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Memorial

22 May, 2009 by moi

I dreamt about my grampa last night.  I guess it only fitting, being memorial day weekend and all.

My grandpa died in 1992; I still miss him.

He was the type of person who would go back and tell the chef he loved the meal–just to let him know.

He was big on family. More often than not you could find him behind a camera or camcorder, making memories; we were always in front, shooing him way.

He made his own wine; some of which was really, really bad. He’d just shrug and laugh and try again the next year.

He was a complete and total nut–much to the exasperation of my grandmother. We still relive some of his better schticks; they still make us laugh.

He was a gentleman. He did not believe in crossing lines, taking over, or pretending to know it all. I still remember him sitting me down–not long before he died–and telling me, for my sake, to forgive my father. He went on to say he believed I would, in my own time. He didn’t scold, or talk down.

He loved adventure. I love the black and white photo of a young man, in leather chaps, standing next to his prized Indian. Of course, he seemed just as happy driving a boat of a Buick cross country to visit family.

He was a hard worker. While many of us would rejoice in any reason to get out of work, he continued even when cancer had taken over. He worked until he simply could not work any longer.

When he died, his hospice nurse asked to sing at his funeral. She sang–a little shrill and a little off-key–“The Wind Beneath my Wings.” The funeral home was beyond capacity. Grown men, dressed in military finery, stood in back, wiping away tears. The man who usually played taps at the graveside had to bow out; he wouldn’t be able to get through it, he said. Not for Vern.

Anyone who knew my grandpa could understand. None of us quite wanted to admit lights out for a man such as he.

He touched lives wherever he went–with concern in those baby blues, with that ornery smile, with a quiet dignity.

Often times I think it highly unfair he was taken so soon. He never got to know the spouses of his grandkids; he never got to know his great-grands–including the one who is his splitting image or the one named in his honor. Nor will they get to know him.

I guess it’s up to those of us who did know him, to be a mirror.

Maybe that’s what memorial day is all about.  Thinking of all those who have come into our lives and left a footprint that will never fade. We know the traits that have touched our own lives. What better memorial than turning around and passing them on …

Posted in: Greatness Tagged: live, love, Memorial day

The fountain

20 May, 2009 by moi

dumas_fountain_pen

UPDATE:  I received questions in regard to the bottled ink posted here; it’s Duke bottled fountain pen ink.  You  may purchase it through A Pen Lover’s Paradise.  I have purchased pens and ink from them in the past; good pens, good service, at good prices.  What’s not to love?  Check ’em out!

Aaaaah, today is a good day – if for no other reason that on this day, in 1830, a man by the name of H.D. Hyde patented a little thing called the fountain pen.  The mere thought of that particular writing utensil makes me a verklempt … let us take a moment …

There’s just something about writing with a fountain pen that is exilerating.  Today’s pens are a bit more dependable; they’re less likely to explode – which is always a plus.  Ink barrels may serve a hinderance – especially for those like me who are accident prone.   Still, an ink smudge or two on my fingers is more good than bad.  Suddenly, like writers of old, I bear the mark of my trade on my very being.   Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer, you just may change your mind after writing a few lines with such a splendid instrument …

pen_ink

Posted in: Miscellany Tagged: a writers life

Heroes

18 May, 2009 by moi

hero2

*Special thanks to Michael Thornton for allowing me to post his school assignment.   Seems the world today is in dire need of a hero or two.  Should you be tempted to believe a hero is anyone but you, you have only to read this post.  As Michael says, it’s pretty easy if only you try …

Posted in: Greatness Tagged: hero, live

Updates

15 May, 2009 by moi

I keep receiving emails with one of two questions:  how are the edits coming along and what’s the progress on the bathroom remodel?   I’m currently working my way through the hard copy with my edits.  It’s a bit more tricky than usual.  Take now, for instance – at the moment the floor guy has taken a reprieve, the tile guy is out in the hallway asking me when I’m planning to change out the tile in the kitchen, and the plumber is sitting on our toilet – currently residing in our bathtub – attaching the trim.   

But you do know what this all means don’t you?  I’ll get to take a shower tomorrow.  Woot!  We can all be thankful, I’m sure …

Posted in: Miscellany Tagged: good times

Bathroom remodel

14 May, 2009 by moi

This week marked the start of our bathroom remodel.  Our one and only bathroom I might add.  Since Monday afternoon, it has looked something like this:

bathroom_before

It’s not a complete overhaul, mind you.  We had fully anticipated the tile and flooring to be finished by the end of the week.  But, true to form, there were issues.  It started with the fact that the idiots who initially owned this home placed the tile directly on the sheetrock (ere go the nice layer of mold it’s sporting).  This means more time airing out, cleaning out, and cementing.  The perk:  it made it easy for the plummer who had to come in and switch our water valve.  Yes, at one point we actually had the plumber and the tile guy – in that wee space – at the same time.

Yesterday we received the great news that the accent tile that was suppose to arrive Tuesday, would not make it in until Friday.  This means for at least two more days, this will be our shower …

temp_shower

And this, our bath …

temp_bath

Let’s all say it together:  good times.  At least we still have our toilet.  No peeing in a bucket or digging a hole in the backyard.  Granted, I may feel the need to be armed – just in case a creepy-crawler emerges from one of the crevaces; still, I can flush.  It is, afterall, the little things …

Posted in: Miscellany Tagged: good times
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Just in case you're wondering what you've gotten yourself into, my blog's a lot like life: it's a hodge-podge. So pour yourself a steaming cup of goodness, settle in, and I'll tell you all about it--whatever 'it' happens to be . . .
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Magpie & Muttonfly is the place where I write about all the things that make our stories grand. Emphasis on me, myself, and I. Any review or recommendation posted on this site is solely my own {unless otherwise noted}. Occasionally you will find a link to Amazon.com. An eternal window shopper, I only list items that strike my fancy. Any time you click the link and proceed to make a purchase, I get a wee referral fee. You will not be charged more--but once or twice a year I earn enough to purchase a tin of my favorite tea. So I do thank you for that!

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