In high school, Johnnie was the all-around athlete:
soccer ...
baseball ...
and basketball.
He even played baseball outside of school and after he graduated:
Dad wanted to go to college so he could be a physical education teacher, but unfortunately he wasn't able to do so. Instead he went off to war (where he still managed to find time for sports):
then came home, went to business school and settled for playing with his kids and watching sports on television. Some of my fondest childhood memories include throwing a frisbee with him, playing badminton and tennis with him, and having the poor man try to teach me how to throw a baseball sidearm. (Sorry, Daddy! I can't help it I throw like a girl!) And once we finally got cable, he was in heaven! He watched every sporting event ever televised, including cricket and Australian Rules football! He was a hard-core Penn State fan, as well as a fan of the Phillies, the Steelers, and the Celtics. He occasionally played tennis at a local tennis club with his boss until he retired and then had to have his hips replaced.
Now I rarely watch sports, mostly because it just isn't the same without him.
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My fave is the pic with the basketball!
ReplyDeleteA man after my own heart. A shame he wasn't able to go to University and become a physical education instructor. I bet he'd have been a good one.
ReplyDeleteI particularly like the picture from the war years. A true sports nut!
ReplyDeleteCharming post!
What great memories. It is so like life to go in it's own way. He probably found the war to change his goals. Seeking something else and yet was able to live sports through tv. A nice blog.
ReplyDeleteWillow ~ Great uniforms, eh? Love the belts on those shorts!
ReplyDeleteBarry ~ You're right. He would have made a fantastic teacher, especially when it involved something he obviously loved so much. He was a big advocate of education, too.
Vicki ~ Sports nut is right! My mother finally got her own TV in their bedroom when she realized she'd never win the battle of the remote and gave up.
Larry ~ War did change his goals, as did the fact that he came home to a wife and an infant daughter. My parents ended up living with my grandparents for a few years until Dad completed business school and they saved enough money to build a house. Ah, the yoke of responsibility.
Hi Patty, thanks for stopping by my blog. First I loved the SS. My father was missing from my life after age 8, he just left, and I so enjoy hearing stories of fathers and daughters. WWII was a significant time in my life as it was during that time that things came to chaos in my young life and all the uncles became my fathers. Secondly I had failed to read your Magpie about the matches until today. You are an excellent writer. I love these creative blogs and for an old lady am having a hellava fun time. Come again. Blessings
ReplyDeleteQMM
What fun memories of your Dad. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
ReplyDeleteAn active man who lived and loved life. I can imagine him as a great motivator. A quality his team-mates would have appreciated.
ReplyDeleteMy father was a big sports fan also. The sound of a football game on T.V., in the background, is so nostalgic to me. But, like you, I seldom turn on sports anymore. Maybe I'll try it just to get that old nostalgic feeling.
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