Artichokes and Hearts

 

 

This artichoke was in my garden and thriving when I left for Hawaii in November.  By the time I came home at the end of the month, the temperature had dropped below freezing and it was covered in snow.  I dragged it out of the snow looking limp and dead…and tossed it into the oven to slow bake it and dry it out. It’s beautiful in an interesting-decaying-disintegrating kind of way!

I’m away from home again…no, not in the warm and sunny south but in the interior of British Columbia...the cold and snowy north!  I’m enjoying the little bit of snow we have here, knowing I’ll be leaving it behind in a few days.   We’re celebrating my father’s 95th birthday this Sunday.  Amazing…he's 95, still healthy and very “with it”!  I truly hope he passed on his healthy genes! 

Dad still lives in his own home and just bought a new car. He has not one but two computers and still travels frequently.  If you’ve been reading here for awhile, you may remember that he travelled to Mexico to visit us two years ago.

He was born in 1917…and here’s what was going on in the world the year he was born…

the First World War was still being waged

Tsar Nicholas of Russia abdicated the throne to his son

Short wave radio had just been invented…which ended up being his life long passion and shaped his career in aviation electronics

in 1917 a Model T Ford cost $300 (and was his first car in 1939)

The War Industries Board asked women to stop buying corsets to make more metal available for war production.

women still wore long dresses, although they’d been shortened from floor length to ankle length

There have been amazing changes in the world since he was born but he's kept up with it all.  He started a blog in 2007 but just wrote a few posts…he was too busy to keep it up!  I feel so very blessed to have had my dad with me for so many years.

I hope the first week of January has been a good one for you!  I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that it’s 2011!

Comments

[Olivia Brown]

I really like the artichoke picture, kate. The changes in it are beautiful, I think. And as for your father--oh my!--great genes. I enjoy getting to know you better! xoO

[charlane]

so much goodness to love here - love the artichoke. i love weird stuff like that.

and your dad is amazing!!

[Ruth]

Love your artichoke pictures! Happy Birthday to your dad! 95...wow! Enjoy celebrating!! (my dad's name is Al, too)

[Helen Morley]

I love your Arty Artichoke Kate, thanks for sharing. Your Father has always been an inspiration to me since you first introduced him to your Blog Readers. He is amazing and yes you are truly blessed.

[Gail]

It is so wonderful to read about your Dad here...I spent most of my working life in geriatrics...most of the elders I met were disabled in some way of course...but I loved to be part of their lives and hear their stories. You are so fortunate. What a great photo of him as a child too! And a new car! I love his outlook on life!

ps....Love the artichoke photos too...you are doing some amazing work with textures!

[martie]

Happy birthday to your Dad! I love how you shared what was going on in 1917 - it makes his age more "real" if you know what I mean. Have a great visit Kate!!

[Sally G.]

Gosh, how the world has changed. Imagine how those women, branded loose and immoral for showing a turn of their ankle, would react to the way some dress today!

Your Dad is indeed inspiring. Seems the apple DOESN'T fall too far from the tree ...

[CrowNology]

Wow.
You are both so lucky! I pray my Father is with me as long, he is my best friend.

Kate, your comment seems to have disappeared into the blogger mist...But I am happy to hear that you too were "saved" by CBC radio. I still listen mostly in the evenings while renovating...It does make you feel connected, on a large world scale...

Happy Birthday to your Dad! I would love to hear about the changes he has seen...What a life story...
xo
Andrea

[CrowNology]

oops! found it...It was with the first post...
:)