My grandpa Fitz passed away yesterday following a long bout with Parkinsons. It's very hard to let him go but it's better that he's at rest now.
Some of my strongest memories of him...
"DON'T YOU BREAK-A MY HOUSE!" he would tell us when he could tell we were about to roughhouse or otherwise get into trouble. ... not sure but I was probably about 6 at this point. I remember it being at least a little bit more scary than I'm sure was really intended.
Giving me pointers on shuffling and dealing while playing cribbage. I think I'd be about 8-10 at this point. I distinctly remember him showing me how I was revealing cards when shuffling - and revealing the bottom card when dealing.
Getting my hands washed... with Ajax or Comet. I don't remember what it was that we would regularly do at 701 E Ayer, but whatever it was: I remember hands caked with dried mud. Grandpa would scrub those babies pink with Ajax, but they would certainly be clean in the end! Not sure about this age, I'm going to with with starting at 5 ending about 20!
Smoke from his pipe - not sure how long ago he quit smoking but it was definitely a quite a while ago, so this is probably a very old memory. I definitely remember both the distinct smell as well as the actual pipe itself, sitting on the back of tobacco. Along with this, I remember him sitting out on the back porch of the house - I'd say he was reading or relaxing, but looking back on how many friggin kids were in the house: it was probably escaping!
Making cribbage boards out of Lake Superior driftwood. I remember him drilling the holes with the press in his basement - also burning the images of boats or sayings. I have two of these around the house.
This is obviously the short list. There are so many others that could be included.
It's definitely worth taking a minute to revisit a wonderful post from Maighie a while back on 701 E Ayer too.
4.26.2006
4.24.2006
When dogs attack
Rusty has been a great dog so far... up until the other night.
I was sitting there on the couch watching the baseball game when suddenly I was nearly knocked unconscious by the grand daddy of all farts. I thought for a second that the police were raiding my condo and had shot a canister or something through the window to knock me out or something. My eyes started tearing up and I was barely able to keep it together as I tried to crawl to the kitchen where I was finally able to open the door and fling myself out to get some fresh air.
Several hours later, after regaining full strength, it seemed like the danger had passed. Then, at about 1:30AM, I was awoken from my sleep by the same smell. I tried to put the covers over my head but there was no escape. The air was basically unbreathable in the room. I think there were more parts methane in the air than oxygen making it unfit to sustain human life. I tried to make a move to get out of bed but was knocked unconscious. Several hours later I awoke to find the air had cleared and all was well.
In other news: I am getting a fan.
I was sitting there on the couch watching the baseball game when suddenly I was nearly knocked unconscious by the grand daddy of all farts. I thought for a second that the police were raiding my condo and had shot a canister or something through the window to knock me out or something. My eyes started tearing up and I was barely able to keep it together as I tried to crawl to the kitchen where I was finally able to open the door and fling myself out to get some fresh air.
Several hours later, after regaining full strength, it seemed like the danger had passed. Then, at about 1:30AM, I was awoken from my sleep by the same smell. I tried to put the covers over my head but there was no escape. The air was basically unbreathable in the room. I think there were more parts methane in the air than oxygen making it unfit to sustain human life. I tried to make a move to get out of bed but was knocked unconscious. Several hours later I awoke to find the air had cleared and all was well.
In other news: I am getting a fan.
4.20.2006
Easter
We had a great Easter. Saturday was spent at the Halbergs. Rusty was definitely the star of the show.
Mom Halberg had a great easter basket for us, as well as some placemats created by Sheila and Claire!
Sunday was spent at Rick & Debbie's house. Great food and great company!
Many more photos here
Mom Halberg had a great easter basket for us, as well as some placemats created by Sheila and Claire!
Sunday was spent at Rick & Debbie's house. Great food and great company!
Many more photos here
Office so bright... I gotta wear shades
Continuing coverage of our evolving third floor:
As you can see, it's definitely a little bright in here in the morning but it's not so bad... as long as I wear sunglasses! Hey, if your big complaint about work is that you have to wear sunglasses: I think you're doing alright. Of course, the shades are forthcoming though.
So, anyway: How 'bout that monitor? It's ridiculous: 30 inch HD cinema display, from the folks at apple. No more minimizing/swapping between windows: I can have almost everything I have running displayed at once with very little overlap. VERY handy. It's actually a little annoying when I need to unplug and take the laptop somewhere offsite: I am very spoiled!
Rusty has been so well behaved during the day. He's eager to have attention when it's offered but more obedient than I could have ever hoped for when I need him to lay down and give me some space.
As you can see, it's definitely a little bright in here in the morning but it's not so bad... as long as I wear sunglasses! Hey, if your big complaint about work is that you have to wear sunglasses: I think you're doing alright. Of course, the shades are forthcoming though.
So, anyway: How 'bout that monitor? It's ridiculous: 30 inch HD cinema display, from the folks at apple. No more minimizing/swapping between windows: I can have almost everything I have running displayed at once with very little overlap. VERY handy. It's actually a little annoying when I need to unplug and take the laptop somewhere offsite: I am very spoiled!
Rusty has been so well behaved during the day. He's eager to have attention when it's offered but more obedient than I could have ever hoped for when I need him to lay down and give me some space.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
