One of my favourite childhood memories is of my Dad singing and dancing to Elvis. Often after dinner he would put on records and sing along and dance like Elvis. Karaoke long before there was a name for it!! I would laugh and sing and then he pull me and my sister up to dance with him teaching us how to dance rock and roll In those moments I was mesmerised by him. He could have been a star! I thought he was the most fun and talented dad! I would be laughing and giggling and completely caught up in the fun. I never wanted those nights to end! Dad sang a lot. In those days we spent a lot of time in the car, especially in the summer holidays when we'd drive from the Gold Coast to Sydney. And Dad and all of us would sing for hours on the drive to pass the time. His signature tune was "The Red, Red, Robin.."
Every summer in the seventies I spent 2 weeks at Kirra with my Grandma, who owned Tondarra, a block of holiday flats. I loved the beach and the balmy evenings, running around with all the other kids at night playing hide and seek. Getting up every morning and walking to the corner shop for my chocolate milk in a mini milk bottle. Days spent at the beach, visiting Santaland, Currumbin Bird Sanctuary, the chair lift and the original Sea World. We'd have a tomato sandwich for lunch - or corned beef and pickle and a glass of cordial. Evenings we'd play cards or as I said run around the yard. You never could get the sand off your feet - and someone would always be sweeping up the sand. At some stage there would be an Elvis flick on tv and we'd all watch it and snooze the heat of the afternoon away. Blue Hawaii is my all time fave...from the first time I saw it, I loved it and dreamed of visiting Hawaii (I still haven't) and sitting beachside at a bar drinking a cocktail out of a pineapple with some elaborate garnish. I found this fabric panel online and it was a no brainer! I've stretched it over a canvas and hung it in the living room. Mostly it brings a smile to my face or on days like today - I'm a bit overcome with nostalgia and missing those musical times with my dad. I can't believe he's been gone for nearly 4 years. I can still hear him singing my song "If you knew Susie, like I know Susie" and "KKKKatie, Beautiful Katie" He had a song for each of us. When my daughter Georgia - his first grandchild was born - he rang the delivery room and sang "Hey there Georgie Girl" down the phone to her. It was so special. Thanks for the music Dad, you are my own very special elvis xxxx
