Fwd: FW: A Good reminder of what matters

 

 

 Good reminder of what matters .


            RED MARBLES 
 


I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.

Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?'

'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'

'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'

'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'

'Good. Anything I can help you with?'

'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'

'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr. Miller.

'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'

'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'

'All I got's my prize marble here.'

'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.

'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'

'I can see that. Hmm mmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.

'Not zackley but almost.'

'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.

'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.

With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.

They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho .'

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...An unexpected phone call from an old friend...Green stoplights on your way to work...The fastest line at the grocery store...A good sing-along song on the radio...Your keys found right where you left them.

OUTSIDE !!

These pictures were taken last Thursday. I was going to babysit Owen in the afternoon while his mom did a substitute teaching assignment. I arrived at their house at about 11:30 in the morning. Kristin was still getting ready, so I said I would get Owen dressed. He only had on a diaper and his pyjama top. I took him to his bedroom and said it was time to get dressed. He said no! I said yes! I pulled the top over his head and removed his diaper. As I was disposing of it, the little monkey crawled under his crib and wouldn't come out. He lay there on his back laughing at me. When I would reach under to pull him out he would squeeze himself up against the wall so I couldn't reach him. I finally had to resort to bribery. I told him we couldn't go outside if he didn't get dressed. He came out as fast as he could and said"OUTSIDE".

We went out to the backyard and he just ran and played with his dog "Andy". He loves to chase him, all the time laughing his head off. He also makes me run with him. When Kristin came to the door to say she was leaving, all he had to say was"Bye, Bye". Didn't bother him a bit. Back to playing he went. I tried to get some pictures when he wasn't dragging me with him.

Most of the snow is gone and he can run around on the grass. The little bit of snow that is
left is crunchy on the top and hard enough still for him to walk on. When he does hit a soft spot, he sinks down to his knees and giggles. He seems to think is is great fun. Of course, his shoes get soaking wet.

After about ten minutes we went for a walk in the neighbourhood. We usually don't end up going far, but it takes us about an hour. He stops and examines every little thing that catches his eye. And of course, he has to be chased in a game of tag. It was so windy that he even let me put up his hood on his hoodie. Usually he hates anything on his head. He also wants to know the name of everything." What's that? What's that" he is certainly curious about this great big wonderful world. And that is a good thing.

When we got back to the house we had lunch and he played with his toys before his nap.

I am trying out my new camera and trying to see ow the pictures look if I add some light. I think in the bottom one, I have too much because his hair is not that red. It does have a red tinge to it but not this much.

All in all, a great time was had by both of us.

Age

Subject: Age

 

Today's witty remark is thanks to Mrs. Moose !

 

A farmer stopped by the local mechanic shop to have his truck fixed. They couldn't do it while he waited, so he said he didn't live far and would just walk home. On the way home he stopped at the hardware store and bought a bucket and a gallon of paint. He then stopped by the feed store and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose. However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem - how to carry his entire purchases home. While he was scratching his head he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, "Can you tell me how to get to 1603 Mockingbird Lane ?" The farmer said, "Well, as a matter of fact, my farm is very close to that house I would walk you there but I can't carry this lot." The old lady suggested, "Why don't you put the can of paint in the bucket. Carry the bucket in one hand, put a chicken under each arm and carry the goose in your other hand?" "Why thank you very much," he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home. On the way he says "Let's take my short cut and go down this alley. We'll be there in no time." The little old lady looked him over cautiously then said, I am a lonely widow without a husband to defend me. How do I know that when we get in the alley you won't hold me up against the wall, pull up my skirt, and have your way with me?" The farmer said, "Holy smokes lady! I'm carrying a bucket, a gallon of paint, two chickens, and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?" The old lady replied, "Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the paint on top of the bucket, and I'll hold the chickens

BUSY, SPRING AND ICE CREAM

As you can tell by the title and the pictures it has been a busy time around here. What with Easter and the good weather on it's way(?) things at work have been very very busy. People once again are thinking of outdoor projects such as garages, decks and fences. So into our store they come. We also have a number of new staff and they are learning the ropes. In the meantime, those of us with experience are kept on our toes.

Of course, the best part of spring is the warming weather. It means no more heavy winter coats but rather lighter spring jackets. This has also freed Owen up to move more easily. He still likes to walk in the snow but would much rather play in the water and look under trees to find the pine cones that have fallen. There is not enough ice and snow on the sidewalks for him to scrape so I have been showing him how to move the water in the gutter.

We have also been making our own ice cream. Does he like ice cream?. The best way to answer that is to ask if the Pope is Catholic. Of course, he loves ice cream and knows exactly where it is kept in the freezer.

This particular day we had none. So I got the ice cream maker out and we made a batch in about forty minutes.

I always remember eating the icing off the beaters when my mom made a cake so I let Owen eat the ice cream of the paddle. It was like a duck taking to water. I think the more experiences he gets, the better.

I really believe that the more time you spend with kids when they are young , the better off they will turn out.

Holy Prostitutes

Thank goodness the Lord gave us a sense of humour so that we may laugh at ourselves- Alphonsedamoose

A man is driving down a deserted stretch of highway when he notices a sign out
of the corner of his eye.... It reads:
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION
10 MILES

He thinks this is a figment of his imagination and drives on without a second
thought....
Soon he sees another sign which reads:
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION
5 MILES

Suddenly he begins to realize that these signs are for real and drives past
a third sign saying:
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION

NEXT RIGHT

His curiosity gets the best of him and he pulls into the drive. On the far
side of the parking lot is a stone building with a small
Sign next to the door reading:
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS

He climbs the steps and rings the bell. The door is answered by a nun in a
long black habit, who asks,

'What may we do for you my son?'

He answers, 'I saw your signs along the highway and was interested in possibly
doing business...

'Very well my son. Please follow me.' He is led through many winding passages
and is soon quite disoriented. The nun stops at a closed
Door and tells the man, 'Please knock on this door.'

He does so and another nun in a long habit, holding a tin cup answers the
door... Th is nun instructs, 'Please place $100 in the cup then
go through the large wooden door at the end o f the hallway.'

He puts $100 in the cup, eagerly trots down the hall and slips through the
door pulling it shut behind him.

The door locks, and he finds himself back in the parking lot facing another
sign:

GO IN PEACE.
YOU HAVE JUST BEEN SCREWED BY THE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS.
SERVES YOU RIGHT, YOU SINNER

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the man song

It was good for a laugh

TEACH THEM YOUNG

Yesterday , we had Owen for about 3 1/2 hours. His big obsession right now is to go outside. As soon as he arrived, and before his mom left, he had asked for his boots and jacket. We were outside and down the street before she even got out of our house.

We drummed on the electrical boxes , made snowballs, and watched a flock of Cedar Waxwings strip a Mountain Ash of berries in about one minute. There must have been at least two hundred birds in the flock . You could actually hear the hum of their beating wings as they took off and landed.

When we got back to the house about 30 minutes later, it was time for lunch and hot chocolate. There is nothing better than hot chocolate on a winter day.

After lunch, the first thing Owen did was get his boots and come over saying"outside". He loves being outside. This is a good thing. It certainly is better than sitting in front of a television all day like some kids do.
While we were out, he saw the scraper that we use to clear the walks on icy days. He has obviously seen his parents use one, because he immediately what it was for. Mrs. Moose showed him where to scrape and away he went. We were practically peeing ourselves laughing. The thing that really surprised us was that he would pick snow up with the scraper like a shovel. He would then try to dump it onto the pile beside the walk

For such a little guy he did an excellent job. As you can see from the pictures, he was quite proud of himself. Now if we could only keep his mitts on.

I've been thinking that if we get enough snow next year, I'll teach him how to make an IGLOO. Won't that be cool !

SPRING FEVER

We had the Grand-moose , Owen, over last evening for about three hours. It is beautiful weather here right now. Spring-like temperatures and melting snow. And of course spring fever has come along with the warmth.

After supper last night , it was still nice outside so Owen and I decided to go for a walk. As you can see from the pictures he has a light spring coat on (vest underneath) . The temperature was about 10C (50F). You can also see the run-off in the gutter on the road. It was very difficult keeping him out of the water. What is it that attracts young boys to running water to get wet? He was only wearing jeans so I wanted him to stay dry.

Like all young, he was raring to go. We started at our walk and he ran as fast as he could down the sidewalk. I was amazed at how far he went before tiring. In the picture you can just see the second power pole (right side of picture). He ran all the way to that area. It is a good 200 yards from our walk. And was he tired? Nope! He ran most of the way back. He only stopped when a pine cone on the ground caught his eye. Of course, he had to pick it up and then he found another. This one also became part of his collection.

He didn't keep them for long and soon we were running back toward Mrs. Moose.That is the reason the second picture is a little blurred. He was going full steam
and I think I was holding him back. I was trying to get out of the picture.

When we arrived back at the house, he decided to climb the snowbank. Even though it is no particularly high, it is steep. And he had no mitts on. So he grabbed my hand for balance and up he went like a sheep up a mountain. And when he got to the top" TA DA!! I did it."

He would then proceed to slide down the bank onto the sidewalk, bringing lots of snow with him. Over and over again he did this. We were having a terrific time. He would try to slide down without holding my hand and the last picture shows the result. He got stuck!

If I was going to put a caption to this, it would be:" Help, Save me Grandpa"
Feel free to add your own captions. The more the merrier. Sorry there will be no prize.

Underwear cop --hilarious

HAVE A GOOD LAUGH EVERYONE

 

 

 

 

 

EXHAUSTED BY AN 18 MONTH OLD

Owen's dad is away this weekend racing in Phoenix,AZ. It has afforded Mrs. Moose and myself the opportunity to spend even more time with Owen.
Thursday night he came over to our house for about 4 hours. He gets very excited when he comes here and all the way up the walk he was yelling "Grampa !" When he gets in the house now , he immediately wants his coat and boots taken off. He then turns to his mom and says: " BYE BYE". We barely get a chance to say hello to her and he is trying to close the door. Talk about not being worried that she is leaving. We think it is terrific that he is so secure in coming here that he doesn't worry about his mom leaving. Probably because he gets so spoiled.
He has also begun to pick up more and more words that he says clearly enough to understand. He certainly can say downstairs, outside, birdies, barking, cookie, duckies, milk, more. Mark and Kristin have also been working on his manners and he has learned to say "yes, please" when you ask him if he would like a cookie or cracker or other food. You can't start teaching manners too young


Of course the whole time he is here , he is on the go. He loves to go down and see the fish and out to the garage just to look around at the tools and play with some of them. I make sure they are all unplugged before he can touch them.
He also loves to be chased and will"sneak up" on you with a little gleam in his eye that
means chase me. He then runs to the other person as fast as he can and literally climbs them like a monkey up a tree. That is another new word-monkey.

Friday night, Kristin was going out with some friends so Mrs. Moose and I went over to their house. We brought Chinese food with us and Owen just dug into all of it. There are very few foods that he doesn't like.
Later we went in the hot tub. As I was getting him ready , I had to change him into a pool diaper up in his bedroom. He wasn't sure if he as going to bed or not. As soon as he saw his bathing suit, he said "outside".
He waited in the bathroom door as I got changed and then ran to the back door. It was about -8 outside , which is a great temperature to go hot-tubbing. The water was very warm so he lowered himself in very slowly. He loves to play with the controls and make the bubbles go full force. After we had gone back inside we played for about half an hour and into bed he went. We were wiped.

Saturday morning we weren't really expecting him.Kristin arrived at the door with him on her way into town to see her sister. He apparently insisted on coming here. All the way for five miles he had been in his car seat saying, "Grampa, grampa". We love having him so he stayed with us for about five hours. We had him outside and he continued to hone his skills in snowball making and throwing. He also walked in the melt water in the gutter on the street. At one point he slipped on some ice and down he went. His jeans were soaked and dirty.
Back home to our house to get changed. Yes we keep extra clothes for him here.
Last night we were back at Kristin's to celebrate our Craig's 25Th birthday(Feb 27) and to watch the UFC Pay per View. We took pizza over for supper and as soon as he saw the boxes the words came out-"pizza please"
With the whole family there he had a terrific audience and took full advantage of it. He showed everyone how he can use a balloon as a Pilates balls and he can balance on it. We are amazed that the balloon hasn't broken. It has been blown up since November and has lost very little air.

Today is a recuperation day. I just can't keep up.