For Father’s Day…lessons from Daddy.
But first. How cute is this picture of Momma and Daddy? They are newly married—look at the sparkle on his wedding band. He’s making homemade ice cream, probably vanilla, and she’s wearing an adorable dress, with perfect lipstick and eyebrows! Love it.
Now, lessons from Daddy… (not in order of importance or anything brilliant like that)
Creecy & Tate Farms, Oct 1972
- If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. Daddy taught me the importance of a strong work ethic. He taught me to work for what I get. To work when I don’t feel like it. To get ‘er done.
- To appreciate nature and growing things. To listen to the earth, watch the clouds, wait for rain, rotate crops, pull weeds, smell cotton.
- To rock cowboy boots and ripped jeans and to lovelovelove country music. Daddy rigged an 8-track stereo in the boat so we could sing along on the lake. We went to sleep and woke up with Waylon, Willie, and the boys. I circled Luckenbach, Texas on the map. I should write song lyrics.
- To add snark to my life. Momma put the funny in humor. Daddy added the dry part.
- About money and savings and living within my means even if it means w-a-i-t-i-n-g to buy something. Period.
- To take the back roads, the gravel roads, the dirt roads, the turnrows. To make my own roads.
- To be practical and realistic and if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
- To shoot a decent game of pool. To put a spin on a ping pong ball if I hold the paddle just right. To pick horses at Oaklawn, or at least have a big time while doing it.
- That nothing runs like a Deere, and that green goes with everything.
- To treat people fairly and to lend a hand.
- It’s okay to grumble about paying taxes, but don’t be too upset. It means you made some money that year.
- To eat Goo Goo Clusters, and barbecue ribs smoked all night long, and jalapeño peppers with everything. To drink cold beer on a hot day. Burnt popcorn never hurt anyone.
- To pull to the side of the road when a crazy person wants to speed by. And there are lots of crazy people out there.
- To not waste words.
- When warranted, to fight and speak up.
Nothing runs like a Deere.
If I could see him today, I’d tell him all these things that I’ve only just begun to understand.
Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there.
[tweetthis]Lessons from my Daddy may not be typical but they brought me here #HappyFathersDay! @JohnDeere @GooGooClusters [/tweetthis]
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
P.S. Happy Juneteenth, too!
Musical Pairing:
Waylon Jennings – Luckenbach, Texas
Thanks for reminding me of the big and little things my dad taught me. I love the picture of your parents. We used to churn homemade ice cream (usually vanilla); my job was to sit on top of the container to keep it steady while Daddy cranked.
Your blog makes me smile and sometimes shed a tear.
Thank you, Pam. And thanks for sharing your memories too.
You always have the best words about farming, farm life, the delta and family. Northeast Arkansas is lucky to have someone of your talents sharing and depicting our lifestyles and culture. I’m sure your dad would be very proud.
Thank you, Scott. NEArk is definitely a unique place and I’m thankful to be from there. As far as my Dad being proud of me… he probably would be, but he wouldn’t say it, of course. LOL.
Love, love, love this post! So, so sweet! 🙂 <3
Thank you, Ashley! Nice to hear from you.
Such a sweet post–and picture of your folks. They made a cute couple, as we used to say. He taught you many good things. Love that picture of you on the John Deere.
Thanks Dorothy!
Haha, yeah those strike really close to the heart. Just add DeWalt as the choice for tools and substitute country for rock and that’s daddy alright.
Best I have ever read. Wonderful wise words. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Vickie. I appreciate it!
This is one of my favorite blogs. Yes, he is proud and so am I. Thomas taught us lots. I loved my daddy dearly and he taught me lots of great things about life. HAPPY DADDY’S DAY!!
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Yes, your daddy would tell you he’s proud! Beautiful and poignant and straight from the heart and soul. Perfectly priceless!
Thank you, Cindy Lu! xo
I really love this post. I just one to say one word that is one father is more than a hundred school teachers.
A dad is someone who
wants to catch you before you fall
but instead picks you up,
brushes you off,
and lets you try again.