Any long-time readers might remember this post from five years ago, when my dad, having blown out the candles on his 80th birthday cake, said 'Right: now I'm striking out for 85.'
Today's the day.
I spoke to him on the phone earlier: he was looking forward to a fancy lunch out with his daughters, followed my garbled account of my not-yet-written conference paper and asked a couple of pertinent questions, reassured me that I would get everything done, asked me what was coming up for Writers' Week, and gave me a thorough and lively description of Lleyton Hewitt's commentating skills as demonstrated during the Australian Open men's final ('I mean, I can't stand the little bastard, but he did a fantastic job') and a quick rundown on the latest in Adelaide's bikie wars. Still driving; stayed up with me last week till after 1 am watching the tennis, with no ill effects the next day; blood pressure 120/70 and the cardiologist doesn't want to see him for another twelve months.
Here he is, with the dog of the moment, 65 years ago.
Hooray indeed. Congratulations to Papa Cat. And many happy returns.
ReplyDeleteMany happy returns to Papa Cat. How lovely that he is still not only active, but engaged with the world.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Kerryn's pa! What a handsome young man! Guess he's striking out for 90 now.
ReplyDeleteThanks all, I will tell him that my friends on the interwebz wish him a happy birthday. El, I expect him to say exactly that at some point during today's festivities.
ReplyDeleteWatta man, watta man, watta man, watta mighty fine man (he's a really really good man, yeah)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Papa Cat!
Your Dad and I (albeit I'm 20 years in his wake) appear share the same opinion of LLLLeyton.
ReplyDeleteHe has fine tennis skills and even greater fighting skills. Not so good etiquette skills. However his commentary skills knock those of that perennial and pointless commentator Jim 'it's really all about me making references to moi' Courier into a backwards worn cocked peaked titfer.
May he blow out many more candles.
Good luck to him, too!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Papa Cat for Wednesday. I hope he still gets a kick out of strangers in the internet cheering him on.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as a 50-something person with an ailing parent, it's a joy to read that your father remains engaged with our world. That's both reassurance for the present and hope for the future.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo: dad & dog both look pleased to be in the company of each other. Best birthday wishes to Papa Cat.
TFA
That is such an iconic photo. It could represent the Australian man of his generation: wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAll of the above, Kerryn. Happy birthday to your dad. Delia
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your dada.
ReplyDeleteBe encouraged by the staistic that anyone alive today is more likely than not to still be alive in 2 1/2 years' time.
Gak! Typo! Meant dad.
ReplyDelete'dada' is also appropriate, believe me. He definitely has a surreal edge.
ReplyDeleteSorry this is so late but I have just come across this post. I had to comment on the photo. It is just such an Australian picture, I love it. Yes, there are gum trees and faded grass and I'm sure the sky is blue, but the essence is also in the lively stance of that handsome young man, the wide grin, the easy embrace of the dog. Thanks. http://janmerryreadersandwriters.blogspot.co.uk/
ReplyDelete