It's Always Fun When Grandpa Comes!

Since it is June, we are singing all the fun Father and Grandfather songs for primary. "A Great Big Kiss" is of course a keepsake; but for some reason, this past Sunday, while singing 'It's always fun when Grandpa comes,' I couldn't help seeing Grandpa's truck, usually with racks still in, snaking it's way down to the farm. After awhile, it would make its way up the dirt road to the canal and then on the way back would stop at regular intervals, door ajar, to allow Grandpa to take care of the dams. Then, when all the chores were done, and especially if it was summer or the weekend, (because that is when I would be home) that truck would meander down "THE LANE." That's when Grandpa would come a calling! I loved it when Grandpa came! He loved to see what we were up to, got us out of doing whatever chores we were supposed to be finishing up, and let us know the happenings of the day. He always let us know that we were loved. He always expected us to be good kids. He always told us how proud he was of us. He got after us, only when we were in danger, or doing something extremely foolish. Many times he would bring us some prize from his garden. Like, Chinese Cucumbers, or a top-notch melon. I can still see his work-worn hands, his sometimes scruffy whiskered face, his well-worn work pants and shirt and old farm boots. Inside his pocket, with still a bit of lint usually attached, were pink Wintergreen candies. We were always welcome to have one.

I remember Grandpa with his thumb sideways between his front teeth, almost itching it, as he thought about things. He always wanted to hear our music, and sometimes had time to read a story.

Right outside the back window of my 2nd Grade classroom (Mrs. Barlocker), I can still remember Grandpa's truck parked in the shade of a mulberry tree. He was waiting for Shauna to get out of Kindergarten so he could take her home, while at the same time, going to the farm to do the chores. That is the year we moved to the farm. I was always a bit jealous that she got to leave part way through the day! I always wanted to be her, just so I could spend time with Grandpa!

Caroline did an awesome job reminding us of fun stories at the family reunion. We talked about hand-stacked hay. Grandpa never really minded us playing on a haystack that was hand-stacked. But the minute we had a machine stacked pile, we were never supposed to be near it! I also loved the memories of the warm milk. I'd hear, "Would you like to see stars? Just as I would be squirted in the eye with some fresh milk - straight from the cow." We learned to NEVER put our tongue on the cooling pipe that came out of the ceiling into the big holding tank! It was a lesson learned FROM doing it, because even when told, the frost on a hot day was just too irresistible!

I remember the ice box that held all kinds of farm trinkets, along with the old fridge that held medicine for the cows, and cold water for us to drink.

I remember feeding the baby calves. Their long tongues reaching out to grab the bottle nipples. It was important to hold on tight to the lids so the calves didn't pull them off and let all the milk run out.

Such good memories! I have a bundle more. I'll have to write them down when I get some more time!

Thanks - Grandpa Schuyler Bentley Everett for being you!

Oh, What Do You Do in the Summertime?

One of my summer projects was to go through a box and organize it. Well, I found this Character Sketch that I wrote for Renee' Hazen's 9th Grade Honors English class. I remember how much I enjoyed writing this short paper. So, here is my memory of Robbie playing baseball. For some reason, when I think of him playing, I don't see him playing on the ball field at Pine View. My mind's eye takes me instead to the field on the North/West side of the Sun Bowl.

A Proud Pine View Panther

The Dixie sun’s blinding glare isn’t blocked by the stubby green grass or the red dirt of the ball diamond; so Robbie shifts the black visor on his cap which outlines the smooth neckline of his neat, short hair. Bronze cheeks set off Robbie’s taught jaw and straight white teeth. A determined glance proves that his true blue eyes are going to help get this job done!

The maroon shirt he fills is centered with a big number eight on the back and Pine View proudly visible on the front. Surprisingly clean, white pants perfectly fit his thin hips ending midway down his legs where black stirrups are set inside well-worn baseball cleats.

Robbie quickly straps his hand into a batters glove and opens and closes it to ensure the gloves perfect fit. Robbie tests the position of his feet in the soft sandy grooves of the batters box. Muscles bulge the terrain in his arms and hands as the bat, now steadied is positioned behind his head. His whipping swing breaks through a fastball, sending a hard line drive squeaking just inside third base. Involuntarily he drops his bat and with agile quick steps sprints to first base.