Monte Sano State Park, Huntsville, AL – Miranda, Pops Walker, and Yours Truly
August, 2006
Top 10 Things I Learned, Inherited, or Otherwise Picked Up from My Father
- Golf. Dad and I started golfing together one summer when I was working at a golf course. Through a lot of patience, even more divets, and fortunately zero thrown clubs, he helped break me out of some of my softball swing habits and has since taken me out to some great courses here in the Southeast side of the Twin Cities.
- The fact that I can NOT cook in a messy kitchen. I just can’t.
- The fact that a poorly loaded dishwasher is one of my pet peeves (Thanks to my dad, I believe that there is a way to load a dishwasher that maximizes space, allowing you to fit more inside of it, therefore washing fewer loads, using less water, and saving more money. It’s probably the ONLY penny-pinching habit I picked up from my dad, but hey – when I started paying my own bills, I remembered this one.)
- How to pronounce Gewurztraminer and Mourvedre, what I’m drinking if you’re pouring me a “white Burgundy” (Chardonnay) or a “red Burgundy” (Pinot Noir, yum!), what the difference is between Syrah and Shiraz, and why I should even care (BECAUSE WINE IS AWESOME).
- How to saute the perfect mushrooms. I’m not allowed to tell you the secrets (but it includes Worcestershire sauce, butter, and red wine).
- A ridiculous and somewhat embarrassingly punny sense of humor. Seriously, I make fun of him for it, but I can because I am exactly the same way.
- Sports/Things in Common: Basketball, baseball (softball), bass guitar, fascination with airplanes (I did all my biography reports when I was younger on Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart; Dad’s grown up in an airline family), love of music, SEC football, shrimp, oysters, and the bubbly.
- How to learn. Dad tackled most of the homeschooling for Miranda’s and my middle school years (we were homeschooled for 5 1/2 years ending after 9th grade), and I firmly believe that it was his and mom’s approach to that schooling that taught my sister and I both how to truly learn things and not just memorize them, and how to be self-disciplined enough to teach ourselves.
- Kitchen dancing. With the love of his life (my mother, who I should introduce you too soon as well) or on random weekend nights I decide to hang out and stay over. Turn on a little Atlanta Rhythm Section, pour another glass of wine, and we’ll be dancing on the tile floors until 3 in the morning.
- The relationships he fosters not only between himself and my mother, myself, and my sister, but the way he encourages the relationships that we all have with each other. How he sings praises of my mother and how she raised us when she doesn’t hear him, how he brags to other people about Miranda’s accomplishments at 25 (Married! Tenured! Master’s degree!), and whatever nice things he says to brag about me (nomadic yogini blogger?)… He’s instilled a sense in all of us to be proud and supportive of each other. And he plays a pretty mean air sax.
Happy Birthday, Pops! I love you 
Love,
‘Ree / #1
P.S. Dad, I know we’re not friends on Facebook, but I’m so, so grateful that your photo albums were accessible to me for this post
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh that's just too sweet.
He sounds like a wonderful man!! Happy birthday Doni's dad!!
Oh that's just too sweet.
He sounds like a wonderful man!! Happy birthday Doni's dad!!
He is a very wonderful father, husband and the thing I can't leave out…Big Brother!Brother, you are great! Richard (Lil Bro)
Happy birthday, Dad! Mind if I call you Dad? Okay, FINE, Doni's dad!!!
That's an absolutely adorable picture of the three of you. Like, it makes me want to be a part of your family
This is SO sweet! I love it. My dad also shared with me a love for cooking and the bass. It's pretty fantastic to have amazing dads isn't it? Happy Birthday to your dad =)
#8 is not something you can teach someone easily, so clearly, Doni's Dad rules. Birthday wishes from the west coast, Mr. Walker!
This is so sweet! Happy birthday to your pops!
Your dad is lucky to have you.
Happy birthday, Dad! Mind if I call you Dad? Okay, FINE, Doni's dad!!!
Awwwww, how sweet! My dad also taught me about cooking in a clean kitchen, and cleaning up as you go so you're not left with a mess explosion at the end of your meal. And the dishwasher thing? I just can't even comprehend the ways some people load the dishwasher. Seems like pretty basic geometry to me…have you seen Rachel Getting Married? There is an awesome dishwasher loading scene in that movie. Sounds like you would appreciate it just as much as I did!
That's an absolutely adorable picture of the three of you. Like, it makes me want to be a part of your family
This is SO sweet! I love it. My dad also shared with me a love for cooking and the bass. It's pretty fantastic to have amazing dads isn't it? Happy Birthday to your dad =)
Aw! So sweet! Gotta love dads.
#8 is not something you can teach someone easily, so clearly, Doni's Dad rules. Birthday wishes from the west coast, Mr. Walker!
This is so sweet! Happy birthday to your pops!
You forgot I introduced you to Dave Ramsey!
Love ya bunches!Pops
Thanks Left Coast. Christmas wishes from the Upper MidWest.
I picked up the habit of cleaning the kitchen before and while cooking from my mom's mom who would do this. I spent a lot of time visiting her as I grew up.
Your dad is lucky to have you.
Awww that is very sweet =)
He is a very wonderful father, husband and the thing I can't leave out…Big Brother!
Brother, you are great!
Richard (Lil Bro)
Happy Birthday Daddy-O!!
Some things you taught me:1. To love your family and put them absolutely first.2. To save, save, save. And Budget. 
3. To appreciate hardwork.4. That some outside chores are the husband's job (Not sure if Jeff appreciates that one!) 5. To never loan money to friends and expect it back. Loaning is just like giving it away.6. To always put my napkin in my lap at the dinner table. (or else fork over a dime to whoever noticed first!)7. How to vacuum. (though I don't use this skill very frequently.)8. That everyone in the family pitches in around the house. It's not just one person's job!9. To eat mushrooms with my steak.10. To have high expectations for the person I'm dating/marry. Jeff has the good ole' Southern manners you taught me to expect: opening doors is my favorite! I think there are many similarities between you and Jeff. That's part of what makes him so appealing to me. I love you!!!! Happy Birthday!MJ
HA! I totally forgot about the napkin-in-the-lap rules! I love you sister
Kitchen dancing RULES. Period.
Very sweet tribute. Happy birthday to your dad!
Aw! So sweet! Gotta love dads.
You forgot I introduced you to Dave Ramsey!
Love ya bunches!Pops
I picked up the habit of cleaning the kitchen before and while cooking from my mom's mom who would do this. I spent a lot of time visiting her as I grew up.
what an amazing post! sounds like you're lucky to have such an amazing dad. (and I totally agree with you on the dishwasher thing, mostly it just drives me crazy when people waste SO.MUCH.SPACE when loading! ugh!)
Happy Birthday Daddy-O!!
Some things you taught me:1. To love your family and put them absolutely first.2. To save, save, save. And Budget. 
3. To appreciate hardwork.4. That some outside chores are the husband's job (Not sure if Jeff appreciates that one!) 5. To never loan money to friends and expect it back. Loaning is just like giving it away.6. To always put my napkin in my lap at the dinner table. (or else fork over a dime to whoever noticed first!)7. How to vacuum. (though I don't use this skill very frequently.)8. That everyone in the family pitches in around the house. It's not just one person's job!9. To eat mushrooms with my steak.10. To have high expectations for the person I'm dating/marry. Jeff has the good ole' Southern manners you taught me to expect: opening doors is my favorite! I think there are many similarities between you and Jeff. That's part of what makes him so appealing to me. I love you!!!! Happy Birthday!MJ
Kitchen dancing RULES. Period.
Very sweet tribute. Happy birthday to your dad!
Aren't dads the best? Happy, happy birthday.
Thanks Left Coast. Christmas wishes from the Upper MidWest.
Aww this is so cute! Makes me wonder what I have learned from my dad too. I love that you hate a poorly loaded dishwasher too. I HATE IT
HA! I totally forgot about the napkin-in-the-lap rules! I love you sister
What a wonderful tribute!! Happy Birthday Doni's Dad!!
Hi! I've heard lots of lovely things about you from Rachel, but for some reason I've never been to your blog..silly me! I'll be visiting lots more from now on..promise.This post was so sweet. I would love to write something like this about my dad! Happy birthday to your dad!
Aren't dads the best? Happy, happy birthday.
What a wonderful tribute!! Happy Birthday Doni's Dad!!
Hi! I've heard lots of lovely things about you from Rachel, but for some reason I've never been to your blog..silly me! I'll be visiting lots more from now on..promise.This post was so sweet. I would love to write something like this about my dad! Happy birthday to your dad!
Aww this is so cute! Makes me wonder what I have learned from my dad too. I love that you hate a poorly loaded dishwasher too. I HATE IT
Happy belated birthday Doni's dad. What a great post Doniree.
Aw, thanks Conner! Merry Christmas
your dad sounds wonderful. Happy birthday to him! And all that sports together? awesome. I wish my dad could be more active :p
This totally made me tear up. Happy Birthday Mr. Doni's Dad!
Happy belated birthday Doni's dad. What a great post Doniree.
This totally made me tear up. Happy Birthday Mr. Doni's Dad!
Aw, thanks Conner! Merry Christmas
your dad sounds wonderful. Happy birthday to him! And all that sports together? awesome. I wish my dad could be more active :p
{ 1 trackback }