J.C. Leyendecker - source
Amos Sewell
Norman Rockwell - The Facts of Life - source
Susan Mitchell - source
Dame Laura Knight - Lamorna Birch and His Daughters - source
My dad died when he was 89, so he lived a good long life. He wasn't the best in the world but he was mine and I miss him.
I don't deserve Father's Day, but there again, who does?
ReplyDeleteSome do. Some don't. That's the gist of it, Tom.
DeleteI love Susan Mitchell's cover for "My Dad and Me."
ReplyDeleteMy Dad was too young when he died at 70. However, he had been a serious smoker for decades, didn't do his heart any good.
He was a great Dad and a person of integrity, kindness, charm, wit -- and he loved to read. He always had a book in his hand. I remember a typical stack of his books: a history book on Japan, one on the Chinese language, a book on sailing, one on math puzzles -- and always a work of fiction, perhaps a mystery, especially John Dickson Carr whose locked-room mysteries he liked.
He introduced me to Sherlock Holmes, Nero Wolfe and Perry Mason, as well as Ellery Queen's mystery magazines while I was a teenager. I wish I'd read the Carr also. And I read a few by Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie and Josephine Tey at that time, as those were the only women crime fiction writers in my library. Thankfully, this has changed.
He organized our family to go to the Great March for Jobs and Justice in 1963 where Dr. King spoke in D.C. He took me to my first anti-war march in 1967, I think. He donated blood for children in my junior high who needed it. He also loved dogs. And he was a great listener.
He was very witty and loved good comedy, always turning on Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca's TV shows, and then the whole gamut of comedies on TV in the 1950s and 1960s -- Sgt. Bilko, The Life of Riley, I Love Lucy. etc.
I am so lucky to have had him as a father even if at times I caused his hair to get a little bit whiter.
You were very fortunate, indeed, Kathy. I wish I'd had a father like yours. But I find myself saying that (to myself) about several of my friend's fathers. But even if my dad was not the father of my dreams, at least he was there for the long-haul. He began smoking at the age of 12 and NEVER stopped. He was lucky to hit 89 (or maybe it was 88). I miss his presence though in the same way I miss my mom.
Deletemeant to say: 'though NOT in the same way I miss my mom.'
DeleteNice post, Yvette. I wouldn't be without my dad.
ReplyDeleteWell, strictly speaking, Prashant - none of us would. :) But I do understand what you mean.
DeleteThank you, Yvette. And happy mother's day (better late than never).
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the paintings, especially the Laura Knight, an old favourite of mine. I followed her "source" link and discovered many paintings that were new to me. So thank you for that as well, and for the pleasure you generously bestow on us all.
You're very welcome, tinpot. :) I too am a big fan of Dame Laura Knight's work. Have lots of Knight's work on my Pinterest boards. This portrait of Lamorna Birch (what a great name!) is one of my favorites.
DeleteDear Yvette,
ReplyDeleteYou've highlighted Dame Laura Knight at least once before, and your posting has impelled me to revisit her great portraits. I like that she was both a Dame and a Knight!
Yes I have, Mark.That whole Cornish group did some wonderful work during that time between and during the wars.Some of her paintings of the Cornish coast are absolutely gorgeous.I also love her war work (pinned many on my Pinterest Art of War board). A Dame and a Knight. :)
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