Sailor Days

I don't know where the time has gone, but it seems like a very long time ago and at the same time, it seems like yesterday that I was in the Navy. During the second term of President Eisenhower, every Memorial Day my Grandfather would take me to Arlington Cemetery. Together we would go to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and we would participate in the tributes to our nation's fallen heroes. And I remember that the World will never remember those who have fallen, but to their families, they were all the world. We will never forget.

Time Remembered, Times Honored

My Grandfather served in the Navy in WWI. The surge in naval recruits for WWI, required temporary barracks to be built. Over fifty years later, when I did my Naval training, I was in the same temporary barracks that he was in back in WWI. He was filled with pride that I was in the Navy and had me pose with his sea bag that he had saved. On Memorial Day, we remember those who served. The world may never know them, but to their families, they were all the world.

The Car Hop

Back when I started driving, they had car hops. You would drive-in, park your car, order your food from your car and then eat in your car.

It was fun then and it appears to be fun today.

Dont' Hit The House

Chopsticks And Drums

If you want to discover true creativity, just give a four year old a pair of chopsticks. I turned my back, and my water glass was dragged over next to his. He put the chopsticks over his head, slapped them together and then started beating on the water glasses.

Hold On Tight

She is a very big girl now that she can swing. It was only this spring that I was telling her to lean back and put her feet out and then to lean forward and bend her knees.

You can't tell someone how to swing but just wait awhile and they will get the swing of things.

Hold on tight to your dreams, don't ever let go.

Generation Gap

Hearing Impaired

We were on a hay ride. The tractor was loud and even though he was sitting right next to me, I didn't hear him say "Grampy, look over there"!

Since I didn't hear him, he took matters into his own hands.

He reached up grabbed my head and turned it half way around my head, so I could see what we just passed. If I live long enough, I'll have my hearing checked.

Follow The Balloons

It was farm machinery day at the farm. Lots of John Deere tractors for kids to sit in and actually operate.

As we entered the farm I strained to find where the farm machinery exhibit was. Finally, I saw it way in a remote corner of the farm field. I mentioned that I found the tractors, and that I could actually see them. Just follow me and we will get there.

That's when a four year old turned to me and said "Grampy, just follow the balloons"! Yes, a four year old knew that there was a path of balloons to the tractors. Some of us can see the balloons in life.

Driving With Grampy

Spring In New England

Green grass beneath your feet, blue skies over your head, and you are surrounded by huge trees. There are stone walls, picket fences. And everywhere you go there are historical markers to remind you of significant historical events.

It is peaceful and it is restful. You never walk alone for the past surrounds you.

It is simply New England.

Mothers Day

She wore her winter coat in the restaurant, her body temperature isn't what it used to be. When she walks, she trips and stumbles, she can't lift her feet like she used to. When she stands, she is bent over, she can't stand straight like she used to. When she talks, she speaks her thoughts, she can't follow conversations like she used to.

But she wishes love and peace for her family, just as much as she used to. She wishes for face to face family networking, but is frustrated over geographical barriers. She is frustrated over the loss of her independence and is scared what the future in a nursing home represents. And I am frustrated over my inability to be all that I would like to be for her.

Moms are larger than life, without their love for us, how would we ever learn how to love others.

Grampy Get Down Here

I was upstairs when she came over yesterday.

She stood at the bottom of the stairs and with her sunglasses on, she yelled out "Grampy, get down here"!

If a child is willing to seek me for my company, I think that is the best compliment that I can receive.

Spaghetti Sucks

There is only one way for little people to eat spaghetti. They stick one end of the spaghetti in their mouth. Throw their head back and make a horrible slurping and sucking sound.

Grampy has learned the hard way not to say anything. Because if you do, they will turn their heads to look at you while still continuing to eat. And once they turn their heads, the spaghetti falls out of their hand and onto Grampy.

The Binky And The Hat

He had a beloved Red Sox hat that he would wear turned around on his head.

Then he went into a store with his mom and picked out this very cool hat.

I wonder if the Red Sox losing streak made him change hats?

Hats

One wears his baseball hat pulled so far down on his head, that he pushes his ears out. The other wears his hat pulled down so low that he has to look up, just to look down.

I can easily pick them out from other children, just by looking at their hats.

You better believe that kids are individuals and are unique.

Ladders

He climbed up the ladder all by himself, turned around and there was a goat walking by on a ladder, over his head.

Sometimes in life, there are those moments of celebration and achievement. Only to have your moment taken away from you by a goat, that walks by, out of nowhere.