Prof. Boerner's Explorations

by Gerald Boerner

Today, we revisit the several aspects of Father’s Day, focusing on our parenting during childhood. This is second year that we have brought you this series. It is a holiday that was proposed to be a companion of Mother’s Day. It has not received the same press as has Mother’s Day, probably because of the very close bond between mothers and their children.

We have included the post from last year and expanded it to include additional background information on the fatherhood and parenthood. We hope that as you read this and the subsequent posts that you will gain new and fond appreciations for our fathers. They have provided us with the support and love that has nurtured us through the good and bad times.

Let us renew our commitment to become the best fathers that we can be to our own children and not make the mistakes that may have been made by our own fathers. GLB

[ This is Part 5 of 7. ]

“Growing up, I’ve enjoyed hunting with my father.”
— Dale Earnhardt

“Doubt is the father of invention.”
— Ambrose Bierce

“I want to go ahead of Father Time with a scythe of my own.”
— H.G. Wells

“Though my father was Norwegian, he always wrote his diaries in perfect English.”
— Roald Dahl

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by Gerald Boerner

Quite often, when we think of the wives of our presidents, we think of refined ladies who thrive upon protocol and entertaining. We don’t normally think of the First Ladies as authors, correspondents, or women of letters. However, Abigail Adams, the second First Lady, does not fit that mold. She was a women of letters, literally and figuratively.

Abigail Adams carried on extensive correspondence with her husband while he was a member of the Continental Congress, delegate (with Franklin) to the Court of Versailles, and to the Court of King George. During this time, Abigail raised their children, advocated women’s rights, and slavery. She was an intelligent, active woman.

So, we hope that you will read, learn and appreciate the contributions of this First Lady.  GLB

“A little of what you call frippery is very necessary towards looking like the rest of the world.”
— Abigail Adams

“Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken.”
— Abigail Adams

“Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could.”
— Abigail Adams

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