Thanks, Gram

Gram working in her own house 73 years ago.

Gram died four years ago Friday. We had a few relatives over Sunday for the anniversary. It was a nice day, Mom said as we walked around the block. But we didn't really mention Gram, she said.

I pointed out to her that Gram is present in almost all our conversations. That 2-foot long strand of crap the plumber pulled out of the 305 pipes had Gram in it. Certainly any talk about our new home. She not only left this land to her children and grandchildren, making the house we are building possible, but she also went through the home building process herself. We have pictures, some dated 9/29/37.

Gram would have loved this blog, except the early lack of updates. She was always telling people to write down cute things their kids did or said. I don't like to brag, but the spirit world is not an unfamiliar world to me. So between her notes on the back of the photos and my psychic experiences, I have constructed Gram's abbreviated home building blog:

So we really wanted to get started on the house and here we are in August digging up some shrubs that were in the way.

Nipper and Bozo love to play around in front yard. They are fun dogs, but I bet one of my grandsons will one day have a dog that will outclass these guys, even if she does like to roll around in rotting-animal carcass.

Mr. Shaffer, the contractor in living room. (This is Matt: You know this dude's first name was Sarge or Dutch. It is possible he is also the ancestor of wrestler George "the Animal" Steele.)

Look at it go up, so awesome. I am going to hang a big old wooden Creche scene in these windows each Christmas.

(Matt again: Mom and I debated whether this was Granddaddy. I say he has too much hair. Gram did not label him, though.) My sink will be right under that middle window so I can look out and see everyone in my yard.

This is Pete on the back dormer. The window in that dormer will be a good place for my grandchildren to slide superhero action figures down to the ground on fishing line. But not Hulk, his hands were closed fists.

And here I am, straightening out joints of back door.

Workers build the roof near the chimney. I am not sure but I think that when I add my screened-in porch, it will enable some of my grandsons to sit safely where the chimney cuts in.

Here are guys working on the front dormers. On that one they are on, you could sneak on rafters in front of it to get between closets.

It is finished! YEAH! We need to plant some Boxwoods and I wish it were more wheelchair-accessible. Oh well. It'll be a great home. (And so will ours! Matt again)