Five Minute Friday — Find

Posted on August 22, 2015 by wisdomfromafather

Well, it’s Saturday, so it must be time for Five Minute Friday.

I enjoy taking five minutes {or so} to develop some thoughts on a specific prompt word. That’s the premise of Five Minute Friday where over 100 of us congregate at Kate’s place (http://katemotaung.com/2015/08/20/five-minute-friday-find/) to share our collective thoughts. And they are interesting reads! You should visit the links at the end of Kate’s post.

Well, here goes. Today’s (yesterday’s?) prompt was FIND. The timer is set, so let’s GO …

… seek, and you will find …

That’s the middle section of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:7.

It’s simple maxim. What you seek is literally what you will find.

If, for instance, you awake distressed, your whole day will be tempered by that emotion. If you seek annoyance you are sure to find it in everyday life. You’ll focus on the troubles and blunt out the happiness.

On the other hand, if you wake up feeling blessed and thankful for another shot at life {even if it’s after a couple of cups of coffee} you will tend to find the good in even the biggest calamities. You’ll find the sun shining through the clouds, the smell of the rose rather than the thorn, the rhapsody of the birds.

Attitude. It’s all about attitude. Seek the good and you will surely find it. Seek the gloom and doom and surely it will find you. It’s your decision.

Which are you choosing today … STOP

… and every day?

Well, that’s it. Short and sweet.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Yield.

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Blink of an Eye — Growing Up on Philip Avenue 1

Posted on August 19, 2015 by wisdomfromafather

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God… 1 John 4:7

Ah, Philip Avenue … our first “home.” It was a three-room attic apartment, just big enough for the two of us. We had to get our bed box spring sawed in half and reassembled to get it up the stairs and around the corner. In fact, most of the furniture needed professional movers to navigate the sharp corners and low ceilings.

christmasBut it was home. We learned so much there — about each other, about ourselves, about life in general. I learned a new language — womanspeak — and expanded my vocabulary with words like “period,” “PMS” and “cramps.” I discovered Midol was a real product with a real purpose and uncovered the true meaning of mood swings — didn’t understand them, mind you, but quickly recognized their existence. I learned what not to say (usually after it was too late and my foot was firmly inserted in my mouth) and always to put the toilet seat down. I learned the difference between the playful and light “Joe,” the are you kidding “Joooeee” and the very serious “Joseph.”

Mom taught me how to eat leftovers and we actually built up a tolerance for 1,000 recipes with Spam. Spam and Beans with Maple Syrup was my favorite.

I introduced Mom to sleeping with the window open — even in the dead of winter — and the pure exhilarating pleasure of waking up with snow on your nose … going to Dairy Queen during a blizzard … sleeping in the nude (although she never really bought into that one) … and shopping and doing laundry at three in the morning.

cartoon 2We learned about budgeting, meal planning, bill paying, stretching paychecks, entertaining ourselves, sale searching, coupon clipping, naps, afternoon delight and just plain old relaxing.

Even back then, we managed to do a lot together … always starting with a cup of coffee in the morning and ending with us tucking each other in at night.

I do think Mom was very happy and comfortable there. I don’t remember much stress or fretting, but, then, I don’t remember much.

usThere are a couple of anecdotes from our time there, though. We had two cats, Charlie and Boozer (named after the football player, Emerson Boozer). Mom liked Charlie, a golden calico. I took a liking to Boozer, a black cat with just a couple of hints of white and an umbilical hernia. They were good company for Mom while I was working the night shift at the paper.

I’m not sure how we found time together. I worked usually from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. and Mom had a regular 8 a.m.-4 p.m. job. Yet she wouldn’t go to bed alone. She would usually fall asleep on the couch watching Johnny Carson. When I came in, I turned off the television (we didn’t have remote controls or sleep function in those days) and off we went to bed. I usually got a couple of hours of sleep before Mom got up and the smell of coffee awakened my senses. After she went off to work, I would go back to bed for a couple of hours. Pretty exciting, huh.

I do remember one night I let her sleep, just pulled the blanket up to tuck her in. I no sooner got into bed when she ran into the bedroom asking why I was mad at her. It was precious … and it was something I never did again.

cartoonAnother thing I remember quite vividly was a marital spat by our landlords, Blaise and I think her name was Linda. They were at each other’s throat all day … yelling … screaming … carrying on. We just snuggled on the couch. With each scream Mom just squeezed me tighter. Finally, she just looked at me and said, “Promise me we’ll never fight like that.” I answered, “I promise” and we never fought like that. Over the years we fought and pouted and expressed our mutual displeasure with each other … but we never screamed and we never yelled and we never carried on… sometimes to Mom’s frustration. But that was a legacy of Philip Avenue.

That day did end up rather humorously, though. About 8 at night, Blaise, in a blaze of righteous indignation, slammed the bathroom door and screamed out, “Goodbye cruel world!” All we could do was laugh hysterically.

To be continued …

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

 

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Five Minute Friday — Learn

Posted on August 15, 2015 by wisdomfromafather

The five minute assignment this week is LEARN. Let’s see what we can come up with using the derivative LEARNED. But, don’t forget to visit Kate’s Place (http://katemotaung.com/2015/08/13/five-minute-friday-learn-a-post-retreat-post/) to see how the other talented writers transformed the prompt into posts.

So, here goes. The timer is set. GO …

People often ask why I chose the title of my blog as Wisdom from a Father. I don’t profess to have wisdom … but I have learned a lot over my better than three score years. Here are just some of the lessons learned …

There is something bigger than me. I choose to recognize that force as God, but the lesson is I’m just a bit player on the stage of life. We all have a role. I am not the center of the universe.

Life goes on. Sometimes it doesn’t feel that way, but each day is a new opportunity to grow. There are good days and bad days … good times and bad times. But we all have an allotted time on this earth … and that’s all we get. I’ve learned to enjoy the good and accept the bad and take one step at a time. As they say, sometimes you’re the statue and sometimes you’re the pigeon.

There is nothing that can substitute for family and friends. Not everyone can say that, but I have been blessed with both a loving family and close friends. I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Life is more than work. That was a hard lesson for me to learn. But it has all sunk in. We work for a reason — … STOP

…to keep us going financially. Unfortunately, I know too many people who live for work. They need that corner office, that upper story view. And they miss the flowers in the cracks in the sidewalks, their children growing up, the love of their families. Life is a balance {and admittedly I wasn’t always successful at it}. Work is a necessity. Living life is reality.

We all need time for ourselves. You are not good for anyone else if you’re not okay with yourself. I choose the open road, quiet time on a beach and just soaking in nature as my revival time.

We are all unique. My experiences are not your experiences. My background is not your background. My hopes and dreams are not your hopes and dreams. Respect that difference. Respect each other as unique pilgrims on this same journey. Respect their experiences, backgrounds, hopes and dreams … as much as you want them to respect yours.

Nothing is black or white, but a kaleidoscope of vivid colors and grays.

Well, those are some of the thoughts that wandered into my mind this week. What about you? What have you learned?

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: The best is yet to come.

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Conversations with Karen

Posted on August 13, 2015 by wisdomfromafather

Do you remember the film P.S. I Love You?

Okay. Okay. It wasn’t the best film I ever watched {and it wasn’t a particularly good movie to watch when newly-widowed}. But I was struck by the plot where recently-widowed Holly (Hilary Swank) carried the cremains of husband Gerry (Gerard Butler) in an urn she designed wherever she went … from room to room in her apartment … to her 30th birthday party … at karaoke night …

Now, I never went that far, but I have scooped up Karen and hit the road with her. I brought her to Illinois the first Thanksgiving after she died. And I fulfilled a promise by taking her in the wee hours to the Jersey shore to watch the sun rise over the ocean.

Saturday, I fulfilled another promise. I brought Karen to Maine.

Over the years, I’ve had “conversations” with Karen, be it in the gazebo or while watching the faux fire in the fireplace. And this weekend I had more conversations with the love of my life.

I swear, as I was driving, I reached over to hold her hand. Of course, it was just the urn, but in my mind’s eye, I literally was holding her hand as we inched through Massachusetts and New Hampshire traffic. At one point, I blurted out how unusual the traffic was and as I glanced to my right I could mentally see her reading a James Patterson novel and feigning annoyance at the interruption. Of course, I always wanted to talk when she was reading … or cooking … or otherwise busy. And uncharacteristically, I needed to make more potty stops.

As we approached the Piscataqua River Bridge — the border between New Hampshire and Maine — it hit me. This was Karen’s first real visit to Maine. We had talked about it a lot and, of course, she had decided this was where we should retire. But she had never physically set foot in Maine. I couldn’t help holding her hands again — okay resting on the urn — with a sudden mist developing.

When we got to the apartment — our new, at least temporary home — I carried her across the threshold … just like I did when we graced our first apartment together. This was a little easier. You should have seen the small landing to that first attic apartment.

We toured the apartment together — the gleaming, new kitchen with an island separating it from the living room, flanked by two bedrooms. I placed her on a table — notice no fireplace mantle — overlooking the Piscataquis River in Dover-Foxcroft.

I didn’t hear much from Karen Saturday night. Just silence in the high ceiling, sparsely decorated slate, concrete and timber apartment with big, bright windows. But come Sunday, my mind was filled with the echo of Karen’s voice.

“Put the couch over there.” “No, change that. Put it on the other wall and the television over there.” “Don’t get new furniture. Old stuff — our stuff — would fit in better.” “You need to get a rug. {Of course, she didn’t specify what kind of rug, like I know rugs.} “Don’t forget the Precious Moment collection.” “And accessories.”

It was rough leaving Karen in Maine. I miss her already, especially during our time — coffee first thing in the morning.

But on the ride home, I continually heard her voice. It was “don’t forget” plates and knives and forks and spoons and kitchen utensils … and food … and cleaning supplies {who would have thought of those?} … and shower curtains … and towels and wash cloths … and … and … and …

Whew. It’s like starting a new life!

Oh, wait. We are.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Change your attitude and change your life.

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In the Blink of an Eye — I Do 4

Posted on August 12, 2015 by wisdomfromafather

Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh… Genesis 2:24

entranxcech 1ch 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

ch 7ch 5ch 2

 

 

 

 

 

ch 9

 

ch 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

ch 8

middle

ch 6

 

 

 

 

byeOh, well, back to reality … and the next chapter …

To be continued …

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.

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Five Minute Friday — Here

Posted on August 9, 2015 by wisdomfromafather

I’m adopting a new mantra. It’s free week … loosely translated it means you pick out any day of the week on any given day.

For example, it’s Sunday. But I’m just getting around to my Five Minute Friday prompt. Why you might ask. It isn’t because I lost track of time or I was ultra busy or ultra lazy or because I just can’t read a calendar. Well, it’s actually all of the above … but Friday I was getting ready to be HERE {this week’s prompt} and Saturday I spent most of the exhausting day getting HERE.

But I’m HERE now and ready to join with the other talented writers at Kate’s place (http://katemotaung.com/2015/08/06/five-minute-friday-here-one-year-anniversary-post/) to share our five minute thoughts on HERE. You should really stop by the site and see what some of these amazing writers write.

At any rate, the timer is set and I’m as ready as I’m going to get on this week’s prompt — HERE. So, let’s GO …

I’m here. In Maine. Finally.

I picked up the keys to the apartment Saturday afternoon and started moving in. There isn’t must to speak of … a long table where Karen rests overlooking the Piscataquis River … a recliner tripling as a writing station, eating station and bed … and a couple of other odds and ends.

I’ve been taking inventory on what I need to bring and/or purchase. I don’t mind the exposed beams and concrete, but the apartment definitely needs a woman’s touch. The only drawback thus far has been the echo. It’s defining.

Karen is also here. I decided to bring her to her new home, realizing as I stood in New Hampshire traffic she, actually, had never stepped foot in the Pine Tree State. She has now, each and every … STOP

… ash. She’s out of the gazebo and her view has shifted from the {overgrown with weeds} rose garden to overlooking the river in the climate-controlled apartment. I think she would have approved of the change in venue.

And I feel God is here too. I woke up this morning to a sunbeam splashing through the clouds onto the peaceful river and reflecting into the apartment. I know the rainbow is God’s covenant, but I see His awesome beauty and power in the sunbeams and outlines. That’s my sign of God’s presence in my world.

So, while I’m not here permanently, I plan on being here enough to enjoy the simple life in mid-Maine as I transition into the next season of life.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

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In the Blink of an Eye — I Do 3

Posted on August 5, 2015 by wisdomfromafather

Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh…
Genesis 2:24

I’m going to pause for a minute for a little warning. The following paragraphs deal with our wedding night and honeymoon. Like they say in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, “there’s nothing dirty going on,” but the words may be a little … suggestive … for younger eyes and ears. Or as they say, “The following may contain scenes inappropriate for younger readers.”

in limoWe spent our wedding night at a hotel in Saddle Brook. But we didn’t consummate our marriage. Instead, we had a pillow fight and just cuddled and held each other all night, quickly drifting off to sleep after an exhausting day.

Then it was off to Cove Haven in the Poconos. The first night there was “our night.” When Mom came out of the bathroom in her white negligee. Wow. It was breathtaking.

However, our first “attempt” was less than perfect. In fact, it was a disaster. The anticipation was just too much for me.

I remember, as if it was yesterday, just lying there together, feeling pretty down and worthless. My first words to Mom were, “I’m sorry.”

She laughed and held me tight. Then she whispered in my ear, “I guess we’ll have to practice more.” And we did. That became a “code” for us throughout our marriage – It’s time for some practice.

Attempt number two was a lot better. But I do remember Mom wincing in pain. I instinctively pulled back and she instinctively pulled me closer as we exploded in mutual satisfaction … and the two became one.

I remember that, but I never really gave it much thought until after Mom died. I happened to be listening to Chip Ingram and his Living on the Edge program on the marriage covenant. He was explaining the difference between a covenant and a contract and how a covenant is usually sealed with blood. It’s a solemn bond. That wince, I believe, was God’s seal on our marriage covenant, our solemn covenant to each other … one we both took very seriously.

Sorry if that was too much information, but one thing I always tried to impress when it came to sex was it was natural and ordered. We rarely ever just had sex. We truly made love. When we were together, we were one. Nothing could change that. We were safe and secure in each other’s arms. The rest of the world melted away. It was a special part of our relationship and one that grew more deeply the longer we were married.

serious frontserious inside

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And for the rest of the honeymoon, we practiced and we practiced. We went to the dining hall with smiles on our faces. We enjoyed each other’s company, playing with each other like little kids, laughing, teasing, walking around the hotel complex hand in hand and cleaving each other.

To be continued …

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

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Try

Posted on August 2, 2015 by wisdomfromafather

The Five Minute Friday prompt word this week was TRY. And try as I may, I just couldn’t get the thoughts together … so I am going to piggyback off the prompt and just write …. for more than five minutes.

But, that doesn’t mean you can’t go to Kate’s place (http://katemotaung.com/2015/07/30/five-minute-friday-try-plus-a-giveaway/) to experience the wonderful words crafted weekly. I highly recommend the visit.

But back to my journey. Through the years, I can’t count the times I’ve used the word “try” on my kids while growing up. “I don’t care if you get an A or fail as long as I know you tried your best.” Or, as they snubbed their nose at something “different” Mom may have placed on the table. “At least try it.  If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it, but at least try it.” And my all time favorite, “At least try and behave.”

Well, it’s that latter one that bit me in the rear this week. And it was my kids and special friend who cajoled me — without the flattery — to “at least try and behave.”

As the backdrop, my body decided to invite in an unwelcomed staph germ. We’re blaming it on the big toe, but quite frankly have no idea how or when this guest walked in.  What we do know is last Saturday night/Sunday morning the rest of my body started battling back. The war was on as my immune system went to DEFCON 1. I never got out of bed … but weathered through the assault.

Then came Monday. I was feeling a lot better but, lo and behold, around 3 p.m., my leg started itching and I notice a pretty pronounced redness on my calf and my leg quite swollen. It wasn’t warm to the touch … it was hot. I immediately know something was wrong, but thought I would at least wait until my nurse/daughter-in-law came home to take a look. Her response, “Get to Urgent Care … Now!”

Well, that was my plan. No,  actually my plan was to go to my podiatrist appointment first thing Tuesday morning, but it was a consideration and contingency.

So I went to Urgent Care, which diagnosed it as cellulitis and gave me a shot of rocephin with instructions to follow up with my primary care physician Tuesday. The doctor considered a double dose of rocephin but opted instead for an IV version in the ER. Things pretty well unraveled from there. I was admitted and spent the next three days visiting with hazmat-clothed doctors and nurses as they worked to evict my guest.

Throughout it all, I never felt sick. And I didn’t really have time for a detour to the hospital. I had things to do … like publish a paper. I did … from my hospital bed … a day late but no worse for wear.

Thursday afternoon, I was sprung with new prescriptions (including a cream — I hate the feel of creams, yew) and explicit directions to rest, take my meds, lotion my foot and leg and keep the leg elevated.

For the most part, that’s exactly what I’ve done. The swelling started to go down. The redness started to fade. I was getting antsy.

Then came Saturday. I really felt well, so I thought I would go to the bank, pick up a movie and get some milk and other stuff from the store. I didn’t have my phone with me when my son called around 9 a.m. By 10 a.m. my daughter and friend got involved in the search for the missing dad. By 11 a.m. a virtual silver alert was issued by my family. It was around noon when I was reunited with my phone and the rest of the world.

My daughter asked were I was and informed me I had them worried. {who would have thunk?} Next I get an angry call from my friend chastising me for going out. “I told you I could do that for you.”

Bottom line is I picked up my movie and milk and returned home. I didn’t have the heart to tell them I had planned on going to Seneca Falls (about 20 miles away) for the milk and stop by at the Strawberry Festival at church for a sausage and pepper sandwich and strawberry shortcake {I did pick up sausage and peppers and onions at the store along with the milk which I grilled for dinner last night}.

And that was a compromise. Friday night, I seriously was considering heading to Maine to pick up the keys to my new apartment. But I decided to at least try to behave.

Bad Dad.

Of course, you have to love my kids. I have tried to keep them in the loop. For example, my family notification was “Greetings from Clifton Springs Hospital. Getting an IV drip for the leg.” Next think I know, the two local kids and my friend were sitting bedside. The out of staters are asking silly questions like “Why are you  in the hospital?” and “What’s wrong with your leg?” and “Should I be planning a road trip?”

And the chats begin.

Since the Saturday incident I have kept them  informed of my whereabouts. “Having lunch.” “Dinnertime.” You get the picture.

This morning, the conversation went something like this:

Oldest daughter: “Are you following doctor’s orders?

Middle Son: “Ha Ha Ha. Now that’s a silly question!”

I respond, “No pain and of course I’m following doctor’s orders.”

Which starts the cycle all over.

Middle son sends a laughing icon. Younger daughter responds, “Dad listens about as well as a two year old, just sayin.” Older daughter chirps in, “Ha Ha. I know! … We all got our listening skills from him.” Oldest son adds, “Huh, sorry … I wasn’t listening.” Middle son contributes, “They said something about something … I wasn’t listening either.”

My response, “Are we done? They now print out discharge instructions. Wonder what I did with them?”

So you see, they all KNOW how hard this trying thing is. Sometimes my heart and my mind get out of synch. I’m still a young buck in my head and more like a stuffed one in reality. But I also know my body and when to start to worry. I know I am unpredictable and impulsive. I sort of march to the beat of my own drum. Just ask my heart.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

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It’s All About ME

Posted on July 30, 2015 by wisdomfromafather

Wow. I just looked at that title again. No, it’s not about me, like in myself. It’s ME like in the State of Maine.

Now that is out of the way, it appears I have finally pulled the trigger and will soon be a resident of Maine … at least on a part time basis. Oh yeah, effective Saturday (Aug. 1). The lease has been signed. The deposit has been sent. Rent is on the way.

Yes. I said lease and rent … something I haven’t done for many, many years. And it all came together serendipitously.

So, here’s the story. As you know, I’ve been house hunting in the Pine Tree State for years. But there was always an impediment in the way … too big … too small … too far north ,,, bearing the wrath of the sea. A couple of weeks ago, I made yet another trip to look at two real possibilities. One was a farmhouse in South China, the other a more reasonable ranch with a stream in Bryant Pond.

Well, the farmhouse was still too much house for my needs. When I saw it in early April, the snow was still drift deep. I thought it had a front porch overlooking China Lake — which I thought would be the perfect spot for morning coffee with Karen. With the snow gone, however, there was no porch, just front steps with a landing. The only lake view was from the living room with a crooked neck. And the summer trees left just a glimpse of the lake.

Strike one.

I had started looking at the ranch a couple of years ago. It was as picturesque as always, but the revisit — in a steady rain — showed it’s age. The windows needed work. The back door sill was rotting. Shingles were starting to curl. The lawn was more expansive than I first remembered.

Strike two.

Needless to say I returned to New York a little disheartened.

2015-07-11 12.01.59

My apartment is on the second floor … the one with the shades up.

As an aside, I do follow the Bangor Daily News online. One of the features the next day was a story on the re-purposing of Mayo Mill in Dover-Foxcroft. So I started looking into the a multi-use development project on the banks of the Piscataquis River. Dover-Foxcroft is a merged town in Piscataquis County and the county’s largest town and county seat. The population was 4,213 at the 2010 census.

Naturally, I had to go see it for myself. And it is perfect for me. It is a 60,000 square foot historic complex being renovated into a net zero mixed-use building. The project will house 22 residential apartments, an inn, cafe, office space and a data center. In addition to the real estate, the project also houses a 300 KW hydro electric power plant that supplies the building with 100% of its electrical needs and features high speed Internet service — included in the rent. Of course it includes brand, energy efficient new kitchen appliances, an island, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Did I mention my unit overlooks the river?

View from my living room window

View from my living room window

The town has everything I need within walking {yeah, right} distance including a full service grocery store, first run movie theater, restaurants, niche establishments, stores, pharmacies and a full service hospital and medical center about a quarter mile away. There is a farmer’s market on weekends  during the summer, a Whoopie Pie Festival in June and the biggest selling point — two, count ’em, two — ice cream shops!

Of course, I would not have to worry about pesky things like lawns or plowing. I can just enjoy life.

Now, this doesn’t mean I will be moving there permanently, I still have obligations here in New York including my newspaper and doctor’s appointments. My thought is I would semi-commute — maybe a week or two at a time. But who knows?

I was planning on going up this weekend to get my keys, but have been grounded with cellulitis {sad face}. But I am super excited! I can’t wait to start my next adventure. I’ll keep you posted.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Your children get only one childhood.

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In the Blink of an Eye — I Do 2

Posted on July 29, 2015 by wisdomfromafather

Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh…
Genesis 2:24

We didn’t write our own vows back in those days. But I think if I had to, this is sort of what I would have said:

I, Joe, take thee, Karen, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I’m not going to promise to be perfect, but I will promise to always love you through the good times and the bad times. With God’s help, the good times will be plenty and the bad times short and scarce. I promise to always treat you with respect and never to take you for granted. I value your opinions and your thoughtfulness and your passion and your listening spirit. I promise to stand with you through anything that comes our way. I pray our life together is filled with health and wealth, but if it isn’t, know I will still be there. I ask God to be the foundation of our marriage. With His help and acting together, nothing can ever defeat us. God brought us together. May He sustain us to a long, happy life together. I love you … yesterday … today … and all our tomorrows.

danceThen came photos and “killing time” and our reception. Again, nothing stands out, except for our first dance to True Love. As we danced to that song, we both welled up and promised each other our guardian angel would have a boring assignment. I whispered in her ear what we had was “truly True Love” and right on cue she whispered back softly, “Love Forever True.” I guess everyone else joined in dancing during the second reprise, but we were in our own little world … if only for a couple minutes.

We may have thought our guardian angel – we referred to him as Clarence from It’s a Wonderful Life – was going to be like the Maytag repairman, but as I look back, poor Clarence was certainly kept busy. We always managed to get in a step deeper than we should have and it was good old Clarence who brought us back to solid ground.

The only other thing I remember about the reception was my Dad dancing with Mom, while I danced with Grandma Simpson. He matter of factly asked her if she had a curfew – and Grandma Simpson was right behind him. As I realized where the conversation was heading, I had to make a diversionary move … but I know Grandma heard the comment.

in limoI remember we went upstairs to change to leave. We were paying for the reception and I wasn’t quite sure I had it covered (see a pattern here?), so I spent a little extra time going through some of the cards and gifts. Actually, it was a lot of extra time and a lot of people started to leave before we did … including the photographer!

funny card frontfunny inside

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued …

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.

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