Lincoln Monument in Westport, IL

This is a picture of my folks at a Lincoln Monument in Westport, IL - right across the Wabash River from Vincennes, IN. They look pretty young so I'm not sure of the date, probably late '50s? The monument signifies Lincoln's moving to Illinois. Must be cold weather too. Dad's also NOT wearing a wedding ring, so this might be even earlier.

This is a modern day photo.

Grandpa's Mower

This is a picture of Dad & me on Grandpa's lawn mower, a Montgomery Wards "Lawn Trac" with joystick steering. I honestly remember riding on this, as I saw a picture recently online of a Simplicity "Wonder Boy" while researching Simplicty 2 wheel tractors. It jogged my memory & I found this picture Simplicity made these for MW in the early '60's & it was painted gold/white trim. I would guess the date of the picture to be around 1961-62. I think it was Greatgrandpa Gil's mower and his house is in the background. I also vaguely remember the shed in the back being torn down. We all played on the foundation in later years.

Things My Dad Taught Me

Things my Dad taught me:

• Always do the best job that you can.
• The boss may not always be right, but he’s still the boss.
• Enjoy the time you go fishing. You never know what you’ll catch.
• Respect other people’s decisions, even thought you don’t agree with them.
• How to fix things yourself. Take it apart and see what’s wrong. You might get lucky. It already doesn’t work, right?
• Keep looking for an answer. There’s always one.
• I learned not to drink – it can have health effects later on.
• Also not to smoke. Dad had respiratory problems his whole life. He gave it up about 15 years ago, but it caught up with him.
• Give your wife some space. Even the last word sometimes.
• Always be willing to help others.
• Not everything is a bargain. Don’t be afraid to spend extra money for something better.
• If you start something, finish it.
• Sometimes it’s good just to sit and do nothing.

“Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.” is from Proverbs 17:6.I’m sure you all have your own stories and things your fathers taught you. Each one of us will pass on a legacy. These are just a few my Dad gave me – what are you doing about yours?

Knothead

When I was a junior in HS ('76), we had a big Buick Lesable which threw a rod. Dad found the parts and I was helping him replace the rod in a friend's garage. We had the engine on the floor, trying to spin the bearing where the rod could be removed. Dad had me prying on the flywheel with a crowbar. He leaned over to see where the bearing was at and you guessed it, I hit him square in the forehead with the crowbar. I will never forget the sound - like hitting a ripe watermelon with your fist. Dad was flat on his back, his eyes rolling up in his head. He came to after a few seconds, said "That's enough for tonight" and we went home. The goose egg took a few days to go away but the black eyes lasted for a week. His buddies razzed me for weeks.....