Dad

Yes, I know I'm a week late for Father's Day.  But on the actual day I was way too busy being with my grandparents to get around to posting, not to mention that writing a post on a tablet is rather tedious. (Truly "hunt and peck"!)  So anyway, Happy Father's Day to my Dad.  If you don't know him, you should.  He's a pretty cool guy.  Very talented, though he would not tell you that.  But I will.  =) 

Some of his talents (And I did say "some".  He has lots!):

--He can fix cars.  Growing up, I don't know if he ever took the car to a garage except for things like tires.  If something broke, he fixed it.  If he didn't know how, he found out how.  He still does this for the most part, though the newer the car, the more on it that is complicated and takes complicated equipment to fix.  So he has had to utilize a garage a little---emphasis on 'little'.  He still figures things out pretty much on his own.  And of course, the mechanic ability is not limited to cars.  He's worked on lawn mowers, tractors, wood splitters, chain saws, washing machines......you get the picture.

--He can fix other broken stuff like nobody's business.  Have a book that needs gluing?  Bring it to Dad.  Have a dryer door that won't stay shut any longer?  Dad will rig up a latch system that will have you back in business in no time.  Backstitch lever on your sewing machine broken and the repair shop says there is nothing they can do?  Tell Dad.  He'll get in there and weld a new metal piece on (that will last longer than the motor on the machine will probably!).  Just about anything that is broken he knows how, or can find a way, to fix it--or rig it!--so it still works.  Sometimes when presented with a problem, at first he is not sure he can do it, but just leave him alone for a bit, and next thing you know he has worked out some kind of solution.  It's amazing to watch really.  When he comes to visit I have "Dad To-Do" list all ready!

--He's really good with numbers.  And I do mean really good. In high school he won awards in math and science.  I have seen him with a calculus book just for fun.  =)  All my life I have memories of Dad and his books: church books and personal books.  He can tell you where every single cent has gone---for both!  (Just so you know, his daughter did not inherit his good habit of keeping track of every single penny........I'm sure it's much to his dismay. lol)

--He is not afraid to do the dirty work.  He'll do dirty jobs that most people wouldn't do.  For example, picking up garbage after a large gathering.  Some people leave behind some nasty garbage and most of us don't want to get close enough to smell it, let alone touch it.  There's Dad, cleaning it up without even wrinkling his nose.  =)  My sister's water pipes froze one Winter and wouldn't thaw all the way.  Someone needed to crawl into the very tiny crawl space amidst all the insulation and bugs and who knows what else (shudder!) to get the last bits of ice to thaw and shake loose.  Guess who?  Yep.  Dad.

--He has a great voice and "presence" for reading aloud.  I used to like to sit in church conference sessions in the morning just to hear Dad read the minutes from the previous sitting.  Growing up he read books aloud to me.  He still does sometimes when we are together, and I still love it.  Not just because it's something I do with my Dad, but because I like to hear him read.

--He has mad music skills.  He knows what all the notes sound like in his head.   He can sing without an instrument and know whether he is still on key or not.  Need a song started?  No problem.  He'll start it so that everyone can sing it normally---not in the basement or up trilling with the mice.  lol! He can play the piano by note or by ear.  Classical or hymns, solo or duet, he's good to go.  He can even tune it---and without any fancy gizmos! 

--He's great at ministering to shut-ins, people in nursing homes, hospitals, etc.  He's good at coming up with conversation when they don't talk much, and he's absolutely faithful to get in to see them, even when there are a million other things to do.   Sometimes I wish he could have a job doing just that because he's so good at it.

As I said, my Dad is a talented guy.  =)  He's also a man of faith and values, whose character points true North---a "talent" that comes from God alone.   Not something you find much these days, but something to treasure when you do find it.  So Happy Father's Day Dad!  I'm glad you're my dad!

Neighbors

I've got to try to do better on this here blog or there ain't no use in keepin' it! How's that for a little southern drawl? The good news is that there have been a couple posts building up in my head, so they may actually make it here. There hasn't been too much going on in my corner of the world---or not too much exciting I should say! There has been work, and mowing of course, and not too much else besides that. =) This (the mowing) leads me to the subject of my neighbors. In this I have been SO blessed! They are friendly, quiet people, and this alone is enough to make one rejoice---especially if you have been plagued with unfriendly, not so quiet neighbors before! But beyond that, Norman has decided it is part of his neighborly duties that he should help me with the lawn mowing. When I first moved here and he started "cutting in" at times, he told me he hoped I didn't feel as though he were getting into my business. Ha!! I promptly told him that I would never ever get upset with him for mowing the lawn! So he has helped me out from then on. I can't tell you how many times I have come home, knowing that the front yard needed mowing, but tired from work, only to find that he had already been there and done that. Amazing. Usually he does the one front section, but on some occasions (as he did today) he seems to get lost on his mower and swings 'round the side and into the back. I had been putting off mowing because I'm going to be out of town a couple days soon and wanted to wait until the last minute to mow so it wouldn't get too long. Then came Andrea with her drenching rains and a forecast of possible thunderstorms for days! Oh me. I was worried that I was not going to get the lawn all finished before I left (and still have energy for work that is!). But this afternoon the sun came out brilliantly and dried things enough so I could get a large chunk done after work. I don't want Neighbor Norman to ever feel like he has to mow, but I do admit to praying that maybe this time he would do a section for me because I'm feeling pressed. Sometimes God answers prayers so quickly! I was soaking in a hot bath after mowing my large chunk of lawn (don't you just love my descriptive words? lol) and I heard the familiar sound of Norman's mower. And this time he didn't stop at the front yard, but did the swinging 'round part and cut the whole side yard too! This leaves me 2 sections to do and I'll be done! Amazing. This is what I get for trying not to worry how I was going to manage, trying to trust God to help me get things done, asking God for help. He gave me extra strength, good weather, and a kind neighbor to help. I'm feeling very blessed......