Driving in this morning, I had a small car zoom past me with a spoiler, pipes, the whirr sound of a souped-up engine, stickers on the window, and neon underneath.  My initial reaction was that of an old fuddy-dutty…what a waste of time, didn’t they have better things to spend their money on, gas costs too much to cruise, etc.   Then I thought back to my first car.  I was a senior in high school.  The car had started out it’s life as a white 1959 Ford Station Wagon with the fake wood panels on the side.  I’m pausing for the laughter …  Anyway, the original color had been white.  It was still a lot like white.  Randy Farrell and I decided to trick it out a bit.  Bought “mag” wheel rims (from working at Giant Foods of America over the Summer), flipped the lee springs (so the back end was higher than the fromt).  Even had a straight muffler installed, as I recall.  Didn’t make it go any faster, but it sounded better.  It had cracked windows (there would be ice on the inside of the windows after football games), a bench seat that was wide enough to lay down and sleep in, and an automatic transmission that was reluctant to go from one gear to the next.  Probably feeling it’s age.  It finally died when the engine locked up as I was cruising one day, for no apparent reason… 

After thinking about the silly things we did to that car, instead of making it more dependable, I figure what these guys are doing is nothing different…

One of my favorite stories about my Dad is this one…  When he was a young man and still living at home, he would go down to Ruskin Cave to hear music and socialize.  And as anyone who knew my Pop knows, he loved to laugh and have a good time.  My grandmother Mary raised 8 kids, 6 of them boys.  So you know she was tough.  I remember her being a strong, stern little woman (I was convinced for a while she was shrinking as I got older.  It didn’t occur to me for a while that I was getting taller…).  Anyway, my Pop had partied long into the night, and drug himself home in the wee hours of the morning.  He had sat down on the edge of his bed, pulled off one boot, and was reaching for the other foot when Mamaw Yates came into the room and said “About time you were getting up.  There’s work to do.”  From what I heard, he didn’t even argue…just pulled his boot back on and went down for breakfast.  Bet that was a long day in the fields…

Braden and Madisan

We had our “Pop and Nana” camp a few weeks ago.  Had a blast!  This is one of the pictures we took during the week (Bad To The Bone refers to Braden’s expression). Camp is us getting away with the grand kids (after they are 5 years old) and having fun.  For this one, we went to the Williamsburg, VA area.  One day was Busch Gardens, the next was Go-Kart World (with water bumper boats, putt-putt golf, a roller coaster, bumper cars).  Then we went to a water park, and rode almost everything they had.  Plus splashed around in several pools, ate great junk food, and laughed a lot.  Other days involved bowling, more putt-putt, a museum, Wii, food, cookies…  I think it is safe to say we were all worn out by the time it was done.  But it was great.  I am looking forward to “camp time” with all the grand kids, when their time comes.  One of the reasons I work out is so that I’ll be able to keep up with them!

This is one of those “family lore” stories we pass along.  I did not see it, but Becky tells this story about Ryan…

When he was about 3, Transformers were very hot.  All over the TV…commercials, toys, etc.  For his birthday, oddly, he only mentioned wanting Transformer Underoos.  Was very adamant about it.  So his Mom complied.  On the day of his party, when it came time to open gifts, he started into the stack of gifts.  With each one, he would open it up and discard it.  Kept doing this until he finally got to his Underoos.  Joyfully, he tore open the package and pulled the underwear on (over his shorts…in a big hurry).  He stood there a moment, and let out a yell “I’m not transforming! I’m not transforming!”.  On the TV commercial, the little boy had transformed when he wore his Underoos.  Ryan was devastated.  And has been cynical about advertising ever since…

I was able to spend some time with Canaan the other day.  We were having a family get-together, and things got a bit loud (no surprise there :-).  He was upset, and I asked Sumer if we could walk for a bit.  I scooped him up in my arms, went outside and showed him the yard, then around to the front of the house and checked out a few things.  We finally sat on the porch and chilled.  I love my one-on-one time with the grand kids.  I like to think they feel safe with me.  I like to have them wrapped up in my arms.  As they get older and more involved with their world, my importance (and relevance) will diminish.  But that is as it should be, and as I expect it to be.  Explore, enjoy, laugh, love, live.  Don’t spend too much time hanging around with old people. 

I was also reminded of seeing Jason and Corey in my Pop’s arms.  He had a deep, gravely voice that always got their attention, even when they were a little upset.  I’ve seen them lay their head on his chest, just to feel the vibration.  Not quite like an earthquake, but close (if you are an infant).  He loved his grand kids. 

Had a terrific camping trip with Corey and Caleb and Josh and Zak a couple of weeks ago.  We went to the country, and set up in the corner of a field in which I have camped for decades.  We did all the camp things, like a fire, roasted hot dogs, cheetos (which are a kid favorite, and will be on the menu until they decide they don’t like them), slept in tents, played with glow sticks, made smores.  We all ran around a lot, flew kites, walked in the woods, played in the grass, spent time doing “tick checks” after any excursion (we were careful, Moms.  Lots and lots of bug spray!).  The next morning we broke camp after pancakes, and headed to Yellow Creek for some serious splashing and rock skipping.  It was just right, except for juicing the kids up on sugar and expecting them to fall asleep in 20 minutes.  That will call for an adjustment…

One of the things I enjoy the most about being around the grand kids is the way they say things.  The title of this post is a combination of statements from Zak and Caleb.  Zak called the woods the rain forest.  I have a feeling Diego on TV has influenced that.  And when we walked on some fallen trees, Caleb called it walking on branches.  I thought that was wonderful…  I’m kind of crazy about my grand kids, in case you haven’t noticed…

This past weekend was Father’s Day.  And I realize I miss my Dad.  We lost him 17 years ago to cancer.  Life has moved on, of course.  Grandkids, moves, other deaths, changes, all fill the days.  And that is just the way it is.  I know the same will happen with respect to me, and I’m very OK with that.  There were a couple of songs that I heard recently that brought my Pop back into focus, I think.  One is “Live Like You Were Dying”, which talks about taking each day as a precious thing.  Talk sweeter, love deeper, enjoy what you have.  The other is “The Living Years” from back in 1988.  It talks more about things you didn’t say to a loved one when you had the chance.  And wishing you had…

My Dad and I did not have any problems.  We both loved each other, respected each other, were proud of each other.  I went through stretches wishing he had been around more, but I know he was showing love for his family the way men of his generation did: they worked as hard as they could to provide.  And he did a great job of that.  What I hope to do from this day on is to tell those I love that I love them.  To be there as much as I can, for whatever.  So that the phrase from the song “I just wish I could have told him in the living years” does not apply to my spirit as I’m passing on to Heaven…

Had the chance to camp for a night with 2 kids and 2 grand kids (a coming blog) last Friday.  And it was terrific.  But while we were there, unpacking the CRV, Josh looked in the back (under the carpet), and asked where my spare was.  I had no idea.  I started looking on the inside walls, and finally decided the car care place had forgotten to give it back (had tires rotated).  I was frustrated, because we are on the road a lot!  So I had started looking through receipts to see if I could document when.  After I found it, I was planning on going to the garage to confront them…

Fast forward to last night.  I’m grilling at the opening to the garage.  Bryson is hanging out with me.  He has discovered the “what’s this” question, and uses it all the time.  He touched the tail light on the CRV and asked “what’s this”.  He touched the bumper and asked “what’s this”.  He touched the spare tire cover on the outside back of the car and asked “what’s this”.  At that point, I went in to get Becky to show her…  I am so glad I didn’t find the receipt.

Went to see Caleb play his second t-ball game last night.  It was too much fun.  Each team has 2 at-bats, where everyone gets their turn.  No one makes an out, no one keeps score, and the kids seem to love it.   When it is time to be in the field, each child has a turn to field the ball and throw it to first.  Lots of concentration on how to throw, which foot to step off of, and follow-through. 

What is really going on is a group of loving, involved parents spending time with their kids.  Sure, it would be less trouble to stay at home and watch TV.  Lots of cranky little brothers and sisters in the stands, missed bed times, insect bites, upset schedules.  But the memories, and knowing you are trying as a parent, is worth all the momentary hardships.   

Becky and I were in Fredericksburg the 17th and 18th of this month.  It was a “combo” trip:  got to visit family, and I ran the Historic Half Marathon.  It was a great, but rushed trip.  Left at the crack of dawn on Saturday, flew to Baltimore, drove to Fredericksburg, took Madisan and Braden to lunch and a movie, came home and visited, then all went out to dinner.  Typical full day for us… 

Sunday was another full day.  My race started at 7, so I had to be at the starting line by 6:30.  Becky drove me over, went back home, dressed for church and rousted the little ones out of bed, and came back to see me on the course.  It was wonderful to see them holding thier signs, smiling at me.  As Becky has pointed out, they are not good “yellers”.  She then took them to another spot to see me pass, then home.  Then back to get me at the end of the race.  Wow!  Becky is so supportive of the running, and all the stuff it takes to get it done.  I am so appreciative, and feel the love it shows…