I met my first Rose thirty years ago. She asked directions to the nearest store that would have a leaf blower. It was Saturday evening, so I directed her to the only place I knew would be open, Meijer in Jackson. Since that exchange, we’ve averaged one conversation per year, but that’s been plenty. For …
Author: Robert
Two Roses
Rose is a perfectly good name, but I’ve found that it’s rare. I’ve known dozens of Lindas, Sues, Carols, Kathys and Dianes. In elementary school I met a Rosalie. We graduated from high school together. One of my college roommates, Gary, had a sister, Rosemary. I stood up with her in his wedding. In all …
New Set Of Wheels
Brady got his first set of wheels from his Uncle Mike when he was two years old. It was a blue pickup called Blue Thunder. His first passenger, and constant companion, was B, his trusted teddy bear. The two of them conquered the ins and outs of off road driving in their back yard on …
Seventy-Four Candles
For forty-eight days each year Ruth is a year older than me. It’s a special time of the year. It ended yesterday. We’re back to being the same age until April 11, 2022. During my dating years, the majority of my female friends were younger than me. When it came time to get serious, I …
Squeegees
The first time I recall using a squeegee, I was working in Royal Oak at the National Food Store on Stephenson Highway just off 11 Mile. I was hired as a stock boy in the fall of my junior year. One of the jobs the stock boys were assigned was cleaning the giant front windows …
Our File Cabinet
I was talking with a friend of over forty years the other day. He asked if I was having any problems remembering things. He shared he was having issues and wondered if I was experiencing anything similar. I told him, “I have some problems with my nouns. I sometime forget the names of things. My …
The Kid
I’ve played poker with a group from Lake LeAnn since 1977. Bammer and I are the lone original members. The group has played every two weeks since its inception. We’ve had guys move away, get jobs that required them to work evenings, and a couple “just quit”. A few substitutes became regulars. A couple guys dropped …
Settling In
Our unpacking is moving along quite nicely. Our sixty plus boxes are down to a manageable dozen. The contents of most will be housed in Ruth’s new craft area. Final arrangements for the installation of our craft room cabinetry takes place tomorrow. We ordered four new chairs last October. Two go in the family room …
Courage
I received a book in March of 2005 from my daughter, Elizabeth. Courage was written by Bernard Waber. It’s a picture book which explains there are all types of courage. She received a copy from the vice-president of the company she was working for at the time. During a presentation to his employees, he asked …
Dear Kate,
Young Jackson James is only forty-two days old, but he’s already made quite an impact. If his arrival was anything like David, Elizabeth, and Michael’s, you understand the meaning of love at first sight like no other time in your life. He wasn’t here a moment ago, and now he is. Your life has changed …