Father's Day

Today is Father's Day. 

I am reminded of how fortunate I have been for the past 27 years to have an amazing Father. I have always been, "My His Girl."

My favorite thing I said about my Father last year on Father's day was:

"But my Dad would give the shirt off his back for a stranger. He would give his last penny to a friend in need in a heartbeat. And again, it's because he believes he has everything he wants. He has mastered a simple and beautiful life that I am striving for. I adore my Father."

I remind myself of these things so often. (Probably because I have seen such a lack in these values from people lately.) But reminding myself. And remembering where I'm from and how my Father taught me to treat people with respect, help them when they need help and trust even when it seems "off" get me through the little (because they are "little") things in life.

There are many reasons why I'd love to live back in Minnesota. My Father is one of them.  

I get my impatience from my Father. And my "unfiltered" language sometimes. I think I got his smile. And his long legs. I'm fairly certain I got his nose. I hope I got his dedicated, sincere work ethic. 

The world has been a much better place with my Father! I love you. Miss you. And I keep a special place for you in my heart....2,000 miles away!

Happy Father's Day!

My Girl

(This is a separate post - nothing about food or health!)

Today is Father's Day. Happy Father's Day to all of the Fathers in the world.

(A picture of my Father and my new Father-in-Law.)



A very special Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Donny, 2,000 miles away today.

My Girl - The Temptations

"I've got sunshine
On a cloudy day.
When it's cold outside,
I've got the month of May.

Well, I guess you'll say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl. (My girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl. (My girl)

I've got so much honey
The bees envy me.
I've got a sweeter songThan the birds in the trees.

Well, I guess you'll say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl. (My girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl. (My girl)

Ooooh, Hoooo.

Hey, hey, hey.
Hey, hey, hey.

I don't need no money,
Fortune or fame.
I've got all the riches, baby,
One man can claim.

Well, I guess you'll say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl. (My girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl. (My girl)

Talkin' bout my girl.
I've got sushine on cloudy day
With my girl.
I've even got the month of May
With my girl."

This was the song my Father and I danced to the night of my wedding. I've loved it ever since I saw the movie, "Father of the Bride." I had to have it for my own. The tears I had walking down the isle on my wedding day were tears of joy; incredible joy. A part of my heart ached, though, just walking with my Father.



My Dad is an incredible person. He is as humble, giving, caring and honest as any man should be. He never taught us to desire things or material possessions. He teaches us each time we see him about the value of simplicity.



He works hard. He has been a mason his whole life. He faught for our country, in the Vietnam War. He likes to build bird houses and is incredible with taking old pieces of anything and making them something. (He has taken old wood off of houses and made them into frames, bed posts, furniture, etc.) He can fix anything, as long as you can tolerate his short-temper! (And yes, that is where I get that quality from.)

They say I look like my Father; I am proud.



He loves his Labs. He loves hunting. He prides himself on his yard, which is a beautiful hillside place my parent's live on. He loves all of his gardens, plants, flowers and antiques in the yard.



He loves his family (of 8), my Mom and my Brother & I. But my Dad would give the shirt off his back for a stranger. He would give his last penny to a friend in need in a heartbeat. And again, it's because he believes he has everything he wants. He has mastered a simple and beautiful life that I am striving for. I adore my Father.



Happy Father's Day, Dad......even from 2,000 miles away!