There are times, like today, that I really miss my dad. Or during the hockey season. Or when something needs to be fixed. I find I have started "channeling" him. Like giving one of the daughters a tickling pinch at the waist while making a weird noise. I remember as a kid, trying to see how close I could get to him and just staying out of waist pinch, weird noise range.
Now I find myself saying "Hank" words, such as pritnear (pretty near). Or one of his favorite phrases "Colder than a witches tit." Or trying to figure out which of his granddads was Peepaw and which one was Popoo. Popoo was how my kids referred to him. That great mystery solved - Peepaw was his grandfather Percival, grandfather Bowman was Popoo - I remember calling him when something needed fixing, replacing or installing (dishwasher, 1984, Redford township.) My dad loved being called on to fix things. And he loved telling us how to do things, because his way was the only way. I even remember him telling me how to get someplace in the town where I grew up.
My dad would occasionally tell stories of his childhood, and one time while on vacation with some of us, he told a story of a proper dinner party his parents held in Detroit. Then he cracked us up with the caveat: This was before my mother died. Okay, so it didn't take much to make us laugh. My dad was a real softy under a tough outer skin. He'd get that real strict look on his face at dinner time and in the next instant make us spit milk out through our noses.
Coming from a large family of one brother and 4 sisters, I swore I would marry an only child, which I did. I know he is still sometimes speechless when we all get together since we are a bit of a loud, rowdy family. Sometimes I'm not sure that he is just speechless or just can't get in a word edgewise!
I married a man like my dad. No my DH is in no way handy. He worked a desk job all those years with numbers and finance being his strong suits. But his family always came first like my dad. He is always happier at home, than away from home. He loves to travel like my dad, for which I am eternally grateful. He is a warm loving man and not afraid to show it, even if he sometimes presents a stern countenance.
To my DH! You are the best father to our kids, that a man can be. I'm so glad I gave you the chance!
Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Always an Adventure, Part II
Still enjoying the fresh, non-stale elevator air and back home. Holiday Inn Express did end up comping the room for the second night, and we are glad to say that they have a meeting scheduled for next week to refresh ALL the employees on proper procedure in case of a power failure and guests stuck in elevator. Hope it never happens again!
Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational
Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Always An Adventure
First, I have to say Thanks a lot, Lexington, Kentucky Fireman for rescuing us. We really appreciate it. We can't tell you how much. But I am sure from our relieved faces you could tell how grateful we were.
My DH and I finally got a chance to get away for a couple nights, to one of my favorite places, Lexington, Kentucky. I always feel at home here, and I should, because a goodly number of my ancestors lived here from the late 1700's until 1891, when my great-great-great grandfather, Joseph Graves Chinn died. It gives him a chance to walk around downtown Lexington, and me a chance to hit the library for research and the Lexington cemetery to continue my photo project.
We have a Priority Club card through Holiday Inn and usually stay at the HI Express at exit 110. This trip was no exception. We had a nice drive up from Tennessee, went to lunch across the street at Cracker Barrel, came back to our room to figure out what we needed to take with us on our shopping expedition (the list of stuff we couldn't find in TN) took the elevator down to the lobby ... and nothing happened. Apparently a transformer near the hotel went out and knocked out most of the power and we were stuck in the elevator. We pressed the emergency button, and got no response. So we used the emergency phone and called the front desk. We were assured help was on its way. Ten minutes later, we called again, and were assured the maintenance guy would be there soon to get us out. Too bad he didn't know what to do. By this time this 5 x 5 elevator was getting pretty warm so DH calls the front desk on his cell phone. Apparently another guest has heard us beating on the door and yelling and she insisted the desk clerk call the police or fire department, which she finally does after telling the other guest she wasn't sure anyone was in the elevator. Hello? Desk Clerk, we called you three times to tell you we were stuck. The sad thing is that no one from the Hotel came to check on us to make sure we were okay.
Finally, after about 30 minutes, the nice Lexington Fire Department came to rescue us. They knew how to operate the key and force the door open. Too bad the hotel employees weren't trained to handle that emergency.
Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational
My DH and I finally got a chance to get away for a couple nights, to one of my favorite places, Lexington, Kentucky. I always feel at home here, and I should, because a goodly number of my ancestors lived here from the late 1700's until 1891, when my great-great-great grandfather, Joseph Graves Chinn died. It gives him a chance to walk around downtown Lexington, and me a chance to hit the library for research and the Lexington cemetery to continue my photo project.
We have a Priority Club card through Holiday Inn and usually stay at the HI Express at exit 110. This trip was no exception. We had a nice drive up from Tennessee, went to lunch across the street at Cracker Barrel, came back to our room to figure out what we needed to take with us on our shopping expedition (the list of stuff we couldn't find in TN) took the elevator down to the lobby ... and nothing happened. Apparently a transformer near the hotel went out and knocked out most of the power and we were stuck in the elevator. We pressed the emergency button, and got no response. So we used the emergency phone and called the front desk. We were assured help was on its way. Ten minutes later, we called again, and were assured the maintenance guy would be there soon to get us out. Too bad he didn't know what to do. By this time this 5 x 5 elevator was getting pretty warm so DH calls the front desk on his cell phone. Apparently another guest has heard us beating on the door and yelling and she insisted the desk clerk call the police or fire department, which she finally does after telling the other guest she wasn't sure anyone was in the elevator. Hello? Desk Clerk, we called you three times to tell you we were stuck. The sad thing is that no one from the Hotel came to check on us to make sure we were okay.
Finally, after about 30 minutes, the nice Lexington Fire Department came to rescue us. They knew how to operate the key and force the door open. Too bad the hotel employees weren't trained to handle that emergency.
Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational
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