To my Dad

Father's Day

Over the years

As we grow old,

We remember our father

So brave and bold.

In the garden,

Leaning on the plow,

He would listen to me;

I see him now.

He would give advice

And understand;

He was always there

To lend a hand.

God made fathers

Strong and firm,

For he knew our lives

Would have great concerns.

So he gave us fathers

To teach us to pray,

And guide our lives,

And show us the way.

So on his day

Let's take the time

To say "Thanks, dad.

I'm glad you're mine."

Mary Frances Bogle

One of the earliest memories that come to my mind as I think about my dad is sitting on his lap eating potato chips and ketchup while watching Star Trek , Planet of the Apes, or some western with John Wayne.  (I'm giving away my age aren't I?) Ketchup is his favorite condiment that goes with or on anything.  And he is most definately a "Treky"!  He always loved watching those sci-fi shows. And he still is a huge fan of John Wayne.  In fact when he was here visiting me a couple weeks ago, we were all watching some John Wayne westerns. 

Going back to some fun times I've had with my dad makes me remember the camping and fishing trips we took.  He was a really good fisherman.  He taught me how to fish.  I loved walking with him up and down a stream while we fished and waited for that pull on our line. 

The next thing that comes to mind is the card playing we do as a family.  My Dad loves to play cards, in particular a game that the whole Alldredge family plays is a game that we call "Oh Hell" or "Mormon Rummy".  It's a fun game.  I don't know where it came from or how it started.  We have played this game as far back as I can remember. But if you sit by my Dad you can always count on him "rubber knecking", in other words sneaking a peak at your hand.

My Dad is a wood worker.  He makes furniture.  He taught woodshop in Jr. High and High Schools during his whole career.  I remember when I was 13-14 yrs old I wanted a waterbed.  He took me out to buy the necessary wood and took me to his woodshop and taught me how to cut the wood and helped me build my own bed.  I loved that bed! 

Over the years he has made some really awesome furniture.  I own a lot of his work.  My kitchen table was built by him, as well as the china hutch and curio cabinet.  I have several end tables many wall shelfs all done by him.  Me and my children all have dressers made by him.  I am sure I am forgetting some things he has built for me.  Each one is made by his hand.  Each piece is of the quality you could never find in a store.  Each piece I will always cherish. 

In the early 80's my dad retired from teaching for a time and started his own business called U-Bake-It Pizza and Video.  From the time I was 12 or 13 years old I had a job.  All of my friends had a job there at one time or another. He taught me how to work.  He taught me skills that I have used every day since then.  I worked for him until I got married and moved away.  Eventually he closed the stores down and returned to teaching school.  But I have so many fond memories of working there.  To this day, I love my pizza.  And I do make an Excellent Pizza, even if I do say so myself.

I am so thankful for my Dad.  He has done so much for me over the years.  It has been fun reminiscing about all my speicial memories I have with my Dad. 

Dad ~ I Love You!