Beneath the Wraps

            Last night we had four college students spend the night as they travel from Vermont (where they go to school) to Oregon (where at least one of them lives)             We actually just met Sam, Simon, Julia and Jen last night when they arrived. Sam had made arrangements with Roland – although his mom had given him my number, I couldn’t seem to return his call from my phone.             I had somehow believed that we had plenty of sleeping bags.   I pulled out two sleeping bags from the shed – (it turned out that one of those was actually just a blanket) and one from Jenna’s room.   There was another that I couldn’t reach.   But Sam could.   He pulled it down with no problems.             While we were outside, he spotte...

I don’t know when mom became an avid walker or how many years she and Pam Sanders had walked together practically every weekday morning.   I know that Corey was still in high school and driving because many times mom and Pam would end their walk at the high school and take the car.             Once, as they were leaving the parking lot, a security officer from the high school pulled them over to see their ID – wondering why the car was being driven off the high school grounds during school hours.   I guess he figured out that they weren’t high school students. They laughed about the experience of being pulled over and stopped by a diner on their way home.               The girl behind the counter started to ring up their order.   I don’t know what they ordered, but evidently it was available at a senior price.   Neither one of them were ...

Before Jenna turned five she was introduced to Isaac – a cousin to Paula – who, at the time, was Biff’s platonic girlfriend.   Roland asked Isaac how old he would be (or what age he’d just turned – I forget what time of the year it was) We both figured at least nine.   Both of us were quite floored when he answered seven..   He was too tall to be only seven. He was actually quite tall for nine.    Surely Jenna and Isaac were more than just two years apart.      Isaac’s mom was involved with an Easter tradition.   Every year right after Church, the children would look for the plastic eggs that the adults had hid around the yard – her father’s yard to be exact.   Paula had outgrown the tradition and had asked Biff to bring Jenna so that Isaac and Paula’s brother weren’t hunting for eggs by themselves.   So from 2009 to 2012 Jenna has always done Easter with Isaac and his family.       ...

       Jenna is loud!  Even when she is quiet for her, she is still loud by definition.  I think that's one reason Biff is gone.        My eldest son, Biff, has a girlfriend in another county.   He says 45 minutes away.   I haven’t driven it. But it is where he current girlfriend lives.   He drives there on Saturday afternoon and doesn’t return home until late Monday night – I would guess at the same time that Jeanie leaves for work . . .          He works on Saturday nights which means he is commuting from Syracuse to Sandy – that’s quite a commute.   And expensive.   Good thing Biff is using his own gas and not mine and Roland’s.   Not that he’d have our permission.   If you’re an avid follower you may recall from this post that Biff is supposed to be out of the house.          Bef...

Roland ended up picking Biff up at the airport – which really didn’t do him any favors.   There have been many times that I have told Roland to stop holding his hand, but yet he continues.   Unfortunately Biff has remained clueless and it has been damaging to his persona. Biff has struggled with being short, being slow and being single.   Hard to watch both of his brothers get their driver’s licenses while they were still sophomores and he did not even take drivers ed. until his senior year.   Hard to see them both marry before he even had a girlfriend. He had posted on Facebook that he was in a relationship.   He was referring to Hailey from this post .   But now he is saying he wants to marry Jeanie who is only 45 minutes away instead of 18 hours.      Roland doesn’t want to discourage him, but sat him down yesterday and laid down the facts – although it is still Biff’s decision.   And as Roland told Biff that he wa...

It’s been almost a year since we were first introduced to Payton.   Frank and Marie had invited us to the annual Independence Day BBQ at the park hosted by Miguel, Cheryl and Sylvia who live just across the way.   Payton will visit on occasion, and she and Jenna hit it off right away.   And so often when Payton is visiting Cheryl, we will set up play dates for her and Jenna. I can’t believe how well they play together.   They can actually spend several hours without feuds or hurt feelings.   I wish Payton and Jenna could play together every day. Trume’s grandparents sent him to day camp – I’m guessing for the entire summer.   They have two incomes.   Apparently they can afford it.   Besides I think if Grandpa had to spend the entire day with Trume, he would end up killing him (or himself) It’s been equally nice for us not to have him knock on the door first thing in the morning or having daily confrontations between him and Je...

I mention my discovery of Mr. Terupt in this post .   Rob Buyea makes reference to several books throughout the two books that I’ve read and I have made my journey into some of those books. So here are my reviews on “Belle Teal” by Ann M. Martin and “Belle Prater’s son” by Ruth White “Belle Teal” is told in first person by a girl who’s been named after her grandma – Belle Teal.   The story takes place roughly 1961 – 1962 I’m guessing in Virginia. Two things stand out for me.   One is that Belle’s grandmother has Alzheimer’s or another form dementia.   It isn’t explained.   Even back then – there wasn’t the same understanding that we have now – and are still trying to explain. The other is/was the relationship between her classmates.   One is a black student who has just transferred into an all white school.   Another is a high and mighty princess, also a first timer for that particular school. The other is the son of an abusive drunkar...

--> I we nt to Alpine Ridge where mom is staying.   I was surprised to see Harold sitting on her bed and visiting with her.   He was saying that he has six boys – while mom has only four children – two girls and two boys.   But she claims to have a lot more pictures than Harold. I told her I had come to take her to a family dinner – but we had time to visit before we left.   Jenna’s eyes lit up when Harold mentioned Peanut Brittle.   He said he had been in a place before this one and they let him make peanut brittle in the microwave.   But one day the microwave started smoking and they never let him in the kitchen again.   And then he had to move. Jenna absorbed it all – hanging on to his every word.   I decided that his mind works the same as mom’s and his time frame is different as well as some of his facts.   He said he wanted to take mom flying – not that he’s a pilot.   He wouldn’t be driving the plane, but would...

I can hear Trume’s grandpa He is raising his voice As he often does when Trume Is getting on his nerves “Who’s he yelling at?” I wonder – for it is a school day Trume is in the first grade. I hear a light knock at My door – followed by the doorbell (as I was too slow getting there – even In my cracker box house) Ordinarily I would guess Trume Except for he should be at school. He’s in the same district as Jenna She’s at school. I check the peep hole Don’t see anyone.   Trume – Really?   He’s not the brightest Although his grandma claims otherwise “Jenna is in school, “ I say.   “How come your not?” Evidently grandpa didn’t feel like taking him Or maybe he forgot. How could he not remember? Grandma took Trume’s little sister To daycare.   Wouldn’t it make sence that If she was gone that Trume should be also? I’m doing laundry I use the washing machine more in the summer Than any other sea...

We all know a David Smith such a common name  In my case you were the boy next door middle child your mom and my mom showed pregnant bellies three times the same time – well maybe just two and a half. Tow headed blonds we both were neighborhood games and school Your family had the only trampoline there for a while chain linked fence separated our back yards we grew neither of us married until our late thirtys you had two daughters I have one.  Wish we could have gotten them together before you passed on a year ago last month Your final act of service happened when you were only 49.  You were in the basement of your parents up  on the ladder  I believe  and you lost  your balance  or your footing and you fell and left this earth life.  Your family will keep your memory alive and I hope that your girls may visit often and learn more about who you we...

          I don’t know that pen palling is really a lost art.  It just seems with the internet and facebook and email and such – the written letters seem to be a thing of the past.           Earlier I created this pos t.    Jenna and her cousin Melody had promised to write one another every day.  And for an entire week Jenna really did – though I did not mail on a daily basis.  I would accumulate and then mail.           I ended up sending two or three pieces of mail.  Jenna was really disappointed that Melody hadn’t written back.  I actually believe that Melody did write – perhaps every day in the beginning – but I don’t believe it was a priority for either mom or dad to address the envelope and put a stamp on it.  Thus they never got mailed.           For...