Category: Family

Bronzing baby shoes has been a tradition for over 75 years.  Mine are a fine example.  Mom had them bronzed, took me to a professional photographer, and assembled a small shrine in my honor. I think she did the same for my sister, Sharron, but I have no recollection of my youngest sister, Jackie, having …

As we enter 2022, I’ve taken a look back at my highlights from 2021.  Two things come to mind.  The birth of our third grandchild and the celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary.  That’s two big deals in one year. Our two older grandchildren, Brady (16) and Eva (14) were both in Florida to help …

My first Christmas was spent in the rental unit my parents had in Centerline, Michigan.  We lived there until the spring of 1950 when we moved to Royal Oak.  I received a teddy bear from my dad on that first Christmas, and several months later, my mom took my bear and me to a photographer …

The first time I recall sending Christmas cards was my freshman year of college.  It seemed to be the mature thing to do, so I did it.  I picked out a masculine fireplace scene and sent them to several relatives.  The next year I sent out the remaining cards.  If you received yours, you’re welcome.  …

A little over a year ago, we moved into our new condo and out of our home of forty-three years.  I took some pictures on my phone of those last and first days.  They’ve popped up from Google photos reminding me of what we’ve gained and what we’ve left behind.  I have no regrets about …

A couple of weeks ago Ruth and I stopped in at the local Sam’s Club to pick up a  dozen cases of assorted must haves.  We bought a boatload of toilet paper, half a hog, a double jar of 1,000 count ibuprofen, a ten pound tube of ground round, a value pack of a dozen …

When I first started following football, the Detroit Lions and Michigan Wolverines were my favorite teams.  The Lions were an obvious choice because they played a few miles away from Royal Oak at Briggs Stadium .  The quarterbacks back then were Bobby Layne and Tobin Rote.  I listened to the games on the radio because …

As I’ve said in prior posts, I’ve never been a fan of Halloween.  The biggest reason is I didn’t like being frightened, and much of Halloween frightened me.  Some would say  I was, and still am, a Halloweeny.  Guilty as charged. In spite of my fear, I participated.  I like the fun part, just not …

I saw this cartoon the other day and flashed back to my youth. There’s a common saying among mothers, “Make sure you have clean underwear on.   When you leave the house to go out for the day, make sure there are no holes in your drawers.”  My mom was a big  proponent.  She was so …

  Eva turned fourteen today.  She’s in the eighth grade and started in a new school this fall after the family move from Hamilton to Holland.  She’s adjusted well to her new surroundings and made the eight grade volleyball team.  Ruth and I have been attending her matches.  She does well and likes to play. …