Look at the photo below of the calves eating...do you notice anything about it? The calves have gotten just a bit too big to go into it, so my Dad has taken a concrete block and a stone and put them under the front legs of it so the calves are able to eat! (He did have TWO concrete blocks but ding dang if he could find the other one, so he had to MAKE DO with the rock! By the way, that is my Dad's way...he very often can't find what he is looking for and just WINGS it!)
The same man who cares for these cows is also gifted with the knowledge of plants. He had the most gorgeous Camellia bush beside his house and he thought it had died after a very cold spell last year, but he didn't replace it...just in case...and sure enough, it came back and he was rewarded with the most beautiful white blossoms!
Happy to say that Daddy now enjoys feeding the birds on his deck and I hope I influenced him in that regard! Recently, he had a flock of goldfinches on his deck, right outside his window! What joy!
 |
| image from Wikipedia...ding, dang if I can find my photo of one! |
Today is my Dad's birthday! He is 89 years old and he is not just MY Dad, he is Daddy to my brothers and sisters and he is PAPA (pronounced PAW-PAW) to his grandchildren!
Happy Birthday to your Dad. I greatly admire all our farmers. Hubby's father comers from a farming family out in North Dakota, so I have an inkling of how hard working they are. The feeding contraption made me smile and reminds me of my own Dad. He was not a farmer but was a great gardener hobbyist and his motto could have been "necessity is the mother of invention". He would also have admired your Dad's gorgeous Camellia bush. Great photos Kay and I wish your Daddy the most wonderful birthday :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise for your comment! I think we must have gardening in our blood, don't you?
DeleteAnd thanks for your birthday wishes for my Dad! :-)
Happy Birthday to your Dad! He looks like a man who knows how to enjoy life! May he have a wonderful year of being 89! How I wish we could grow camellias outside up here in northern Ohio! They are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristi! And I adore camellias, if you look back at my post about the Black and White Shower in February, you will see more of them there!
DeleteThe calf feeder is like the kids' table at family gatherings! Happy birthday to your Dad!
ReplyDeleteHa, ha! Yes, just like the kids table, you have it just right! Thanks for your well wishes!
DeleteHappy Birthday to your Dad, he's an inspiration to us all.
ReplyDeleteThank you! And he sure is to me!!
DeleteHappy Birthday, dear Kay's dear Dad!
ReplyDeleteMay there be many, many more such days for you, and in good health and humour, too.
Love the calf feeder, it's like with so many things - simple and logical ideas are the best :-)
In German, Papa is always only reserved for fathers. Grandfathers may be called Opa, the less formal, more endearing form of Großvater (grandfather).
Good health and humour wished to him from Germany, you know he will love that from you! xx
DeleteYes, simple and logical, my Dad is very good at figuring things out and his neighbors realize his country wisdom is often the thing they need for their farming/cattle problems!
Ah, as I say it is spelled PAPA but it is not pronounced that way at all..it is like PAW- PAW, in a real country/Southern accent!
I wish you a Happy Birthday and many more joyous years to follow. Kay this is a nice tribute to a wonderful loving father.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Nice thought of this as a tribute to him but he deserves so much more!
DeleteHappy birthday to your dad! What a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha! You're sweet to say so. x
DeleteKay, Hug your dad and wish him happy birthday from me. He looks like a sweetheart. Blessings to all of. Enjoy everyday you have your dad honey. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteI will hug him for you! And thanks for your wishes, sweet Susie! xx
DeleteHappy Birthday to your Dad! Beautiful camellia! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy!
DeleteMany happy returns of the day to your Daddy!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThose are extremely well fed looking cows. I guess it's no wonder their offspring don't fit their feeder any more. Happy birthday to your dad. May he and his camellia continue to blossom.
ReplyDeleteThose cows are very well fed! Thanks for your good wishes! xx
DeleteHappy Birthday to your Dad. He really is a star!
ReplyDeleteHe is! And I thank you for your birthday well wishes.
DeleteHappy Birthday to your daddy, Kay. I love porch sitting and bird watching, too. The Camelia blossom is just gorgeous!
ReplyDeletePorch sitting and bird watching, sounds like a good plan to me!
DeleteA very Happy Birthday to your Papa, Kay.
ReplyDeleteFrom your stories he sounds like a wonderful, interesting man; a true character. You're so lucky to have a father like you have. I can feel how very proud of him you are. I'm sure he feels similar about you and your siblings. What a good, lovely man he is.
Cherish every moment and every memory.
Thank you, Lee! I hope that our Dad knows how much we all love him!
DeleteA very Happy Birthday to your Dad. I must say he looks like a man who enjoys life. I love the pictures of the lilies and the camellia too.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Enjoying life, my Dad should give lessons!
DeleteA very happy birthday indeed. I'd love a deck I could feed birds from. I guess the cats would get to it though.
ReplyDeleteYes, if you have cats around, it is hard to feed the birds!
DeleteThanks for the well wishes for my Dad, much appreciated, my friend!
Happy Birthday to your dad!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynn!
DeleteBest calf feeder ever. Love driving by farms this season, so many newborn calves. Of course, not so nice the newly empty pastures..... Just hope it's humane. Praying as I drive & observe. Chinaberry trees are blooming at edge of woodland/pasture. Pretty & fragrant, and toxic. Invasive brought in ca. 1820, and a problem.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your dad, and so happy you realize he's the bomb !!
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara