Grandpa

Today, as I was mowing the lawn, I started thinking about my Grandpa Meengs. It was close to a year ago that he left us to be with his family in heaven. The day that my parents called me I was mowing the lawn also and I started thinking of some of these memories:

My grandpa was santa at Rogers Department store. I remember going to see him there and thinking how special we were because it was "our" grandpa who all these kids were excited/scared to see.

How at the dinner table he would always talk with his mouth full and after he was done eating he always would be playing with some leftover food in his mouth. The reason I know this is because he was always talking and you could catch a glimpse of it. At the time it was gross and I of course was embarrassed but now I laugh about it.

When staying at the cottage he would gather everyone to the pontoon boat and we would ride around the lake. All the while he was informing us of every detail that had changed since the last trip around the lake. He also would let us hang onto the front edge while he was driving forward, this was so awesome, looking back I now know why my mom would get so upset with that (we were only 8 feet away from the motor and if we let go...)

Then the stories, the stories of bomb shelters, Amway, State Farm, Umping, tiger muskies, pig heads, and Wal Marks.

When I was home visiting right before he left, I went with my parents to see him at the home. I am not scared or nervous in nursing homes but I was nervous to see my Grandpa. My mom said "Andrea, you have to realize that it isn't the Grandpa you remember." When we were there we carried on small talk with ourselves and Grandpa and just as we were ready to leave my Dad sang a hymn I can't remember what it was but I think "His eye is on the Sparrow" I will always remember that, know that my grandpa was looking to Heaven and waiting.

This is not something sad to me, I know that he is with the Lord and he is telling stories, umping, and probably talking with his mouth full.

We Survived the great BURN

This spring and summer was one of experimental gardening. Since I decided to take the advise of a complete stranger and burn all of my plants with boiling water, accidentally turn off the sprinklers for 7 days during the June heat and keep plants in the garage for weeks before I plant them I would say the some things can/did survive. These are pictures that I took, most of my Dahlia's some from Utah and some from the Grand Rapids Dahlia Association. It is such a JOY to walk in the yard, have the two dogs following and looking at the growth that pulled through some tough times. I am reminded that I really have no control over what happens and that with and without my help these flowers are some of the most gorgeous every grown. I love my garden and can't wait for another year to see where it takes us.

Oh Krutsepot

So last Friday I got in a car accident on my way to get the new puppy Buster. I was on my way back from the bank when a JERK, who happened to be Dutch, flips a "U" turn right in front of me. His car was hardly damaged since it was a brick wall know as a Chevy Tahoe and my poor little car was WRECKED! I was so upset and disturbed by the amount of time it took for the police to respond and the willingness of "VanderWeeken" to chat everyone up at the crash site. I heard him state that he was Dutch and I thought to myself "How could this idiot be Dutch?" How could he be a descendant of the MOST thrifty, kindhearted, safe driven, wooden shoe wearing people??? Is it possible that I found the only Dutch idiot in the state of UTAH?

So the cops arrive and the process begins we exchange information and while the Dutchman is clearly having problems remembering his address, dob, and insurance carrier he decides to chat the officer up about his heritage. This pleasant exchange carries on for 5 min while I am impatiently waiting to give the officer my information I am thinking "Please don't ask me about my heritage!" As the officer is verifying our information I am left to stand awkwardly with this man who was again a complete idiot. The officer finally gives us our information to proceed with the claims of the vehicles and he then says.."Wow 2 Dutchman" VanderWeeken looks and me and says "Hechkeven?" translation: you speak Dutch and I reply in the only Dutch that comes to my mind "Ohhh Krutsepot" translation: old grey mare.
This was the only good thing that came of this accident, remembering my Grandpa Meengs bellowing that through the cottage to wake us up in the morning.

A KING mint for thought : Just remember were you came from!