His parents named him George Habert Horchem. Everyone called him Dutch. And I called him Daddy Do.
Today, he would've been 100 years old.
As far as granddad's go, he was the best. And I mean the best. I learned a lot from him. For example:
1.) He taught me to drive.
First in the pasture. I was little. Then, on the highway. I'm guessing I was five. He wanted me to go just as fast as everyone else. I'll never know why he let me drive on Highway 19 or yield into the traffic on Highway 154.
It wasn't until I was 35 that I got a speeding ticket on the Country Club road. As the officer was writing the ticket, I laughed a little and thought "Lady, if you only knew I've been driving on this road for 30 years."
I was about 7 when my mom was with us. I was driving in the pasture, and when we left "the ranch" as I called it, I kept on driving. This time there was a trailer behind the truck, and she got a little more than excited.
"Lou Ann," he said calmly. "Don't worry about it."
2.) We turned donuts on the ice.
I'm lucky that I'm the middle grandson. Three older. Three younger. Once before the younger ones arrived or were big enough to participate, I remember that we had an ice/snow storm when the three older ones were home for Christmas. He loaded us up in the truck and we headed to the town square. "Boys, hold on." He gunned it. We spun around. Again. And again. Then we went back to get the sled, and off we went - him in the truck and the four of us holding on for dear life.
3.) When you get thrown off, get back on.
Everyone has heard this before, and Daddy Do meant it. He always made sure I had a horse to ride. There was Blackie, Lady, Pumpkin, and Pistol. Sometimes, he'd let me ride Pokie. There was also Molly, a cute little mule. I have forgotten now which one of those threw me off and gave me a concussion. He didn't make me get back on that day. But it wasn't long.
4.) Scary is good.
He liked Halloween, and he might be hiding in the bushes to scare you just when you said "Trick or Treat!"
5.) It's okay to be particular.
Daddy Do liked things done a certain way. He was very particular about the yard -- it needed to be mowed in straight lines with sharp, clean corners. No circles. He was much more strict on me about driving the lawn mower than he was about the truck. And he insisted that all sticks be picked up in advance of mowing. Pecans, too. (Full disclosure - I don't like pecans. And picking them up was the one thing he could never convince me was fun.)
6.) Polish your boots.
I have very vivid memories of his shoe-shine box, and him giving me strict instructions how to do it, which brush to use, and why. We watched wrestling when we did this.
If he could see my shoes now, he would not be impressed. But it's been a hard winter. And besides, I know Judd & Jason's look worse than mine. He needed a little more time with them.
7.) Soap operas, pie, and a nap.
Lunctime meant a nice meal, a piece of pie, a little bit of As The World Turns, followed by a very quick nap. I'd take that right about now.
8.) Cut up.
I didn't understand then, but now I know he was quick witted, a little bit of a prankster, and had a very dry sense of humor. One day we were taking Emma, the housekeeper, home. He ran a stop sign, and Emma screamed "Mr. Dutch!" He never missed a beat. "Emma, that car was going to hit you first. I figured I'd be okay." She laughed and shook her head. "Mr. Dutch!" she said as she fanned her more than abundant bosom.
Another time when he got bucked off a horse, Emma asked how he was doing. He told her the bruises were as black as her ass. She laughed, "Oh Mr. Dutch. Hush!" I can still hear her say that. He loved her. And she loved him.
I could go on and on.
Daddy Do, in his own way, taught me things no one else could. What do all of those things mean now?
1. Go fast. Act like you know what you're doing. Stay calm.
2. Take a risk. Stay young. Always have fun.
3. Ride with the best of them.
4. Pay attention.
5. There's nothing wrong with setting high expectations.
6. Wear nice shoes.
7. Enjoy the good stuff.
8. Laugh.Tease. Love.