Dad

And his befuddling love of Vegemite

There are a few times throughout the year that are a bit hard. They all center around periods when people died or their birthdays. But as the years pass, the grief is layered with more and more good memories, which doesn’t necessarily make it less hard… It's somehow also better, as I'm glad to have known these special people and can remember their spark with fewer wet eyes.

One of those folks is my father. His birthday was always around Father’s day, so during the beginning of June, I always find my thoughts drifting towards him. And, well, I thought I’d share one of my favourite stories of him.

As you may know, I did my PhD in Australia. And yes, it was like the song. There were massive thunderstorms when I first got to Oz. When I moved into my first place, it was broken into - nothing of mine was taken, but it was men who plundered. Oh, and yes, the beer flowed every week when we’d go to trivia - in the hopes of winning the gift card that could pay off our bar tab.

My mother always wanted to know what Australian food was like. So, on my first visit back, I brought lots of Shiraz, Tim Tams, Violet Crumble, Cherry Ripe, Caramello Koala, Licorice, and anything that wouldn’t spoil in my bag (so candy and wine) that I thought she’d like. She seemed disappointed, stating that similar things were all over the US.

The next time I came back, I brought crocodile and kangaroo jerky, Vegemite, and, of course, some more wine and Tim Tams. She didn’t ask me to bring back any more Australian food after that.

But soon after I got home, my father wrote me an email. It turns out he had broken into the Vegemite and somehow, that vitamin B turned him into a poet. I give you his ode to Vegemite - by Robert Halford. (Best enjoyed with a slice of toast, a thin spread of Vegemite, and a slice of extra tasty or vintage cheddar cheese.)

VEGEMITE

I've read about green eggs and ham

I think it was about a fellow called Sam I Am

Then too there is SPAM in a can

That's become a best seller in far off Japan

This Christmas I got something called VegeMite

At first taste we all thought "What a fright"

It came from from a place where everything is upside down

Where some bloke scraping the kettle for brewing ale

Knocked off a chunk that landed in his old lunch pail

Before he noticed he had had it for dinner

Then licked his lips saying "What a fine fine flavor"

So they bottled it and sold it as a national treasure

To be spread on every bread slice and cracker

Which leads me to say now each time I open the jar

It's just like having good Russian Caviar

But the fun didn’t end there. His love of Vegemite continued with another poem on a cold Wisconsin day.

A Snowymite day 

For two days it's been all snowy and dark

Only once did the sun make a circle of white

Neither cold nor warm but not quite right

Til I remembered that I had a fresh jar of Vegemite

So I smothered some crackers with the wonderful spread

and poured some coffee for a wintery afternoon's delight !