A little Father's Day tribute to some people I love. My grandpa Taylor was great man. He instilled in me the love of horses, flowers and the cowboy way of life. I am also pretty sure that he coined the phrase, "don't tell your Nana about this". It always seemed that we had the most fun together right after he said that. If you don't believe me ask my cousin Kenny! Kenny was usually with us when he said it! It also never failed that when he, Kenny and I was going somewhere, we would get out of the drive way and PaPa (which we affectionately called him) would be so thirsty for a Mountain Dew that his tongue was swelling. That was his way of telling us that we was going to get a Pop (that's a Soda for you city slickers). Happy Father's Day PaPa! I love you and miss you!
Then there was my grandpa Nunn. Grandpa Nunn instilled the love of music and the importance of work and pleasure mixed together. My grandpa Nunn bought me my first guitar and any other instrument I decided I was wanting to learn to play. How I can remember, like it was yesterday, sitting on the porch swing at his house playing my guitar and he would say, "play my song", which was Under the Double Eagle. Then he would say, "Sing One Day At A Time". He had a hand made guitar and fiddle made for me for my birthday! It was a Nunn tradition that you learned to play either he fiddle or guitar. Both of my boys play guitar as well. You just can't let important traditions like that go. I love you grandpa and I miss you! Happy Father's Day.
Then there was my Uncle Willis. I would spend at least two weeks with him and my Aunt Bonnie in the summer which, by the way, was never long enough for me. Uncle Willis trained race horses. He would get me up early and take me to the barns with him and I would put the horses on the walker and then clean their stables. Doesn't sound fun you say? Well let me tell you something, I loved every minute of it because first I was with Uncle Willis and second I was with horses. At around 8 am we would go to The Fireside Cafe and eat breakfast. I miss those days.
I love you Uncle Willis, Happy Father's Day!
Then there is my step dad John. John taught me that is OK to learn something about everything because that makes you a well rounded person. John can hold an intelligent conversation on anything you want to talk about. He holds a PHD in life in my book. When you spend the night with Mom and John, you wake up on Sunday morning with the sounds of " Old time" gospel music in the air from the radio. I love you John, Happy Fathers Day.
My Dad taught me the love of sharing stories about growing up in a small town. He can make his childhood sound like a cross between Mayberry and Tom Sawyer. Stories from about his dog Chubbie to building a boat and it sinking on the creek with him and his friends. He taught me to share my life with my kids. I love you Dad, Happy Father's Day.
And Happy Father's Day to you and your family.
Until next time keep you saddles cinched and may your trails be smoothe.
