Quirky places

Anyone who reads my blog routinely sees this photo, the office of the Longaberger Basket Company in Newark, Ohio.

Now, this unique office building is an entry in USA Today's10Best Reader's Choice for Best Quirky Landmark in the United States. As this was near my hometown during my youth, you know this gets my vote. Voters can vote once a day until June 23. The winners will be announced at noon on June 25.

Other nominees for best quirky place include:

Ave Maria Grotto - Cullman, Ala.
Beer Can House - Houston
Big Tex - Dallas
Cabazon Dinosaurs - Cabazon, Calif.
Cadillac Ranch - Amarillo, Texas
Carhenge - Alliance, Neb.
Dog Bark Park Inn - Cottonwood, Idaho
Enchanted Highway - Regent, N.D.
Farnham Colossi - Unger, W.V.
Foamhenge - Natural Bridge, Va.
Fremont Troll - Seattle
Galleta Meadows Estate - Borrego Springs, Calif.
Goldwell Open Air Museum - Rhyolite, Nev.
Hood Milk Bottle - Boston
Longaberger Home Office - Newark, Ohio
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox - Bemidji, Minn.
Peachoid - Gaffney, S.C.
Prada Marfa - Marfa, Texas
South of the Border - Dillon, S.C.
World's Biggest Bat - Louisville

 

 To vote, go to http://www.10best.com/awards/travel and remember to vote for your favorite quirky place among the nominees (The Longaberger Basket, hint, hint) by June 23.

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Father's Day

I've been blowing hot and cold for the past few days about writing this particular blog post. You see, even though I'm a father and step-father, my own father has been gone for the majority of my adult life, 36 years now. And for the first time that I can remember, I'm really missing him this Father's Day.

My dad passed away from cancer when I was 28 in 1978. He was young, I believe (blame a faulty memory) only 48 years old. I remember we got the diagnosis in October 1977; by March, he was gone.

From the time I was 18 and going forward, we had little interaction. I was away at school, then marriage and my own sons followed. I do remember the joy he had at seeing his grandsons. So, my real, now vague, memories of him are during those first 18 years of my life.

My dad was the best, yes, a strict parent, but also tolerant. He provided for us, took care of us and managed to see me and my two sisters through all the activities we engaged in. I remember his misgivings when I told him I was going to law school, but how proud he was when I graduated. In high school, during football season, my sister and I (we were both in the marching band) would find him waiting patiently in our Rambler station wagon for us to return from the away games, no matter how late it was.

He was a great dad and I still love him deeply and wish he hadn't left us so soon. Happy Father's Day, Dad.

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