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!

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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 House.  Click here!

(Thank you, Mary!)