To Dad On His 75th Birthday — in 55 words, or so….
Just Good Stuff | Posted by Jannie on 28 October 2011 @ 11:34 AM 46 Comments
Last week I mailed Dad that card and 24 photos.
Snagged the one of Niece Alyssa (bottom middle) off my sis’ FB page.
Dad, whom I get my poetic leanings from, will be 75 on Sunday the 30th.
But he’s younger than most 60-year-olds!
Lately he’s been in his woods cutting logs for NEXT winter. Yes – ‘12 –’13.
Regrettably, Rosie wasn’t in the 2009 pic because she was busy chasing her 2-year-old son around.
I do have video of us all together on that day, tho. And can make stills from it!
And…
since my Hallmark-eat-your-heart-out poem for Dad is about 55 words…
let’s call this a 55 for the G-Man.
Post a fiction in 55 words, let G-Man know and he’ll comment.
whoooooohooooooooooo.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxo
On 28 October 2011 at 11:52 am Glenn Buttkus said,
Such an incredibly lovely and
creative gift for your Da!
You come from strong stock,
pioneer spirit with poetic voice;
a fine combination. Love the pic
that has your two brothers in it
too, who look like your Dad.
Now that I am 67, 75 looks like
it is just around the corner.
Hope your father enjoys his
day as much as he enjoys his
extended family.
On 28 October 2011 at 12:11 pm Mama Zen said,
This is really lovely, Jannie!
Happy Birthday to your Dad!
On 28 October 2011 at 12:16 pm Lynn said,
I’ll bet your dad will love that card and all those photos of Kelly. This is a wonderful birthday celebration blog post. Happy birthday, Duncan!
On 28 October 2011 at 12:22 pm Linda said,
Jannie,
Very cool poem and a great tribute to your Dad. I am glad he is still going strong at 75. Here’s wishing him the greatest birthday ever.
Way to do a 55-er.
On 28 October 2011 at 1:04 pm Pat Hatt said,
Such a great card to your dad, sure it will make him glad. Such fun rhyme too and you for 55 it will do, even if you did cheat a bit, shouldn’t be a fit..haha
On 28 October 2011 at 1:57 pm G-Man said,
Happy Birthday Jannie’s Daddy…
Loved your 55 Janitra.
You are an awesome daughter.
You are an awesome 55er
You are an awesome Mom.
Thanks for playing, and have a Kick Ass Week-End
On 28 October 2011 at 2:24 pm Jannie said,
hey Dear Glenn — pioneers of potatoes and poetry — that’s our clan!
Yes, 2 bros look like Dad. I do too! I actually think I look weird in that pic in 2009, but we can’t all look like supermodels in every pic, I guess. 
Thank you Dear mama Zen!
Thank you Dear Lynn, I mailed it last Thursday, so hopefully he got it by now. Will call Mom and ask later.
Dear Linda — yes, with many more birthdays for him to come for sure. An active positive life makes him a special person!
Dearest Pat of rhyme and reason, Dad was born in the Hallowe’en season. And speaking of which — he makes AWESOME fudge. This time of year, I miss it so much.
Dearest G-Man, well, I guess I did turn out okay, after all!!!
Thanks for visiting, Dude! And may you know me when I am also an awesome grand-ma!!
xoxooxxoxo
On 28 October 2011 at 2:54 pm brian miller said,
yay! happy birthday dad! what a daughter you raised…so talented…as you must be as she said…nice 55 jannie!
On 28 October 2011 at 3:02 pm ayala said,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On 28 October 2011 at 3:48 pm Patricia of Patricias Wisdom said,
What a wonderful birthday card…
There must be something about October birthdays…my good friend Liv was born on the 31st and she is just so energetic and positive an optimist through and through
Thank you for sharing – it lifted my spirits and
Happy Birthday to your Dad
On 28 October 2011 at 4:40 pm Monkey Man said,
What a great tribute to your dad. He should be pleased. (BTW – I counted 56…pretty darn close, indeed)
On 28 October 2011 at 5:27 pm hope said,
There’s no WAY Hallmark can come close to this kind of love! Happy Birthday to your Dad!
I work with senior citizens and the way they act, I moved up “old” to about 85, only because they walk slower.
On 29 October 2011 at 4:09 am Jo Mifflin said,
I haven’t had much internet action lately, I’m now back in full swing
xoxoxox
On 29 October 2011 at 7:27 am kaykuala said,
Jannie,
For your Dad, Happy Birthday, Sir! And for extending it to a ripe old age! It must be wonderful to witness the progress of mankind through your own eyes for so long.
And Jannie you have here a great tribute to your loving Dad. It’s a very special one just from you. How nice! A wonderful family obviously leads to long life!
Hank
On 29 October 2011 at 8:21 am suzen said,
Hi Jannie! What a lovely family you have! Boy do I envy you that – hubs and I and our 2 kids are IT. We fill the holiday tables with friends if we can – small gatherings for sure, but then less drama and cheaper Xmas shopping with only a few to buy for – haha – always need to look on the bright side
Hugs
Suzen
On 29 October 2011 at 10:58 am Jannie said,
Oooo BRIAN — thank you so much. Dittoes on the “talented” aspect to YOU!
AYALA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxooxoxxo
Hi Dearest PATRICIA… Yes, back in the day pre-Internet when I was heavily into writing letters I spent all my money on stationery. I remember especially liking that card, and bought a few, which I’ve hung onto now for, let me see… um… Gosh — almost 18 years?? 1994. Gee, where does the tome GO?? Ahhhh, glad it lifted your spirits. And I best be e-mailing you some more song idea clips to lift your spirits even higher. I have a tune in the back of my mind called… “The Ghost In My Computer” yes, the one wreaking havoc in my code!!
Hey, MONKEY MAN! And the morning I wrote that little Hallmark Moment to Dad I wasn’t even thinking 55. Great how these things come together!!!
56 words will work just fine, eh??
Hey, HOPE!!!!! I was just going to call Mom to see if he got the card yet. Hopefully he did. But right about now they’d be into lunch, so I’ll call in a bit. YES!!!! 85 is the new 65!!! Like Walter in my post just previous to this one… Here, if you read this response, I’ll save you a click or two… http://www.janniefunster.com/2011/10/25/one-day-we-will-say-a-poem/
JO, JO, JO, JO, JO, JO, JO, JO, JO, JO !!!!!! But have you had any other kind of “action??” hee, hee, hee (naughty-naughty me.)
GRRRRRRREAT to see you. And I got a letter, a lovely, lovely lovely letter from ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On stationery that warms the heart.
HANK, HANK, HANK, well of course, as any family we “have had our moments”
over the years. 
Mostly when I was young and stubborn, tho. Yes, he really is an awesome guy indeed. I fully expect to be giving him birthday tributes until he’s 100!!!!
Dearest SUZEN, well Mom is one of 10 kids, and Dad one of 8. Only 5 remaining on Mom’s side — she still has all her sisters. And Dad has one brother and one sister left. And most of those 10 and 8 had kids. So you can imagine our extented family. There were about 150 in attendance at the 50th Anniversary. I miss my homeland so!!!!!!! Want to build a big mansion in Mom abd Dad’s potato field and live there forever.
Have a happy Saturday, peeps!!!!
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxxooxoxxo
On 29 October 2011 at 5:18 pm leslie said,
that’s some great birthday card!!!
On 29 October 2011 at 8:26 pm Alice Audrey said,
Hallmark doesn’t even come close to holding a candle to you.
On 30 October 2011 at 1:42 am Caity said,
Your dad is so incredibly lucky to have such a sweet and caring daughter like you. Like someone else said, a Hallmark card ain’t got nothing on a Jannie card. Happy Birthday, Jannie’s Dad!
On 30 October 2011 at 10:39 am Daisy said,
Such a sweet way to celebrate your Dad’s birthday. I hope his special day was an extra happy one. Great pictures!
On 30 October 2011 at 11:56 am Jannie said,
Thank you Dear Leslie. Mom and Dad do not have a computer, but they might check in on this post via a friend’s tonight.
ahhhh, Alice Audrey, thanks. And hey — I looked on a map yeterday and see that Montana is NEXT TO CANADA!!! I do love geography, I swear. but i just never put two and two together about how close you are to Canada. You’re actually my first ever who lives in Montana. Now, I’m gonna be Googling how far your town is from the Cdn border. Do you have a bit of a Canuck accent?
Well, Dear Caity, I guess it’s really that I’m lucky to have him as a dad. All pretty lucky I guess.
Hey Dearest Daisy, they gave him a shout out in church this morning, Mom said. And I imagine they will at the cornish hen hall supper in Pokeshaw tonight too!! Great name, eh? Pokeshaw. Famous for its island.
xoxoxoxooxoxoxoxo
On 30 October 2011 at 2:15 pm Megan (Best of Fates) said,
What a fabulous present – I’m sure he adored it!
On 30 October 2011 at 5:07 pm ed pilolla said,
one of the most beautiful cards i have ever seen. the heart with the love stamps on the cover is absolutely darling. happy birthday to your pop! he sounds like quite a guy.
On 30 October 2011 at 7:22 pm secret agent woman said,
What a wonderful way to wish your father a happy birthday.
On 31 October 2011 at 8:18 am Dr. J said,
That’s great, Jannie!
I’m sure your dad is very proud of his creative and talented family!
On 31 October 2011 at 9:54 am Jannie said,
Hey, everybody — thanks a big bunch for popping by Funsterland.
Yep, Pop now working on his 76th year. So he’s about 3/4 of the way to The Big Day, his 100th!!
have a great day, y’all!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
xoxxo
On 31 October 2011 at 10:37 am LL Cool Joe said,
Aww what a cute post about your Dad! Love all the photos throughout the years too.
Happy birthday to your Dad!
On 31 October 2011 at 12:52 pm Vered | Blogger for Hire said,
Beautiful and so thoughtful. You are a beautiful family.
On 31 October 2011 at 2:17 pm Kim said,
Happy birthday to your daddy! Love the photos.
On 31 October 2011 at 4:29 pm Alice Audrey said,
It’s about a hundred miles. My accent is slippery. When I talk “normally” it’s a hodge podge of accents that drives those who care about such things up the wall. If I start talking to someone with a strong accent, especially Southern, or if I start quoting someone with a strong accent, like my grandmother, then my accent will change. It’s a mess.
I quoted you today. I trust my accent isn’t bothering anyone, though.
On 31 October 2011 at 11:51 pm Sharp Little Pencil said,
Jannie, your love for your dad is obvious. It’s these homemade cards that I love. I used to make comic cards for everyone in my family, and after Mom died, I found every card I had ever mailed to her and to Dad in a file. It’s lovely to look back. My favorite was when he turned 70:
Now that you’re LXX
Don’t forget to take your exLaXX!! God, he roared.
Thanks for the smiles, darlin’! Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/lost-soul-sun-whirl/
On 1 November 2011 at 9:38 am Sara said,
Jannie,
I loved the collage picture. There’s so much to see in it…lots of love:~)
Family pictures are fun to look at. It’s nice you share them. We, your readers, get to see the transitions of your life and your dad’s.
I wish him many more birthdays:~)
p.s. thanks for your kind words about the death of my dog, Ms. Dix.
On 1 November 2011 at 11:11 am Jannie said,
Dearest LLCoolJoe, and somewhere I have lots and lots of pix of me and my sibs a wee ones, and Dad younger too. Plus, I’ll get a bonanza in Canada of pix next year.
Thank you Dearest Vered!
Thank you Dearest Kim!
Dearest Alice Audrey! You sound like me — an accent chameleon. And only 100 miles! You’re pratically a Canuck.
Were you born and raised in Montana?
Dearest Amy — I was thinking about you yesterday!!! How I’m going to sit with a notecard and order up your chapbook! Yes, indeed. Well, thanks a bunch for your lovely words. ALWAYS a highlight to see you here. And I’m now reminded — Open Link Tuesday starts in just under 3 hours. Thinking maybe I’ll whip a poem up for that… Oh, and how funny your verse to your dad at 70. And how beautiful you saved all the cards over the years — I plan to do that one day too.
Dearest Sara!!! I bet Dad will have many more too. It sucks being 2700 miles away from him, Mom and all my relatives. Yes, we have a doggie who is 14, and I know she won’t be around forever. Dogs and cats are so precious — and yes — really part of the family. Hugs to you, Sweet Lady.
xooxoxoxoxoxoxxooxoxo
On 1 November 2011 at 12:27 pm J.D. Meier said,
You really know how to use your art. You have an uncanny way of lighting up life with just the right pictures … the ones that keep it real, and shine the light on the things that count. It’s the simple things, and it’s the meaningful stuff. It’s all good.
Great job.
On 1 November 2011 at 5:11 pm Jannie said,
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, J.D. Thanks for your kind words!
Xxxxxoooo
On 1 November 2011 at 7:09 pm sheila said,
Creatively COOL Jannie! Wow! I have to say one thing, that one of kelly in the raspberry beret with her leg stretched out? O.M.G. How are kids so flexible? If I tried that I’d be in traction! LOL Happy Birthday to your Daddy.
On 2 November 2011 at 12:15 pm Jannie said,
Ahhh, Sheila — yes her gymnastics pose! Shse does love gymnastics.
And that is my Funsters beret. We 4 all used to wear those. But pretty fricking hot in the summer!! Geez. Yes, I’d be in traction too!!! 
you’re a precious sweetie. Thanks for dropping in!!
Oh, and he had a great birthday. Got happy Birthday sung to him at the cornish hen supper. And cake and ice cream in his honor.
xooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 2 November 2011 at 10:06 pm SnaggleTooth said,
Happy Belated Bday to your Dad up north of me there- n hope he knows about all these folks who wish him well after meeting him via your blog.
Moving n doing always help keep you well, as he knows- n you do need to season wood a year to burn, so that makes perfect sense to me to get prepared early.
I wish I had a wood stove with all this hard wood laying around from the storms-for next year. So many trees came down. Maybe why he’s making hay before some one else gets them all…
I like your card poem. We should go into the greeting card business together…
On 2 November 2011 at 11:32 pm Jannie said,
Hey, Snaggle — you can do the illustrations and we both can make up the poems, and Hallmark will be out of business!! I forgot to ask Mom if they saw this post on her friend’s computer. They did get the card and pix, and were happy for that. Maybe you could get one of those little free-standing outdoor stoves to burn wood in. Then again, if you’re gonna be outdoors by a fire, you might as well be in your warm apartment, I guess!
Yep, Dad keeps it one year ahead. Takes a lot to split it and make sure it’s dry before it goes in the basement. Many a many a load of split wood did I help put in the house over many years. Great exercise! Now they have wood-n-oil, keeping the thermostat at 60 when they’re away, the oil kicks in if the wood goes out. That’s the furnace, I mean. The kitchen stove they keep lit only in the day.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 4 November 2011 at 9:58 am Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. I bet he’s still drooling over the pics, the thoughts and the memories of all those years .. fabulous to read he’s still out in the woods chopping away .. a real country-farming man at heart .. giving and getting the best from the lands.
Wonderful Jannie – and I hope they get to have a lookie see at your blog – well worth a merry visit – especially with glass of vino in hand sitting on ‘dem logs rocking and laughing away at the memoriscences …
Fun – thanks so much for sharing your birthday creativity .. big hugs Hilree xoxxo
On 4 November 2011 at 12:39 pm Jannie said,
Hi Dearest Hilary!! Mom and Dad enjoyed those very much and I bet they showed them around to many peeps in the countryside.
Yep, a country farming man who loves his land.
Vino?? Still on my coffee!
But maybe some vino this evening.
Wondering what I might post about today, or tomorrow…. hmmmmn……. 3 yellow cars maybe.
But time to look at those lyrics now!
xooxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 4 November 2011 at 1:31 pm Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. no not you having your vino – your parents while they read the tribute their daughter had posted to them on her blog! Enjoy your coffee .. nearly vino time here!
Good luck with the post tomorrow .. never had a yellow car – had an orange beetle! Cheers and have a lovely weekend .. bye bye .. Hilree xoxoxoxoxoxo
On 5 November 2011 at 1:18 pm Alice Audrey said,
Nope. I was born in Texas. I’m an 11th generation Texan, but I only ever spent my summers there, and my kids were born in Wisconsin.
On 5 November 2011 at 6:35 pm Jannie said,
Oh yeah — I remember now. You’re a Texan!!!!! Would love to see Wisconsin and Montana. One day I will!!!!!
oxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 8 November 2011 at 11:57 pm Jeanne said,
Jannie,
What a beautiful post!! I hope your dad had a wonderful birthday!!
Jeanne
P.S. If he’s chopping wood that far in advance, I see where you got your lumberjack skills from.
On 9 November 2011 at 1:49 pm Jannie said,
Oh, Dear Jeanne — what a delightful garden surprise to see you on this post. yay!!!!! And I was up SO LATE last night, eh?? Until like 12:45!
he did have a GREAT b-day, yes.
And you GOT IT, my dear friend, I learned all my wood chopping from my pa, and am one lucky little chick for it!! Can’t wait to bring my axe to you one day and show off my skills.
And I can SING too, while chopping kindling.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxoxo