Mary and I had a great trip West! Spring Break 2019

My dad’s .22

My brother just sent me a picture of my dad holding a rabbit that he’d killed with his .22. I remember this picture. A line in my very first DDD post was something like one year he killed a rabbit. He said his mom would make rabbit stew.

There is so much here I don’t know where to start. First, the rifle. I have it in my gun safe. Has his initials JK carved into it. Still shoots. My big brother gave it to me a few years back for Christmas. I’ve always wondered how old it is. This photo is dated 1944 so it’s at least 75 years old! Pretty cool. Also this date means he becomes a Marine before the end of the year. Lastly, he is so young, wearing a jersey, and that calic and the jet black hair. 

I’ve been dwelling in’s the past a lot lately, so I will be sure to make my next post a little more current events.

 

I

I dwell in the past

My wife told me once I dwell in the past. I was defensive, but realized she was right. I just didn’t like the word dwell. I guess this post prooves she right. All these people are my relatives on my mother’s side. I got this album from Carol. It had water damage, but I salvaged most of the photos. The one date I saw written in pencil on the back of one of these said 1901. 1901! Almost 120 years old. This first picture fascinates me, she is beautiful, striking. The lace collar and shirt, fur, she looks comfortable, calm, elegant. 

Grandparents Keith and Penrose

The Keiths.

The Penrose family.

Letter Sweater

My dad sporting his Letter Sweater. My mom and aunt Lynda in the car windows. I recently posted a picture of myself in this sweater. So when this picture was recently sent to me I was glad to see it.

Memaw and Grandpa Keith and my great aunt Mary!

This picture blows my mind. I guess with 5 children you had to have had some good times. A picture of my estranged grandfather smiling stirs in me emotion I wasn't expecting. What a great picture. And my great aunt Mary, OMG, she's beautiful!

I got this picture from my cousin Ann, who got it at our uncle Cecil's funeral. No one knew where or when it was from, but looks like they were having a great time. My best guess 1922. Or just before the great depression.

My favorite Uncle Cecil died recently. I miss these men a lot.

Uncle Cecil, Mac and my dad.

Uncle Cecil and Jeff

Jeff, Cecil and J at my wedding.

Jeff and Cecil

My uncle Cecil died last month, Tracy contacted me through Instagram to give the bad news. Asked me to pass it on to my mom. Tracy said she was Florence’s grand daughter, my dad’s sister’s grand daughter, making her mother my cousin! She said she followed me on Instagram and loved my pictures. She said her mom wanted to buy my book because she was looking back at some old photos of Cecil and my father and was remembering them fondly. I told her if she gave me her address I send a free copy. She did so I sent a copy of DumbDumbDaddyo and a copy of Capturing Beauty. It is now a few weeks later and I just received a package from my cousin in Trussville, Alabama! It’s a box full of pictures of my dad. I’ve only been able to look at Two so far. One is on a plate. A 1950 Gator Bowl Champion Plate. The other is of dad and his little brother Cecil in August of 1941. Grief is a funny thing, it definitely has its own way and own time. This photo allowed me the moment of grief I’ve been waiting for. That time when it finally hits home that lost someone who was very special to you.
Connecting with Tracy and Ann has been been a blessing beyond words. Ann’s letter accompanying the pictures are so elegant and heartfelt. I want to make this post happen so I will share some pics of the plate and the picture of Jeff and Cecile!