Tahtimo Reviews "My Funny Dad, Harry" and Liked It!

One of the winners of my book giveaway at Red Pine Mountain, Tahtimbo at Everyday Living, has given me permission to repost part of his review of "My Funny Dad, Harry" here.

Here is part of what he had to say:

I was amazed at how personable the stories were and it seemed as if I came to know Harry as well. Some of the stories are humorous; some will bring back memories of when you were growing up, and some stories are emotionally hard, but they all combine to give us a sense of who Harry was.

Karen, I would like to thank you for sharing your stories and giving us a glimpse into your life. I know that there are many out there that are taking care of aging parents and your book lets them know that they are not alone. In closing, I want close by saying that I highly recommend this book and I am sure that you will enjoy it as much as I did.

I am always pleased and amazed that people who read my book have such nice things to say about it and like it. I think what makes it likable is that my dad is so endearing. Be sure to check out the entire review at Everyday Living.

He said he was thinking of reading it for two years and finally won the book giveaway.  Once he got it, he read it quickly and got to the place where he didn't want to put it down.  If you have been thinking of reading it, I hope you don't put it off for two years!  Just click the Amazon ad for it here and it will take you right to the page where you can order.

To find out more about my book and why I wrote it, read the Foreword here. Tweet This

I'm Getting More and More Like Dad (Writer's Workshop)

My dad and I used to always get comments that I looked so much like him. Probably because neither of us smiled very much.

We were both very stubborn and always felt our way of doing something was the "right" way.  Often times, we would butt heads because we already had our mind made up how to do something and were not interested in other alternatives.  I have worked at being more open to other ideas, and my dad even started listening finally to at least some of my ideas in his old age.

We are both reserved.  My dad was never much at making small talk and neither am I.  I much prefer just being with people I know well rather than meeting new people.  Neither of us are "social butterflies."

Neither of us are very interested in buying new clothes. We both wear our clothes for years, whether they are still in style or not. That's why I mostly just buy classic, traditional things that are timeless. Neither of us like dressing up. I am happiest in jeans, sweatshirts or t-shirts.

We both Like To Keep Our Blood.  Yesterday when I went for my annual check-up, they had a problem drawing my blood. I remembered how dad used to have to try to find a finger to prick for his diabetes testing every day and sometimes he would hardly get enough blood for it. He would rub it some before he tried to warm it up. Remembering this, I suggested running some hot water on my wrist to warm me up. Yes, it is summer and was a very nice warm day; however, the office had air conditioning blowing so hard it felt like 60 degrees in there. The technician even wore a fleece jacket!

The doctor gave up and decided to just do the one test for anemia. I sure hope I am not anemic! I don't need that problem yet. He was concerned because I lost a couple pounds, but I think it was because I just got finished doing sports camp in hot weather all week which was way more activity than I normally do.

I have some of my dad's good qualities though too.  

We are both organized.  My dad was quite organized even though his desks, tables, chairs and floors were a mess.  He knew where his things were most of the time.  I too have a place for everything and usually remember where my things are too. 

We both are list makers. My dad always had lists going of projects he wanted to work on, grocery lists, and even lists of what he ate. I do the same thing except I don't write a grocery list every week. I just print out a list of items we usually get and check the ones we want. I did this for my dad as well when I was his primary caregiver and started doing his grocery shopping for him.

We are both very generous and helpful. He used to teach boys in Sunday School and now I do. We both get so involved in working on projects we care about that we can work for hours and forget to eat. Neither of us have any trouble sleeping and are both early risers and neither of us are night owls. Hoot! Hoot!

My dad told me over and over he didn't know what he'd do without me when he was in his 80s and I was his primary caregiver. I know he was very proud of me and loved me very, very much.  I am glad I am so much like my dad!  He was such a good person and got along with everyone.  (Mostly because he kept his mouth shut.)

This is one of Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop posts in response to: What does your child do that reminds you most of yourself? How does it make you feel?

To find out more about my book and why I wrote it, read the Foreword here. Tweet This

Cameras and Kids

My dad was always taking pictures—mostly slides and movies. I remember how I used to hate getting my picture taken, especially when he had to bring out the bright flood lights to take movies indoors. We'd all groan but later enjoyed watching them! I remember my parents got a little family tree photo stand that had all six of our pictures in it and none of us kids liked it. We kept turning it backwards and my mom kept turning it back when she would notice it. Maybe that’s why I got to like taking pictures because then I was behind the camera where it was safe.

A camera can be a good gift for a child. I had a lot of fun taking pictures with mine. I took pictures of goofy things, like my dad’s bristles on the back of his head. My parents let me take pictures of anything I wanted and never said I shouldn't take something because it would be wasting the film (like I'd be tempted to say if roles were reversed). I wonder if the camera would still work.

I don’t know how old I was when I got my first camera, but it wasn’t fancy. It is an Imperial Mark XII Flash but I don't have the flash attachment anymore. It just snaps open to load the film but I don't even know if they still make the kind of film it uses. The film went in there and after each shot I had to wind the film forward. I looked it up on eBay and found one exactly like it with an asking price of $103! Ha, ha. Good luck getting that, I say! There were no bids on it. I thought of trying to sell mine on eBay except I printed my name on the bottom of it in marker so doubt if anyone would want it, not to mention the fact that I don't even know if it works. I'd be happy to get $5 bucks for it!

Taking pictures is fun! I went through a long line of different cameras including the disc, the Polaroid, the 35mm and now my digital. Cameras sure have changed a lot but I believe my love for taking pictures started because of my dad and that first positive experience I had taking those silly pictures.

To find out more about my book and why I wrote it, read the Foreword here.
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Where Did I Put That Letter Opener? (Writer's Workshop)

Harry also spent a lot of his time looking for things he misplaced. One day, he told me "I can't find the letter opener so I am using scissors to lock the door." (Since his door lock broke and he was still in the process of fixing it himself, he used the letter opener to lock it.) I spent the whole time there before work helping him look for it, but I couldn't find it anywhere either. Later that day, I got a call from dad at work saying, "Hello, Karen, this is dad. I just wanted to call to let you know I found the letter opener under my pillow." We both laughed at that, wondering how in the world it landed there. At least he found it!

Head on over to Red Pine Mountain to enter her giveaway for an autographed copy of my book, "My Funny Dad, Harry."  Contest drawing is June 9 and all you need to do is leave a comment on that post to enter.

This is an excerpt from "My Funny Dad, Harry" which I posted in response to Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop prompt:  “What did you once lose? Write about your search to find it again.”

To find out more about my book and why I wrote it, read the Foreword here.
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