Father’s Day weekend brings up many memories and mixed feelings; I no longer have a living father and my daughters’ dad has been dead since 2012. John’s family doesn’t do much (anything?) for him for the day, so he invited me to a car show on Sunday. His brother is displaying (is that the right word?) their grandfather’s old truck. Brother D. is a car guy and has restored it beautifully. I’m not really a car show person, but my goal is to remain open to new experiences and adventures. As much as my stodgy personality will allow anyway!
My dad was a very special guy: funny, intelligent, kind and supportive. Even as he aged into his 80s and 90s, he was protective of his family, wondering if I needed help or offering to drive me around when the roads were snowy. He grew up east of the mountains and knew how to handle snow. He died in 2021 and I still miss him, especially when I want to rant about politics or discuss books.
Although my mom and I were best friends, we were also different in personality. My dad always got me, plus we shared the same sense of humor. He could make me laugh with just a certain glance my way after one of my mom’s malapropisms. ” A horse of a different ballgame.” “He didn’t have a penny to rub together.”
My husband never had a dad, so he wasn’t quite sure how to parent. But he did know how to love. He was amazed by his first daughter and so proud of her!
He didn’t seem disappointed when we had a second girl. “Girls can do everything that boys can.”
Although YD looks more like me, she’s much more like her father in personality and abilities, like her athletic prowess. Here, we were at a Level 9 Gymnastics Nationals meet in Colorado with Pikes Peak in the background. It’s about the same elevation as Rainier but nowhere near as topographically prominent. I wasn’t impressed. Note: Mount Rainier is the #1 most prominent in the contiguous United States, so I’m spoiled.
This was one of the last birthdays he celebrated and I’m happy that both daughters could be here. As most of you know, they’ve often lived in other places and states, and in various countries too. My husband admired that, but it wasn’t easy dealing with his cancer with one daughter in New York and the other in college near Canada.
In his honor and memory, I try to be the best grandparent I can to my four grandsons. Anders finds bubbles magical. He tells me he loves me constantly and runs to me for snuggles.
Happy Baby Ian, new to this world, smiles at everyone and everything. He’s a ray of pure joy!
Sharky was eager to show me the moves he learned in soccer camp and to impress me with his improvement at T-ball. He actually goes for the ball now and makes plays!
Obro has a big personality with his Hulk gloves (watch out!), constant conversation and bear hugs.
They are a treasure, these four. My husband would have been entranced by them.
In the meantime, I have a new nozzle for my back hose…finally. A man at the hardware store told me how pretty it was, and I responded that it was why I chose it. Who cares how it actually works? LOL
While at this store, I nearly came home with a bunch of dahlias until I realized that the 50% off was only for the ceramic pottery. Darn!
This double petunia is getting leggy already, but I hate to cut it back since the blooms are so pretty! Chaotic and all over the place like me, eh?
Of my three coleuses, this one has tripled in size unlike the others. They’re in the front and this one is on the deck. Hmmm.
In spite of the hot weather, I can no longer put off mowing the lawn. At least I enjoy the exercise and the fresh air, although I would prefer it 10 degrees cooler. 🙂
Watching: Nothing much. I loved “Long Lost Family” so I was excited to give “Relative Race” a try. It looked heartwarming. However, it’s an actual race–a competition to find the family that the show has already located. There’s even a cash prize at the end which seems tawdry to me. I was very disappointed. 🙁
Reading: I’m struggling with “The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny.” The writing is weird, but OK. However, I’m not bonding with any of the characters and it’s a LONG book. I’m hoping it improves…or my attitude does.
Happy Friday (Juneteenth!) and weekend to all!
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