine, all mine.  First we went by that place that smells funny and has that lady in white who pokes me. I wasn't happy at all. We walked into the place and that Dreaming lady wouldn't even let me sniff the butt of a cute hound that was nervously waiting there. My lady took me over and had me step onto the piece of wiggly floor. I did it like a pro and even sat on command.  The Dreaming lady said the wiggly floor is a scale and she was very happy on account of my losing 7 pounds. That bothered me a bit 'cause I don't remember losing anything. I mean, if something is missing it is usually 'cause I ate it. My lady gave me some scritches and said she would be feeding me a bit more dog food and a bit less green beans. Sounds good to me! We didn't even stay to see the smelly lady in the white coat. We went straight back to the car. Now, that's the kinda visit I like! Well, except I didn't get any doggie treats. That woulda made it the best!

Next we drove to the building where that Dreaming lady has a dad. He fed me some treats, so,at least I got something!  I think I shoulda gotten more on account of the losing thing. 

We took a walk around the building. I had all kinds of admirers and I was really good. I didn't bark even one time - Tucker woulda made people very mad if he hadda been there on account of all the noise he makes!

When we were at the building visiting the Dad I hadda go into a funny, freaky box that moves. I don't understand it. 

First, the shiny doors close all by themselves, with a whooshing noise. 

Makes me worry about my tail. What if it squished me?!

Then, the Dreaming lady pushes a button.

I wonder how she knows which one to push?

Then it makes funny sounds. 

It creeps me out! 

But, the creepiest thing, the mostest freaky thing is that when the silver doors open...

<Cue creepy music>

I'm not where I used ta be!

How freaky is that?

Have you ever been in a moving box?

Gypsy Jabbers: Visiting Dad

That lady who feeds me put me in the car, without Tucker. At first I was a bit nervous, thinking we might be going to that place that smells terrible and where I get shots. 

But we passed by that stinky place and kept driving. 

I became curious and more curiouser about where we were going.

We went into a huge building. 

Then we went into a small room with doors 

that opened and closed all by themselves.

I wasn't happy with the way my tummy felt

when I was in that tiny room with the funny doors.

We went around a corner and down a long hall.

There were all kinds of interesting smells.

I could smell a cat behind one door.

There was a dog behind another door.

She barked at me.

Then we went into a place where there was

a man called, "Dad".

Me and "Dad" talked a bit.

We had a fine visit.

I hope I can go back and visit "Dad" again!

Dinner with Dad

My brother flew in (between thunderstorms) for a quick visit to see Dad. We went out to eat and had a fabulous time. It seems the older my dad gets, the greater his sense of humor becomes.

He had us all cracking up!

Great Day - Gesundheit?

I took my dad to lunch the other day. We haven't gone out together in ages! He was in great spirits and really seemed to enjoy the day. As we pulled into the parking lot, Dad commented that I was a very good driver. I reached over and patted his leg, saying, "Gee, thanks, Dad! I learned from the best there ever was....."

"Mom!"

Dad's sense of humor is still in tact... he laughed!

We went to one of his favorite restaurants, André's. This is a little 'hole in the wall' restaurant and sweets shop that only serves lunch. They only have two menu choices, which change daily.

We chose not to have gesundheit... I mean, geschnezeltes (beef tips and gravy) and had the toast with tomato, melted gruyere cheese and a mushroom gravy. 

Everything is one price, and includes a beverage (their iced coffee is served with a generous dollop of whipped cream, real cream), the meal and a selection from the desert tray. The desert tray offers about 10 choices of their yummy sweets.

And, if you want more, they sell all kinds of sweet treats,

cakes, quiches and chocolates at the front of the restaurant!

This time I had the marzipan 'potato' - a cream-filled cake covered in a layer of marzipan. Dad had the fruit tart. 

And... at the end, Dad decided to try to embarrass me....

 He forgot, I'm the mother of two boys.

It ain't gonna happen!

Fast Cars and Fine Women

When I was a little girl, my father (like many men) had an infatuation with sleek cars and speed, among other things. He often went to the races, and he had a series of small sports cars. Alfa Romeos were his favorite. Being of a mechanical mind, Dad built this rig to have a better view at the race track. (Dad is on the left.) This contraption intrigued the folks at Sports Illustrated, who published this in their magazine in the 50's.

What (you might ask) does this have to do with anything? When I was shopping for Christmas presents I was struggling with what to get for my father. I couldn't find anything that jumped out at me and said, "I am the perfect gift!" I came back from the store rather disillusioned. However, I began to think about Dad. He has never truly recovered from strokes he had last spring, or perhaps it is dementia that has overtaken him, but he is happy. Little things bring a smile to his face. Material things may not necessarily do that. But, I thought, what if I painted a picture of his favorite car from when he was a dashing young guy? What if I painted a memory of good times? At that time I was only on painting #4 of my challenge, but I decided I would try it. Since he has dabbled with oil and acrylic, I'm thinking he'd appreciate anything I did. So....

Ta Da....

Dad loved it!