100 years ago

Surprise, I'm still alive and even remember how to access my blog! 

One hundred years ago this Friday, May 9th, my Grandma was born on a farm in Fredericksburg, Texas.  Who could've guessed that all of these years later, she would still be remembered so fondly and so well by all of us who were fortunate enough to have been blessed with her in our lives?  Grandma and Grandpa have been such topics of our family blogs over these last years that I don't really know how much I can add to what has already been said.  Anyone who reads our blogs can undoubtedly tell that these were special people. I use plural terminology because, as I have stated before, it is impossible to write or talk about Grandma without bringing up Grandpa as well....they were, "One" in many senses of the word.  In fact, in my mind, I find it difficult to separate thoughts of only one of them when thinking about growing up with these two.

Grandma.  There is definitely a part of her in each of us.  Grandma was stubborn, opinionated, a worry wart (Nathan has those parts!), and at the same time, someone who was always polite, courteous and proper (I got these, ha!)....all typical traits of her strong German heritage.  She always made sure that we knew she loved us and we all meant the world to her.  She cooked, kept house, worked in the yard, and helped Grandpa out with whatever projects he was working on that he needed a second pair of hands with.  Honestly, the only thing I can't ever remember seeing her help him with was working on a car but there's no way that she was married to him 60 years and escaped that!  I just didn't see it.  I've seen her work on lawn mowers, sprinklers, fishing stuff, tree trimming, etc...etc...they worked together, played together, and set an example for all of us young uns. They did everything on their own and somehow always managed to make it happen.  Watching them taught me not to be afraid of hard work.  Granted, having such traits as this are no longer common but for them, there was no other way and it really did work.  They excelled at it.

Aside from all of the work, Grandma enjoyed oil painting, fishing, boating, hunting, and spending time with family.  I honestly think she enjoyed the outdoors as much as I do, which is saying a lot, especially for a female of our species.  The two of them shared this passion also and many of their adventures took place accordingly.  Anyways, Grandma was generally happy and cheerful although, in usual German fashion, she did like to complain a lot.  I remember sitting at the kitchen table every morning when she would call Mom and they would discuss the day.  It always seemed like if it was hot, Grandma wanted it cold, if it was cold, she wanted it hot, if it was raining, she wished it would stop, and so on and so on.  Mom used to tell her she was never happy, which I didn't really understand when I was young because I never saw her truly unhappy.  Of course, I later figured out what she meant.  Still, Grandma was always true to her character, another trait that is not so common anymore.

The place in time that Grandma and Grandpa came from is no more.  Unfortunately, at the most, it is a very distant memory for those fortunate enough to now be 100 years old and at the least, it is a few photographs and stories in history books.  However, perhaps the most important part of those times, was the people they created and the traits, characteristics, skills, and knowledge that those people had and passed on.  I often say that they don't make people like that anymore and that is a true statement. Their beliefs, moral structure, work ethic, and commitment to those they love were so much a part of them.  They rarely swayed or faltered and they were always true to each other.  These qualities alone are very difficult to find today.  To use one of Grandpa's terms, they were, "Genuine" people, the real deal.  They cared about one another and others in general.  Fortunately, parts of them live on through some of us because they were so strong that they were able to instill things in us that will never go away.  We may not be the same as they were but we are absolutely better people today because of whom they were back then and who they taught us to be.  Their generation did pave the way in many, many ways....our country advanced more than it probably ever will and technology took a strong foothold in our lives. the importance of which is unquestionable.  However, I believe that possibly the very most important thing I received from Grandma and Grandpa was what I learned just by watching them and growing up with them.  Seeing how they functioned as a team, how they took care of each other and their family and how they worked hard and played hard.  I learned how to live, how to love, and how to enjoy life no matter what it may throw at you.  Sharing life's ups and downs, doing what is right just because it's right and not because it's easy, spending time with loved ones, and doing things you enjoy with whom you enjoy them are what it's all about.  I could go on an on with this but I will digress.  I will be forever grateful for the example that they both set for me which I will never forget. Likewise, I will be forever grateful for the birth that took place on that farm in rural Texas 100 years ago on May 9th.

Happy 100th birthday, Grandma!

Grandpa's 101st Birthday

Here we are again.  September 10th.  Grandpa would've turned 101 years old today!  It's hard to believe and so weird that it doesn't seem like long ago that he was here with us.  Strange, and sad, how quickly the time passes. Grandpa crosses my mind often, whether it's an old story he told, nicknames he had for things, or just his happy attitude that he seemed to carry with him every single day.

That said, I had no plan to fire up the blog pen today because I kind of figure I've said everything I can say.  However, I just had to share this....

There is this show that I watch quite regularly on TV now that I'm on a bit more of a normal human schedule.  They usually give out 4 or 5 trivia questions and answers throughout the show and I always enjoy trying to guess the answers.  Most are historically related facts.  Today, OF ALL DAYS, the trivial fact was that BUICK is the oldest American car manufacturer.  The funny thing is that it didn't hit me until later this evening when I went for my nightly walk how unique it was that this came up today.  As I stated above, of all days, Grandpa's birthday.  No one can convince me that this is just pure coincidence...after all, what are the odds?  I can't explain it, I guess I don't need to, but I definitely find meaning in it every time one of these weird occurrences happens.  Most importantly, it makes me think of loved ones, good times, and amazing days gone by.  While there is some sadness that comes about during those thoughts, the overwhelming feeling is a good one that does my heart well. 

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Merry Christmas To All & To All A Good Night

Just think of how many Christmas Eves we all spent in front of this mantle:)  I took this photo this evening while Nathan and I were remembering Christmases gone by. (I even had to get out the Seagram's 7 for a couple of drinks just for old times sake.) 

I like to think about how many family Christmases this fireplace bore witness to and how many relatives who have passed on once stood in front of it and celebrated the joys of the season and being together.  Many good years and good times to reminisce about this evening!  Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and great new year!!

Watching over us.....

This last Tuesday, June 19th, I was driving to work as usual...full of dread and hope that it wouldn't be as bad as I suspected...haha!  Seriously.  Anyways, let's just say it has been a rough month at work since May.  So, there I am, driving along, and I get stopped at a red light.  I'm sitting there and what do you know, out into the intersection pulls Grandma and Grandpa's Buick.  Plain as day and without question, it's their car.  Same subdivision stickers (CLForest & S Oaks) and of course, same receiver trailer hitch that Grandpa had bought solely for pulling the boat.  The light turned and I caught up to the car.  Fortunately for me, it was going almost to the exact same place I was.  I noted how it floated over the bumps that my xterra was bouncing like crazy on and also how to that day, there was still no smoke or strange emissions coming from the car's exhaust.  Someone has apparently stolen the hood ornament...knew I should've kept it!!!!  Otherwise, the car looks fully intact and without sign of any accident.  I thought about how I always thought those mags were the best looking that Buick ever made and how, as a young teenager, I found it cool that my grandparents had a car with sport mag wheels on it.  It was a moment of multiple emotions....pride that it is still on the road after 35 years, sadness that I didn't know who was behind the wheel, and wonder as to whether they have any clue as to how much the car they drive is seated in my soul.  I watched it and remembered Grandma and Grandpa driving it.  As I turned into the office, I watched it go through the intersection and on to it's destination, wherever that may be. I briefly reminisced of the old times when we were all younger, healthier, and seemingly less stressed  It really made me think about how meaningless the day to day stress and duties are compared to what really matters in our lives.  Perhaps Grandma and Grandpa were trying to get my attention, perhaps I just saw an old car that happened to belong to people who are most dear to me, I don't know.  Still, it is too coincidental for me to ignore.  To those who doubt, I ask this, "What are the odds?"  I go to work the same route every single day and I have been doing it that way for 7 years.  I have never seen another person or vehicle that I recognize in all of that time and yet, when things are tough and there is seemingly no end to the daily crap, it happens.  There it was.  We can each believe what we want but I choose to believe that every time something like this happens, it is a brief glimpse from one world looking down into ours and letting us know that we are not completely on our own.  That old Buick is still running strong and so is the foundation that it's owners helped to form in each of their family members.  Yes, I got the message and no, I never doubted it for a minute. 

Grandma's Birthday

Well, the years just keep on flying by and here I am with no posts since February, 2011. I have been thinking about a good post to start back up with and today just seemed like a day that something had to be said. May 9th was Grandma's birthday and those of us who were lucky enough to know her can still remember all of the great family get-togethers for birthday parties. Usually, we combined Grandma's birthday with Mother's Day since they always fell so close together. Anyways, due to my technological deficiency, I am unable to scan in any new photos to show so I'm just using this old one. Still, I think it embodies a lot of things that Grandma and I shared. No, not a trash can, haha! We grew up with simple pleasures, not like today when every kid over 5 years old has a computer and several different game systems. For me, the most fun stuff at that age was being outside. (still is, for that matter!) Honestly, it didn't matter what I was doing, I just loved being outdoors. Grandma did too. A day at her house was always fun and exciting...a combination of working in the yard, helping with whatever projects they had going on, running errands, and just spending time with Grandma & Grandpa. Sometimes, on Mondays if I remember correctly, I would get to go with her down to church and hang out with her oil painting class. Once, we were there talking with her good friend, Helen, and Helen brought up that she had an old bicycle she needed to get rid of. Of course, being the bike lover that I was, that struck my curiosity and I started asking about it. Within a few minutes, Grandma and I were on our way to Helen's house to retrieve this bike for me! Yes, it wound up being a woman's bike but that was ok...we still loaded it up so I could take it home and work on it. That's the way Grandma and Grandpa were. It didn't seem like they were ever in too much of a hurry or too stressed out to take time for us little folks. They always made us feel like we were the special ones and just being around them, it was easy to tell that they truly enjoyed spending time with us.

Last week, as I was doing spring cleaning and trying to condense things that I've had boxed up for years, I ran across so many cards and notes from Grandma....even through my freshman year of college, she sent me cards for occasions that many would never even think of mailing a card for. The last time I saw Grandma was in March of 1994 at the nursing home where she was living. I was in town from New Mexico and, although pressed to get to the airport in time, I had to go and see her. Many told me that I shouldn't worry about it and that she didn't usually recognize anyone anyways but I knew I had to go. I remember walking into the large open room, just passed the entry doors and seeing a bunch of wheel chair bound elderly folks sitting around the room. Most just kind of stare off or seem to focus down at the floor, even when a person approaches. As many visitors do, I just kept my head up and looked straight ahead so as not to be stopped on my direct route to Grandma's room. I started to head for the hallway which lead to Grandma's room and out of the corner of my eye, I saw this ladies' head turn and I felt her looking at me intently. I couldn't help but turn towards her and, when I did, our eyes locked and of course, there was Grandma sitting there looking at me like, "Where are you going?" We hugged and I knelt down beside her wheel chair and started talking. You never know whether someone in that situation knows or understands who and what you're telling them about because the conversation is so very often one sided. That was the case here except for two things that happened. First of all, the way Grandma looked at me and locked eyes with me when I was walking in, said it all to me. Whether she could vocalize it or not, she recognized me. Her focused stare and look left no question. I was there for a little while just talking, telling her a story or two, and updating her on what all of us were up to. The second thing that happened while I was yapping was that I made a wise crack about how we were all getting old and Grandma looked at me out of the corner of her eyes, just like she would always do when she knew we were full of crap, and then she smiled and laughed....the kind of quick chuckle relaying the message to me that I was perhaps going crazy. Those two moments, how she pegged me with a look and how, even in that situation, I got her to smile and give me a sly glance, are forever etched in my memory and mean so much to me today. Looking back over my life and the time I was able to spend with my grandparents, there are hundreds of little moments like that, frozen in time inside of my mind. I know that we all have some of these little stories and memories within us and this is how loved ones like Grandma continue to thrive and live today.  Even though Grandma passed away 18 years ago, a large, very important part of her is alive and well within those of us who were blessed to have spent time with her.  To that part, I say Happy 98th birthday, Grandma....thank you for teaching us what it's like to be someone special.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Surprisingly enough, the all new, redesigned from the inside out, Jeep Grand Cherokee has become one of my favorite new rides. I have never been a Jeep fan, in general, and over the last couple of years have avoided their products whenever possible, mostly because of the poor performance on the road and the clunky, cheap feeling that I got when driving most of them. However, it appears that they have figured something out with this new one.

I have had the pleasure of driving a couple of these several thousand miles now and have to say that this new model is everything that the previous one couldn't be. It's not only much better looking from a design standpoint but it also has the performance to match the looks. It's available with either the new 3.6 liter V-6 or 5.7 liter hemi V-8 but honestly the V-6 is the way to go. I'm sure that the 8 is awesome and if gas were no issue, why not go with it but given the current fuel prices, it just isn't worth it. The only reason I wound up trying one of these out on a road trip was because of the 26 gallon fuel tank and the claimed improvement in highway mileage. I felt for sure it was too good to be true after having been stung by Jeeps before. However, I was mistaken and can honestly say that the claims hold up! With the new five speed transmission, shifting is barely even noticeable and the new V6 runs so smoothly that you almost don't know it's on. Those of you who have driven last years' model know that this is a HUGE improvement. No grindy, growling noises or feelings through the accelerator pedal whatsoever. Anyways, while driving normally on the road, I averaged right at 25 miles per gallon. With the big tank, that gets you over 600 miles without filling up. Driving a little more aggressively but still mostly highway, the worst I got was just a hair under 24. Of course, for most who do more city driving than highway driving, these kind of numbers aren't going to happen. My city driving experiences have pegged it closer to between 16-17 on average. Still, not bad for a full size SUV. As I mentioned earlier, the V6 with the five speed automatic is a very smooth runner, smooth shifter, and also has plenty of power for accelerating in most conditions. I can't attest to the towing power but I feel pretty confident that the V6 would be able to handle most any common towing needs. Besides, who really buys one of these to tow HEAVY loads...if you're really doing heavy hauling, buy a truck that's made for it....not a pleasant, family hauler like this.

The interior of the Grand Cherokee is well laid out and easy to manipulate. All stereo and dash intrumentation controls are located on the front and back of the steering wheel, which makes everything very easy to adjust once you get used to how they work. The seats are comfortable and it's one of the few vehicles that actually has enough seat adjustment control to allow you to get it just right. Yes, it's got sufficient cup holders between the center console and front doors. The fit and finish of the interior materials seem to be of high quality and have that, "Soft touch feel" to it that everyone looks for nowadays. One complaint I do have about it is that on a couple of these that I have driven, when you move around in the driver's seat, there is a squeaking noise from the back of the seat. I haven't pinpointed what causes it but I notice it every time I get in and move around to get comfortable. Not a major deal unless you drive around dancing in your seat; and if you're doing that you may want to reconsider your driving technique!

On the road, it's very comfortable and quiet for an suv. It has a smooth ride, again, unlike previous Jeeps and for me, it has proven to be a great vehicle for the long-haul. This thing really has a feel like it is sturdy yet refined and that it will hold up much better than most Jeep owners would be used to.
The exterior of this new Jeep is much more refined than previous years' models. It has a smoother flow with more beveled and rounded edges in addition to a much better looking front and back end. Of course, this is just my opinion but I can tell you that from someone who has avoided Grand Cherokees of the past few years on purpose, I now light up when the opportunity arises to take one of these new ones out. It's a much better looking, and performing specimen and much more in line to gain the Jeep brand some needed market share in the family SUV segment. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend taking a look at one of these if you are in the market for a full size suv. The marketing campaign that Jeep has been running for it is great and if you feel so inclined as to try one out, I do think that you'll be impressed with the improvements and overall performance. It is one of the nicest driving new suv's out there and it is most certainly the most economical full size Jeep product I have ever personally driven.

2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback

This last week, I had the option of trying out the newest sub-compact offering from Ford...the fiesta hatchback. It is also made in a sedan version but the particular body style doesn't appeal to me at all so I went with the hb. Anyways, I actually do like the styling and design of the hatchback body. It looks like a little bitty rocket...it isn't but it looks like one just the same. All in all, I drove about 800 miles in the little buggy and it performed well for what it is. It is important to note that I don't think anyone would buy this expecting a smooth, cushy, quiet, refined ride. It is, I would say, better than one might expect but still no comparison to what I consider, "Real cars".

I will begin by saying that this is for my good friend, JD, who had consistently questioned me as to why I never tried out any of the little cars that have been coming out recently. I don't know how many more of these little dudes I'll be trying out but this one's for you!

Performance wise, it has sufficient power for what it is. Most of the power comes about via down-shifting the six speed transmission whenever the accelerator is depressed very far down. On the road, this has no effect but it is most noticeable when starting and stopping in town. Of course, the small engine/hi-geared transmission combination are part of what allow these little cars to get such good mileage both on the road and in town. Over the course of my time with the fiesta, I averaged exactly 37 mpg. I think this is pretty good for an inexpensive, fairly comfortable, decent looking ride. I do wish it had more than a 12 gallon fuel tank but hey, there's nowhere to put it! As for the ride itself, it is much smoother and forgiving than my old 79 corolla was but it does still feel like a small car, on a very short wheelbase. Most bumps and rough spots in the road are felt and the road noise is certainly more than that experienced in larger cars. Again, not bad at all for what you're riding in but comparatively speaking, not so great for the road.

The interior is well laid out and the front seats are very comfortable. I could sit in the driver's seat and reach completely across to the passenger door without any difficulty...something I am unable to do in most cars. This particular specimen was metallic strawberry red on the outside and white leather w/black trim on the inside....very eye catching. All of the gauges and instrumentation are illuminated in red as well. There are 3 cupholders between the seats although there is no real center console. This is one of my pet peeves in taking this car on the road because you really have nowhere to rest your right arm while cruising along. Still, 3 cupholders are decent for such a small vehicle. This car, as with most new Fords, had the Microsoft Sync system that allows you to synchronize your phone to the car just as you would a bluetooth earpiece. This is extremely nice on the road because you don't have to hold your phone to your ear or ride along with your ear-piece in; you just speak and listen through the car stereo! Additionally, you can sync your IPOD so that you can access it and control it via the stereo controls as well. This eliminates having to hold your IPOD for anything..just use the USB cord to plug it in, sync it, and you can control everything from the steering wheel. Here again, for a miniature car such as this, I think such options are most convenient as well as unexpected. The rear seat would be sufficient for up to two small children but once their legs grow much, they aren't going to want to be stuffed back there for very long. The cargo area, behind the rear seats is completely hidden from view when the hatch is closed. Surprisingly, there is a fair amount of room in the cargo area and of course, if you need more, you can lay the rear seats down as well.

All in all, the fiesta hatchback is a decent little car. The key words here are, "Little car". If you're in the market for a seriously small car that will average over 30 mpg in the city and still be fairly comfortable for it's class, the fiesta might make a good choice. It's not a car I would look at if you're going to do a lot of highway driving out of town on road trips...that's not it's purpose and you'll know it if you take it on a cross country trip. However, for one or two people who just want something affordable and efficient to commute to and from work in the big city, it would serve you well. JD said it best the other day when he left me a message asking me what I thought and saying that I, "Probably found a few high points but in the long run found that bigger cars are better suited for the road trips." AMEN:)