True American Pride - Real Things to Celebrate About This Nation (#18)
FATHERS, KIDS, LAWNS, AND CHORES
"I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars." (Walt Whitman)
Me and my dad mowing the lawn - circa 1962
Today is Day 18 of my True American Pride month. Father’s Day was this past Sunday, which inspired this post.
For some reason, when I think of "America" and "Fathers" today, my mind goes to the All-American practice of mowing the lawn. Historians say you can trace the American obsession with planting and tending to large tracts of green grass in front of their home to the post WW-II years. Home ownership soared and a well-maintained: watered, mowed (in perfect lines), trimmed, and fertilized lawn was the true sign that one "had made it"
A more “serious” lawn (not that ours ever looked like that!)
Our childhood home (The Ranch) had its own vast grassy lawns. And I think all of the kids learned the duties of mowing it. As you can see, it was a "special skill" that my father passed on to me.
Me mowing at the Ranch - circa 1968
Graduating to the tractor with Dad - circa 1973
So cheers to our lawns! And cheers to the Dads that taught us many right and true lessons. Good American dads are indeed the foundation of this country. God bless them all.
Dad, "The Tractor Man" with brother in law Jeff B. - circa 2015?
Sister Katy continuing the tradition with a new tractor at the Ranch, circa 2021?
Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work, one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Good dads…good parents teach lessons like this.