Special offer

The Clubhouse

By
Industry Observer with ARFCO Media

Throwback Thursdays: The Clubhouse

With Dad’s Day coming right up this Sunday of course I’ve been thinking about him. I thought it would be fun to share this photo on Throwback Thursdays... It was taken back in 1959 not long after we moved to Earlington. I wish I had another picture that was a little more upfront and personal, but this one I am fond of and it conjures many memories.

Dad had a little help from Grandpa, but for the most part he built our clubhouse himself. In hindsight, Dad was always so busy working we didn’t sometimes know or appreciate he actually had “dad skills”... Along the way we learned he did a lot of carpentry work for my Grandpa, who built many homes in Renton and the area, when he was a kid until he left for the war right after high school, class of RHS 1940.

This photo cracks me up. Dad as always when he's doing anything, totally focused. Me however, the next to (plum that falls not far from tree) and I’m not sure if I’m just spacing out gazing into future or a little impatient. “Is it done yet?” And there's my brother Steve, looking on. Simply excited we got a clubhouse almost!

The Clubhouse, Earlington 1959

 

My brother Steve and I had so much fun in that little clubhouse. It was many things to us and a wonderful place under the willow tree, rain or shine. It was our hangout for playing army, cowboys, spies, and explorers. We ran a weekly neighborhood newspaper from here and played spaceships going to Mars. It was an outpost in the wilderness and a cabin in the mountains.

Our favorite times were in summer sleeping in it overnight then in the morning (Dad taught us how to get the BBQ going) cook our own bacon & eggs and whatever in a cast iron pan for breakfast. I'm sure Mom loved the messes we made...

Dad’s are whom they are and they all had (have) something wonderful and unique to give and share. At this time in my life I am so very grateful my Dad was my Dad. We understand them one way as kids growing up,  and now, in reflection, in quite a different way as adults.

Regardless if your Dad is alive or not, Sunday is the day to embrace and celebrate them. Dad’s aren’t and never were perfect, they're dad's. Anyway, we couldn’t get here if that weren’t so. I'm thankful... 

Posted by

René Fabre

"Where there's conversation, there's opportunity."

Please Note - The views expressed herein reflect only the individual’s personal views and are not the views of the author’s employer.

The Blackberry Chronicles, a blog by Rene Fabre and his travels around the Greater Pacific Northwest and beyond. Connect w/ Rene Fabre on Google+. Rene Fabre on Twitter. Rene Fabre writes reviews on Yelp. Rene Fabre on Linkedin.com The Audiorium YouTube Channel by Rene Fabre. Facebook.com/renefabre Rene Fabre loves digital photography and here are his shares on Flickr. Rene Fabre is a musician and composer and shares some of his orginal music and recordings on Soundcloud. Rene Fabre shares his interests on Pinterest.
Bill Reddington
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate

Another Fathers Day. Great Memory. That is probably the only part I wouldn't trade for anything. Being a Dad!

Jun 18, 2015 11:51 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Bill Reddington ... :0) yep... being a dad... no trade... no way... 

Jun 18, 2015 12:07 PM
Ed Macias
Real Estate Teammates - Miami, FL
Miami FL-REO Property Management Multifamily

HA!! That's good stuff right there. Good times with the old man.

Jun 18, 2015 12:08 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

What a great photo. I am so fortunate to still have my daddy.  My sweet husband had a very crappy daddy and I'm glad he now has my daddy to love him too.

Jun 18, 2015 12:10 PM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

That is so cool Renee. I have memories of being a kid from reading your words and I love the B&W photo.

Jun 18, 2015 01:04 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Renee,

What a sweet remembrance, and yes, I will drink a toast to my father Sunday.  He was a great man.  A

Jun 18, 2015 01:36 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Those old pictures like that become more priceless with time!  In some ways they seem so long ago, but in other ways they seem just like yesterday!

Jun 18, 2015 11:06 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Rene. This is a great photo and an even better reflection.

Jun 19, 2015 12:09 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I miss my Dad every day and Sunday will be a day that brings inevitable sadness that he isn't here.  I will always have memories and the many things he taught me that made me who I am.

Jun 19, 2015 04:36 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Ed Macias ... It was, good times with the old man! :O)

Thanks Tammy Lankford and glad to hear you still have you dad!

Noah Seidenberg ... Thanks! Good memories and love the old photos too!

Hi A Ron and Alexandra Seigel ... ahh... and me too! "Here's to Dad!"

Jun 19, 2015 06:15 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

So very true Myrl Jeffcoat ... Weird how some memories seem so long ago and not very long ago at all at the same time. 

Jun 19, 2015 06:17 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Sheila Anderson ... thanks!

Chris Ann Cleland , me too! 

Jun 19, 2015 06:18 AM