old school father's day

Happy Father’s Day and More

old Ford panel van- 1956?

       Father’s day was always kind of special as it meant a trip to Cambridge, Ohio and a reunion of family members under the pavilion in the park. we would play or swim while the old folks caught up on one-ups-man-ship as a new vehicle would be  introduced to the family and everyone would have to hear the story of how this was the best vehicle they had ever owned. Family members who couldn’t make it were never forgotten and talked about behind their back more thoroughly than as if they were there.

      There was always somebody familiar with prayers and the amen would signal “Let’s eat “ , as kids and adults would line up and take some of this and some of that as a long line would form in anticipation of sampling the fares.  The food was varied and ranged from a Kentucky fried chicken in a bucket to donuts to exquisite dishes as some would put thought and preparation into the dinner and others would pick something up on the way. One-ups-man-ship had its place here and competition to have your serving bowl emptied was always the rule. Some dishes you could tell who’s they were just by looking at what was prepared and others you were clueless as to who brought them in, and exactly what they were. But when the dinner was over you knew who’s bowl or serving dish belonged to which person, the sound of bickering housewives searching for their fare or trying to pawn off left overs would fill the air.

      Some would hang in there and talk to a thunderstorm would chase them away, others could hardly wait to finish eating till they were on their way home, snatching the plates and their dinner dishes up as if they were the main subject of everyone’s conversation. Thin skin seemed to be a family tradition at times an rather than speak an ill word, they would rather leave than be insulted, while others would make a point of saying what they thought regardless if it was meant for deaf ears or shy nods of agreement from kin folk to assure that what they were saying others would testify to.

      Eventually though everyone’s bellies were full and we were about to nod off from the sugar buzz we had going before,  that we would load up in our beloved vehicles and finally part the pavilion , not to return till the next Father’s day. Now as the family’s kids are having kids and the kids are now grandfathers the family tradition is no more. We haven’t had a picnic at the pavilion in years, and although I have been back recently , a lot of the family has never been there and no longer try, or are passed away so all is lost but a few fleeting memories.

       I am going to a bi weekly writing of my blog. Except if maybe something sticks in my craw, and I have to blurt it out. For the most part I think though twice weekly will allow me to spend more time saying what I need to more eloquently or at least more thoughtfully. Quality over quantity any day should be the motto. I have met my goals in a lot of ways and now needs to focus more on writing that which is most important to me, to plan and arrange my words in such away as if they were about to fall out of you, the reader’s, mouth.

    Anyhow thank you again for reading my ramblings.

A Cadillac Ranchero