5/9/2014
When I met Jeff, oh so many years ago, he owned a 1952 Willys Jeep and we loved it. When we tooled around town in the jeep, we felt a lot like the Beverly Hillbillies! The little house that we first bought had bamboo growing in the back yard. We're not talking about the cute stuff in a pot, this bamboo was so thick that we thought we had a fence on one side of the yard - we were wrong!
Jeff and his friends spent many hours digging out the bamboo, which is very hard, because the roots on a bamboo plant go everywhere. For a time the bamboo actually managed to get between the cracks of the fireplace (this is no joke). I can tell you from our experience that we would never plant bamboo in the yard. We do have a small plant that sits in a pot and is controllable.
Our almost weekly dump runs while digging out bamboo, was done in the Jeep and I loved it. To be fair, dumps don't smell very good, actually they just stink. But I never missed a trip, I learned to live with the odor mostly because I loved watching the big machines (bull dozers maybe) push trash around. It looked like so much fun.
We spent all of yesterday cutting down branches from our Leyland Cypress trees and Jeff has made several runs to the local distribution station (they don't call them dumps here). I went with him last night on his last run for the day and I was reminded again of happy memories of dump runs in the Jeep, and watching truly manly machines at work.
One of my secret desires is to drive some big earth moving equipment. This will never happen of course, but what a surge of power I would get just pushing stuff around. It would be so much fun!
Jeff is cutting up the last of the branches now and will make his last trip to the distribution center. He has worked so hard cutting down branches and then cutting them up in smaller pieces to fit easily in the truck. He is tired and sore. The good news is that we will likely not have to trim the trees again for many years, because all the low branches are now gone and we took off any branches that were hanging down, because the first snow/ice storm and we'll lose them anyway.
Have a wonderful Friday. It was a bit gloomy earlier, but the sun is popping up now.
P
Friday, May 9, 2014
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Happy Mother's Day
5/8/2014
My Mother's Day present from Jeff came a few days early and I couldn't be happier. I don't need and don't want flowers (they die), candy (I eat it), jewelry (I have all that I want) or a fancy dinner out (too expensive. So what's left you ask?
Yard work! In 1986 we planted across the back fence Leland Cypress trees, and they were so little and cute. Well fast forward to 2014, and I can assure you they ain't little anymore. If, if ever decided to top off the trees so they wouldn't continue to grow, I'm pretty sure you'd need a real big ladder or a cherry picker. The Cypress trees are very shallow rooted but they grow like six guns and have for years provided us a sense of privacy in the backyard.
During the winter snow and ice storms, the lower branches of the trees became heavy and snapped off. While we've been avoiding the trimming of the trees, today was the day. Of course, we picked the hottest day of the year to do this! Jeff got out the ladders and saws and we started giving each tree a haircut. There are no low laying branches now, all the branches are at least six feet from the ground. My privacy from my neighbor is now comprised, but somehow seeing all that empty space in the yard felt somehow freeing to me. It's like cleaning out a closet - a tough job, but the reward is huge.
I'm not one of those wives who sits in a chair directing "traffic". Nope, I was right beside Jeff hauling branches to the tree so that he could make a dump run. I didn't work as hard as Jeff, but nobody wants to see me teeter-totter on a ladder and I'm pretty sure I'd be no good with an saw.
So I'm waiting for Jeff to come home to tell me whether he's going back to the dump again today or if he'll wait until tomorrow. I'm holding off showering until I know what the plans are, and boy do I ever need a shower.
One of my neighbors looked over the fence (he's a bit nosy) and wanted to know what we were doing. This was one of those questions where the answer should have been obvious - duh - cutting down tree branches!
In anticipation of Mother's Day, Jeff and I bought some hash browns for Sunday breakfast. Fix those with eggs, bacon and sourdough toast, and it's a perfect meal. We all know that special occasions like Easter or Mother's Day, etc., are the absolute worst days to go out to dinner, unless you want to eat at 3:00!
Jeff will be away on Saturday at some pilot event, and I'll stay at home and putter. I have to tell you that one of my spare rooms and two closets have never looked better!
For all of my friends and family, I wish you a Happy Mother's Day in advance.
P
My Mother's Day present from Jeff came a few days early and I couldn't be happier. I don't need and don't want flowers (they die), candy (I eat it), jewelry (I have all that I want) or a fancy dinner out (too expensive. So what's left you ask?
Yard work! In 1986 we planted across the back fence Leland Cypress trees, and they were so little and cute. Well fast forward to 2014, and I can assure you they ain't little anymore. If, if ever decided to top off the trees so they wouldn't continue to grow, I'm pretty sure you'd need a real big ladder or a cherry picker. The Cypress trees are very shallow rooted but they grow like six guns and have for years provided us a sense of privacy in the backyard.
During the winter snow and ice storms, the lower branches of the trees became heavy and snapped off. While we've been avoiding the trimming of the trees, today was the day. Of course, we picked the hottest day of the year to do this! Jeff got out the ladders and saws and we started giving each tree a haircut. There are no low laying branches now, all the branches are at least six feet from the ground. My privacy from my neighbor is now comprised, but somehow seeing all that empty space in the yard felt somehow freeing to me. It's like cleaning out a closet - a tough job, but the reward is huge.
I'm not one of those wives who sits in a chair directing "traffic". Nope, I was right beside Jeff hauling branches to the tree so that he could make a dump run. I didn't work as hard as Jeff, but nobody wants to see me teeter-totter on a ladder and I'm pretty sure I'd be no good with an saw.
So I'm waiting for Jeff to come home to tell me whether he's going back to the dump again today or if he'll wait until tomorrow. I'm holding off showering until I know what the plans are, and boy do I ever need a shower.
One of my neighbors looked over the fence (he's a bit nosy) and wanted to know what we were doing. This was one of those questions where the answer should have been obvious - duh - cutting down tree branches!
In anticipation of Mother's Day, Jeff and I bought some hash browns for Sunday breakfast. Fix those with eggs, bacon and sourdough toast, and it's a perfect meal. We all know that special occasions like Easter or Mother's Day, etc., are the absolute worst days to go out to dinner, unless you want to eat at 3:00!
Jeff will be away on Saturday at some pilot event, and I'll stay at home and putter. I have to tell you that one of my spare rooms and two closets have never looked better!
For all of my friends and family, I wish you a Happy Mother's Day in advance.
P
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Too Many Books, Too Little Time!
5/6/2013
People, I have a real dilemma. I really do and it's all about books. I have even created a spreadsheet to help me keep track of the books I want to read and those I have read. If a new book sounds particularly interesting to me, then I give it a star rating!. Okay, I know you're thinking how anal I am. And, unfortunately, you're right.
Each Sunday the paper has a page about new books coming out. Every woman's magazine has book reviews and you can also use Google to help you find books, old or new. While I'm retired, I don't just sit on my rear, eating bon-bons and reading non-stop. I still have chores around the house and my reward for actually folding up my laundry, as opposed to leaving the clothes in the dryer for days, is etching out a time to read.
My Kindle is loaded with books that I have yet to read. You would simply be amazed how many free books you can get for your Kindle. Obviously, I'm not talking about current best sellers, but books that didn't make it big in the print world. Some of these free books are pretty good - others not so much! The good part of a free book is that you don't feel forced to read something you're not enjoying, simply because you paid for it.
With "real" books, you can always return them, to where you bought them. Hint: if you're going to return a book, and you have actually read it, it better look like you didn't (bent spine, etc.). Kindle books are yours now and forever, there is no returning.
So sitting on my desk this morning are several pages of book titles I want to check out. I will see if the library has the books first and if they don't, then and only then will I be interested in buying a book. Amazingly enough sometimes the Kindle price for a book is more expensive than the real thing. Go figure.
Also a problem I have with Amazon, is the books that I'm interested in, don't come in large print. I can still read smaller print but it's harder on my eyes and if given the option, I will always opt for large print books.
So what's on my review list this week: Delicious by Ruth Reichl; The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd; To Grip You by Ayelet Waidman; All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr; If Only You People Could Follow Directions by Jessica Hendry Nelson.
If you're looking for something to read, you might want to look at these books. If you find something you really enjoy, please let know. I can never have too many books to read!
P
People, I have a real dilemma. I really do and it's all about books. I have even created a spreadsheet to help me keep track of the books I want to read and those I have read. If a new book sounds particularly interesting to me, then I give it a star rating!. Okay, I know you're thinking how anal I am. And, unfortunately, you're right.
Each Sunday the paper has a page about new books coming out. Every woman's magazine has book reviews and you can also use Google to help you find books, old or new. While I'm retired, I don't just sit on my rear, eating bon-bons and reading non-stop. I still have chores around the house and my reward for actually folding up my laundry, as opposed to leaving the clothes in the dryer for days, is etching out a time to read.
My Kindle is loaded with books that I have yet to read. You would simply be amazed how many free books you can get for your Kindle. Obviously, I'm not talking about current best sellers, but books that didn't make it big in the print world. Some of these free books are pretty good - others not so much! The good part of a free book is that you don't feel forced to read something you're not enjoying, simply because you paid for it.
With "real" books, you can always return them, to where you bought them. Hint: if you're going to return a book, and you have actually read it, it better look like you didn't (bent spine, etc.). Kindle books are yours now and forever, there is no returning.
So sitting on my desk this morning are several pages of book titles I want to check out. I will see if the library has the books first and if they don't, then and only then will I be interested in buying a book. Amazingly enough sometimes the Kindle price for a book is more expensive than the real thing. Go figure.
Also a problem I have with Amazon, is the books that I'm interested in, don't come in large print. I can still read smaller print but it's harder on my eyes and if given the option, I will always opt for large print books.
So what's on my review list this week: Delicious by Ruth Reichl; The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd; To Grip You by Ayelet Waidman; All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr; If Only You People Could Follow Directions by Jessica Hendry Nelson.
If you're looking for something to read, you might want to look at these books. If you find something you really enjoy, please let know. I can never have too many books to read!
P
Monday, May 5, 2014
Happy Anniversary Jeff
5/5/2014
Today is not only Cinco de Mayo, but also the anniversary of our first date. With all the logistics involved in that date, it's an absolute wonder that not only was the date successful, but was the beginning of a forty year relationship.
My Dad worked at a company where Jeff's sister also worked. Over coffee, and apparently nothing better to talk about, the two of them compared notes regarding Jeff and myself. Yes, we were both single (I was divorced), we didn't smoke and drank rarely. I was working but back in 1974, paychecks didn't have any zeros before the decimal point, and most of my money went to paying for my son's nursery school.
Jeff was working for the County of Riverside and making better money than me, but not exactly rolling around in extra cash. Then again, things didn't cost as much back in the day as they do now.
Oh back to Dad and Jill (Jeff's sister), after they had compared notes and both agreed that Jeff and I were lonely (and we were), that we should go on a blind date and they would put the wheels in motion for us.
Dad came home one night after work and told me that Jeff, who he described as a big man with a beard (but a good paying job), would call me and ask me out. I was supposed to say yes. Across town, Jill was telling Jeff that I was divorced with a child and that he was going to call me and ask me out, and I would say yes. This was guaranteed by both blind date "setter uppers"!
Jeff called as planned and I, of course, said yes. He said something about a movie and apparently he mentioned dinner, but I didn't remember that after getting off the call. Before the date, I went out to buy something new to wear. This obviously didn't make much sense, since Jeff and I had never seen each other - but I went shopping anyway.
Prior to Jeff's arrival, I had dinner with my parents and then sat around waiting. When the doorbell rang, there was complete pandemonium in the house. My parents and sister wanted to go to the front door, but I went quickly outside, leaving them to peek (not discretely) out the window.
Jeff was a big man with a bushy beard and wearing a checkered shirt and plaid pants! That was the last time he wore those clothes together. We walked to his car which was covered in antennas (he was a ham operator). My Dad had mentioned this "ham" thing to me and told me to be sure to ask about it. Dutiful daughter that I was, I asked about the microphone and something that looked a bit like a dissected telephone and the rest as they say was history. Jeff was happy to explain everything I never knew I wanted to know about ham radios and he remained active in ham radios until we left California in 1986.
Jeff had planned to take me to dinner (oops on my part), and unfortunately since I had already eaten, didn't have much of an appetite. We went to a drive-in movie and saw Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. By that time I was hungry and could sell the popcorn - and I love movie popcorn. Since I didn't feel right asking Jeff to buy me popcorn, since I didn't eat my dinner, I made several trips to the restroom just so that I could inhale the buttery fragrance.
At the end of the date we talked some and didn't talk some! Jeff told me that he had a ham radio event the next day, but he would call me. Rather than going back to my little apartment I waited all day at my parents' house for that call. As the hours dragged on and getting no call, I had already made up my mind that I had enjoyed a first date, but apparently there wasn't going to be a second one.
And then he called and apologized for not calling me sooner in the day. I was overcome with relief and happiness that Jeff wanted to see me again. From May 5th of 1974 until September 21st of 1974 (our wedding day), Jeff and I saw or talked to each other every day.
I still thank my Dad for getting me a date with this fabulous and loving man. Through our forty years together, we have been side by side through both the good times as well as the sad ones.
Never once has Jeff left me down in all these years. He has been a rock that I can and have leaned on. My wish? Is asking for forty more years together too much to hope for?
Happy anniversary Jeff. I love you to the moon and back.
Love P
Today is not only Cinco de Mayo, but also the anniversary of our first date. With all the logistics involved in that date, it's an absolute wonder that not only was the date successful, but was the beginning of a forty year relationship.
My Dad worked at a company where Jeff's sister also worked. Over coffee, and apparently nothing better to talk about, the two of them compared notes regarding Jeff and myself. Yes, we were both single (I was divorced), we didn't smoke and drank rarely. I was working but back in 1974, paychecks didn't have any zeros before the decimal point, and most of my money went to paying for my son's nursery school.
Jeff was working for the County of Riverside and making better money than me, but not exactly rolling around in extra cash. Then again, things didn't cost as much back in the day as they do now.
Oh back to Dad and Jill (Jeff's sister), after they had compared notes and both agreed that Jeff and I were lonely (and we were), that we should go on a blind date and they would put the wheels in motion for us.
Dad came home one night after work and told me that Jeff, who he described as a big man with a beard (but a good paying job), would call me and ask me out. I was supposed to say yes. Across town, Jill was telling Jeff that I was divorced with a child and that he was going to call me and ask me out, and I would say yes. This was guaranteed by both blind date "setter uppers"!
Jeff called as planned and I, of course, said yes. He said something about a movie and apparently he mentioned dinner, but I didn't remember that after getting off the call. Before the date, I went out to buy something new to wear. This obviously didn't make much sense, since Jeff and I had never seen each other - but I went shopping anyway.
Prior to Jeff's arrival, I had dinner with my parents and then sat around waiting. When the doorbell rang, there was complete pandemonium in the house. My parents and sister wanted to go to the front door, but I went quickly outside, leaving them to peek (not discretely) out the window.
Jeff was a big man with a bushy beard and wearing a checkered shirt and plaid pants! That was the last time he wore those clothes together. We walked to his car which was covered in antennas (he was a ham operator). My Dad had mentioned this "ham" thing to me and told me to be sure to ask about it. Dutiful daughter that I was, I asked about the microphone and something that looked a bit like a dissected telephone and the rest as they say was history. Jeff was happy to explain everything I never knew I wanted to know about ham radios and he remained active in ham radios until we left California in 1986.
Jeff had planned to take me to dinner (oops on my part), and unfortunately since I had already eaten, didn't have much of an appetite. We went to a drive-in movie and saw Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. By that time I was hungry and could sell the popcorn - and I love movie popcorn. Since I didn't feel right asking Jeff to buy me popcorn, since I didn't eat my dinner, I made several trips to the restroom just so that I could inhale the buttery fragrance.
At the end of the date we talked some and didn't talk some! Jeff told me that he had a ham radio event the next day, but he would call me. Rather than going back to my little apartment I waited all day at my parents' house for that call. As the hours dragged on and getting no call, I had already made up my mind that I had enjoyed a first date, but apparently there wasn't going to be a second one.
And then he called and apologized for not calling me sooner in the day. I was overcome with relief and happiness that Jeff wanted to see me again. From May 5th of 1974 until September 21st of 1974 (our wedding day), Jeff and I saw or talked to each other every day.
I still thank my Dad for getting me a date with this fabulous and loving man. Through our forty years together, we have been side by side through both the good times as well as the sad ones.
Never once has Jeff left me down in all these years. He has been a rock that I can and have leaned on. My wish? Is asking for forty more years together too much to hope for?
Happy anniversary Jeff. I love you to the moon and back.
Love P
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Closing Down A Business
5/4/2014
You drive by businesses and see the banners across the front of the store "going out of business", or you happen to see one of your favorite haunts closed and locked up. I used to see those signs at wondered what had happened to the store. Too few sales? Rent too high? Couldn't quite make the dream happen?
For years Jeff and I and our oldest son, had a thriving mobile battery business and employed 14 drivers and had almost as many vehicles. We rented a warehouse space, which unfortunately, has a long term lease. It never entered our mind at the time that we as a family owned business, wouldn't be able to go the long haul.
And for a time we were successful, at least in terms of a small business. When our son walked away from the business, leaving us with no income, we had to close our doors. We learned very quickly that closing down a business isn't an easy or fast process. It's been over a year and just this weekend, removed the last of the contents from the warehouse.
There is as much paperwork involved in closing a business, as there is in setting one up. One big difference is that when you're starting a business, you're optimistic and believe that you can be successful. When you close a business, even if you were successful for a time, by the closing of the doors, you impact the people that worked for you, and you also know that your vision of running that business, is ending.
So when you notice a business closing down, even if it's a franchised business, know that somebody's dream is closing down too. I used to give little regard or thought to those signs strung up along a storefront, now I can relate and think about the people, who couldn't quite make their dream happen.
P
You drive by businesses and see the banners across the front of the store "going out of business", or you happen to see one of your favorite haunts closed and locked up. I used to see those signs at wondered what had happened to the store. Too few sales? Rent too high? Couldn't quite make the dream happen?
For years Jeff and I and our oldest son, had a thriving mobile battery business and employed 14 drivers and had almost as many vehicles. We rented a warehouse space, which unfortunately, has a long term lease. It never entered our mind at the time that we as a family owned business, wouldn't be able to go the long haul.
And for a time we were successful, at least in terms of a small business. When our son walked away from the business, leaving us with no income, we had to close our doors. We learned very quickly that closing down a business isn't an easy or fast process. It's been over a year and just this weekend, removed the last of the contents from the warehouse.
There is as much paperwork involved in closing a business, as there is in setting one up. One big difference is that when you're starting a business, you're optimistic and believe that you can be successful. When you close a business, even if you were successful for a time, by the closing of the doors, you impact the people that worked for you, and you also know that your vision of running that business, is ending.
So when you notice a business closing down, even if it's a franchised business, know that somebody's dream is closing down too. I used to give little regard or thought to those signs strung up along a storefront, now I can relate and think about the people, who couldn't quite make their dream happen.
P
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Farmer John (aka Jeff)
5/3/2014
Last year Andy and Stacey finished building their beautiful home and it sits on acreage. I know I've been told how many acres, but like most things, I have forgotten the exact number. Let's just say a lot of land. Some people would call it a "Gentleman's Farm" because Andy doesn't intend (I think) to have chickens or any other livestock. However, Jeff and I have told him that if he had a few goats, they would munch on the grass, hence requiring less mowing! Of course, I don't know how well goats and dogs would get along!
After moving into their house, Andy bought himself a Tractor which is complete with a shredder, mower, and other mandatory pieces of equipment. Remember the TV show "Tool Man", where Tim Allen promoted bigger and more manly pieces of equipment?
There was a time when Jeff and I thought it might be fun to live out further and have some acreage, and less neighbors. As we've gotten older, that phase has gone by the wayside, as well as our dream of owning a big motorcycle (think Gold Wing). Perhaps it's true that you get smarter as you get older!
When we sell this house which has four bedrooms, we'll probably look for something smaller. I doubt that we would ever be happy in a townhouse, but a one level house would be just about perfect.
Since Andy moved into his house and bought the tractor, Jeff "aka Farmer John" goes out to play in the dirt on the weekends. Turns out that men love pushing dirt around as much as young boys do!
With all of the things that happened last year, I'm glad that Jeff has someplace to go and be physical and put his brain in idle mode. Jeff and Andy have built a fire pit in their backyard and we're not talking some innsy pit, nope it's a large one. When we go out, we sit in the chairs and make s'mores.
Andy's house by sitting on acreage doesn't have any close neighbors like we do. When I'm at his house and sitting outside, I get a certain peace being outside enjoying the quietness. I don't go out to Andy's house as much as Jeff does, mostly because when you're retired and are with each other 24/7, alone time is a good thing for both of us.
Jeff is in the process of building Benjamin's playhouse, which was a birthday present. Then there was some talk about picking up railroad ties and/or mulch. The truck, after being used for months by Scott, is home again, and is being put to use today picking up a refrigerator and freezer from the battery warehouse to take to Andy's house.
I know that Jeff enjoys the physical labor (although his body complains some), and that Andy appreciates his help and advice. It's a good father and son bonding time and together they accomplish a great deal. The good thing about owning land, there is always something to do. About the time you finish mowing - it's about time to start again!
I'm so happy that Jeff enjoys being "Farmer John", complete with straw hat! Though he likely doesn't know it, working at Andy's house, that gives Jeff a purpose, which is sometimes hard to find after you're retired. Basically, it's a win/win for both of them!
P
Last year Andy and Stacey finished building their beautiful home and it sits on acreage. I know I've been told how many acres, but like most things, I have forgotten the exact number. Let's just say a lot of land. Some people would call it a "Gentleman's Farm" because Andy doesn't intend (I think) to have chickens or any other livestock. However, Jeff and I have told him that if he had a few goats, they would munch on the grass, hence requiring less mowing! Of course, I don't know how well goats and dogs would get along!
After moving into their house, Andy bought himself a Tractor which is complete with a shredder, mower, and other mandatory pieces of equipment. Remember the TV show "Tool Man", where Tim Allen promoted bigger and more manly pieces of equipment?
There was a time when Jeff and I thought it might be fun to live out further and have some acreage, and less neighbors. As we've gotten older, that phase has gone by the wayside, as well as our dream of owning a big motorcycle (think Gold Wing). Perhaps it's true that you get smarter as you get older!
When we sell this house which has four bedrooms, we'll probably look for something smaller. I doubt that we would ever be happy in a townhouse, but a one level house would be just about perfect.
Since Andy moved into his house and bought the tractor, Jeff "aka Farmer John" goes out to play in the dirt on the weekends. Turns out that men love pushing dirt around as much as young boys do!
With all of the things that happened last year, I'm glad that Jeff has someplace to go and be physical and put his brain in idle mode. Jeff and Andy have built a fire pit in their backyard and we're not talking some innsy pit, nope it's a large one. When we go out, we sit in the chairs and make s'mores.
Andy's house by sitting on acreage doesn't have any close neighbors like we do. When I'm at his house and sitting outside, I get a certain peace being outside enjoying the quietness. I don't go out to Andy's house as much as Jeff does, mostly because when you're retired and are with each other 24/7, alone time is a good thing for both of us.
Jeff is in the process of building Benjamin's playhouse, which was a birthday present. Then there was some talk about picking up railroad ties and/or mulch. The truck, after being used for months by Scott, is home again, and is being put to use today picking up a refrigerator and freezer from the battery warehouse to take to Andy's house.
I know that Jeff enjoys the physical labor (although his body complains some), and that Andy appreciates his help and advice. It's a good father and son bonding time and together they accomplish a great deal. The good thing about owning land, there is always something to do. About the time you finish mowing - it's about time to start again!
I'm so happy that Jeff enjoys being "Farmer John", complete with straw hat! Though he likely doesn't know it, working at Andy's house, that gives Jeff a purpose, which is sometimes hard to find after you're retired. Basically, it's a win/win for both of them!
P
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Happy Birthday Scott!
5/1/2014
Today, my middle son turns 36! I can't imagine where all the years have gone, seems just like yesterday that he was a little boy. Scott is a great man and looks like my Dad, in my opinion.
As a little boy, Scott was fascinated by Christmas lights, and still is. We have a picture (unfortunately, not digital), of Scott standing on a stool in the driveway stringing his lights around bushes and a small tree. Also, from an early age he took ten penny nails (big), and hammered them around his bedroom, so that he could hang "garlic" (garland) and lights! If memory serves me correct, I believe the "garlic" and lights were a year round decoration. Having holes in the walls didn't bother Jeff and I, partly because it was an old house and they make this magic stuff called putty that covers up holes nicely.
In a nearby town there was a little railroad museum and one or two trains that would travel back and forth for a mile or so. I believe Scott's lifetime passion for trains may have started with that museum and those train rides.
When we moved to Maryland, Scott had a lot more house to decorate for Christmas. He was agile and managed to get himself on the roof and decorated the edges of the house, as well as the porch pillars, bushes, front door and any other thing that would look better with lights! The family joke was that planes would be able to see our house when flying over! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed driving home from work during the winter and seeing those lights long before I actually got to the house.
Scott joined a train group consisting of all men and Scott, who possibly was in junior high at the time. He loved the weekly meetings and consequently we began to buy train engines and cars for him. Scott made a huge track layout on a board and the Christmas tree always sat in the middle of that board, while the train went circling around and around.
We also took Scott and Andy on a train that again if my memory is correct, was an old engine (non-diesel) that gave off a lot of ash. Of course the soot and ash traveled back to all of the cars. Scott was very excited so having a bit of ash blowing around us, was a small price to pay for his happiness.
Somewhere along the way, we bought Scott train "bibbers" (blue and white striped) and of course a train hat. He wore those bibbers long after they really fit him!
I don't remember the circumstances, but somehow Jeff and Scott were able to travel on a privately owned train that made short runs somewhere in Pennsylvania I think. On that trip, Scott, in his bibbers, was allowed to "drive" the train by himself for a few minutes. He was in heaven.
Scott is no longer a child and isn't around to decorate our house, but does a beautiful job of lighting up the skies with the lights on his house. And, that old board with the track, sits underneath the Christmas tree in his house, and yes the train runs constantly underneath!
My mother-in-law made a picture of a traditional tree (v-shaped) out of jewelry and lights. She found old pieces of brooches and pins and used them as decorations for the "tree". My father-in-law put lights on the tree illuminating the beautiful decorations. That picture hangs in Scott's house today, and I'm thrilled that he clearly loves it and it remains up all year long.
My wish for Scott? Please don't stop loving the lights and the trains which give you so much joy. Dad and I have wonderful memories of you taking over the house at Christmas time. We had a neighbor who was an empty nester and they didn't put up lights, which Scott couldn't understand. Scott went to them and said he would put lights up on their house, because they didn't have any and they should (yes, they let him put lights on their house)! That's the kind of boy he was.
Now as a man with his own home, he is a good neighbor to the people who live around him. Scott has a snow blower and helps out his neighbors by clearing their driveways. Since Scott learned everything from electrical to gas, he is quite a helpful fellow to have around. He can and does fix anything.
So Happy Birthday Scott.
Love Mom
Today, my middle son turns 36! I can't imagine where all the years have gone, seems just like yesterday that he was a little boy. Scott is a great man and looks like my Dad, in my opinion.
As a little boy, Scott was fascinated by Christmas lights, and still is. We have a picture (unfortunately, not digital), of Scott standing on a stool in the driveway stringing his lights around bushes and a small tree. Also, from an early age he took ten penny nails (big), and hammered them around his bedroom, so that he could hang "garlic" (garland) and lights! If memory serves me correct, I believe the "garlic" and lights were a year round decoration. Having holes in the walls didn't bother Jeff and I, partly because it was an old house and they make this magic stuff called putty that covers up holes nicely.
In a nearby town there was a little railroad museum and one or two trains that would travel back and forth for a mile or so. I believe Scott's lifetime passion for trains may have started with that museum and those train rides.
When we moved to Maryland, Scott had a lot more house to decorate for Christmas. He was agile and managed to get himself on the roof and decorated the edges of the house, as well as the porch pillars, bushes, front door and any other thing that would look better with lights! The family joke was that planes would be able to see our house when flying over! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed driving home from work during the winter and seeing those lights long before I actually got to the house.
Scott joined a train group consisting of all men and Scott, who possibly was in junior high at the time. He loved the weekly meetings and consequently we began to buy train engines and cars for him. Scott made a huge track layout on a board and the Christmas tree always sat in the middle of that board, while the train went circling around and around.
We also took Scott and Andy on a train that again if my memory is correct, was an old engine (non-diesel) that gave off a lot of ash. Of course the soot and ash traveled back to all of the cars. Scott was very excited so having a bit of ash blowing around us, was a small price to pay for his happiness.
Somewhere along the way, we bought Scott train "bibbers" (blue and white striped) and of course a train hat. He wore those bibbers long after they really fit him!
I don't remember the circumstances, but somehow Jeff and Scott were able to travel on a privately owned train that made short runs somewhere in Pennsylvania I think. On that trip, Scott, in his bibbers, was allowed to "drive" the train by himself for a few minutes. He was in heaven.
Scott is no longer a child and isn't around to decorate our house, but does a beautiful job of lighting up the skies with the lights on his house. And, that old board with the track, sits underneath the Christmas tree in his house, and yes the train runs constantly underneath!
My mother-in-law made a picture of a traditional tree (v-shaped) out of jewelry and lights. She found old pieces of brooches and pins and used them as decorations for the "tree". My father-in-law put lights on the tree illuminating the beautiful decorations. That picture hangs in Scott's house today, and I'm thrilled that he clearly loves it and it remains up all year long.
My wish for Scott? Please don't stop loving the lights and the trains which give you so much joy. Dad and I have wonderful memories of you taking over the house at Christmas time. We had a neighbor who was an empty nester and they didn't put up lights, which Scott couldn't understand. Scott went to them and said he would put lights up on their house, because they didn't have any and they should (yes, they let him put lights on their house)! That's the kind of boy he was.
Now as a man with his own home, he is a good neighbor to the people who live around him. Scott has a snow blower and helps out his neighbors by clearing their driveways. Since Scott learned everything from electrical to gas, he is quite a helpful fellow to have around. He can and does fix anything.
So Happy Birthday Scott.
Love Mom
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