This past weekend was my father’s 60th birthday. I thought about it for a long time. What do you get a man that doesn’t need anything? He usually tells me to get him something consumable. Something that won’t end up cluttering up the house. So, I send him seafood or fruit or bbq sauces. Fun little bits of yummy. But, 60 is a big year. I wanted something memorable.

So, I decided to do a painting for him. But what to paint? Then I decided that I should paint a picture of his sailboat, the Windrunner. He loves that boat. Loves lake Quachita where it is housed. We have many wonderful family memories of summers spent out on the water there.

I worked on this painting at the girl’s weekend, getting most of the background done. But the boat itself was a task of tedium and love. Took me forever! But, I think it turned out well.

And most importantly, I think he really liked it. He said he would hang it in his office. I was very flattered.

Happy birthday, Judge Daddio.