Idaho (Jeff)

When I think about one of my favorite times spent with grandma it has to be the trip we made to Idaho . Seeing the places grandma spent her childhood and the stories that she shared about growing up there is something I will never forget.  We went to the grammar school grandma went to and as far as I could see {except for the invention of electricity} the place had not changed much.  She shared stories of how crazy her brothers were and how much fun it was growing up with them.  We went to visit her sisters grave site were she shared stories about Reva and how much she loved her.  I think one of my favorite memories about that trip has to be visiting Yellow Stone.  What a beautiful place and what a great trip!

Grandpa, Fix! (Paula)

I remember, during the time we lived on Langmuir in Sunland, the kids the block would ask dad to help out building whatever, boats, go-carts, skateboards, etc.  Everyone came to Dad to fix everything.  I think everyone of the grandkids learned to say rather early; "Grandpa fix".
Who would guess that 14 years later, when we moved to Palmdale that Dad would still be so popular.  Boys always came to him to fix their bikes, radios, etc.  And, the kids next door would knock on the door and ask if my dad could play. 

Grandpa Knows Best (Jennifer)

Growing up I always knew that Grandpa knew everything. Anytime I had a question about the world, I knew that I could ask Grandpa and he would have the answer.  I asked him about the curved lines in the cut-away hillsides along the freeway and he gave me a little geology lesson.  I asked about shooting stars and not only did he tell me about meteorites, he and Grandma slept outside in their backyard on cots with me so we could watch a summer meteor shower.  I asked about spaceships and airplanes, laser lights and sonic booms, how radios work and the difference between AM and FM signals, barometric pressure and prisms, and so many more things that whirled around in my quizzical mind.  I always knew to ask Grandpa and Grandpa always had the answer.
I found a wonderful world of things to discover in Grandpa's immense National Geographic collection.  I often explored them during my visits to Palmdale and I secretly wondered if those magazines were how Grandpa knew so much. I guess that's why I subscribed to National Geographic when I moved into my first apartment in 1992 and now I have my own growing collection.  People with regular Grandpas grow up and realize that their grandpa doesn't really know everything, just a lot.  Well, I'm all grown up and my grandpa does know everything.  Just recently, I had a question about the Concord Jet--why its nose points downward.  Just as automatically as when I was little, I thought, "Grandpa knows. I'll ask him."  Of course, he did!

Early One Morning . . . (John)

And then there are those teaching moments that I'm sure a parent remembers the rest of their life.  It is certainly an indelible memory for me, Mom!  In my late teens, I began to exercise a little more freedom in the lateness of the hour when returning from dates.  We had a rule:  Call home if I would be returning after midnight.  Well, sometimes we forget.  One evening, or should I say early morning, I returned from a date.  If memory serves, it was about 3 a.m.  I knew how to gain sufficient speed down Apperson, stop my engine, and "coast" onto Langmuir right up our driveway, oh so silently, lights out.  With care, the car door was opened, closed, and in the front door of our home I tiptoed.  It took only one step to notice Mom was sitting at the table, holding a diet soda, staring across at me through the kitchen.  "You didn't call," was her soft spoken comment.  I've described that guilt more than a few times in seminary and Sunday School classes.  Under the right circumstances, It doesn't take many or loud words to catch one's attention.  I don't remember coming in late without a phone call after that.

Mini Bike! (Jeff)

I think one of my more favorite memories of grandpa has to be the time we were at a used car lot in Palmdale.  I must have been about ten years old and saw a mimi bike attached to a camper that was for sale.  I immediately claimed on and dreamed of riding it.  After a time, Grandpa decided it was time to go and we went back to the house.  I got lost in getting into the many things there were to play with in grandpa's garage, when I was interrupted and asked to come outside.  To my sheer joy and my mothers terror was the mini bike I had been playing on!   Grandpa spent a lot of time getting it ready to ride and teaching me to ride it safely.  He trusted me to ride responsively and let me go out on it by myself.  I love him for that.  I spent a lot of joyful time on that mini bike and I think grandpa had a little fun on it to.

High Rolling in Las Vegas (Brian)

As I thought of memories of Grandpa and Grandma, the first thing that came to mind was that they have always been there. They have been at every special event, or been there to celebrate every important time in my life.  Both Grandma and Grandpa have been the most permanent fixture in my life.  They have always made and effort to show their support for whatever I was doing.  Whether a musical concert, scouting recognition, or a simple birthday, I can always remember them as being a part of that day. 
Still, I have great memories spending time with them over the years.  More recently I can remember one of my many long drives to California, coming home from school.  A few girls and a good friend of mine were traveling home together.  We had gotten a late start and planned to spend the night in Vegas.  We pulled into town around 11:30 that night.  Of course me always being such a responsible young man, and worrying about my Mother, called to let her know we were safely in Las Vegas.  To my surprise she informed me that Grandma and Grandpa and all of Grandma’s brothers were living up the nightlife, and staying in town at the Excalibur.  It just so happens that we were eating right across the street from where they were staying, so my buddies—who were probably very excited to be in Vegas and going to hang out with their friend’s grandparents---went with me to the Excalibur and called them from the Casino.  Now, you’d think you would find your grandparents in bed close to midnight, but Grandpa answered the phone, and within minutes was down in the lobby to meet us.  We went upstairs to meet Grandma, who was in her nightgown, so I’m sure they were in bed.  Within minutes all of Grandma’s brothers showed up in their PJs and we stayed there for quite a while visiting. We had a good time, and my friends even enjoyed themselves.  You know you have cool grandparents when your friends like hanging out with them.  My friends have since made comments about wanting to go visit my “cutest grandparents ever.”
I would have to agree that we have cool grandparents.  How good it felt to see them jump out of bed at midnight and take the time to visit with us.  Like I said before, they have always been there.  In fact Grandma even gave me her bucket of nickels that later won me twenty dollars.  I was quite the high roller. 

Talking, Seat Belts, Playing, Faces, & Food (Robynne)

I remember when I asked Grandma, "Do I talk too much?" She replied, "Yes".  My mouth dropped and I was speechless.
I remember how Grandpa and Grandma would always remember to tell me to put my seat belt on.  One day I saw Grandpa with no seatbelt and I said, "Grandpa, you don't have a seatbelt on."
Grandpa would always let me melt metal and playing with things in his garage, being able to bake cookies with grandma, playing on the swing, the turtles and playing with all their "Pepsi" balls.
I will never forget grandpa's weird faces like him with his hand up in a fist and he has a happy weird face or a mad weird face.  Also, he always pretends he's crying when we drive away.
I also remember grandma with her always making me breakfast, lunch and dinner when I'm at her house.  And, her being up at 6:00 a.m. every morning to read the newspaper.
I remember so many things, but the one thing I won't forget is you guys, my grandma and grandpa.  I love you guys forever and all eternity.  Happy 50th anniversary and I hope it was a great one.

RC, Truck, & Help (J)

I remember having a good time with John.  I went to Parker Mountain to fly a RC sailplane and I asked him to go with me.  He went.  Though he didn't fly, we spent time talking about planes and the flight and it was a very peaceful time just talking to each other about life, family and kids.  It was nice the one on one time that we spent together.  It stands out in my mind as a real nice time that we had.
Another memory is the time he helped me hook up some lights to my truck.  He and I spent a couple hours together in the garage just talking and going through boxes and stuff.  He has so much stuff in his garage and every tool imaginable, that it makes it nice to work with him in it.  A mad man could get into major trouble in John's garage.
Like John, Clea has always been there for us.  When Paula had to work and couldn't be home with the kids, they were always willing to help us out with picking up kids at school, and even dinners some nights.  When Paula was in bed so she wouldn't experience another miscarriage, she was there with dinners, being taxi for the kids, and even helping the kids clean the house.  Also, when I was in the emergency room after my dirt bike accident, I found out that she was there (all night) sitting out in the waiting room all by herself.  She was probably there for Paula, because of how she feels about dirt bikes, but it still meant a lot that she was there. 

Traveling, Leaves, & Snowman (Jeremy)

One of my favorite memories with my grandparents is in the summer of 95'.  We went on a month long trip on the western side of America except for New Mexico.  They would always ask me where we want to eat, which made me feel special.  They made sure that we took lots of pictures and even made me an album to bring home of everything that we did together.
Other things they have always done for me is given me the courage to do things.  They tell me that I can do anything even when that I don't think I can.  They are always encouraging me to stay in scouts.
I remember in the fall that we would get to help them rake up the leaves in the backyard. We would rake them all into big piles and then we'd jump into them and have lots of fun. And in the winter, whenever it snowed, the snowmen we would make together in their backyard. And, even if we only got a couple inches, they made sure we made our snowman.
They've been there for me in everything. Thanks grandma & grandpa.

Thank you! (Jeff)

Their are so many wonderful memories of grandma and grandpa it's difficult to decide which one to write about.  I cannot thank the two of you enough for being the best grandparents anyone could ever ask for.  You have made such a tremendous impact in my life by your example.  The two of you have so much love and integrity it is hard to put into words.  Thank you for always being there.  I love you very much.

Refrigerator Boxes (Paula)

Remember those refrigerator boxes we'd get from Jimmy at AJ Appliance???  We'd have so much fun making tanks out of them and going down our big driveway.  Boy was our house a big hit when dad brought home the boxes.  I remember one other thing he did with the boxes.  When their was an eclipse, dad would set a big box up on the patio and he would put a dark piece of film on it so we could sit in it and stare at the sun safely.  Remember???

Nickel Change (Jennifer)

I remember learning one day to be strong in principle and standing up for myself when Grandma took me to Thrifty's for an ice-cream cone.  Grandma gave me 35 cents, a quarter and a dime, to go into Thrifty's and buy a 30-cent double-scoop cone while she ran into a nearby store.  After carefully selecting my flavors and watching the two scoops pile high, I gave my 35 cents to the cashier.  He put it in the register then paused and asked, "Do you have 5 more cents?"  I was supposed to get 5 cents change back from him . . . had Thrifty raised its prices?  I said that I had given him 35 cents, but he insisted that it was only 25 cents.  I didn't argue with the big man staring down at me, but I guess my worried and confused young face was worth 5 cents because he told me to just forget it.     I went back to the car to meet Grandma, licking my ice cream that had somehow lost its flavor, and explained why I didn't have 5 cents in change to give back to her.  Grandma, without hesitation, said, "I gave you 35 cents.  He owes you 5 cents!"  I could almost hear the drum brigade as she marched her way into Thrifty's.  Soon, the doors whooshed open and trumpets joined in with the drums; I will never forget this picture:  Grandma walking towards me, saluting me triumphantly with a shiny nickel, and a pleased look on her face that said, "You see?"   Even then I knew it wasn't the 5 cents that was important, and I often think of that nickel salute when wrongs need righting.

Driving w/Mom (Paula)

What about those fevers I would get every time Dad went somewhere with Lockheed.  I think mom said that it would stay very high until Dad called from his destination.  As soon as I heard that he was okay, the fever would mysteriously vanish.
I remember Mom driving during the worse rainstorm that I ever remember.  We were going to Van Nuys to meet Dad and pick him up from one of those trips with Lockheed.  The rain and the wind and the rain and the wind and not being able to see the lines on the road were terrible.  I remember mom relying on us kids to see the lines.
Remember Steve, when mom was so mad at you when we were driving to primary that she stopped the car and grabbed you by the collar of your shirt, and with the strength she has in her arms, your head hit the dome light and smashed it?  Can you believe the muscles she must have had in her arms?  (Well, she did win everyone in the arm wrestling contests, right Jeff?   Hey, how about the fly swatter she made poor dad buy so she could swat us on our lovely family vacation?)

Jardine (Linda)

When I really stop and think back to my childhood, it never ceases to amaze me.  We are all in agreement that we had a wonderful childhood.  Many others have, but I'm convinced that ours was unique in so many ways.  It only got started on Jardine Avenue.  I keep a picture on my piano that kind of says it all.  This is a photo of Mom and I, sitting on the grass in the front yard of our little white house on Jardine.  I must be about five.  There we are, the picture of a happy little mother and daughter, and we're even surrounded by a white picket fence!  If you look really closely, you will see little Johnny over by the gate.  Chuck has really laughed and calls it the "Beaver Cleaver" picture.  Of course, he admits to wishing that his growing-up years were more like mine.  The Cleaver family wasn't really too far off from what ours was like.  With one exception, that is: I don't ever remember Mom wearing a dress and pearls as she cooked in the kitchen!  Of course, we did have our problems, but problems at the Taylor house were very few!  That is not something that I was able to carry over into my adult life!

This is one time when I'm kind of glad to be the oldest, because I've been around for more memories!  Our address on Jardine was 10223, and our phone number was FLorida 3-7093 (weird that they used a name)!  My memories there are mostly of sleeping in bunk beds with Johnny.  I had the top bunk.  Sometimes he would kick under my mattress just to bug me.  Most of the time we had fun tossing or lowering things from bed to bed.  I remember one night when we heard the wildest screaming on the television.  We stretched to the end of the bed, trying to see what was going on.  Turned out that all of the excitement was over Elvis Presley performing on the Ed Sullivan show!

I remember Christmas on Jardine, and how I worried about Santa getting into our house without a chimney!  Mom and Dad assured me that they would leave the back door unlocked for him.  So, Johnny and I hung our Christmas "stockings" (a pair of Dad's black dress socks) on the back of a kitchen chair.  Sure enough, he found us every year, filled out stockings, and always left plenty of gifts!

I remember Johnny riding his tricycle down our driveway, when he lost control and ran his knee right into the car's exhaust pipe!  That black, half-circle "tattoo" is still with him today!  Another "mishap" was when he got a little carried away on his rocking horse, hit his head and knocked himself out!  Doesn't sound like our mild-manner John, does it?

I remember going to Sunland Park, to a big, shallow, public swimming pool.  There were also a few little kid rides.  John and I use to enjoy a little
past time of watching red ants "dance" in our driveway when we held a magnifying glass over them!  Another insect got the best of John on one of the little kid rides at the park.  We couldn't understand why he was screaming as he rode a car in circles, until it was over and we realized that he had sat on a bee!!

I remember the ice cream truck coming by every day, and "Sid", the ice cream man.  We also had the yellow Helms Bakery truck regularly come by and whistle.  I remember the big doors open in the back, with drawers of donuts and breads. Of course, we always wanted the donuts!

I remember Sam and Dorothy Gallagher, who lived across the street.  I played with their daughter, Sharon. Sam was in a wheelchair.  We would go visit him in his office in the back, and he would say that he wanted a kiss on his cheek when we left.  We would giggle as we each licked our finger, pressed it on his cheek and ran off to play.  Johnny and I were at the Gallagher's house when Mom and Dad first came home with our new little sister, Paula.  I still remember running across the street to see her!

Next door to us was the Sanchez family-all of them so sweet and friendly.  Another door up from them was Mr. Eserich and his grown daughter, Anna Marie.  I just remember him as a kind old man who drove me to school when it rained.

Many years later, I realized that Bill Beam's family had lived on our street!  His sister was the first person I ever knew who had a glass eye.  Funny, but I don't even remember Bill, who is married to my good friend, Delcie.

Further down the street was the Lynch family.  They ended up living on the same street that we moved to.  Working mothers were pretty much unheard of then.  Walking to school was just a given.  We knew to not talk to strangers or to get into a stranger's car, but we never heard of anything bad like that ever really happening.

We went to church in the old Legion Hall.  I know that Sunday School was held downstairs in the bar.  I've heard that they had to sweep up the cigarette butts each Sunday morning, but I wasn't aware of that.  My memories there are of sitting on the huge chain that went across the front, making a fence.   Sacrament Meeting and all the rest just seemed like a totally normal church to me!

We moved from Jardine just before our 2nd, 6th & 8th birthdays-and just in time for Steven to join us as we started our adventures on Langmuir!

Vacations (Paula)

And talking about vacations . . . mom had a hard time believing me when I had to go to the bathroom.  Poor little Paula, having to go and no one would stop the car.  Then, finally when they decided to stop so I could go, it was never ending.  Mom felt so bad.
I'll never forget the trips on the train to Idaho.  I used to tell the neighbors that we were going to "Hi-de-ho on the crain".  Dad always made sure that we went to Idaho during the summer with Mom when he traveled.  I am so grateful for those trips, because it kept us so close to family.  If it weren't for mom and dad so intent on us always going to Idaho, we wouldn't have the meaningful memories that were made with our cousins, aunts & uncles and especially with Aunt Reva and Grandpa Taylor.  I really am grateful to mom for going out in the boat fishing with Grandpa Taylor and us, just so we would all have those memories.  I can't really see that mom fishing for her enjoyment.

Laughing (Paula)

I remember being pregnant with Charla.  I had to go down to Kaiser in Granada Hills for my check ups.  Mom would go with me.  This particular time, Jason was being quite unhappy in the backseat in his car seat.  Mom had to turn around a lot in the car and take care of him.  Well, when we got to Kaiser, Mom was sick to her stomach and stayed outside in the car with Jason while I was getting my check up, throwing up everything.  I felt so bad when I returned, but all we could do was laugh. 
There are so many occasions that mom and Linda and I have laughed so hard at something during the years that we laugh so hard we almost wet our pants.  We've had so many fun trips to the malls, movies with the huge bucket of popcorn, etc.  Remember when  Mom and I were locked in Sears at the Northridge Mall and couldn't get out.  We could see Linda on the outside standing by herself in the mall looking, with a frantic look on her face.  You see, we were standing on one side of the huge glass wall inside Sears and there was Linda on the other side in the mall, which was closed.  We could see her, but she didni't see us. We were knocking on the glass to get her attention.  When she saw us, we were laughing so hard, we could barely stand.  Someone came to our aide and helped us get out, but we had to meet Linda in the parking lot on the other side.  It really was funny, I guess it's one of those "you had to be there stories".  

Greeting Cards (Jennifer)

Always, without exception, the first greeting card I receive in the mail for any occasion is the one from Grandma and Grandpa.  I think that is a good representation of how they are:  the first to give love and support, to greet you with a warm hug and smile, to tell you how much they love you and how proud they are of you, and to be there when anyone needs anything.  I have often wondered how it's possible to be like them and can only hope that on my 250th birthday I will have figured it out.

Baptism (Paula)

A very special unselfish moment that I've always cherished is when I was 8 years old and it was my baptism day.  Dad was again with Lockheed and he asked Jimmy McDaniel to baptize me.  Jimmy was happy to.  There I was sitting on Jimmy's lap, dressed in all white, waiting for my turn to be baptized.  Dad walked in the back door just before it was to my turn.  He nodded to Jimmy to go ahead and baptize me. It meant a lot to me that my dad arrived in time to see me baptized and it I felt it was such an unselfish act to let Jimmy baptize me even though he made it. 
I think what I learned the most about Mom & Dad is to love and give service to others.  I've always felt that Mom and Dad put their own needs last.  It still goes on today.

Baking (Paula)

I can remember many times coming home from school to the aroma of baking.  Most of the time you could smell it walking up the driveway.  But, no matter what she was baking to take somewhere, there would be more for her family.  I have tried for years to bake cookies just like Grandma's, but even though it's the same recipe, I fail.  My kids even joke about it.  When they need cookies, they would rather call "Grandma" and have her bake them then have me try again.  I don't understand, is it because mine turn out flat and a tad bit crispier???  I guess cookie baking is not in the "genes".

Missionaries (Paula)

I barely remember when Mom and Dad had missionaries living with us.  I have always liked hearing about how mom did their laundry for them until we went on vacation for 2 weeks.  When we arrived back home, she discovered that they waited for her to return to do their laundry.  Can you believe missionaries with 2 weeks worth of laundry?  Mom never did it again after that.  I always admired that Mom did what she could for people, but knew when to say no.  Way to go Mom.

Youth (Paula)

Mom & Dad  loved the youth at church. We always had kids in our home at all hours, and it made it fun for me growing up.  I remember coming home from vacation to a couple of John and Bryant's friends in our kitchen eating breakfast between Priesthood and Sunday School.  That showed us how welcome and comfortable they felt in our home.
I remember all the big soda bottles that dad made a special cupboard for in the garage so we could store them to take them back for our nickel.  Remember when the earthquake hi in '72 and all we could hear was glass.  Well, it was the cupboard of soda bottles.  We had so many because mom and dad always made sure that we had soda for all the kids that came over.  They always took pride in the fact that we always had a house full of kids  having fun.  I think they really enjoyed the fact that our home was a fun place, a comfortable place, and a safe place for all our friends to come to.  Still to this day, they make sure they have soda, food, and a bed for anyone who drops in.

Dad's Garage (Paula)

We have always joked about Dad's garage and the love he had for it.  He had everything that anyone needed at all times.  I always took pride in the fact that my dad is the one that everyone went to because he knew how to make something out of whatever, or had the right parts, etc. I like to remember always, when I had painted a project at their house that I was going to teach at my shop.  I needed to go find some little hinges for a photo album I made.  Dad jumped right up from his chair and said that he thought he had some in the garage.  I couldn't believe it.  All the stuff in Dad's garage and he knew exactly where to look.  Mom and I had a great laugh.  Then it turned to tears, because he did find them and they were perfect.  They were ones Grandpa Taylor had and Dad seemed to happy to know where they were and to have me use them.  Keep in mind they were only ¾" in width, and he found them in amongst all the "stuff" he has.  It made that project very special.  Dad was always happy and loved the challenge to to figure out what ever it was that someone needed help with.  Just give him a few minutes in his garage, and he came out smiling with an answer.  He lost so many tools this way too.  I remember him loaning out tools and never getting them back.  He'd complain about people not returning his things, but he never stopped helping and loaning what ever they needed.  His bark was bigger than his bite.  Because of all this Dad also taught me how to always be there for people, and one day the things in your garage that people tease about being junk, just may come in handy one day.  Mom and Linda and I used to laugh about the stuff he'd bring out to sell at garage sales, but we quickly stopped, when he started bringing in the money.
Since I've enjoy woodworking and painting,  Dad has always made me feel very special whenever I've had time to use his saws, sanders, drill press, etc.  Whenever I'd come over to cut something out, his garage door would be up and everything ready to go.  It will always be a bond that I am happy I have with my dad.  He always would like showing me shortcuts and giving me tips on how to cut a specific piece out.  Whenever I'd go in the house to check kids, or phone, I'd come back out and the piece I was working on, he would have finished for me.  He think he enjoys it as much as I do.
My parents have always been there for their children and their grandchildren.  They have always given themselves and their own needs have been last on their list. They are the most unselfish people I know and I hope that I can just give my children what they have always given me - love.

A Sample List (Jennifer)

Okay, there are so many memories, so I'm just going to make a list of the next ten as they come:

• Grandma's miniature bread loaves specially made for a grandchild.
• Skeeziks (how do you spell that?)
• "Punches in the nose."
• Special "vacations" in Palmdale for just one of us at a time.
• Bike rides along the Aquaduct--Jeff on Grandpa's bike and me on Grandma's bike.
• Sitting on Grandpa's lap in the driver's seat of his blue truck and steering
  while he "slept".
• Grandpa's sweet, teary eyes of pride at my college graduation.
• Grandpa's electrical gadgets: The Fox, Chicken, and Corn; Everyone Hold
• Hands and Get Group Shock Therapy; Wand Through Maze Shocker . . .
• Grandma's un-reproducible cookies.
• Scrabble with Grandma.

Fire and Mud (John)

I remember the year that Verdugo Hills caught fire.  We would stand in front of our house, and watch the flames as they swept across this hillside.  There were also fires on the other hills.  It seemed, for a day, Sunland-Tujunga was encircled by a ring of fire.  That winter it rained hard.  The rain hit the now-barren Verdugo Hills and brought mud down into the streets.  Langmuir was a dead-end, and the drain (which we used to crawl through to the ditch when no one was watching) got plugged up.  The mud piled up at the end of Langmuir.  I remember people with shovels, digging into over a foot of sludge in the cul-de-sac.  As I recall, the Lynch family had their house invaded by mud and water that year, as their house was the low point (geographically) of the neighborhood, as opposed to the other Lynch family, who represented another kind of low point in the neighborhood. 

Crackin' Walnuts (John)

Many years ago, before the modern era of pre-processed foods and packaged conveniences, Linda and I were regularly given the important task of reducing a brown paper bag of whole walnuts to a bowl full of pure nut pieces.  for those of you unacquainted with this kind of labor, this is the general procedure: 1) Take the bag of walnuts to the garage, 2) Find one of Dad's hammers, 3) Find an open spot on the concrete floor, 4) Grab a walnut from the bag, 5) Place it on the floor in one of three positons: edge-wise (with the seam vertical between the thumb and forefinger), flat (with the seam approximating a horizontal circle, held to the floor between the thumb and forefinger, requiring a delicate touch to avoid crushing the nut inside), or point-up (like an egg standing on end, with one point of the seam resting on the floor, the other point straight up, and the thumb and forefinger holding the walnut steady), 6) Tap the walnut with the hammer, cracking it and avoiding the thumb and forefinger as often as possible, 7) Remove the nut halves from the cracked shell, 8) Remove the nut halves from the internal shell pieces and place them in the ceramic bowl, 9) Scoot the nut pieces into a neat pile on the floor, 10) Repeat steps 4 through 9 until the ceramic bowl is full (never happened), the bag is empty (seldom happened - this was a major source of childhood entertainment in our home), or the time for cracking walnuts ends (also called bedtime).
So, why do I mention this activity?  Because it is one of my most memorable fatherly teaching moments.  One day, I had been cracking nuts in the garage for quite a long time.  Dad came into the garage, and inspected the fruits of my labor.  He was a little displeased with the few nuts that had found their way into the ceramic bowl.  I remember him saying that I was being lazy, and that no one would want to hire me later in life if that's the kind of worker I was going to be.  Funny how such a simple thing like that can stick in your mind.  I'm sure Dad doesn't remember it, but it was one of those moments when he said something and I actually listened.  Now, many years later, I appreciate his counsel about being a good worker, and have enjoyed passing on the moment to my kids.  Of course, now that I think about it, I could have said, "Well, this really is not an indicator of how well I will work in the future, when someone PAYS me - for now, you should simply appreciate my charitable contribution to the family's food preparation."  Ah yes, perhaps my next memory should be how discipline was administered in my youth.

Baseball bean bery bery goot to me! (Paula)

Back in the 80's, when my family lived in Palmdale Ward along with Mom and Dad, we had a women's baseball team.  We won all our games and were in the championship game.  Mom came with me to take care of the kids while I played.  Well, we only had 8 players and were going to have to forfeit.  Then, we all spotted mom in the bleachers.  We all begged her to play with us so we would not have to forfeit. She was so embarrassed and didn't really want to, but we begged.  We told her that all she had to do was stand out in center field with a mitt and just look good, but we'd do all the work.  She finally gave in to us. She had fun and did play.  She had to bat and run and everything.  If it wasn't for her, we would not have won the championship.  She deserved her trophy.  She made it possible for us to win.  Everyone teased her for a long time about being our hero.