10.25.19 - Henderson Visit - Grandpa Cal

I arrived on Tuesday, 10/22 about 10am. Direct flight on Spirit Airlines, super cheap, $50 round trip.

We spent some time in the morning checking out Grandpa's knife collection and his model car collection. He takes pride and has stories about all of his knives. All of his scale model cars are still in the original boxes.

We drove to Wendy's to pick up salads for lunch. After lunch we shopped at Winco Foods, mostly produce. Grandpa Cal makes a salad every day for himself and Grandma Sandra.

Later that night we went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant that they like in Henderson.

On Wednesday morning Grandpa Cal and I drove to North Las Vegas to have breakfast with my classmate Andy from high school. Andy works over night in the ER at UNC. We met him at at a dive restaurant called The Tap House on Charleston. It was actually pretty good.

After we left the restaurant we drove to Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area. The views were spectacular, the day was perfect. Later that day we spent some time in the backyard checking out some of his ongoing projects.

Grandpa Cal is a master mechanic and has an incredible knowledge of everything automotive.

Thursday I was able to ride along with Grandpa to his medical appointment. After that we went to the farmer's market in Downtown Henderson. He bought a few produce items, a lemon cake for Grandma Sandra, and some local salsa.

During this visit Dad shared with me some of his wisdom and values which I will share in future posts.

10.25.19 - Great Great Grandmother Gladys

This afternoon, being inspired by my visit to Henderson, I decided to search for a photo of Andy and I from high school. It's a real photograph, on paper, taken with a camera. In 1979 we did not have digital cameras or mobile phones.

I only looked through one tote in the garage before I became totally distracted. I did not find the picture I was looking for. Instead I found pictures (on paper) and copies of documents that my grandmother had mailed to me in 1993, shortly after Grandma Elaine and I moved to Camas, WA.

Grandma Gladys was a pillar in my life. As a child, when there was unrest and lack of direction, she was there to provide support.

Grandma Gladys was born in 1912 as Gladys Mabel Briggs. She married Richard Walter Hansen, born 1907, in 1933. My grandfather Rick passed on November 11, 1967. I was almost 6 years old. Grandma Gladys passed in 2010 at 98 years old.

Your uncle Rick was named after your great great grandfather. Your aunt Gladys was named after your great great grandmother.

My plan is to scan the pictures and documents to share with you on a later post. I'm also sure that the rest of the family would be interested in having these. The documents include her marriage certificate, Rick's birth and death certificates, and Rick's 8th grade diploma.

The pictures include Georgia, Cal, Grandma Gladys, Grandpa Rick, myself as a child, Aunt Gladys, and Aunt Susie.

10.25.19 - Henderson Visit

I took a few days off from posting. I flew to Henderson, Nevada to visit your great grandfather, Cal, my father. It was great to reconnect and see how he's doing. Your great grandfather turns 79 next week.

This also gave me time to connect with your great grandmother Sandra. Sandra is not your biological great grandmother, but because of the love that she has for Cal, how she provides spiritual guidance for our family, the way that she has brought our family closer through the years, her continued concern for our well being and love for all of us, she is family, she is my mother and your great grandmother.

Grandpa Cal had many thoughts and stories to share. The three of us shared stories about my youth and your great grandmother Georgia.

I also had some time to spend with my dear friend from high school, Damon 'Andy' Murray. We have stayed in touch off and on through the years, but I feel now that we have reconnected for a more consistent friendship. We graduated together from Rancho Alamitos High School in 1979, 40 years ago.

Over the next few days I will post on different subjects/thoughts from my visit. I have included a picture of Andy and myself with Cal at breakfast.

10.21.19 - Music

This will be one of many posts about music. I do not play an instrument, but would like to learn guitar. I enjoy listening to most genres of music. Some folks get pretty militant (or ignorant) about different styles of music. The key is to enjoy what you like, be open to something new, and be respectful to those who enjoy something that you dislike.

The genre you don't understand or care for today, may be one of your favorites in the future. When I was a child in the 60's, my mother would listen to popular music on the radio. I became very familiar with the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, among other 60's bands and artists. I'm sure I will post in the future in more detail.

In the 70's, especially during high school, I took a liking to new wave and alternative. Although I enjoyed just about anything on the radio at that time, I was not into heavy metal. My favorites were Elton John, Queen, the Police, and DEVO.

In my high school music class my teacher mentioned that her favorite's were Ella Fitzgerald and Lena  Horn. As a 15 year old, and not really interested in a what a teacher thought was cool, I dismissed these two artists as something old people listen to. My teacher had to be in her 40's. At that time I had no concept of age other than 'I am young...you are old'.

In 1980 I moved to Denver from SoCal. It was there that I was more influenced by modern country music. My mother and stepfather had listened to some country in the 60's, now considered to be 'classic country'. Country music for me is hit and miss. I enjoy classic country and a good portion of the 70's and 80's. Some of my favorites are Johnny Cash, Clint Black, George Jones and Dwight Yoakam.

In the early 2000's I acquired a taste for jazz. Remember my earlier dismissal of Ella Fitzgerald? I now regard her as one of the greatest vocalists of the 20th century. But this is also where my tastes are selective. I really don't care for 'smooth jazz', where all you hear is alto sax. Not really into 'trad jazz from the 20's....all brass. Some of my favorites here are Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Charles Mingus, Louis Armstrong and John Coltrane.

I also don't know, that by the time you read this, if these videos will still be available.

10.20.19 - Chickens

Grandpa and Grandma have had chickens now for about 4 years. We have eight currently. Their accommodations haven't always been the best... or the most secure. We have quite a few predators around the house - coyotes, raccoons, bobcats and owls. Raccoons are the worst. They will kill all of the chickens just for sport.

We are currently constructing a permanent, dedicated chicken coop just a bit NE of our horse barn. It will be large enough to be converted to a shed some day if we ever decide to not have chickens anymore.

The weather has been quite wet the last week, slowing progress down. The plan for tomorrow is to get the rafters and roof on. I will be in Henderson Tues-Thur visiting your great grandpa Cal.

Introduction

There are many things I don't know about my parents and grandparents. There never seemed to be that time when they pulled up chair and talked about their lives. As a child and young adult, I did not think to inquire nor did I take an interest.

I recently suggested to my father, now 79, that we sit down and talk about his life. I'm sure there are fascinating stories and memories. He did not take an interest in opening that book. He said "You don't want to know any of that." End of conversation.

My mother passed at age 38 and my grandparents are long gone. Along with them, the stories, the wisdom, and the life guidance they could have shared.... no longer exist. 

I turn 58 next month. My wife and I have two adult children and 2.9 grandchildren (Baby Nugget is due next month). This blog is for them. Our children already know much more about me than I knew of my parents.

When my grandchildren one day take an interest in my life, and I have lost my faculties or memories, my thoughts, my stories, my successes, and my failures will be forever saved on a server somewhere. Thank you Al Gore for inventing the internet. Otherwise I would have to look for pen and paper.

As I do not know when my grandchildren will be reading my blog, it could be years, I will write to them as if they are young adults. I will also, when I remember, to write as if I am speaking directly to them.

My intention is to publish at least one post a day. It will include either my thoughts on a subject, a memory from my past, or something currently happening in my life.