What are your stories or memories that you would like to share about Dad and Joe?
Today, November 15, would have been my Dad's 84th birthday. Happy birthday Dad, I love you and miss you very much! For his birthday photo I chose one of him in uniform because I also want to acknowledge his military service since we just celebrated Veteran's Day. Dad served in WWII in the Army Air Force. He flew 33 missions on a B-17 from England to Germany.
Today is a day for stories of my loved ones. When I think of Dad, I see him sitting in the Dorrance High School gymnasium running the clock and scoreboard for basketball games. Dad loved sports so it was a natural fit for him. However, Dad would sometimes forget to start or stop the clock because he would become so engrossed in the game. The fans would yell at Dad to stop the clock or start the clock. Dad was a calm guy and never got unsettled by the chaos. He just enjoyed the moment.
Another one of my favorite Dad memories is how he loved fishing. He always used a Zebco 33 reel and, for bait, he used worms, stink bait, or shad. His pick-ups were always littered with fishing odds and ends. Dad didn't need fancy equipment, he just loved sitting on a five-gallon bucket at the edge of the river. One more thing - he caught lots of fish, but I think he liked the process as much the result.
These photos are of my brother-in-law Joe Thielen, they were taken during his time of military service in Vietnam in 1967. I wanted to post these photos on Veterans Day, November 11, but instead I posted photos of Kevin and Barbara because that date is also their birthdays. Anyway, I just wanted to share these photos with you and let you know that I am thinking of Joe and his service to our country. Of course, I am also thinking of Joe in so many other ways as well. Joe died on January 2, 2006. I miss him......
You can click on these photos to see them in a larger size.
One of my favorite memories of Joe is when he gave me rides on his prized possession - his horse Red. I was only 10 years old at the time, so you can imagine how much it meant to get to ride on the horse of the coolest guy in town. Ok, ok, so maybe it had something to do with the fact that he wanted to date my older sister Susan. After second thought, I am going with the idea that he just wanted to give ME a ride, he was just that kind of guy.
Another one of my favorite Joe stories is when he was bucked off of one of the most trusted horses on the farm. Now, that part of the story is not interesting - the part of the story that is interesting was that Matt and I had saddled the horses for all of us earlier in the day and had taken them to the Huttie Place for all of us to gather cows. While we were saddling the horses, we gave them watermelon as a treat. (I am sure the watermelons were in plentiful supply for us from my Dad's watermelon patch. You know when you have enough melons to share with the horses, that there are lots of melons around.) We later learned that watermelon can upset a horse's gut and make them act unusually. Anyway, the plan was that Matt and I would ride out an hour or so before everyone else so that we could get the cows gathered around the pond and then the rest of the crew would meet us there to move the herd to the corral. Matt and I did our part and could not figure out what was taking everyone else so long to get there. Well, we later learned that when Joe got on his horse, he was immediately bucked off and landed hard on the ground. I think he tweaked his back and I am sure he was mad at the horse. Now remember, these horses were gentle and well trusted, so Joe was shocked that the horse bucked. I am not sure Matt and ever told Joe that we fed his horse melons. I am thinking that Joe knows now.
What are some of your favorite memories of Dad and Joe?
My sister Debbie hosted us for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. As usual, the food was out of this world and the company was out of this universe. Thanks dear sister for making the day so special.
Prior to Thanksgiving we were worried that no children would be there for our entertainment. Thank goodness Natalie and Mick showed up to entertain us. For some reason, they decided to put socks on their ears.
Stacia and Jody
Sweet Natalie - you will see lots of photos of Natalie in this post. She was definitely the center of attention.
Greg rested in his man chair.
Susan and Debbie checked out Debbie's room full of baskets, quilts and a few other interesting items.
Natalie
More Natalie
I could not resist taking a photo of part of Debbie's landscaping.
Natalie spent time outside with her Grandpa Greg.
Greg got stuck between the barn and the gate.
Ouch, Grandpa Greg had a sore tummy from the squeeze.
Natalie
Um, Um, Natalie enjoyed the apple pie.
Sweet Nancy
I asked Natalie to make funny faces for me. The next few photos are her versions of funny faces.
Colleen hugged Kevin after he had teased her.
More Sweet Natalie
You guessed it - more sweet Natalie
Debbie had several roses for the table.
Siefers sisters - Debbie, MK and Susan
Debbie and MK
Ok, so we did enjoy a little bottled Thanksgiving spirit.
Colleen also enjoyed Thanksgiving spirit from a bottle.
Susan, Jody and Debbie
More of Susan, Jody and Debbie
Great minds think alike - and dress alike.
Jody decided she needed a few senior picture poses.
More Jody
And, last but not least, Susan.
