Wordless Wednesday - Aunt Helen 1940's

Aunt Helen at the Fussner Farm

103 YEARS AGO TOMORROW!!

Tomorrow is my dad's birthday.  He was born on April 26, 1910.  He would have been 103 years old tomorrow!  My dad died in 1975.  I was 20 when he died.  He was 65.  I have had 38 years without my dad now, but I still have the greatest of memories of him.  

Dad was sick from the time I was about 12.  He stayed at home all the time.  Mom went to work for a few years to try to help the family income.  

When I came home from school every day, my dad was there.  I spent lots of time sitting and talking to him.  It's funny, we talked about sports most of the time.  My dad played baseball in the semi-pro league when he was younger and he really loved sports.  

His favorite baseball team was the Chicago Cubs.  My first husband and I would take Dad to Cincinnati Reds games when they played the Chicago Cubs.   His favorite basketball team was the Boston Celtics.  Of course, that was my favorite team too!  He didn't really care much for football, so I grew up not knowing anything about football.  I learned that with my sons.  I now attend the Indianapolis Colts games with my sons.  I think Dad gave me a love of sports.

I really appreciated those years with Dad at home.  I hated to see him suffering with his breathing.  He had Emphysema.  I was miserable to watch him go through the struggles of his health.  He told me that he never wanted me to smoke.  I have never put a cigarette to my lips.  It's ironic the picture I chose to post of Dad today has him smoking.  I wanted a younger picture of him and there wasn't much to chose from.  

My dad grew up in the tobacco fields of his father.  He started smoking at 8 years of age.  He rolled tobacco leaves and smoke them.  I think if he had known what that would have done to his health he probably wouldn't have ever smoked either.

I really miss my dad, even after 38 years.  I just am glad I had so much time with him during the last 10 years of his life.

Wordless Wednesday - Dressed for a Piano Recital

The girls are in dresses made by their aunt for a piano recital.  The boys are cousins and a neighbor.  Probably around 1950.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - CIRCA 1940'S

CONNERSVILLE, INDIANA

Wordless Wednesday - In the Yard

My Aunt In The Yard At My Grandparent's House

Circa 1930

Wordless Wednesday - The Plummer Twins

John Plummer, his first wife, and their twin sons.

Family history - April Fool's Day

I don't know anyone who enjoyed April Fools Day more than my dad, Charles Plummer. He was the one person who could get me on it time after time.  I would always think, he is going to try to get me, so watch out for him.  It didn't help!  I could be prepared for anything and he would still get me.  He just could do it with such a seriousness and never crack a smile until after he said April Fools.  Then he would have a good chuckle over getting me once again.  He usually pulled something on me several times throughout the day.

April is also my dad's birthday month.  This year on April 26, he would be 103.  Of course he died at the age of 65, so he really ever got the opportunity to become an old man.  My dad died 38 years ago when I was just 20 so I didn't get that many opportunities to spend April fools Day with him, but every year when this day rolls around I chuckle about how much dad liked being a trickster and how much I enjoyed it.  Such a little thing, only one day a year out of those years but they will linger with me forever ( at least until I get senile).

I don't remember ever catching dad on any of my tricks,  not for lack of trying.  It's funny I don't really do much of that any more.  I guess maybe it just isn't as much fun when you don't have something who really enjoys it to interact with.  I played tricks on my kids when they were young, but I wasn't that good at it so they usually just said, " ha, ha! April Fools!"