This might seem like a really unremarkable picture to most people, but for me it is so potent with memories, capturing a lot of what we grew up around.

You’ve got Beasley, Mom and Dad’s last of many dogs, waiting patiently for his red kong toy to be thrown for him. Many of our dogs were enthusiastic retrievers, with only part of their enthusiasm in-born: Dad loved to be out in the yard or garage, and while working would toss a ball or other favorite dog toy for as many rounds as the dogs would return.

And then there’s the controlled chaos of the garage, made especially crazy by the construction of one of Dad’s boats. I love the mess of tools, ladders, and wood in the background: very Dad. And the floor of the garage is also very evocative of the many projects that Mom and Dad undertook. It’s stained like crazy with all manner of paint, epoxy, driveway sealant, and who knows what else.