Old Spice

The classic scent of the common man.  Common many years ago and less so now, but not a forgotten fragrance either.  It is still spashed daily by thousands, upon a like number of wizened, grizzled mugs.

A scent considered dated, passe' and far out of style, yet which still sells millions of dollars worth annually; the men who wear it are to those who love them, absolutely never dated, passe' or out of style.

This evening, I read the following comment in response to this post by the always read-worthy Law Dog Files.

Arfin Greebly said...
LD,

Dammit.

You made my eyes water, and I'm not eating anything hot.

If I somehow managed to grow into my father, I would consider it an honor.

I have long felt those were shoes I could not fill.

Every time I review the integrity with which he has lived his life, I find myself wanting.

I hear ya, Afrin.... and raise you an "amen".

So, though while Law Dog's post speaks of an entirely different sort of spice, he speaks the common language of sons who come to know thier fathers later in life, and surprisingly, in their own lives as they live them.

A bit melancholy, to be sure.  But not sad.  No, not sad at all.

Indeed, every morning that I drag the whetted steel across my own aging jowls, I find myself more and more to be shaving the face of my Father.

So, Mr. Greebly?  Don't feel bad, mate.  I know I can never fill my Dad's shoes.  Not even close.  I'll be happy if I can be merely half the man my Dad is, and even that is to aspire to fight above my weight.  For all his flaws, mistakes and shortcomings, he's lived a life which far outstrips mine in accomplishment, experience and integrity.

I admire him beyond words, and love him beyond measure.

And shall, always.

Happy travelling, Dad, and Happy Father's Day!

addendum: 

By the way, I come to my love of black pepper quite of my own volition.  I can remember quite cleaerly, the four of us (Dad, my late Mom and (now estranged) brother, dining at the Western Steak House on Orangethorpe Ave in Fullerton, CA.  And my folk's watching in astonished amazement as I quite literally blanketed my steaks (we ate there often enough), in a good solid layer of black pepper, relishing every bite.  I was in the 2nd grade then.

And while I've never came to appreciate any sort of bell pepper or hot chili peppers, I still loves me a well peppered steak.

Comments

[Rivrdog]

Right on. We won't come close to the integrity our fathers' generation lived their lives by, and sadly, our children will never lay a candle to ours.

Thought of you today, Sailor, as I was getting passed in a narrow, no-wake channel by a Nauticat 33. I was going max no-wake speed, just under 6 kts through the water, and he came by me at over 7 kts, making a wake. Since I knew the skipper, I chided him on CH 68, but he gave me that old chestnut "everyone knows a sailboat can't make a wake".

Of course, when we got clear of the restrictive channel, I put the throttles down and he was soon chiding ME for making him turn to quarter MY wake. That 90-hp Lehman of his won't plane his sailboat, but my TWO 270-hp Crusaders WILL plane mine.

Do NOT ask me how much fuel I burned at $3.59/gallon....

[Thebastidge]

Ah, black pepper's good.

However, the stale shite in restaurants and most cafeteria-type places (the DFACs here come to mind) requires me to take the top off the shaker to liberally dose my comestibles to get a proper tang.

But give me anything in the genus capsicum and I'll have a blissful look on my face.

[Raggedy]

Excellent post!
Your writing never ceases to amaze me.
"he's lived a life which far outstrips mine in accomplishment, experience and integrity. I admire him beyond words, and love him beyond measure."
They went straight to my heart because as I read them I feel all those same things for my Dad as well only I would never be able to express them so eloquently.
Have a wonderful day!
*^_^
(=':'=) hugs
(")_ (")Š from
the Cool Raggedy one

[laurie]

The scent of Old Spice never ever ever fails to remind me of Dad.
I always wondered if he really liked it, or just wore it because of us.

[Guy S.]

Ahhhh, Old Spice! I still use it, as my father did before me. Don't know if the boys picked up on it or not. Most likely not, as they are "far too hip ™ " for the "ship that sailed the ocean".

And my dads shoes have and forever will be far too big for me. Though it was a most sobering moment when I caught myself sounding just like him, while admonishing one of my boys in their younger days. (think I got an automatic gray hair or two right at that very same moment *grin*P

here and here is a bit of tv memory to go with it.

[H&DS]

Jim:
Your praise is like 2 500 lb kegs of honey. although very sweet, when placed upon my shoulders, I can not bear the burden.
The only thing I desire is your love, which I know I have. No other request is made to you.
Know that you are loved very much also by both H&DS.

[Mark Vane]

Hey, while searching for widgets for my blog, I stumbled upon www.widgetmate.com and wow! I found what I wanted. A cool news widget. My blog is now showing latest news with title, description and images. Took just few minutes to add. Awesome!

[Liberty]

Jim
So eloquent.
Thanks for the tribute. Our fathers and the men of their generation have given us so much.
Liberty