Monday, May 24, 2010

My Dad

 Migration Fallout, collage/acrylic, 24 x 36
Elizabeth W. Seaver


My Dad loves his family, the church, Texas, words, ideas, writing, reading, graveyards, genealogy, teaching, three squares a day, and my mom, not necessarily in that order.  He was a serious boy and young man, but learned to play with his children.  I was born when he was 35. 

A couple of stories about him...He had (may still have) a big black cape as a part of his garb as an episcopal priest which he wore in the cold and wet at funerals.  He used to swoop around the house in it, "scaring" us.  

He and my mom took us on month-long driving vacations when I was a young teenager.  We were just on the start of one trip east (from Texas) and had camped in the rain on the border between Alabama and Georgia.  The next morning we got a late start because everything was soaked.  We were finally packed in our Rambler station wagon, three half-grown kids and dog on the top of the load in the back.   My dad, not able to see to back up, said to us, "Watch that tree."  Well, we did.  While he backed right into it.  Needless to say, he was furious.  I don't remember how that all resolved itself, but I do recall my mother saying, "Well, John, they did what you asked."

He's a great man and a great leader and a great dad.  But he hated the beach and swimming.

We only saw him in swim trunks until we were able to swim well.  Then he stayed in his long pants and long sleeved shirts, shoes and socks and slept in the car when we went to Galveston. 

I love you more than words can say, Papa.  Happy birthday!

This painting is in your honor.

31 comments:

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

Such a wonderful tribute! I say happy birthday to Elizabeth's dad too!! Made me cry...as I'm off to see my dad today! Love this piece...so...FUN!

Kelley Carey MacDonald said...

I love the whimsical painting, and have the same 'pants' memories of my Dad (now passed). Turns out my mom once made fun of his skinny legs, and he was self conscious about it the rest of his life! Poor guy. Your Dad sounds like a wonderful man, and I wish him a Happy Birthday full of love from those smart alecky kids who 'watched' the tree! :) Good story!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Aren't we lucky to still have our parents around? Have a great visit with your folks! Thanks for the nice comment about Fallout.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi Cathyann: We missed you on Friday. It was a fun event. I look forward to chatting.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

I love to hear Dad stories; thanks for sharing yours Kelley! I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit.

Linda Popple said...

Fantastic and fun tribute to your Dad! Loved the story, too. So Happy Birthday to your father!

Pam Holnback said...

Love the painting, would that be your memory or his memory under the umbrella? I remember driving from NJ to Colorado in a station wagon, 3 kids, no AC in August. Then, because we were almost there, all the way to SD to see Mt Rushmore!!

RH Carpenter said...

Love this story about your Dad :) And love the painting, too - so fun and bright and it just speaks volumes. The dining duck really got me smiling, too. You put such a touch of whimsy in your work and it's a universal feeling that comes through (even if I'm not a duck)...a situation that we've been in, could be in, want to be in! Hope your Dad has a great birthday - like my father and brother, perhaps they think real men don't wear shorts?

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Linda--many thanks!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Definitely mine, though the birdie looks pretty dressed for a day at the beach!

Great story, Pam! Thanks for stopping by.

Anna M. Branner said...

Dads. Your story reminds me of a carsick dog, a dog bowl and two little boys in the back of OUR station wagon. It didnt end well either. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the way this painting turned out. The shadow is perfect!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Thanks for such lovely comments, Rhonda!

You're right, no shorts OR jeans for my dad. We could hardly get him out of his clericals or coat and tie for the movies!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hey, Anna--now don't get me started with sick kids or dogs in cars. Not perhaps suitable for blogdom!

I'm glad you like my shady birdie!

Sarah said...

Aah I could do with some of that! I like your use of strong saturated colours very much. And a lovely tribute to your Dad, too.

Thank you very much for your comments on my blog, btw, and for following.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Thanks, Curious Crow. Yes, we can do with a little sunshine here, too. Cloudy, rainy...maybe it's saving up for Memorial Day...

Thanks for stopping by!

Incognito said...

Lovely tribute to your Dad; love the story about the tree!!! Great painting, too, as usual. Now I sit here wondering about my own father and whether I could really say anymore what he likes; glad you have the great stories.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Incognito. Thanks for your visit. Yes, "watch that tree" is in our family lore now!

Unknown said...

You have wonderful memories and a great way of relating them to your readers. Thank you! And, Happy Birthday Elizabeth's Dad!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

What a nice thing to say, Kathy! Thank you. I'll let him know of everyone's wishes.

Fábio Cembranelli said...

Nice tribute to your daddy! I love the strong contrasts ,colors are also terrific here :-)!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Fabio. Thanks for commenting!

-Don said...

Well, what's a road trip without drama and a dad needing time out? What a sweet tribute to your dad and a wonderful painting to go with it. I hope me kids remember me even half as fondly when they're all grown... sniff...

-Don

martinealison said...

J'ai eu un large sourire lorsque la photo de votre peinture est apparue sur mon écran... magnifique toile avec une belle touche d'humour. Joyeux anniversaire à votre papounet...
Bisous.

Celeste Bergin said...

--I love the painting (People often really don't understand how blessed they are to have a Dad!* YOU DO, of course--and for that I am very glad! * mine was totally absent-- I am always quite envious of a post like this---but it is a good kind of envy. Happy Birthday to your great Dad!

Kathleen Krucoff said...

What a wonderful tribute to your dad Elizabeth. I'm catching up on my blog reading and thanks to our mutual friend Don Michael Jr, he pointed me to this particular post of yours....he felt there was a correlation between this post of your and the recent one of mine on The Journey Begins (thanks too for the comments you left on my post about that).

I thoroughly enjoyed this and love your work. Beautifully done Elizabeth, can't wait to see what you do next.

Linda G said...

Oh, Elizabeth, I love! your stories, they make me smile or laugh. Sometimes I don't know which is better - your paintings or your stories!

Gary Keimig said...

great story and tribute to your dad through art.

Gwen Bell said...

Oh my goodness, what a great story! Your Dad sounds like a real character...as only we can make 'em in Texas. What a delightful tribute to him! I'm sure your humor brought him a smile from ear to ear. It certainly did for me!

Andrew Finnie said...

Well this one brings a smile to my face thankyou. I just love how you have given us the small clue with the beak to the true identity of the figure.

padmaja said...

A very touching tribute, make me choke... this amazing piece created by you is going to be cherishes for ever!

SKIZO said...

Great
Work
good
sources
of
Inspiration