I don’t normally post articles of a personal nature, since I know people come here looking for chocolate inspiration. But today is my Dad’s birthday. and I wanted to write a birthday blog post for him to read. I want to show everyone what an amazing artist he is, where I get so much inspiration from, how I came to be the creative person that I am, and most of all to tell him how much he means to me. And to say thank-you.
NOTE TO PAPA: this is my blog, what you’re reading is called a blog post. Yes, other people can see it too. Ignore all of the stuff on the far right, I know… it’s confusing. But don’t click on anything over there, unless you want to order my chocolate DVD. Just keep scrolling down the page until you get to the bottom.
I thought it would be cool to have this available for him to read anytime, anywhere. If I wrote it on paper he’d probably lose it. This way he can just Google it if he can’t find it.
Botanical Eye-Candy
My dad, who I call “Mon Papa” (because I like to pretend I’m French), is the most creative person I know. I would describe him as an environmental artist, he turns his surroundings into works of art. I’m especially fond of his outdoor spaces, where he creates whimsical and enchanting gardens in every available nook and cranny. He does this out of plants, trees, rocks, old rusty wheels, broken pottery, and vintage nick -nacks he finds here and there. You might say he is a collector of sorts.
All the cool birds hang out here
He also makes the sweetest little enamel birds that he embellishes on tree parts. He loves birds, and birds love him, because he spoils them with the “gourmet” bird seed, and provides an exquisite botanical playground for them to zip around in. They also have plenty of upscale accommodations to lay their eggs in. I mean, what more could you ask for …. if you’re a bird.
NOTE TO PAPA: Thank-you for passing along your creative genes to me, and giving me the gift to see and create beauty everywhere I go.
Mon Papa also makes beautiful jewelry. He has been doing this all his life. When I was a little girl, he used to sell it on the beach at the famous arts and craft show on Cabrillo Ave. in Santa Barbara, while I would frolic in the sand and almost drown in the ocean when no one was watching. We did this every weekend for many years. Good times.
NOTE TO PAPA: Thank-you for raising me in one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, Santa Barbara. I’m lucky to have so many great childhood memories growing up on the beach. No matter where I am, Santa Barbara will always be home. In fact, I don’t know why I ever left, can I come back and live on your couch?
Mon Papa’s flowers are the happiest flowers I know.
NOTE TO PAPA: Thank-you for arranging my arrival during “The Summer of Love”. I’m a flower child, we’re both hippies. I will proudly pass on the meat and potatoes for the tofu and sprouts anytime. And thank-you for doing all of the drugs after I was born, opposed to before, which might have resulted in me having even fewer brain cells.
Did I mention rocks?
Music
He has been playing music for as long as I can remember. He is rarely seen around the house before too long without some kind of musical accessory at hand. He has a vintage accordion he calls Charlene, named after my step mom, who’s not crazy about accordions. He sings, plays the guitar and just about everything else. He leaves me little ditties for phone messages, they always make my day.
NOTE TO PAPA: Thank-you for giving me the gift of music appreciation. I simply could not live without music. Music is food for the soul. A life without music would not be worth living.
NOTE TO PAPA: Thank-you for getting married again so I could have two moms. I love them both very much. In fact, I have two Dads too, just another perk.
Note to other dad, I love you too.
NOTE TO PAPA: Thank-you for having 2 kids instead of one, because of this I have a cool older brother who exposed me to some great music growing up, including The Beatles, The Sex Pistols and The Ramones, as well as some music I’m still trying to appreciate like RUSH, Motorhead and Iron Maiden.
NOTE TO FRANCEY PANTS, thank-you for keeping the music alive in our house.
NOTE TO PAPA: Thank-you for being you and always making me laugh, I simply can’t imagine having any other kind of unique individual for my Papa.
Charlene says:
“The apple does not fall far from the tree”
I think she might be right
Joyeux anniversaire à vous Mon Papa,
Je t’aime beaucoup !
Katreece
January 16, 2014 at 3:24 pm
Such a warm and touching post. Thanks for sharing.
Robin Robins
January 19, 2014 at 1:12 pm
Thank-you Robin 🙂
January 16, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Sis u r the sweetest,,,,,ur mon papa Sounds great, happy birthday mon papa
January 19, 2014 at 1:13 pm
Thank-you sissy!
January 16, 2014 at 6:57 pm
You hit the nail right on the head. Very, very touching. And, by the way all true. He is one special person, and a heck of a nice guy along with that. I appreciate all his talents. But,
most of all, I value his friendship…
January 19, 2014 at 1:14 pm
Thank-you Papa E.Robb!
January 17, 2014 at 7:48 am
This is a wonderful tribute to your dad. He is everything you shared and a great friend too! We love him and have been blessed to spend time with him over the years…..wishing him many more birthdays!!!
January 19, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Thanks Jackie! I know he feels the same way about you guys. Thanks for being such a great friend 🙂
January 17, 2014 at 3:49 pm
I think that is the best daughter to Papa tribute I’ve ever read. And, I agree, all true about Dickie Montgomery! So nice to see all those special qualities so poetically described. I’m lucky he’s been my friend for so many years. Margie
January 19, 2014 at 1:18 pm
Thank-you so much Margie, such a sweet comment 🙂 he loves you guys and we are all lucky to have you as friends. Happy New Year! xoxo
January 18, 2014 at 9:12 am
Tweety- that was beautiful… it brought tears to my eyes.. You are so lucky and so creative and so very sweet. Love and miss you lots… Wendi
January 25, 2014 at 11:41 am
Thank-you Wendi, great to hear from you! love and miss you too. Happy New Year! xoxo
January 18, 2014 at 12:47 pm
I’ve always called him Pops. And he does rock, every parent should be so lucky to be honored with a blog post like that PEACE POPS Joey C
January 25, 2014 at 11:42 am
Thanks for the sweet comment Joey. Mesa Rats Rule!!!
January 18, 2014 at 8:47 pm
Oh! So sweet and clever! Honored to share a b’day with you Dick!
January 25, 2014 at 11:45 am
Thank-you Mary, I hope you’re doing great. Say hi to my Papa next time you see him 🙂
February 16, 2014 at 5:47 pm
Only just got to see this post that my friend Charlene sent out to me.
Katreece, I do not know you but I admire what a kind and thoughtful
daughter you are. Your Papa is certainly extremely talented and a great
human being!! Much love to all the family and I do hope I get to meet you
someday.