Old Photograph Wednesday Part VI

This is a picture taken in 1950, as was noted by Far Guys Mom. A picture of her father and his grandchildren, Street Rod on the left, Far Guys sister on the right, the little boys cradled in between their Grandfathers legs are Far Guy, Alaska Guy, and Street Rods brother. I love the simplicity of the photograph..and the patience of the old dog. Wanting to be near his master..but not real close to all those kids either.

Yesterday we said goodbye to Street Rod. The funeral was held in a quaint little country church in the woods in Minnesota. Far Guy and Alaska Guy were pallbearers. Alaska Guys Dad who is 92 was all tired out from the wake the evening before..he was just simply to tired to attend the burial of one of his sisters children. The service was lovely, the church was overflowing and the flowers were plentiful and beautiful.

The Military Honor Guard did the twenty one gun salute, the lonely buglers notes rang out clear and strong over the hillside.

The church ladies out did themselves with a "lunch" that had every salad, hotdish and cake from their church cookbooks. The pickles were awesome.

I had a short time for a visit with Ann a faithful blog reader. She gave me a tour of the hillside cemetery..recalling children plucked from this world too soon. reminding me that children are a gift on loan from God to be treasured every day.

Street Rod always called his Dad "Ernie".. I never knew why..but Street Rod held death at bay until after his grandsons birth in August, and then a little longer so he could get to know him. A little boy named quite appropriately "Ernie".. life goes on..through our children and then our grandchildren:)

Feeling The Rain

"Some people feel the rain, others just get wet."..........Bob Dylan

Are you feeling the rain.. I try to..everyday...somedays are harder than others.

Yesterday was one of those days, the phone rang, nope not a poll taker or a survey maker, not a friend with a funny story, it was Street Rod's brother..news we had been expecting and dreading... "Street Rod died shorty before noon, I can't believe he is gone..now it begins in our generation." Sad thoughts..raw feelings.. rain soaked wet feelings shared with me and then his cousin. Far Guy was devastated, some deaths hit harder than others.

Far Guys sister is the oldest female cousin, and Street Rod was the oldest male cousin in this portion of the family. Since three other little boys followed in less than a year, Street Rod was the "Ring Leader" the one the other cousins looked up to when they were growing up. He was the kid with all the big ideas, the lead troublemaker. First to think of smoking corn silk, first to think about stealing a bit of his Grandfathers chew to share. First to think about what the funny stuff in the hidden bottle tasted like..and wanting to share. First to think about girls..when you are the oldest there are many firsts. Now he has the distinction of being the first in the generation on that side of the family to die.

I have heard story after story of the adventures of these little boys, and then stories of teenagers..I agree with Far Guy sometimes what happens in the garage stays in the garage.

Some stories must be shared, I shared one recently it can be found here.

I will share this one today: Street Rod was at a New Year's Eve Party and was feeling a little bored..so he called Far Guy! They talked and reminisced for over an hour. About a month later we got a strange phone call. The caller introduced himself and wondered how he knew us..because a long distance phone call lasting more than an hour showed up on his phone bill..he said "Well I was having a party that night and figured someone had borrowed my phone..just wondering who? Who do you know in DL?" Then the light bulb went off..hard to forget a phone call on New Years Eve....Far Guy said "I have a cousin by the name of Street Rod that called me that night..is it a problem?" The caller burst into laughter and replied "Hell no, he can use my phone anytime he wants too!" We did not inquire why Street Rod was so bored he had to make a long phone call..maybe our number was one of many that night...it was just Street Rod feeling the rain instead of getting soaking wet!

Memories..the good ones, and the old funny stories..the ones that make you smile so you can keep feeling the rain! :)

A Promise

The last couple of days we have been enjoying the company of Far Guy's cousin from Alaska. He had hip replacement surgery and is recuperating quite well..he is only a little gimpy. Since he grew up at the farm kitty corner from where I grew up, we have lots in common. We took an area tour, talking, reminiscing about people and places. It was great fun!

We did have a mission ..to visit another cousin of Far Guys and Alaska Guys. For the purposes of this blog I will call him Street Rod. A long time ago Street Rod allowed his friends to cover his arm in catsup, then he crawled into the trunk of his friends car, with one hand holding the trunk shut and the other catsup covered arm very visible to the unsuspecting people of Detroit Lakes. Needless to say Street Rod was without wheels for several weeks.

Street Rod is one year older than Far Guy and Alaska Guy. Street Rod is in the Nursing Home. He has multiple health issues, diabetes, failing eye sight, dialysis and he is an amputee with a flashy red metallic flake wheelchair/ scooter. He may have lost the use of his legs but his sense of humor is still intact. The guys had a good visit. Street Rod was having some indigestion and had to go get his Rolaids. I offered to get them from his room, He said "Nope, around here you have to have a Doctors orders for Rolaids." He scooted out and returned saying "I am too old for this shit." His mood deteriorated after that, he was tired and needed to lay down before going to dialysis, so we left.

After leaving "the home" we all talked about our unwillingness to be residents of such a facility. We know they are necessary we just don't want to go there ..ever.

Later after we got home, I told Far Guy that I would try to do whatever was necessary to keep him out of the home for as long as I could. He said "No need to worry I will be in the pen." I said "WHAT?" He replied "Well Alaska Guy was feeling so bad about having to go to the home someday, he made me promise to kill him first." Now let me tell ya I just left them behind for three minutes while I walked to get the car in the rain, and during that time they must have had time to REALLY talk. Next time the gimpy one and one who hurts when wind hits his face can get the car for me:)