Last week, Briana (granddaughter), posted that having red hair, she could take on a persona that others could not portray. I waited patiently to find out the meaning of her statement. Today I found out.
Briana and friend
Can you name the character that she assumed last Friday?
Flashback Friday is hosted by Camille. (Click on the badge to visit her blog, which is the home of Flashback Friday.
I’ve been lax on posting lately, and I apologize for that. Today, I’m sharing this picture of my paternal grandmother with you.
My grandma the fashion model
Yup, her mother ran a millinery shop. Quite enterprising for a turn of the [last] century woman. Grandma was a piano player and when she was older derived some income for playing for the silent movies. I miss her stories and especially that infectious laugh she had and passed along to others.
Flashback Friday is hosted by Camille. (Click on the badge to visit her blog, which is the home of Flashback Friday. Oops! I just discovered that Camille is taking a week off from blogging.) Won’t you consider joining in the fun?
Last week, I shared a photo of our granddaughter and her mother sitting on Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Sand Dune. This week I have two more images of the granddaughter from that same weekend to share.
Briana and Abuelo (Grandpa Chuck)
It was a fun weekend for us. After Sylvia captured this image, we traded baby and camera. Then it was my turn.
Briana and Abuela (Grandma Sylvia)
The pictures were taken at the family cottage on Glen Lake. This week, that’s where you’ll find Sylvia with her father and sister. Briana is getting ready to start her senior year in nursing school.
Tempus fugit.
Flashback Friday is hosted by Camille. (Click on the badge to visit her blog, which is the home of Flashback Friday.) Won’t you consider joining in the fun?
Twenty years ago, Sylvia and I were living in Connecticut. Summer vacation, and usually Christmas, meant a trip back to our home state of Michigan to spend time with family. Part of that time would be spent at Glen Lake.
On this trip, we were at the lake with family. On a nice day, we made the short drive to the base of the Sleeping Bear Sand Dune. It was the tradition for us to climb to the top of the dune. We did and so did son, Bryant, his wife, Barbara, and our granddaughter, Briana.
Briana and Barbara with Glen Lake in the background
Can you believe that little girl is now a senior at Grand Valley State U? She is also an honors student in the nursing school.
Saturday was the shower for two of Sylvia’s nieces. They are the daughters of Sylvia’s youngest sister, Gaylynn. It has become a tradition for the oldest sister, Joyce, to host with the help of Karen and Sylvia when it’s time for a wedding or baby shower.
Kelly, Stacie & Gay (mom)
The guys also get together on those day. But it would be a 10 hour long experience and I opted out this time. Someone had to supervise the cat, didn’t I? :dontknow:
Kelly, Gay & Stacie
The girls are due a month apart, which should keep the soon-to-be grandparents fully distracted. :surrender:
Last weekend, my three sisters were here so that we could spend some time together. It was a great time. And we ate well. My sisters are all good cooks and Sylvia is, in my opinion, the best.
Chuck, Maggie, Barbara & Clara
That clean-shaven look has resulted in more than a few comments. I don’t miss the facial hair as much as I thought I might.
In the photo, we are standing in the family room under the sky light. That was a really bad idea. Only later did I realize how bad. I had to reduce contrast quite a bit to salvage the image, which resulted in this washed-out look.
We didn’t always look like this. There was a time when we were younger, and it seems like only yesterday. Come to think of it, we were younger only yesterday. Compare the above photo with this.
Clara, Chuck, Barbara & Maggie
It sure is nice to have a family get together! I only wish we could do it more often.
Last Thursday was the 4th of July. Sylvia and I participated in what has become a family tradition. We gathered with other family members at her sister Karen’s house. Her brother and father drove over to meet up with us and the four of us drove the two hours north.
Karen’s sons and their families were there. She enjoyed being with her grandsons. Both sides of this family were there in force. I won’t bore you with details. But there are a couple of picture you might like.
The boys with Grandma
The boys were the center of attention. We all enjoyed it. We also had a great dinner. Did I mention that we all enjoyed it?
The boys with great grandpa. I think they prefer grandma.
Fortunately, the weather was not as hot as it was last year. So we were able to enjoy the fresh air on the large deck. Good people. Good food. Good conversation. All too soon it was time to head back home.
Someone asked me if this would end up on this blog. I said, “Probably not.” But, as you can see, I was wrong again.
Click on the banner to visit the Family Friday blog.
Forty years ago, we called San José, Costa Rica home. Our purpose was to learn the Spanish language and Latin American culture. Before the year had ended, we were living in Quito, Ecuador and beginning to learn that language and culture is not homogenous across Latin America. I’m sure you’re aware that language and culture is not the same in each region of our nation.
Sylvia and I spent 5 mornings a week in classes. Our afternoons were spent in study. While we were in class, our younger son was in a pre-kinder. Our older son was enrolled in a nearby English-language school.
On Saturday, we would board a public bus and ride north to Cartago. Cartago is the ancient capitol of Costa Rica. It was also the site of a Saturday market. Farmers brought their produce where they sold it at the largest farmer’s market that I have seen.
One of our favorite characters was the older fellow who sold oranges. Our Spanish was limited and he was patient with us and we all laughed. A lot. For us he came to epitomize the industry, warmth and humor of a wonderful group of people.
Sylvia stand beside the Orange Man.
We enjoyed our weekly trip to the market in Cartago. We would return from the trip with two or three bags full of fresh fruit and vegetables. I sometimes wonder what it is like there today.
Sylvia at 9 years of age
Cute back then. Wonderful today! Congrats my love on completing another trip around the sun. Many happy returns.
You can leave a comment with birthday greetings on this post. Sylvia will see be sure to see it.
This is one of my favorite pictures of our older son, Bryant. Two years later, we were living in Costa Rica and Suzy Q had a new home. While we were sad for having to leave the dog behind, there was the excitement of living in another country and learning another language and culture. Bryant handled all of that well, as he has handled all of life’s challenges well and has come out a winner. A winner in so many ways.
Today, he celebrates his 50th birthday. Happy Birthday son, and many happy returns. Your mom and dad are very proud of you and all that you are.
Yesterday, Sylvia and I met Bryant and Briana (his daughter) for lunch. At the first bite, trouble reared its ugly head. The temporary crown that I had been fitted with on Wednesday was loose, out and broken. 🙁 Later at the dentist office, I had that replaced with a temporary silver crown. I’ve done that before and the silver works much better than the plastic.
After the dental visit, Sylvia and I loaded our trailer with well composted animal droppings. Neighbor, Meghan, had also set out 5 gallons of llama manure. The fresh “stuff” can be placed directly in the garden–it will not burn your plants. We left the natural fertilizer in a corner of the garden–we’ll spread it around later.
Sylvia planted 20 asparagus plants in a trench in the garden, which I had prepared earlier. She then planted 10 crown vetch plants on a steep slope that we hope the vetch will cover so I don’t have to mow. She has another 10 to plant today.
While Sylvia planted, I mowed. Time and tired (yes, pun intended) overtook us and we have more to do today. We had supper after 8 PM last night. Planting, mowing, fencing and more planting are on the docket for today. Guess who sleeps well at night?