MONDAY MUSINGS REPEAT : TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL

This is my second Father's Day without my Dad. I visited the cemetery yesterday. 

Below's an entry I wrote when Dad was still alive...  

MONDAY MUSINGS this week is a result of a conversation with my almost 97-year-old Dad. He wanted to know what I felt were life lessons I had learned from him.  I replied they were manifold, but I mentioned a couple that seemed to satisfy his request.

*Everyone is important and to treat everyone with respect. 

My father has never met a stranger. He knew everyone by name where he worked from his colleagues, secretaries, to the person who cleaned his lab. He knew about their lives and visa versa. We could not go anywhere where he wouldn't stop to talk to others whether it was in a park/a restaurant. In fact, he disappeared frequently and when we would find him he would be engaged meeting somebody new.

*The importance of travel for broadening our view of the world, culture- different languages, customs/ food and ourselves. 

Each sabbatical he took us to different continents. And we camped through Europe in '65 and visited the entire island of Taiwan in '73.

*Nothing replaces education.

He didn't care what we chose to study but to love learning and enjoy doing our chosen professions and that learning is neverending.  

* Spending time with our children.

He made private dates with each of us of what we wanted to go/do. He made sure to make time no matter how busy his schedule was... 

I wish I had taped the joy he had in listening to my comments and his responses...

I can only hope I have passed these and the many other lessons on to my children as well.

Leaving you with one of my favorites:

 TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL

FOTO FRIDAY: BUTTERFLY FUN

FOTO FRIDAY : Butterfly fun. 

Remember to include plants in your yards to attract butterflies.

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY

MIDWEEK MUSINGS & TBT : REENACTING THE PAST

 MIDWEEK MUSINGS &TBT this week was a no-brainer as our mini family reunion had us visiting Chicago, a place my daughter was born and where we have visited on many an occasion but this time it was with her kids... 

The Museum of Science and Industry was one such revisit where one spring break that same child complained of itching, only to discover she had broken out with chicken pox! Can you imagine how many buttons had been pushed that day? OY. 

 This visit had her 2 kids oohing over some of the same attractions and button pushing to learn about the submarine, real trains, huge doll house and science presentation. 

In fact, her eldest, volunteered to help with the liquid nitrogen program. Her scientist Pappa (my Dad) would have been so proud.

What mesmerized the grands longest time was the hatching of the baby chicks, not climbing on the huge tractor... so they created new memories too...

The next day after Navy Pier's speed boat ride where we cooled off with Lake Michigan's spray, we needed lunch and within walking distance was an old fave the grands had never experienced lunch at the infamous :

  

an old type diner with counter barstools where we waited for our table and served typical Chicago fare like the Big Bad Dog...

with the crankiest, rudest servers who also sit down with you/ in our case threw all their hats pictured above at my daughter. It made all of us a little goofy  including the kids' Dad....

Our last day we went to search for beach glass along Lake Michigan just as my kids had...

They were determined to not go home empty-handed and I think they would still be digging there now if we hadn't pulled them away.

What treasures...

Reliving old memories and creating new ones for the next generation...

Maybe one day they will return with their children and relive this past visit...

tUESDAY tUNES: LES TEMPS DE' L'AMOUR

 tUESDAY tUNES; Is summertime really the time for love? I thought this song could convince most of us. Take a listen by Rez de Chausée. I don't think we need to go to St. Tropez, do you?

Les temps de l'amour

MONDAY MUSINGS: SHUT EYE?

 MONDAY MUSINGS: When one travels, sleep schedules go awry whether it's due to usual bedtimes/naps/ time changes/just plain old exhaustion.

Personally, my jetlag after returning from overseas last month lingered way too long.  My last foster dog, Sophie, figured I was crazy with my sleep schedule.  "Why in the world  is this lady up at these hours?" 

Then, it was time for a short flight a couple of weeks later, with, thank heavens, a later morning flight departure to meet up with my Atlanta crew in Chicago. They arrived by car but also had an hour time change- meaning later bedtimes with walking those extra-long downtown Chicago blocks and a lot of fresh air for all of us.   

Ah, to be young and really grab that necessary shut-eye... 

 I think all of us will be glad to get back in our own beds with our own schedules...

  

FOTO FRIDAY: SPECIAL TREAT

FOTO FRIDAY: Look who I am spending time with this weekend... this is a very special treat.

Started the morning with Uno. My how the rules have changed. Draw 15. What?

Last week's pic was:ADAPTATION

TBT: THE COMPANY YOU KEEP

 TBT: The saying "You are known by the company you keep" may have a negative connotation, but I am using it in the most positive way possible.

These gals made my Croatian adventure the 'best'. They were terrific travelling partners. Whether it was good planning, decision-making,  conversation, extra kindnesses,  and that extra dose of laughter to our days-  Thank you.

Kudos to Sally (white hat), who gets credit for initiating her long-time desire to visit Croatia. Although others helped, she put in countless hours finding the right yacht, side trips, lodging for our needs, and ensuring a consensus on all the options. 

* As in my travels, one also meets other special people and our  honorary member was Jane from Australia ( 5th from L)

Thanks to you all for the memories...