Happy Fathers Day, sorry it is a day late

I know it is the day after but the actual day kills me so I spend those days with my family next door just to keep my mind moving and to keep me from breaking down constantly. We made a trip up to the cemetery since I hadn’t been up there since Mother’s Day weekend. I missed going up there around Memorial Day and that was really wearing on me. It did me good to go spend some time with them. Did some cleaning and fixing up. It was really muddy and water logged like everything else, but by the time we left it was looking good. And yeah there was one time I about busted my ass in the mud and water and I know both of them got a good laugh out of that. :)

Around Mother’s day I put out a list of memories about reasons why I loved Betty Mae, so here is the Herbie version.

OK Herbie I am gonna start with my earliest memories and venture through 36 wonderful years with you…

I loved the way you would take me with you, guess that is why they got me on video throwing a classic Morgan tantrum when I couldn’t go to work with you.
I loved when you would take me up to Joe and Kate’s; give me a shot glass of soda and a Slim Jim. Love Slim Jim’s to this day, reminds me of our special bonding.
I loved the way you would help me feed the horses apples, but really loved it when you would give them the Boone’s Farm.
I loved it when you got the splinter out of my butt. OK it did hurt really bad but felt better after it was out.
I loved how you would take me for a ride on Peanut.
I loved that you taught me how to fish.
I loved how you made me feel like I was the Bass Master, reeling in that minnow with all those fish hot after it, even though all those fish were the same size as the minnow or smaller.
I loved how you let me sleep with you and Mom after the Helter Skeltor incident.
I loved your love of country music. Thanks for turning me on to Johnny and Tammy those were the best 8 tracks that a girl could ever want.
I loved when you would let me help you when you worked on anything. At first I didn’t know which one was a crescent and which one was the pliers, but over the years you taught me all about tools and how to keep them organized and clean so they are ready the next time you need them.
I loved how we would go camping and fishing. We became quite the regulars in Teddy Bear camp area.
I loved when we caught a stringer full of channel cat, we had the perfect spot and were slaying them left and right. Dang it why did we leave them in the lake and go up and take a break, only to return and find a stringer full of channel cat heads. Damn Turtles!
I loved when we would go fishing all the time although fishing at the Kaskaskia was kind of scary for me. Love the lakes and ponds but the rivers scared me.
I loved how you taught me to mow and love mowing to this day. Opps sorry Mom for mowing over some of your flowers.
I loved when you would jump on my bike and ride it backwards, still amazed that you could do that.
I loved that you allowed me to have kids over all the time and they thought you were great and so funny.
I loved when you got me my bb gun and see I didn’t shoot my eye out.
I loved when we would sit out in the backyard with your gun and just wait for a ground hog to come out so we could shoot at it. Well I shot at it, you usually hit it.
I loved how you would brag about me to the guys you worked with. And Jack told you about me boxing with Paul and Kevin and kicking their ass. Yep you didn’t have a prissy little girl you had a tomboy that would scrap with any one.
I loved how you helped me when I broke my arm the second time. You knew when I came in the house it was broke and after the doctor trying to set it a couple of times you told him to stop and send me some place where they could fix it.
I loved when we went and got my first car. That 1966 Pontiac Catalina was awesome. It was my tank. I loved it.
I loved all of our trips that we would take, you Mom and me. West Virginia, Ohio, and the many trips to Taylorville and Vandalia to visit family.
I loved that you passed on your love for the Cubs to me and taught me how to be a true Cubs fan. You know being able to take all the jokes and look em straight in the eye and say: “There is always next year!”
I loved all of our family BBQ’s and how you would always make sure that you burnt a couple for me and you passed that on to Kim and Jerry cause they take care of me too.
I loved how you help me get my house together; tearing up carpet and tiles, painting, stripping trim, cleaning, plumbing, electric. You were a jack-of-all-trades.
I loved how you would come over and help me with any problem that arose dealing with my house. Although you did bail when I needed help with the snake. :)
I loved that you took care of all of us. You worked your ass off in the mines for many years.
I loved your dedication to the union all though I hated that your other union members didn’t have your drive and determination and devotion.
I loved your sense of humor and how you always had everyone laughing around you.
I loved your little ditty’s that you would sing constantly, you know like the dirty dirty drawers that Maggie wore. :)
I loved the way you could remember and retell jokes and the dirtier the better although Mom didn’t always think so. ;)
I loved the way you fought your battle with cancer. You went through some shit but still maintained your sense of humor.
I loved the way you was a true warrior right up until the end.

Pop there are a hundred trillion more memories and I am thankful for each and every one.

I know it is a day late but Happy Fathers Day, Herbie. I love you and miss you so much. You were the best, I learned so much from you. Thanks!