Wednesday, August 6, 2008

‘Fro Me to You—Birthday Boy

This week’s version of We Are THAT Family’s blog carnival include photos that have never graced the pages of any scrapbook.

They are a couple of photos that I have had stored in my bedside table for the last several years. I just didn't know quite what to do with them. But today they are making their “scrapbook” debut.

In honor of his birthday today, I would like everyone to meet my dad, Nick the Greek, son of Gus:

Image1-43

On the back of this first photo, it was dated October 1950. So it was sometime around my dad entering 1st grade. He attended a local "military school", hence the uniform. The glasses have been part of his life since he was just a little toddler.

08-06-2008-16-10-03-343

I’m not quite sure when the photo above was taken, but I am guessing it was taken when my dad was in his early 20’s. Which would be, ohhhh, around 1965ish???

A bit of trivia here, to keep you captivated. Nick owned his own radio station in South Alabama. WLPR 96 FM. The genre-- elevator music! I have very fond memories of hanging out with him at the station. And I even remember him taking me on the building's roof to check the antenna!

Over the years, my dad has offered lots and lots of wisdom for me to now pass on to my children.

  • Drink your milk
  • Always go the bathroom before any trip, even if you don't have to. "Just go squeeze"
  • No meal is complete without a healthy dose of "roughage"
  • Always wear your seatbelt
  • When riding in your friend's car, or college van, sit in the very middle seat of the car. It is much better to put a few people between you and the frame of the vehicle.
  • Girls should always wear their hair long.
  • People from Florida cannot drive (sorry folks)

And one thing I tried to teach him was when your daughter says she is going to be "sick" in your car, you better pull over. He'll tell you I've thrown up in every one of his cars except the one he now owns.

So on your birthday, Pop, thanks for all the things you have done for me. After all, if it weren't for you, I would be just another GRITS, and not a Greek one!

Happy Birthday. I love you!

Now for plenty more Sincerely 'Fro Me to You action, pop on over to Kristen's place at We Are THAT Family!

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19 comments:

D... said...

I love these! Your dad sounds great. Happy Birthday to him!

My Sincerely 'Fro Me to You is up.

Anonymous said...

"Just go squeeze" and "roughage" are classic lines that parents/grandparents from the era must have learned in school, to say to their own offspring. I can not count the number of times I have heard those very words!

Happy Birthday to your dad! He sounds like a lot of fun!

The Apron Queen said...

Wonderful advice! It's funny how I repeat my Mom's advice to my own kids. Great post. Thanks for sharing. :)

Confessions of an Apron Queen

Kristen said...

'Just squeeze' I'm so painting that on my bathroom wall! LOVE it!

Oh, and don't show your Dad a picture of my short hair, k?

Anonymous said...

Very sweet blog about your dad!

j said...

Happy Birthday Mr. Nick the Greek! You have a lovely daughter - you done good.

Be blessed.

Jen

*I would bring along barf bags the next time she rides with you. sounds like a nasty trend that she has started there*

Crayl said...

Happy B-Day to your dad. Love the advise, all good stuff.9I don't know about people in Florida, I am on the other coast)

KWolfAK said...

I like the sit in the middle advise. I think I'll steal that one!

DD said...

those are some serious coke bottles :)And I should know.

carol said...

"Just go squeeze" LOL! Love it!
"Roughage",ohmygosh,my grandpa used to say that word all the time. I'd forgotten about that one!

I dunno about folks from FL not being able to drive, my dad always said it was the ones from Michigan....

Thanks for sharing your dad with us!

mommagurl32 said...

What great advice...thats sweet!

Valarie Lea said...

Happy Happy Birthday Nick the Greek!!!!

Χρόνια πολλά

That is supposed to say Happy Birthday in Greek. I hope it does and not something bad. :)

Anonymous said...

Cute pic of y'all!

Nik said...

I absolutely LOVE this post! What a great tribute to your dad.

I actually got a few of the same lessons you did....LOL

a Tonggu Momma said...

χρόνια πολλά, Tammy's Daddy!!!! I am loving the "just go squeeze!" We may be incorporating that into our family repertoire.

Jerralea said...

Love it! Of course, I always love tributes to Dads. Sounds like you had a wonderful dad -- and he sounds similar to mine! Just not Greek ...

Hope he has a wonderful birthday and that you get to spend time with him.

bunchofbull-ers! said...

Sweet post! Thanks for sharing! And tell your daddy Happy Birthday! ;O)

Muthering Heights said...

LOL, I love the bathroom "squeeze" before a trip!

Angela Nazworth said...

Love these! Great post