See my Dad down there? He's the second to the last. Isn't he the cutest little boy ever? Sorry about the sideways photo, but that's the way it was taken. I have no idea why, but I'm sure there's a great story behind it.
Here he is when he joined the Marine Corp. 
And when he married my mom. 
The VW Bug below is one of those little things I remember. My Dad owned several over the course of my childhood.. I remember how the leather seat in the back smelled, especially when warmed by the sun. My sisters and I would squish back there, and my Dad would drive us to Sports Haven for 'soft custard'. I'd get a vanilla and my older sister would say, "Who likes just plain vanilla?" I do.
Here's my Dad reading to me and I remember my Dad combing out my long hair, because it was the most tangly hair you ever heard of. No More Tangles wouldn't touch it. He'd watch 60 minutes and I still love that sound of that ticking watch. Even though to a young girl that was just about the most boring show ever. (By the way, cool couch, huh?)
Here's a weird photo with terrible composition. But it's important. About 20 feet behind my Dad, in those palm trees, is a large red ant hill, just waiting for that cute little girl in the picture to step in it and scream bloody murder while the ants crawled up her leg and bit her hundreds of times. My Dad had me out of there in a flash and stuck my legs in a lobster pot of ice water. Those ant bites hurt like hell...which is probably why I remember it. And it made my parents feel sorry for me. And who doesn't love it when their parents feel sorry for them? 
This next photo is taken in front of the oldest school house in St. Augustine, Florida. The school house was kind of scary with a dark closet where the bad kids had to sit and the dunce cap and all. That was a little too much for sensitive me. But I LOVED this trip. First, because my mom bought us matching clothes, each girl with a particular color.
I love matching.
Second, because my Dad let us each pick something out at the school house gift shop. Spending frivolously on unnecessary things was not a big part of my youth. So I spent a long time picking out what I wanted.
It was a pick leathery-plastic wallet with plastic stitching on the border and a picture of palm trees on the front with St. Augustine written on it. I loved that thing.
My Dad would do anything for anybody. Seriously, he would. And he'd do it that day. He still chops wood and clears land and plants huge gardens.
Here's a pic of him last Thanksgiving sledding down the big hill with all the grandkids.
You can see that his age really tampers his activity level.
Thanksgiving pic again. He cut down this tree. No, he didn't really. But he could if you asked him to. He'd never leave it laying there though. It would have been cut and chopped and stacked neatly by your front door an hour after it hit the ground. Or maybe you would prefer a small log cabin instead? He could do that in his sleep.
Jeff and I always say, with my Dad, you could survive any catastrope. He's the one to pick if you're the last one standing. You'd have food, water and shelter in no time.
Happy Birthday Dad!
Okay, I know it's common knowledge that Andrew is mini-Jeff, but I think he looks A LOT like your dad in that old photo of both your parents.
ReplyDeleteI hope he's doing well and has a terrific birthday!
What a wonderful post. I feel like I know you all, like I was part of it. I LOVE old photos! Happy birthday to your Dad!
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was a lot like your dad. Happy Birthday indeed!
ReplyDeleteYa, HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE TOM!! :)
ReplyDelete"Us"
It's so great that you have these old photos! Happy Birthday to your dad!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tribute to a great dad!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love looking at old photos. Yes, your parents were a great looking couple (BTW, your daughter resembles your mom A LOT).
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your Daddy and my prayers are with him as he fights through another battle with cancer.
What great pictures and memories of your Dad. I love remembering times like these, when everything seemed so perfect and safe. Dads can do ANYTHING!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday.
Who is the little girl next to aunt marie?
ReplyDeleteThe girl next to Marie is Mary Lou Farmer. She is our cousin. I"m the last boy standing. Rich is five years younger than I am and not in the picture. I still have a 1973 VW Super Beetle-being restored. And the basement is not finished along with many other retirement projects. Thanks Sarah for the birthday blog.
ReplyDeleteGuess Who????
Your dad sounds like a wonderful guy, and I loved reading every word and seeing every picture. You have some great memories, even the farmer's tan. : )
ReplyDeleteOk, I have to clear one thing up. The only reason Sarah remembers the Beetle Bug is because they still have one. Maybe the same one?? I do have lots to agree with the post. I have known Sarah's dad since birth. He is the nicest, kindest, strongest guy I know. And yes it's true, he would do anything for you. Maybe I should ask him to build me a new bathroom??? Just kidding. I told my son that he built his own house and he was completely in awe. No kidding. He wanted to know if he could teach him. I told my son he would need a job and lots and lots of money. My son is 8. Anyway, love the post!
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