Dad's 81st Birthday


Dad and Mom were just going to keep me company as I drove out to see the school where I might be doing a mural. When we got close by, I left them to walk the aisles of a new Lowe's while I went on to the school. After my meeting, we had lunch and then headed toward home. I remembered mentioning that the Witte Museum's current exhibit was about the human genome and that Dad had been interested in seeing it, so we detoured to the Museum. It was a fascinating, interactive exhibit and we pulled every lever, watched every video and turned every crank. We moved on to the permanent exhibit at the Witte and then went outside to see the log cabin exhibit, then over to the Science Treehouse. We raised ourselves up by pulleys, suspended a ball on a stream of air, saw ourselves on a "green screen", Dad sent himself a postcard from an email kiosk, and played with every science plaything they had. Mom and I played soccer indoors with a beach ball. Then we noticed a boy outside riding on a "sky cycle" -a bicycle held to a cable with only a counterweight. I nudged Dad to go ride and he did! I was proud. Then we went for fish and chips and drove through Brackenridge Park til we found a picnic table near the river. After our picnic we noticed the train station was just over the bridge so we bought tickets and popcorn and had a fun ride.


Mom will turn 81 next month. You wonder what this has to do with art? Maybe nothing. But it has a lot to do with this artist. I'm so grateful they live nearby now where we can look after each other and celebrate the passing years, even as they clip by at a dizzying rate.
I'll be painting online tomorrow (Wednesday evening). Hope you'll drop by!

20 comments:

Jo Castillo said...

Happy Birthday to All!!! What a great day. Biggest hugs to you!

Marian Fortunati said...

I love this post!!
There is such joy in sharing new experiences with those you love!! I know you count yourself lucky.

I think our families are what shape us and make us who we are. Was your dad a science guy or was it a "just because" event??

Susan Carlin said...

Happy Birthday, Josh! You deserve that nap...I'm sure you've been celebrating for days already!

Susan Carlin said...

Thanks, Jo. XXOO

Susan Carlin said...

Marian, I do know how lucky I am, you're right. Dad is a retired veterinarian with a voracious interest in science and economics. I always learn something when I'm around him.

Frank Gardner said...

That looks like a blast! What a fun day.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Susan,

I think that family are a vital part of an artist's life. Speaking of van Gogh, look at Vincent and Theo.

Your parents are adorable and adventurous. Good for them, and Happy Birthday to your Dad.

xoxoxoxBarbara

Marilyn Moore said...

I love the first photo. Something struck them funny; the child within is laughing. Make memories, Susan. So important.

Regina Calton Burchett said...

How lucky you are to have your parents so close - to appreciate and still have fun with - as they are lucky in their generous daughter. Thanks for sharing them with us!

Barbara Pask said...

This sounds wonderful Susan, how sweet it was to read. You are lucky to have them and they are lucky to have a daughter like you.

Dar Presto said...

My eyes welled up as I read. I'm so thrilled that y'all had this great day together!

L.Holm said...

What a fantastic day!! Happy birthday to your Dad. :-)
thanks so much for sharing the pictures of your day with us. What fun. Can't believe your Dad got on that sky cycle! and, yes, life has everything to do w/the artist! hugs, Liz

Unknown said...

Susan,
Your parents look and act very youthfully! So happy for you that you got to build those special memories on your dad's birthday. Happy painting!

belindadelpesco.com said...

I love this post. It adds one more reason to the stack of things I already admire about you. Love of family.

Joanna said...

Wow. What a fantastic day!

theresamillerwatercolors said...

Fantastic post, Susan! You made me smile...

Your paintings are wonderful, I especially like the cat and the bulldog you did for the folks who tracked you down after 27 years! how cool is that!

CandynRA said...

I love this post, Susan. What a blessing it is to have your folks living so close, and that they are so active and fun!...and what great memories!

I've been missing you on Wed. nights...things are just going on and I haven't been able to break away. Maybe this Wednesday.

Vincent Van Gogh sure turned out nice. Good job!

"JeanneG" said...

Your parents look like spring chickens as they are having fun. I remember how my mom was when we took her to Disneyland the first time. She acted like a kid all wide eyed and had a ball. Happy Birthday to both.

K. said...

What a fun day! Thanks for sharing a glimpse into your life and beautiful family. It brings back happy memories of my own parents and the things they used to do together (and the trouble they used to get into, actually!).

Gary Keimig said...

Just found and checked out your blog. Some wonderful art here. You do an amazing job on portraiture. I am impressed.
God bless and keep it up.