#45/365--Happy Valentine's Day

I cooked a little Valentine dinner...

...for my sweet Valentines...

...and I got a surprise earlier today from a sweet, special someone...

Love.

#44/365--The Chores

...ended up not getting done today in lieu of the beautiful outdoors!

A beautiful weekend!!



#43/365--Run:4Justice

#42/365--Visiting Nanna and Versing Bananas

My dad always loved to eat at Chili's when we would get together as a family.  Call it habit or call it, "In Memory of," but anytime my mom comes to visit, that's where we eat!

And of course we had to go for dessert afterward...but before we had dessert, Lauren and Mikey had to have a "Banana War."

#41/365--Where is the Love

Valentine Party at school tomorrow...

#40/365--The Leader of the Band

((My dad, a teacher through and through. 

Not the leader of any musical grouping...but in metaphorical terms,

the leader of our familial "band."))

The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs thru' my instrument
And his song is in my soul

My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man

I'm just a living legacy
To the leader of the band

I thank you for the music
And your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom
When it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness
And the times when you got tough
And Papa I don't think I said
"I love you" near enough.

(Dan Fogelberg, 1982; Song #76 in my playlist)

...in great memory of my dad, Dr. Joshua L. Leamon, 1938-2007...

Psychology professor and Psychologist

Bowler

Wearer of the Flat Cap

Toothpick Sucker

Fried bologna/taters Eater

Sweet-tooth Haver

Money Saver

Generous Giver

Master of hugs and homemade malts

Expert Storyteller
Caller of balls and strikes

Scratchy stubble face

Handsome

Wise

Quiet and Introspective

So Much More

Husband to Dawn

Father, Daddy, Advisor to Erik and Janelle

Pappy.

You are missed beyond measure.

May I grow into the parent and teacher that you were.

#39/365--Plume, or Birds of a Feather

...of smoke from the warehouse fire right down the highway from us...

...sticking together because there's about to be some more of that cold stuff...