When we moved to Arkansas I was hoping we could raise some animals. Some chickens for eggs. Possibly a pig. Towards the back of our property there was a pig pen. It would need some tender loving care before it could be used. I remember talking to Betty and she thought it would be a problem for the boys being so young to raise an animal and then eat it. I told her it would not. I would simply scold the boys for leaving the pig gate open then tell them to sit down and eat their pork chops.
Junior year of high school Brendan got involved in FFA. We had our pig. Brendan named her Queenie. Brendan was out there every day working with the pig. I loved watching the pig. I always thought I was a country girl trapped in a city girls body. Brendan did have two Boa Pythons but that is not exactly the type of animals I was thinking of.
County Fair time came around. Time for Queenie to enter the fair. She took fifth place. I was proud of Brendan since this was his first pig. After the fair Queenie was with us for about a month before she was slaughtered. Nothing beats home grown pork. (You should have seen that coming from the comment above.)
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Saturday, June 1, 2013
My Son The Eagle Scout
Brendan joined Cub Scouts at an early age. Unfortunately the small town where we live interest was low and the Pack folded.
With help of friends he was able to join a Pack in a nearby town. Brendan worked his way up the ranks to Boy Scout.
After several years, some obstacles, and hard work Brendan earned the required badges and completed the necessary tasks and projects to become an Eagle Scout.
I was so proud of him at his Eagle Ceremony. He lead his last Opening Ceremony as a Boy Scout and the Closing Ceremony as an Eagle Scout. Of course I had tears in my eyes as I remembered what he went through to achieve the highest rank of Boy Scouting. Congratulations Brendan.
With help of friends he was able to join a Pack in a nearby town. Brendan worked his way up the ranks to Boy Scout.
After several years, some obstacles, and hard work Brendan earned the required badges and completed the necessary tasks and projects to become an Eagle Scout.
I was so proud of him at his Eagle Ceremony. He lead his last Opening Ceremony as a Boy Scout and the Closing Ceremony as an Eagle Scout. Of course I had tears in my eyes as I remembered what he went through to achieve the highest rank of Boy Scouting. Congratulations Brendan.
A Blindfolded Strike
One of Grandpa's stories that he loved telling was when he was on a bowling league. Most bowlers will know what a beer frame is. When all but one bowler on a team get a strike in a single frame that person has to buy the team a round of drinks.
There was one man who ended up on the team that the others did not care for. He was a replacement for someone who had to drop out. They all hoped he got stuck buying rounds. On this night two bowlers had strikes. This man did not strike. It was up to Grandpa for the drinks.
They all cheered him on. Grandpa made a gesture of bowling blindfolded. The man yelled out "if you get a strike blindfolded I'll buy doubles." Grandpa accepted the challenge.
Once Grandpa was on the lane with his bowling ball someone came to blindfold him. Grandpa said he could feel the looks as the bowling alley became silent. He knew everyone was focused on him.
A strike!! He did it. The whole bowling alley broke out in applause. Grandpa said you could tell the man was not happy but he kept his word and bought doubles for the team. People talked about the blindfolded strike for years.
There was one man who ended up on the team that the others did not care for. He was a replacement for someone who had to drop out. They all hoped he got stuck buying rounds. On this night two bowlers had strikes. This man did not strike. It was up to Grandpa for the drinks.
They all cheered him on. Grandpa made a gesture of bowling blindfolded. The man yelled out "if you get a strike blindfolded I'll buy doubles." Grandpa accepted the challenge.
Once Grandpa was on the lane with his bowling ball someone came to blindfold him. Grandpa said he could feel the looks as the bowling alley became silent. He knew everyone was focused on him.
A strike!! He did it. The whole bowling alley broke out in applause. Grandpa said you could tell the man was not happy but he kept his word and bought doubles for the team. People talked about the blindfolded strike for years.
My Brother Is The Conductor
Christopher worked on a small railroad here in Arkansas. He was able to go to work with someone for two days then again for a week during the summer. They liked him and offered him a job after high school. Graduation was Friday he moved out Sunday and started work Tuesday. Of course he started at the bottom on the track gang and went on to locomotive mechanics before becoming a conductor and eventually an engineer.
One time while visiting he surprised Brendan by telling him he could ride on the train with him. They left early that morning with plans for me to meet up with them at Subway. It is hard to explain but due to track conditions and bridges that particular train could not go very fast. What took them several hours took me a bit over an hour to drive.
When I arrived at Subway I went in and bought a drink. I asked the girl if the train had already come by. She said no. After waiting about an hour I told her I was not familiar with the area and asked her which direction the train would be coming. She pointed though looked at me strangely and said "Mam you do know this isn't a passenger train, right?" I laughed as I explained to her that my son worked on that train and was giving his brother a ride.
A few minutes later I heard the whistle of the train. I stood there watching for it to come into view. As the train inched closer I could see Brendan waving to me out the window. Christopher hopped off the train walking beside it as it crossed the intersection. I did tell you it moved slow. We knew the train could not stop but would slow down enough for Brendan to get off. Christopher had just a few minutes to say goodbye before having to jump on the last car as it passed.
My eyes started tearing as the train came closer. I can not explain the feeling I had this being Brendan's first train ride and having Christopher as the conductor. I was so proud of him. Christopher asked me why I was crying. I just told him ... "it's a mom thing" Brendan could not stop talking about his train ride. He was so excited.
One time while visiting he surprised Brendan by telling him he could ride on the train with him. They left early that morning with plans for me to meet up with them at Subway. It is hard to explain but due to track conditions and bridges that particular train could not go very fast. What took them several hours took me a bit over an hour to drive.
When I arrived at Subway I went in and bought a drink. I asked the girl if the train had already come by. She said no. After waiting about an hour I told her I was not familiar with the area and asked her which direction the train would be coming. She pointed though looked at me strangely and said "Mam you do know this isn't a passenger train, right?" I laughed as I explained to her that my son worked on that train and was giving his brother a ride.
A few minutes later I heard the whistle of the train. I stood there watching for it to come into view. As the train inched closer I could see Brendan waving to me out the window. Christopher hopped off the train walking beside it as it crossed the intersection. I did tell you it moved slow. We knew the train could not stop but would slow down enough for Brendan to get off. Christopher had just a few minutes to say goodbye before having to jump on the last car as it passed.
My eyes started tearing as the train came closer. I can not explain the feeling I had this being Brendan's first train ride and having Christopher as the conductor. I was so proud of him. Christopher asked me why I was crying. I just told him ... "it's a mom thing" Brendan could not stop talking about his train ride. He was so excited.
Grandpa's Garden
One year in New York Grandpa decided to buy three rose bushes. He planted them in the front yard under the living room window. One each in red, yellow,and pink.
When they needed weeding he would lay down on the grass and talk to the roses while he pulled the weeds. Even when he watered them he had a few kind words for them. Well, it paid off. The roses came up beautifully. There were red roses on one side and pink roses on the other. The middle bush had some yellow, some yellow and red, and some yellow and pink. Many would say it was because the bushes were planted together but Grandpa always swore it was from him talking nicely to them.
When we moved to California our backyard was in three sections. There was a pool, a little grass area and along the length of the back fence there was a raised area that Grandpa said would be perfect for a garden. I do not remember all of it but I know there was a lot of ivy and an oleander tree. He wanted to take all that out and plant vegetables on one half and flowers on the other half. For some reason Grandma always told him no she liked it the way it was.
After Grandpa passed away at such a young age I always wanted to start a garden and put up a garden sign labeled Grandpa's Garden. Unfortunately I am not an outdoor person during the summer and do not get much yard work of any kind done. I remembered this story when talking to Christopher. He told me he started a garden. He brews his own beer and is growing the hops he needs. Along with onions, tomatoes, squash, okra, jalapeños, and a few other treats. I am sure Grandpa is looking down ... smiling.
When they needed weeding he would lay down on the grass and talk to the roses while he pulled the weeds. Even when he watered them he had a few kind words for them. Well, it paid off. The roses came up beautifully. There were red roses on one side and pink roses on the other. The middle bush had some yellow, some yellow and red, and some yellow and pink. Many would say it was because the bushes were planted together but Grandpa always swore it was from him talking nicely to them.
When we moved to California our backyard was in three sections. There was a pool, a little grass area and along the length of the back fence there was a raised area that Grandpa said would be perfect for a garden. I do not remember all of it but I know there was a lot of ivy and an oleander tree. He wanted to take all that out and plant vegetables on one half and flowers on the other half. For some reason Grandma always told him no she liked it the way it was.
After Grandpa passed away at such a young age I always wanted to start a garden and put up a garden sign labeled Grandpa's Garden. Unfortunately I am not an outdoor person during the summer and do not get much yard work of any kind done. I remembered this story when talking to Christopher. He told me he started a garden. He brews his own beer and is growing the hops he needs. Along with onions, tomatoes, squash, okra, jalapeños, and a few other treats. I am sure Grandpa is looking down ... smiling.
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