Dad - The Ladies Man

Once again, I've decided to invite Dad to participate in the Chats on the Farmhouse Porch. I hope that's alright?!

He is really quite a jovial guy and he always 'wows' the ladies! In fact, if I look back through our photo albums I find a lot of pictures of Dad with other women! Usually Mom was there, too, so it wasn't anything bad... just a guy who loved charming the girls! Now, he isn't much on small talk - he might show his impatience, but I'll try to keep him 'entertained'!

Here's Dad with my mother in 1978. Don't you agree that he has a most charming smile?! He still smiles that way and his eyes twinkle!

1. What's your favorite kind of tree?
Dad wouldn't hesitate to say a concolor. Actually, it's latin name is Abies concolor, known as a white fir. When I was growing up he planted a concolor near our porch. It had a pretty bluish tinge to its needles, similar to a Colorado Blue Spruce. Dad fussed over that tree, fertilizing it, spraying it and mulching it. I guess that worked magic because I saw the tree a few years ago - it is now over 50' tall! My favorite? For me? I'm thinking a Japanese Maple. I'm not certain that we could grow one here, but I do love the delicate shape of the leaves and the pretty purple color.


2. How did you celebrate the New Year?
Ah, we are such party animals! Dad and his girl had leftovers at their apartment. My hubby and I watched TV and were in bed by 10:00. Well, it was new year's some place!


3. Do you have any family traditions for the New Year?
For a while we had a tradition for New Year's Eve. We used to have a party and invite our friends and their children. We'd make silly hats and set off fireworks. The kids got to play with sparklers. Usually we'd wake up the next morning with a few extra kids. We hated waking them up, just so they could go home!

New Year's Eve - 1994

When I was growing up we really didn't have any traditional activity for the first day of the New Year, except to go skiing. We skied whenever the ski areas were open within a 3-4 hour drive of where we lived.  Dad would stay up for the 11 O'clock news to get the ski reports, then wake us in time to get going and be at the ski area in time for the lifts to open.

4. I'm so glad I____________ in 2011.
OK, Dad, let my friends know your answer to this one! Dad... it's finding J, right? Well, shall we call her Saint J? Sometime around March Dad was introduced to a widow at his retirement community. She is 15 years younger than he is and she has many gifts that make her a wonderful companion for my Dad. She was a Special Ed teacher. She has a wonderful way of dealing with him when his memory issues or perseveration become apparent or frustrating... to him and to her! She explains that her relationship with my dad is like an Oreo Cookie; the good days and times are like the center, they are very good and special. And yes, sometimes those good times are surrounded by times that aren't that great, but, she's willing to put up with them for the good times. Oh how I wish he had met her years ago!
For me... hmmm, I think I'll have to say moving into our new home made me happy. I am so in love with the house and the location.

5. Did you have a nickname as a child?
My Dad will tell folks that his real name is Edward, but he is called Ted, and he doesn't know how that came about. I guess his parents used that nickname and it stayed with him. I never had a nickname, except at the camp I attended. I became 'Boing' because my hair was very curly and the ringlets looked like springs. I'm glad no one knows that - shhhhh! Don't tell! OK?! Pinky Swear?




If you want to participate in the chatter visit Everyday Rurality's blog and click on one or more links from others who have joined us for the chat.