Dad

For most of my childhood, I'd have to say that my memories of my Dad were much like our introduction to the Wicked Witch of the East. Except instead of striped stockings and black curly shoes, my dad had hairy legs and boat shoes. And instead of a house, he always had a car on top of him. He was a very capable mechanic, but his true talent under the hood (or car) was creatively crafting expletives. Mastery, I tell you.
He is a legend in my immediate family. An enigma. A puzzle. A Darren McGavin from A Christmas Story-meets-Father Knows Best-meets-Sam Malone...

Interesting facts about my Dad:

• He believes that Easter eggs taste better than plain boiled eggs (even to the point of getting irritated with grandchildren who injure, crush, or in any way waste them).
• He at one point had what I think was an unnatural hatred toward squirrels.
  
• He stayed with me the week after I got home from the hospital with my first three kids (my mom worked in an office and Dad had flexible hours).
  
• He uses the correct number of letters in his speech, just not always in the right words. For instance, he says 'warsh' instead of wash. And 'coner' instead of corner. See? All the letters accounted for, however misplaced.
  

Things I've learned from my Dad:

• 'Painting the town red' is only cool if you do it Clint Eastwood style.
• Being a hunter doesn't mean you can't have a big heart when it comes to ants on wild baby rabbits.
• Real men can decorate (and how).
• Being truly self-confident means being able to laugh at yourself.
  
• Never hold a shotgun several inches away from your shoulder when firing.
• Never drop a shotgun after firing (...after holding it several inches away from your shoulder).
• No matter how much a car is on the verge of breaking, it will ALWAYS happen when Dori drives it.
  
• Real girls love John Wayne and know the theme song to the movie The War Wagon.
• Being a great man is knowing and practicing the art of simplicity. Even if you are a complex person.

Each of these bullet points deserves it's own post, but this is just an introduction. And, it's not even the tip of the iceberg - well, if my Dad's personality were an iceberg.