Pictures to the right, pictures to the left, pictures on the walls, in albums, in folders and wallets; pictorial history at its best and dearest.
speaking of pictures, I recently opened a drawer full of them, and was surprised to find at the bottom of the pile, a set of long-forgotten pen and ink drawings given to me by an Austrian acquaintance, Ernst S____.
Back in '88, when I was in Austria (see EUROPEAN VACATION, PART II), I met Ernst through ra mutual friend. He had just retired from IBM Austria, and we bonded immediately when I told him about my 3M career. Large corporation people have a lot in common. We can discuss company policies, marketing ideas and so on - a camaraderie we enjoy, although we are competitors.
Ernst had obvious artistic skills to go along with his corporate experience. Because the print descriptions were written in German I had an Oakwood friend translate them for me. To my surprise the drawings which I thought were Venetian scenes were actually scenes of Venice, Italy -go figure.
I will have the prints framed to hang on the bedroom wall - a wall that is about full of family pics from Irish great-grandparents to my grandchildren: a comforting panorama.
More, later.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
MISS BUBBLES
Granddaughter Whitney was/is as willing to talk as her sister Kelly, but in a somewhat different way.
I am sure that you young readers never saw a public "water bubbler." It was a fountain that keeps water coming out without the use of a lever or faucet of any sort - that is my Miss bubbles." As a youngster her lifestyle was to "bubble out" her thoughts in an energetic way, or in anything she did, like playing the "planyo" (piano), or the violin, and in her middle and high school years, excelling in the drama departments.
"Miss Bubbles was also quite at home on the soccer field, or as an adult, running marathons in downtown Chicago or Washington, D.C., her current home base.
It was wonderful to see her do so well at Loyola University, in Chicago and go into the nursing field. I fully agreed with her need to move in another direction when she did so.
After spending 3 years as the "Miss-Go-To person in a large Chicago church, she is blossoming (bubbling) in the grad program at George Washington University, in Washington, D.C.
Dear Granddaughter is a loving, caring person, whose "bubbling" to her grandparents via e-mail, or lengthy phone calls is like a drink of cool, clean water.
More, later.
P.S. Later we will talk about grandson Christopher (Buster Boy), and the newest grandson, granddaughter Kelly's husband.
I am sure that you young readers never saw a public "water bubbler." It was a fountain that keeps water coming out without the use of a lever or faucet of any sort - that is my Miss bubbles." As a youngster her lifestyle was to "bubble out" her thoughts in an energetic way, or in anything she did, like playing the "planyo" (piano), or the violin, and in her middle and high school years, excelling in the drama departments.
"Miss Bubbles was also quite at home on the soccer field, or as an adult, running marathons in downtown Chicago or Washington, D.C., her current home base.
It was wonderful to see her do so well at Loyola University, in Chicago and go into the nursing field. I fully agreed with her need to move in another direction when she did so.
After spending 3 years as the "Miss-Go-To person in a large Chicago church, she is blossoming (bubbling) in the grad program at George Washington University, in Washington, D.C.
Dear Granddaughter is a loving, caring person, whose "bubbling" to her grandparents via e-mail, or lengthy phone calls is like a drink of cool, clean water.
More, later.
P.S. Later we will talk about grandson Christopher (Buster Boy), and the newest grandson, granddaughter Kelly's husband.
Friday, November 11, 2011
"MISS k"
Mr. Webster defines nickname as "a substitute for a proper name."
I suppose that in most families individual nicknames make an early appearance (see WHAT WAS HER [HIS] NAME). I have written about granddaughter Kelly being called "Miss K" (see RESTAURANTS REMEMBERED PART II), because her deep question regarding "new babies in the family," showed an intellect to be respected and addressed accordingly.
Kelly began talking at an early age (see THE HOUSE ON SEMINARY), and was not bashful about speaking her thoughts - like calling her daddy Roger (he quickly squelched that!). On one occasion, with all of the grandparents in attendance, she decided to debate her father on a certain subject until he said that she had said enough. "But Daddy," brought banishment to her bedroom until she had "cooled it." The grandparents were unhappy about that, but sensed enough to keep quiet about the matter.
Miss "K" was an apt scholar, but showed little desire for team sports. I still remember one scene that really gave me a "kick." During a neighborhood soccer game, she and a friend stood in the middle of the field chatting away while the game went on around them!!
I was so proud of granddaughter's achievements in higher education at Marquette University, her smooth transition into the U.S. Navy - becoming a full lieutenant (nurse), and then on to marriage and a family.
Our granddaughter is loving, caring and always concerned about her grandparents' health needs, and ready to help us at a moment's notice. What more could one ask for or want than that?
More, later.
I suppose that in most families individual nicknames make an early appearance (see WHAT WAS HER [HIS] NAME). I have written about granddaughter Kelly being called "Miss K" (see RESTAURANTS REMEMBERED PART II), because her deep question regarding "new babies in the family," showed an intellect to be respected and addressed accordingly.
Kelly began talking at an early age (see THE HOUSE ON SEMINARY), and was not bashful about speaking her thoughts - like calling her daddy Roger (he quickly squelched that!). On one occasion, with all of the grandparents in attendance, she decided to debate her father on a certain subject until he said that she had said enough. "But Daddy," brought banishment to her bedroom until she had "cooled it." The grandparents were unhappy about that, but sensed enough to keep quiet about the matter.
Miss "K" was an apt scholar, but showed little desire for team sports. I still remember one scene that really gave me a "kick." During a neighborhood soccer game, she and a friend stood in the middle of the field chatting away while the game went on around them!!
I was so proud of granddaughter's achievements in higher education at Marquette University, her smooth transition into the U.S. Navy - becoming a full lieutenant (nurse), and then on to marriage and a family.
Our granddaughter is loving, caring and always concerned about her grandparents' health needs, and ready to help us at a moment's notice. What more could one ask for or want than that?
More, later.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
RESTAURANTS REMEMBERED (Part II)
While on vacation at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, (see OUTER BANKS) there were occasions where dining out was the thing to do.
I can recall one visit when all of the adults had ordered, granddaughter Kelly told the waiter, "I just love steak." I asked him to bring her some sort of a dish with some steak that would satisfy her. She got an adult platter! I could have shoved said platter right into his face, but didn't want to disappoint dear granddaughter, so I let it pass. I did manage to have steak and eggs for breakfast the next day.
After dear wife and I became engaged, and while baby-sitting, we took the children to dinner at FRIENDLYS. While we were eating, Kelly asked this deep question, "If you and DeeDee have children what would we call them? --grandsisters, or grandbrothers? I answered that we would call them miracles! The waitress taking our orders looked very perplexed. At that point, I decided that such an intellect shown by that question demanded a new name for granddaughter, so she became "Miss K."
Our meals were served and grandson Christopher got our attention by "throwing up" his dinner. After cleaning up the mess, and with Whitney's favorite clown sundaes finished, we headed for home. Master Christopher did a repeat performance in the car. DeeDee thought that he felt a "little warm," so the next morinig grandson and I headed for the doctor's office where a needle (not square), seemed to solve the problem.
More, later
I can recall one visit when all of the adults had ordered, granddaughter Kelly told the waiter, "I just love steak." I asked him to bring her some sort of a dish with some steak that would satisfy her. She got an adult platter! I could have shoved said platter right into his face, but didn't want to disappoint dear granddaughter, so I let it pass. I did manage to have steak and eggs for breakfast the next day.
After dear wife and I became engaged, and while baby-sitting, we took the children to dinner at FRIENDLYS. While we were eating, Kelly asked this deep question, "If you and DeeDee have children what would we call them? --grandsisters, or grandbrothers? I answered that we would call them miracles! The waitress taking our orders looked very perplexed. At that point, I decided that such an intellect shown by that question demanded a new name for granddaughter, so she became "Miss K."
Our meals were served and grandson Christopher got our attention by "throwing up" his dinner. After cleaning up the mess, and with Whitney's favorite clown sundaes finished, we headed for home. Master Christopher did a repeat performance in the car. DeeDee thought that he felt a "little warm," so the next morinig grandson and I headed for the doctor's office where a needle (not square), seemed to solve the problem.
More, later
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