Happy Birthday Grampa Shorty

You'd be 86 today. I know you're watching over things but I thought I'd give you an update just in case. (I'm sure you're a regular reader of my blog right? Ha!) I'm living back on the ranch, keeping Gramma company and helping out with chores. We had an early spring this year and the lilacs are already in full bloom. The yard smells wonderful, I just wish they'd stay around longer. I guess we can't always get our way.

We've been cleaning out the clutter from the house and outbuildings and having an ongoing yard sale. I've been spending a lot of time in the barnyard, sheds, and your workshop. It's a treasure hunt for junk in decent enough shape to sell, but it's also a trip down memory lane - finding remnants from your life and my childhood. I feel your presence all around here and it never escapes me that this stuff is still very much yours. I can almost see you working in the shop, welding a bike frame or something. Seems like it was just yesterday.

I bought some fake blue and white carnations for your shed door. I know you'd hate them but memorials are more for the living you know. Gramma found a sign at a garage sale with an eagle on it that reads "Captain's Quarters". Perfect. She and Steve hung it over the shed door.

The Twins have a new outdoor stadium and I saw a game there, very nice. I'm following the team closely this year. I've been keeping busy with a number of projects, the latest of which is volunteering for the library. I deliver books to a nice old lady in Robbinsdale - she was born just a year after you. Oh, and I cut my hair really short and dyed it black. No doubt you'd have something interesting to say about it. Amy looks just the same, cute as ever, and is expecting a baby in September. Today just happens to be the day we learn the gender. I always thought May 3rd was an auspicious day! I won't find out 'til later on but I think it will be your first great-granddaughter. And I have a feeling she'll be a Twins fan too ;)
Little Raymond is a force to be reckoned with. He's strong like you. I know you'd get a kick out of him. He seems cold and grumpy when you first meet him, doesn't smile a lot, but once he warms up to you he has quite a distinct and surprisingly warm personality. I think he's going to be a character when he grows up. Imagine that!

Well, things are chugging along here, life goes on without you, things change quickly, but one constant is that we all sure miss you like heck. Here's a kiss on the forehead for ya. Happy Birthday Grampa, I love you.






P.S. I was wrong, it's a boy!! And if he's anything like you he's gonna be a feisty little handful! :)