Mom was always there for us and very understanding even with 4 boys. In 1957, mom told dad day she wanted a pink Cadillac, so of course dad bought her a new 1957 Pink Cadillac. One day Mom came home with a half dozen ping pong paddles with attached rubber band to the red rubber balls. We thought that was great until she snapped off the rubber bands … we knew it wasn’t good. She told us she was tired of us growing boys laughing when she swatted us for the latest transgressions and was going to place the paddles around the house so they would be close when needed. Mom was about 5 ft tall, we were taller and growing but she always ruled the roost with us. We knew for certain we were in trouble when she said, ‘just wait till your dad gets home!’ Dad would always show up in a good mood and glad to be home from work, until mom said, “Honey do you know what your son did?” You could see dad’s face as she made her statement, he really didn’t want to deal with it. The look was always followed by, “Boy, this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.” Maybe you have also heard this statement. With no Air conditioner back then, when it was hot, mom would shew us boys out ‘to play’ and tell us to be back when the streetlight came on.

Mom was very active in church and the family would go Sunday morning, evening and every Wednesday night. She became the church organist and she couldn’t read music. Mom played strictly by ear. I was always impressed by her musical ability. . All she had to do was hear the melody one time and she had it down.

Dad was a very hard worker always doing something and doing it very well. I can remember watching him build a project with no plans or supply list. When he would start a project, he always had the blueprint in his head. I was always amazed when he finished the job, there were no scraps. It didn’t matter if it was concrete work, brick, carpentry or metal, dad knew how to do
it all. I’m sure Dad acquired his skills when he worked for the C.C.C. camp. I know that during WWII Dad was classified as 4 F because he was flat footed, and had a heart murmur and started working in the shipyard in Houston Texas as a welder.

During the depression the President started the C.C.C. camp for construction projects to keep men employed. One project that I know Dad worked on was the path leading through the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. The 1.25 mile (2 km) Natural Entrance Trail is extremely steep. Depending on if you decide to hike up or down, you gain or lose about 750 feet (229 m)—equivalent to walking up or down a 75-story building. The hike takes about one hour (on average) to complete.

Dad would always tease the children by asking them if they wanted ice cream. When they said yes, he would then hold out his fist and say here you go; do you want chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla. I think of dad often and really miss him.