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Sunday, June 19, 2011

A Father's Day Remembrance, and a Front Door (Partially) Revealed!

Sunday was my first Father's Day without my Dad.

Our Pop left us on February 2nd of this year, and none of us is used to that fact yet;
we all just kind of assumed he'd be around, well, forever.
He could do just about anything, so why not that?

 I found this picture with some of my Mom's things.
I think it dates post-World War Two, when Dad was out of the Navy,
and busy fixing up the little fixer-upper cottage they bought for their first real home.
Maybe my siblings know better where and when it was taken?
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He was a great Dad.

Our family turned out just one year ago, in full force, for Pop's 90th birthday celebration.
Here he is, part of 4 generations of Herbs -- him, his son, his grandson, and great-grandson.

His smile never changed.

The last time I saw it was in the hospital emergency room, before he was admitted.
He was having trouble talking, but he gifted me with one of those beautiful smiles.
I will keep it forever, as one of what my Mom called "heart pictures."

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Meanwhile, the Dad in That Old House, also known as Howard, spent part of Sunday
catching a quick snooze on the sofa; he thinks I don't know this, but I do.
We had a jillion things to do, but on Father's Day every Daddy deserves a break. 

Howard at the beach house, helping with THOSE fix-ups!
Howard, too, is a great Dad.
He has been endlessly patient about the wedding plans,
and all of my crazy house fix-up schemes, and plans for entertaining.

When I told him we were not only going to have an After Party here following the reception
on Saturday, but also a day-long Open House on Sunday so we could see out of town guests one more time,
he just shook his head and said, "You're out of control."  But he was smiling.  Really, he was.

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What makes me smile is the transformation of That Old House from yellow with green shutters to
white with green-so-dark-it-looks-black shutters.  The shutters (those that could be salvaged)
are not yet back on the house, but the door surround is painted.

Yes, it IS green; check it in sunlight and you'll see it's not black.
Mmm. . . I do love the look and smell of glossy oil paint.
The front door itself is still in its old clothes.
Cracked icky old green.
By Tuesday, all the painting will be done, and I can show you what color that front door will be.
The porch floor isn't painted yet -- can't be done till the other porch work is finished!
The storm door is propped open for the long slow dry of the alkyd paint.
You will like the front door color.

Probably.

But tell me, if you were invited through this front door, what color would you want it to be?
Please excuse the package leaning on the front stairs.  Packages are coming daily; there's a wedding in the offing!
***********************************************
And one more time, because I am sentimental on days like Father's Day,
I am posting a collage I did 2 years ago, of my Dad, Howard's Dad, and Howard.
Not many pictures of Howard's Dad, Milton.  That's what he gets for living in Florida!  (Hi, Zaide!)
Great dads, all of them!

I hope your Father's Day was wonderful, and I send the very best wishes to all the great Dads
of this world -- past, present, and future!  -- Cass

Link Parties!
Metamorphosis Monday, sponsored by Between Naps On The Porch. Click here!
(Thank you Susan!)
Mosaic Monday, brought to us by Little Red HouseClick here!
(Thank you, Mary!)

30 comments:

  1. Your dad is very handsome - all of the guys are.

    I love the color you chose for the front entrance. It is a pretty green.
    Brenda

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  2. Thanks for sharing the Dads in your life.
    What color to paint the door? Looking forward to seeing what you decide.
    Enjoy your evening.

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  3. I can't wait to see your front door!!! I will admit that in England often the front door was the only color on the house (save for the flowers in the garden!)

    I lost my Dad when I was 13 . . . I envy everyone who got to be with their Dad as an adult!!!

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  4. Cass,
    Your dad was such a handsome man. The first picture of him as a young man - stunning.
    Happy Father's Day to all!
    For the front door.....I think I would pick the same new dark green as the storm door. But somehow I don't think that will be the final color!
    Can't wait to see. It'll be terrific.

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  5. Some HUNK that dad of yours was!
    I'm a dirty old lady. ;0)
    Sorry about your loss m/f.

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  6. Wonderful Father's Day tribute. Your house renovations sound great. I like the paint choices. Congrats on the wedding coming up. We have one next March...

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  7. Wonderful tribute to ALL the dads! Can't wait to see what color you decide on the door. Aren't weddings exciting?!!!!

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  8. You have some handsome men in your family. great mosaic. I hope they all had a great Father's Day!

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  9. I love that dark green - the front door? Well there are so many good choices - a glossy black, the same green, a gorgeous red......

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  10. Your dad's smile was the first thing I noticed -- what a beautiful smile! Best of luck with the wedding, Cass. I bet it will be fabulous! Oh, and That Old House looks fabulous, too! xoxo

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  11. I think we are all in suspense about the door color but the black, dark green whatever it is on the surround and storm door looks wonderful. Thinking of you this busy/wonderful week. I think you are smart about the Sunday plans because it really is such a wonderful time to see old friends and on the wedding day you don't see much of them. We did the same thing and it was great just to have a casual time, relax and chill with them. And then you and hubby should go off on your own honeymoon to rest and recover because suddenly you will crash and the fun will be o v e r .

    I remember when your dad died. My dad is very much still with us every turn we take, room we enter, habit we do ... things we say ... and you may find yourself bursting into tears at the oddest moments. I still do that but not as often as the first year or two. This summer he will be gone 6 years. Time does heal.

    Have a wonderful week!

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  12. What a lovely tribute to all the handsome men in your family! Wonderful Father's Day post!

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  13. The door surround looks so dark it almost looks black (Love it) I can't wait to see what color you choose - I just painted our new door red - to replace out old door, which was...red! Ha! I love my red doors I must say :)

    Happy Father's Day to Howard and sending hugs to you on your first Father's Day without your Pop.

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  14. Thanks for sharing your dad with us.
    The double front door is so cool. Love the green.
    Dropping by from Met Monday. I hope you'll come see the safari nursery.

    Allison
    Atticmag

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  15. Cass, this is a beautiful tribute to your dad and to Howard. Fun to see the 4 generation photo!
    What fun to have all these parties to anticipate! ~ Sarah

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  16. Happy Fathers' Day from RetroCollage! Free gift! Subscribe & receive a free Fathers' Day Instant Ancestors collage!

    http://blog.retrocollage.com//fathers-day-gift-retrocollage

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  17. Your Dad could have been a movie star. What a great looking guy. Love the collage you did as a tribute.
    Ann

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  18. This is my first Father's day without my father as well. Love your house, it is just the kind of house I hope to have one day.

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  19. What a wonderful mosaic. What a handsome father you had. I love your house, it;s beatiful.

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  20. Love your father's photo.How can you manage to do so many things at the same time? I am waiting to see the house finished, i am sure it will be beautiful!You'll need a good rest after the wedding! Blessings Catherine (it should arrive by the beginning of the week)

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  21. Beautiful post. Your home is really lovely. How about a bright yellow door. It says welcome. V

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  22. Hi Cass, Your post made me cry this morning. I lost my Dad at Christmas, first Father's Day with him. I hope you have a wonderful day for the wedding. Sound like yours is this Saturday, our sons is not for another 4 weeks. Take care and try to relax this week.

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  23. Sometimes we neglect to let our Father's know just how important they really are! I am just waiting on your front door color...

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  24. *sigh* I love old pictures like you have of your Dad. ALL men looked like movie stars then, didn't they?

    I'm new, I don't know you well enough to guess your color choice yet....but in my head, it's yellow or red :)

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  25. Cass, What a wonderful tribute to your two Dads. I too have lost my Dad and his birthday always fell around and sometimes on Father's Day. It is often a sad day for me because of it I am sorry to admit. I should be rejoicing in all the wonderful memories. I did so much enjoy your tribute.

    Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

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  26. Oh Cass, that old photo of your Dad! My Dad is 90 and failing quickly, as is my Mom. I love their era, the WWII and post war time ... filled with innocence, hope and romance. To think that God chose them to be the ones to live it is humbling. I believe that your Dad looks like that old photo once again, in the prime of his life with your Mom again in eternity. I pray for the same for my parents; such beautiful lives deserve a great reward. Sending all my love on the wings of a desert sparrow, Deb

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  27. What a handsome fellow your Dad was..a gorgeous, infectious smile! I remember my first
    Father's Day after my Dad passed...not an easy one.
    I am getting excited for the "big day" and can't wait to see the door color! xo Diana

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  28. Wow- your dad DID have a wonderful smile, Cass! I used a similar color (the dark green that looks black) on my shutters and door at my old house. I loved it - was a Benjamin Moore standard paint color I had seen on a friend's house. Looking forward to seeing your front door color. I think I'm ready for a change on mine. My problem will be that since it has a custom factory applied paint finish that is so smooth, I don't think I could ever get it to look even close~ so it may stay cranberry! LOL
    ~ Sue

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  29. What a great tribute to your Dad! My dad passed away 24 years ago at age 57 1/2 and we still miss him dearly. What a handsome guy your dad was, and I'm sure you have many happy memories.

    The house is looking great! Gee, I think I'd like to walk through a fire-engine red door!

    Have a great day!

    Mary

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  30. Hi Cass-

    I'm betting you're going red on your front dor! Just a guess, considering you're going with the original white body and a traditional Haint blue porch ceiling to ward off spirits! Great pics of all the dads in your life. I'm glad your dad went out with a smile, but so sorry he passed on so recently. Looking forward to hearing about the wedding VERY SOON!

    Take care!

    -Pam

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