Fodder for Father’s Day shoppers
Sunday is Father’s Day.
I love my father. I’ll never forget something I heard when I was very young: “I wish we could choose our parents.” If I could have chosen my dad I would still be Aurele Lefebvre’s daughter. He’s a quiet man but the hardest worker I know; up at the crack of dawn and in the field as long as it takes to get the work done. He has taught me so much. When I’m having “one of those days,” I think about Dad and wonder how he would handle things. It always helps.
Every year I want so badly to buy or make the perfect gift for Dad for Father’s Day. I don’t know if all dads are hard to buy for, or just mine, but it gets more difficult every year.
My love for “all things weather” has allowed me to compile a list of weather-related gifts that, over the years, has gotten me out of many a last-minute bind. So I thought I would share that list with last-minute Father’s Day shoppers.
I think my favourite weather gift is the mariner’s weather glass. Many years ago these were state-of-the-art barometers. They were used on ships to warn sailors of impending storms. They work just as well today! You simply fill the glass with coloured water and hang it on the wall, out of direct sunlight. When water slowly rises in the spout, stormy weather is a couple of days out. Rapidly rising water means the storm is very close, and a quick drop in the water level means the storm has moved off. It comes with a mounting bracket and is available at Lee Valley Tools.
I also love to give unique umbrellas. We’re so particular about accessories, why not have a few colourful umbrellas to brighten up an otherwise dull day? I love them. In fact, I collect them!
If your dad is a gardener, a digital indoor/outdoor weather station is a neat gift. Across Atlantic Canada, local topography is such that microclimates exist. Some of these systems come with a little alarm that goes off when the temperature gets near the freezing mark. Good to know if you didn’t cover up the tomatoes before going to bed, especially this year.
Finally, I grew up with a weather journal. It wasn’t fancy but it allowed me to make daily weather entries, keep track of big rain and snow storms, and monitor Grandma’s weather observations. You can find some lovely handmade journals at most local markets. Who knows? Had it not been for the weather journal, I might not be a meteorologist today!
I hope I’ve been able to help with your last-minute shopping for Dad. If your dad is like mine, he’ll tell you that he doesn’t need a thing. In that case a hug and an “I love you” will go a long way!
Happy Father’s Day!