Fifth of July -- A Birthday, A Farewell Breakfast and a Warning for Next Year

5 July 2013; Around Rapid --

Ranch Headquarters on the Cottonwood

This day was my cousin Bitsy's birthday. She entertained her brothers Larry E. and Jimmy E, and sister Kay E as well as Larry's and Jimmy's wives, and Grumpy. We all had a good visit together; Kay N. gave me a 8.5" by 11" colored photo of their ranch down on Cottonwood dated sometime in the early 1940's. It brought back fond memories for me, as I used to treasure the families'  big get-together's (there were five of us kids, three or four Bailey's and at least seven kids in the host family that would be present!) when my Aunt Laura would host a huge three-family luncheon or dinner. As kids, we used to enjoy playing in the hay loft of the barn, or hiking along the creek that flowed just behind the house.

I finished off the day in Rapid, with a dinner and visit with Frances, Larry N., Kay N., and Gary & Cindy. Having failed to test my new water weapon on the intended and persistent "Victim", Grandson of Gary & Cindy, I was reduced to merely passing on, via his Great Grandma Frances and his Grandpa Gary, the veiled damp threat that, "... just wait until next year!" I also disclosed, with the admonition to keep it a secret, the fact that I had "cold-soaked" the  loaded water gun -- chock full of water! -- in the refrigerator overnight. Just in case!!

On my return trip to my cabin on Spearfish Creek, I got to witness this South Dakota sunset as the last day of this visit to my Cousins and friends in the Black Hills ended. Tomorrow I would begin my two-day journey back to Grumpy's Castle. 

Now What is Grumpy up to?

Week of 7-11 May; Up and Around the Pacific N.W.--

Uncle Bob flew his 1963 Mooney into the local airfield on Monday of this week, thus setting up a frenetic pace of unscheduled (and generally uninvited!) visits to the multitudinous descendants of the Great Grumpy. As has become usual when Uncle Bob and Grumpy fly together, I get to do all of the flying -- with careful oversight by the self-declared Captain (and OWNER) of the aircraft. [Grumpy once suggested that he (Grumpy) get to fly in the left-hand seat once in awhile since he is senior -- in years -- to his younger brother. Without hesitation, Bob straightened up to his full height and with stern declaration said, "No; when we were both little, you always took the first choice of toys, food and new clothes. This is my airplane and I shall remain the Captain!!" So that was that.]

Our first visit on Monday was with some of the most-local people, Bopop and Blief, with the latter of whom we enjoyed some Thai food. Although we had hoped -- and expected -- to get together later in the week, with Bopop and his Bride, regrettable other events as will be noted later prevented that.

On Tuesday we drove to the farm to visit with Rachel. While there, the up-coming trip to Brazil was discussed, with a lunch prepared by Rachel, and much-enjoyed music played by Rachel on her prized Steinway. We stayed late to share the evening meal with Susan and Steven.

Wednesday found us flying north to Arlington Airfield to visit Amy & John and the kids. Grumpy had reserved a compact, economy car for the 20-mile drive over to their house. When arrived at Arlington however, the car rental agency gave us a full-size, "Sporty" car (at the compact economy rate!) and we arrived for lunch in high-style. Grumpy, as usual, soon got himself in trouble by "riling up" the Great Grandkids with various mischief, such as running and screaming, inside the home. The kids enjoyed it while it lasted -- and so did Great Grumpy. For dessert after lunch, a delicious Lemon Meringue Pie was judiciously served by John. [I think he likes LMP's almost as much as Grumpy!]

On Thursday we flew south to Pearson Field next to the Columbia for lunch and a too-short visit with Grumpy's favorite Swede, "Stretch", J. and A. Of course "Stretch" had to play "hookey" from work around mid-day in order to join us for a "Mongolian Grill" meal. 

Back at the airfield, Uncle Bob took the Swede and two boys for a short airplane sight-seeing trip in which the challenge included finding where they lived. Since it is difficult -- even for someone as experienced as Grumpy -- to be able to identify ground objects from the air, they were not able to spot Fort Bale. Later, on the flight back to temporary base, Grumpy acted as spotter while Uncle Bob maneuvered the Mooney in steep banks over the supposed location of Fort Bale; Grumpy could not spot it, either!! 

This photo proves that, after all, he did the best he could. [Until Grumpy viewed this photograph, he did not realize that he had captured the proper location after all!]

Later that Thursday, Uncle Bob received a telephone call that summoned him back to the East Coast, so early Friday morning he fueled-up the Mooney for his long solo flight (2400 nautical miles) to his home base.

The two brothers pose together beside this airplane on which they have enjoyed so many good adventures.

Here Bob waves goodbye just before he boards his airplane.

Taking off and flying "over" Mount Rainier, Bob leaves for his duties in the East. As he gently turned toward the east, he waggled his wings as a final goodbye -- until we meet again.

A Visit with a Great Cousin

April 17th and 18th; In the "Oregon Mists" --

After a time on your knees de-waxing the kitchen floor, the Ammonia fumes just "gets to you", and you feel the urge to get away from it all. Heck it doesn't take that much to urge Grumpy to "get away from it all". He has always had a sort of visceral animal urge to leave the mundane anyway and get out and see the country/world, et al.

With the annual FORM1040 ritual finalized and mailed, Grumpy contacted the Grand Mother's cousin Bill in Oregon to see if I would be welcomed for a short visit. The answer -- virtually assured -- was "Yes!", so away Grumpy "flew" like the Red Rocket knew how to do only too well. The "Oregon Mist" (that seemingly ever-present liquid precipitation so endemic of the Pac N.W.) intermittently turned visibility to less than 1/8 mile, but Grumpy was able nonetheless to make good time, arriving at Bill's place in time for lunch.

Bill is one of the Grand Mother's relatives that I have always liked and admired. His younger sister, Marjorie, was another one.

Bill: Pretty spry for an 87-year old!

Bill is a very interesting guy: he was born in 1925 of a teenage mother and a barely "dry behind the ears" father. Thus, in his own words, he virtually grew up in the care of his Aunt Ruth, Elynor's Mother. In 1942 at the age of 16, he joined the U.S. Marines by altering his birth certificate to show that he was born in 1923. It took the Marines a year to discover the fraud, but by that time he was 17 and old enough to join the Navy. He spent the next year as a Navy Corpsman, caring for the wounded of Pearl Harbor as well as later casualties. The mental trauma of watching men suffer and die eventually overwhelmed this young man and he has been haunted by the memories ever since.

He obtained a bachelor's degree in law and has been on the police force in several cities and towns in SD, and a State Highway patrolman in western SD for about 5 years. As a highway patrolman, he witnessed a tragic accident, which triggered the wartime memories so he resigned that position and took on a job as an insurance claims adjuster from which he retired several years ago. He has been and continues as a contributing columnist for a few newspapers, including the Haakon county Pioneer Review. One of his columns, including photos he had taken, told the story of the history of the Noble Garage. He has photos, which he took, of John and Robert Kennedy when he had a press pass to accompany their respective presidential campaign tours.

During our visit, we talked about the pro's and con's of digital versus film cameras, the ethics and trials of growing up during the difficult years of the Great Depression, and of the memories we shared as well as those that were private. In the interests of comparing the resolution and color depth of the two camera's (his film and my digital) Bill took this portrait of me to compare with a print of that which he took with his Nikon film camera.

Marvel, scurrying to prepare the table for lunch

He and his wife, Marvel [she is indeed marvelous!!], were married when both were very young, and have four children.

Bill and I are planning to meet "somewhere in Iowa" this coming July to visit Bill's and Elynor's cousins who live in Iowa, as well as subsequent travel to visit in our old home towns in SD. Stay tuned for the travels and adventures of two grumpy old men;     To be presented this Summer!

Last Day Together

3 May 2011; On the Road Again --

The last day before Uncle Bob and Aunt Adelaide had to board their flight to China, we took them on a day trip up to see the tulip fields on the Skagit Flats.

But first we had to have breakfast -- with lots and lots of coffee.

Coffee is the key ingredient to any breakfast food group

Cedar Stump remnant from logging heyday

Then, as we sped North to where the tulips hopefully would still be in bloom, we had to stop -- to look at an historic artifact of the early days of logging in this rain-soaked side of the Cascades, of course!

The tulip fields were not as impressive as in earlier years that Grumpy can recall. But a couple of places were worth driving by and we even stopped in to walk around the Roozengaarde gardens. Most disappointing for me was the fact that the sweet-smelling hyacinths were completely gone.

Ruth & Paul

Aunt Adelaide & Uncle Bob

Uncle Bob and Elynor

The highlight of the day was meeting Ruth and Paul at Ivar's-at-the-Landing in Mukilteo for an early seafood dinner. Due to Grumpy's poor communication ability, Susan and Steven didn't know they were also invited so they didn't join us.

Bob and Adelaide Visit

Mid-December and Early January; South King County --

Grumpy and the Grand Mother were blessed once again with the presence of Grumpy's brother Bob and his lovely wife Adelaide. Coming all the way from Brazil to Seattle, via Alabama, greeted them with a cool reception -- from the weather, not from their hosts!! Since they didn't arrive in time for our Annual Christmas Family reunion, we made do with several "mini" reunions.

The first was a get-together at Jim's & Theresa's house for a delicious dinner, featuring the best tasting ham Grumpy has set his teeth into for a long time. Before, and after dinner, we sat around telling stories, reminiscing about days of long ago and visiting. We all had such a good time that no one thought to take any pictures as evidence of the happy good time which was had by all!

Bob and Adelaide left the day after Christmas to spend a few days at Timberline (Mt. Hood Oregon) skiing. The weather cooperated both before and during their stay, as they reported powder snow everyday and entertainment that included some of our Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. We understand that the Grands and Great Grands included: Steve, with Alex, Joshlyn & Gracie-Mae; James & Heidi, with Jamey G & Arthur. Any photos will have to be wheedled out of either Uncle Bob or Grandson Steve.

Bob and Adelaide, with Grumpy's son-in-law Adolfo

All the Old Folks, with son-in-law Paul

All the Old Folks, with Ruth

Bob and Adelaide returned to Seattle New Year's Day with mutual friends Larry and Inesia. Finally, Grumpy awakened his Sony Alpha to get some historic pictures with his kid brother. 

The Two Oldest Folks with Adelaide; Bob is the one with the handsome beard

Grumpy is starting to realize that these two octogenarian best friends may have only 15 or 20 more years to be seen together; Bob has bet his Annuity that he will "take" them for more money than he paid in, and Grumpy has stated since early childhood that he wanted to live to be 100!  And we both have the genes for it!!

Our 2010 Auto Trip; Part II, Days 4, 5, & 6

Corn Capital of the World; 28 June 2010 --

General Introduction: First, Grumpy wants to assure all readers that the Grand Mother and he have not been on any wild binge, or wrecked in some nondescript ditch along the way! No, instead we experienced our first violent Midwest electrical storm late Saturday afternoon after we arrived here in this beautifully-green part of Minnesota. Immediately after arriving, we spent several hours visiting Margaret at her apartment. When it came time for the evening meal, the Grand Mother and Grumpy left for our motel at (where else?) the Sheep Shedde! Upon getting to our room and turning on the laptop to begin the reporting of our trip thus far, Grumpy discovered that the INTERNET was unavailable! The electrical storm had knocked out this vital link in communicating our adventures. Since the next day was Sunday, the INTERNET remained unavailable at Margaret's apartment as well as at the Sheep Shedde until sometime late Monday afternoon (Day 6).

Day 4: Today, Saturday, was a short travel day, involving about 200 miles from Moorhead MN down to Olivia. We arrived at Margaret's at about 1100, in time to have lunch with her. We were happy to note that she was able to walk (with the steadying support of a wheeled walker) from her room to the dining area. Naturally, a few sisterly hugs were in order when the two "girls" saw each other after a separation of about two years.

Day 5: After an early breakfast at our motel, the Grand Mother and Grumpy attended a church service at Emden Christian Reformed Church, where we met three families with the common ancestral name of Groen (Roger, Harold and ??). The service included congregational singing of long familiar tunes, such as Shine Jeus Shine. Although the liturgy was not formal, like the Anglican or Lutheran services with which we were both familiar, but the Biblical foundation was there in both the readings and the sermon. And the services were held in English, although it was apparent that most of the members were of Swedish descent.

 

After church services, we went back to Margaret's apartment and spent the rest of the day visiting and taking more photographs, as well as showing off photos of our Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

Day 6: Today being Monday, Grumpy was looking forward to finally being able to access the INTERNET so he could post to his BLOG! Alas, several tries at Margaret's apartment revealed that it was still not available.

But the sisterly visiting was not hindered in the least! Meanwhile, Grumpy persevered with occasional cat naps and exploring the facility where Margaret lived -- he "discovered" all of the men's restrooms!!

For lunch, the Grand Mother and Grumpy drove back to Olivia to eat at the Chatterbox Cafe -- Garrison Keillor fans will recollect the stories about the Chatterbox, with the Norwegian bachelor farmers sitting around drinking coffee and chewing "snoose" -- Grumpy is here to let you all know that nothing has changed!

After many tearful and lingering "goodbyes", we returned to the Sheep Shedde for a good night's sleep before venturing forth early the next morning for Day 7 of our 2010 travels.

Watch this space for the next chapter in the travels and travails of the Grand Mother and her post-juvenile delinquent escort, Grumpy.