Happy Father's Day 2014

This is my dad, Richard Henderson Howard, holding me as a 1 year old in 1968.

Below, he grins as the happy-go-lucky kid he was, living in Newport News, Va.

I recently visited my parents in Richmond.

 I have a compulsion to look through old photos when I'm home.

It's fun to see images of my parents before I was around and then

once I was, but that I can barely remember, if at all.

This is my dad, a couple months before I was born, in his parents'

living room, the house he grew up in on the James River in 

Newport News.

I loved this house. This was a great hill to roll down and in the spring,

millions of little buttercups sprung up all over it.

Here is Head, that's what they called him, and Grandma Howard

with Dutchess. They always had a boxer and cigarette in hand ;)

Wish there was a way to know what he was thinking

or what the heck I was looking at.

I don't have kids and my parents had me while in their 20s, 

which was the norm then, I know. I just think it must have been a 

little scary, so soon out of college and without much money.

One of my favorite stories is of us driving to Nags Head, NC

with another family in a bread delivery truck. This was in the early 70s

and dad's friend simply used the truck from his then job. 

It might have been considered stolen actually, I don't know 

for sure or how this really saved money.

Apparently, mom and I sat in back with the other kids

as the back door continued to slide open & shut.

I think what I like about it is imagining my parents as those young

carefree people determined to take a vacation.

Things are probably better, surely safer now, but the 70s, 

not only seem freer to me, but like a more authentic time, in a way.

I guess that's nostalgia. I was just a kid and most things 

look simpler when you look back.

Here is Richmond now, last weekend to be specific. My dad takes great care of the yard.

Maybe because I've lived in Brooklyn so long without a backyard, 

I appreciate those trees that surround the back more than ever.

I spent much of my youth here at Raintree Swim & Racquet club, 

swimming, teaching and life guarding.

I hadn't been back in several years and it's nice to see how good it looks. My dad 

only visits the pool occasionally these days, but growing up, my parents were here

every weekend. A lot of my swim team friends called them mom and dad. I loved that.

I've written about it before, but will say again- how lucky I was that 

my dad never missed a swim meet, working as a timer and enjoying himself, too.

I'm pretty sure his parents never attended a single basketball game he played 

when he was young, so I know it was important to him to show up for me.

Every childhood has ups and downs, but I've been fortunate that I've always had the

love and support of my parents. I like to think that BW, above, fills my shoes in some way.

We had always had dogs and then in 2003 after the last had passed 

mom brought home Panda, below.

A few years later, BW showed up again and again, until he was taken in as

part of the family. My parents are both suckers for animals (that's where I got it)

and dad dotes on this guy. He doesn't really drink coffee, though.

This doesn't have much to do with dad really, but we share a love for seafood

and I was happy to see that this local shop, Yellow Umbrella has expanded.

My dad used to eat this Tidewater Herring Roe all the time, he didn't pick up

a can on this visit, not sure why. Anyway, the owner of this shop is very nice,

his son works with him and I think is responsible for the business growing like it has.

Finally, these are a few pics from my visit last fall. Dad often "jogs" along with the train as we 

pull out of the Amtrak station. It's funny and seemed to charm the women sitting in front of me.

I love you dad!

See more of my dad-  Father's Day 2013 or a more in depth earlier post - here :)

why not?

Happy Father's Day to all my friends who are dads 

and all the great dads out there! 

* Keep up the good work *

xo, A

Happy Father's Day 2013!

Dad and me at Virginia Beach

My dad, R Henderson Howard loves the water. 

I'm lucky that he made sure we went to the beach every summer,

despite having little money when I was young.

Above, the pool at our Carriage Hill apartment 

complex (a very nice one!)

One of my favorite summers was when my dad lost his job.

Of course, as a child, I didn't realize that was a scary thing.

He took me to the pool each day (after "The Price is Right")

and even played nerf ball with all us kids. 

One girl, understandably had trouble with his name, so called 

him simply, "Mister" as in,

"Hey Mister! Over here, mister, throw me the ball mister..."

It means a lot to me that my dad always made time for me 

and my interests even when very busy. 

Once we moved to a house, I swam for 

Raintree Swim & Racquet Club and my dad 

volunteered as a timer at every single meet, not to

mention, carpooling during the years I swam year round. 

My parents both love animals and we've had some wonderful pets.

Cubby the cat

Ricky 

Bruiser & Ilsa

Jake

My friend, Jeanine found Jake while I was living in downtown

Richmond, attending VCU. Jake was funny, but in need 

of training, making it hard to find him a home, so

I kept him :)

I am still grateful that my dad would stop by to feed 

him on the nights I had to waitress.

I'm even more grateful that my parents took him when

I made the move to NYC.

They truly became best friends!

My dad, from angelic child in Newport News

to college years at University of Richmond

There's more about 'Der' in this past Dad Day tribute

Dad and me, (trying to look grown up) at Strawberry Street Cafe 

where I later worked.

Sky Truck

"Sky Truck" represents my move from Va to NYC. 

Dad drove a Ryder truck full of my stuff, mom & I in front,

to the NYU graduate dorms on Bleecker & LaGuardia.

He got a kick out of blowing the horn as loud and as often as 

all the other New York drivers.

Dad includes sketchy faces & notes in the cards

my mom sends. He also likes to leave reminders, like the one below.

You can see where I get my talent.

He has only occasionally questioned my decision to

pursue art as a career- the usual, where will you store these? 

can you make enough money? It did take some time, but

overall he's played the proud father through thick & thin.

Above, with Bruiser's cousin in Va Beach

Last to leave

Below, my favorite ride -

The Rudee Rocket! It blasts music while racing through the water,

eventually slowing to watch playful dolphins, 

before racing back to shore, as they chase along beside us.

I've been lucky to have the kind of parents who can enjoy 

the Rocket as much as I do and don't feel silly having 

our "family" photo taken with it ;D

This was taken about 5 years ago, better times

for all of us, before mom became ill.

My dad has been doing the best possible with such a difficult situation.

My respect for him has grown.

Thank You Dad!

and

To all the dads out there -

*Happy* *Father's* *Day*

xo, A

Happy Father's Day!

Here's to all you great dads out there! This is my dad, Richard Henderson Howard. You can call him Henderson, H, Henders, Der or almost anything that sounds similar. My dad's nicknames for me have included Cucky, Grippie, the Grip, Monkey, Monk & Champ. I'm still called Champ and I love & deserve it ;)

Because my blog was so very young this time last year, I've taken the opportunity to republish my Father's Day post from last year with a few additional photographs :)

Here we are at my grandparents, his parents, in Newport News, Va.
This photo below is with my great grandmother, Pom Pom (my mom's grandma) in our apartment at Carriage Hill in Richmond, Va.
                 Below, my dad as a young boy. This is one of my favorite pictures of him. 


As a kid, dad spent his summers fishing and crabbing in the James River in Newport News. His childhood was pretty close to idyllic and I think the family's eccentricities contributed to his individualistic outlook. I remember Grandma Howard as a sharp, witty and very pretty woman, while my grand dad, Head (as in head of the household) being hard to know, at least from my young perspective. Dad had one older brother, Morris, who I thought was just the most fun. I especially loved Duchess, their beautiful boxer.

Above, 1968 with his college buddies, clockwise from left-- Bob Arthur, dad, Paul Pascarosa, Bruce Behrman, Bob Hungerford, Donald Butler (seated). Below, my parents and friends with Les McCann. You may have seen this in my recent Mother's day post. They've seen countless jazz greats perform including Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis.

Dad remains friends with Donald & Bob, unfortunately Paul died in the early 1980s. My parents met at the University of Richmond, a beautiful campus in Richmond. Below, my dad with Donald, who hosts a wonderful Christmas Eve (eve) Party each year! He's an amazing chef :)

I am very lucky that both my parents love animals. Animals particularly take to my dad. Here I am with our 1st pet, Cubby. I found him while playing outside and because our apartment didn't allow pets, we had to hide him until we moved. I thought that was kind of fun. We always joked that he's the reason we found a house, but think it was in the works already.


This was one of the sweetest dogs in the world, Ricky! Once we moved, our neighbors, the Clements (family of 8) baby sat me during the week and their dog had puppies. I spent each morning with them. I was sooooooo happy we took in Ricky.

Here are Bruiser and Ilsa. These were two beautiful Golden Retrievers we had. Bruiser was another incredibly sweet dog and Ilsa, who meant well, had a habit of eating album covers, toys, magazines, cake, anything she could get her paws on.

This is Jake, a fairly crazy dog, but we loved him & he adored my dad!! A friend of mine found him during my last year of college and I kept him. He had some behavorial issues and an eye injury, so hard to imagine finding him a home. I lived in the fan district of Richmond, attending VCU. On his way home from work, dad would often check in on Jake, especially days when I waitressed after classes. When I moved to NYC, my parents took him for me. They had 3 dogs for awhile. Jake and my dad were best friends until Jake passed in 2003. Now, they have 2 cats, Panda (below) and a funny black & white cat, aptly called BW. He basically found my dad by coming to the backyard for visits.


Panda worships my dad. Below, her competition, BW captures his attention ;)

We think he was mistaken for a Spider Monkey by a neighbor one night last summer. An alert went out, but no one else ever spotted a monkey in the area. A minor mystery ;)

Our house... I know dad doesn't think I care about the yard, but I am very proud of all the work he does to keep it nice!





Mom likes to take photos of us in the kitchen for some reason, think you can tell in top one that we are pretending to be in the middle of a conversation. Below is a picture of dad in a T-Shirt he designed. He often draws funny characters on cards mom sends & I used Cafepress to have these 3 faces printed out. We refer to this design as Triple Threat.


My parents have always been great to my friends and my friends seem to enjoy them just as much! This is an old shot with Marshal (far left) & Kelly (right), two close pals from college. Interesting puffy, blonde hair-dos on the ladies :D

Below is my great uncle Tommy who died last spring. I'm happy I found this photo of him with my father in better times.

I've included these photos of my dad visiting horses, because I think it shows his genuinely kind nature. This must be why animals are so drawn to him.





Yep, that's Ashanti!

I have been blessed with parents who have always been involved in my life. My dad is a unique person who speaks his mind, has his own way of looking at situations and has a great sense of humor. I have always respected his opinions, his open-mindedness, belief in equality, fairness and justice.

Finally, I just want to say Thank You Dad...

Thank You for teaching me to swim, to build a sandcastle, ride a bike, write a check, drive a car (including clutch)... Thank You for playing nerf ball at the apt pool, keeping Cubby, taking care of Jake, volunteering as a timer at every single summer swim meet, being an extra parent to my friends, driving me up to NYU in a Ryder truck, honking with abandon in the streets of New York... Thank You for taking an interest in everything I do, being so funny, being a good Democrat, pulling through a tough illness & taking such good care of yourself since, taking care of mom when she needed it most... Thank you for teaching me patience, though not by example ;)

Believe it or not, I think about something you've said to me over the years, almost every single day! I LOVE You! Have a Very Happy Father's Day!!!!!!!!

Above is my Grandaddy Rice, my mom's dad, no longer with us, but a very good father and granddad!!

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there! It's a very important job!!!

xo, Allyn