Friday, July 6, 2012

he loved cucumbers


I've been putting cucumbers in my drinking water. Just 7 or 8 slices will infuse a quart of water into an amazing elixir. And then I've been using the cucumber slices left from the water on my eyes to soothe eye strain. If you've never tried this, I can vouch for it.

My dad loved cucumbers from the garden. We had cucumber salad almost every night for supper during the summer. Supper could be as late as 10 PM because we waited for my farmer/rancher dad to come home from working in the field before it was served. We got hungry waiting so long -- my mom's comeback to any hunger complaint was have a banana -- so lots of bananas and cucumbers were eaten at our house.

My dad once wrote in a birthday card that he was the first man to ever love me. I saved that card. He was an older father in his 40's by the time I arrived, I'm not sure how he felt about a baby at that point in his life, I never thought to ask. He died two days ago on the fourth of July and I can only imagine his sense of freedom as he released his 101 years of earthly ties.


I'll be back next week sometime. Thanks for visiting here. xo


17 comments:

  1. so sorry for your loss. sounds like a very special dad. i've been having cucumber salads quite often with the wonderful pickings from my garden.

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  2. What a lovely, soft post. Thank you for writing so beautifully, and consolations too.

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  3. Oh Peggy.........I am so sorry. Bless him for saying such a wonderful thing to you and I hope you will wallow in lovely memories about him, rather than purely the sadness of his loss.
    To reach that age there must have been something in eating lots of cucumber and bananas!
    Mind you Ive been known to use cucumber in my gin and tonic when I have no lemons... its almost as nice : )

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  4. Oh Peggy, I am sorry for this loss. What a special dad to give you those words to hold for your lifetime. I had to laugh with the banana comment. It reminded me of something that I cannot put my finger on. My you remember & relax into this new place of not having your daddy here.
    Take care.

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  5. My heart goes out to you and your family. Your Dad sounds like he was a wonderful man. To share those words with you brought tears to my eyes. Men of that era were not free with emotions. Embrace the memories and know that I am thinking of you. (We also had to wait for Dad to get home as he worked at Boeings during the day and the farm in the evening. We were told to eat an apple. In Washington state, an apple is the cure to everything.) Sending you warm hugs.

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  6. Oh Peggy, I'm sad for your loss. Your dad sounds like a wonderful man, he gave you much. 4th of July will never be the same for you. Take care of your heart as you remember your very special dad.

    hugs.

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  7. Condolences Peggy...lots of wonderful memories from all of those years (101 years says a lot for cucumber and the farming life).

    My thoughts are with you.

    Sending a lovely warm hug to you.

    Jacky xox

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  8. Peggy, I am sorry for your loss. I will be thinking of you and hoping you find peace and comfort.

    Love

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  9. Peggy, I'm sorry to hear about your dad...I send warm thoughts and love to you...

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  10. Oh Peggy, I am so sorry. What beautiful memories he has given you ~ thank you so much for sharing them. Take good care of you dear lady. Sending warm hugs and love. Blessed be. x x x

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  11. beautiful memories of your dad.
    i know some of what you are feeling... my mom died the first day of New Year 2012.

    my thoughts are with you (((HUG)))

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  12. Cucumbers! My fav too.......refreshing and hydrating. Nice to hear stories about your dad, Peggy. Hope you're enjoying time with family and letting in all the goodness of time with your dad. Love and Cheer.

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  13. Sending more love your way, Peggy, in the great turning of the wheel of life and death. Thank you for your generous sharing of heart.

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  14. What wonderful memories of your family! May God bless you and your family : )

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  15. I'm so sorry, Peggy. How wonderful to have such loving thoughts from and for your dad. I'll be thinking of you.

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  16. your post reads like poetry, especially when combined with the images of the garden and kitchen. I am so sorry for your loss. Take care. I don't think there is a good way to lose a parent, so even though he lived such a long life, I won't offer anything trite about that making it somehow easier.

    and I am selfishly wishing that you will, in your grief, or later when it hurts less, continue to write about your dad because it is so moving to read!

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