AuntJenny'sTwoCentsWorth

I appreciate Craig's efforts to keep the book club alive, and I think interviewing the grandmas adds a valuable perspective, earned by simply having so many more years than the rest of us to accumulate experiences and garner wisdom. I hope Craig continues to extract information from Dottie and mom, and I hope they will share more of their stories with us, not just the amusing or mundane, but some of those closely held experiences that we all have and hesitate to openly share. Unfortunately, and fortunately, with age I think comes the lesson that it's better to just keep your mouth shut, so it might be difficult to draw this kind of information from them. But, I think it's worth the try, Craig!

As far as casting actors for the characters in the book, I'm torn between not really caring very much for this exercise to being totally awash in possibilities. It also makes me feel a little geezer-ish, because the actors I come up with, Kevin Spacey, Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfieffer, etc. are all OLD, and I'm sure the younger members of the family will come up with names I've never even heard of. On that note, looking in the mirror these days, I am coming to grips with seeing myself noticeably physically aging, which feels like a cruel joke played by Mother Nature, but enjoying the feeling of having accumulated a decent amount of experiences in my life to make me feel comfortable with myself and reasonably wise enough to at least give our kids sound advice when it is solicited from us. It also inspires me to take joy in the mundane, how my vegetable garden produces such abundant and varied produce from such tiny seeds and my caregiving, the tiny bird duo who have taken up residence in the little bird house nestled among my dahlias, photos that Kara sends us, etc. I could go on and on and on with "the little things" that make me smile. Anyway, my point is that I don't think I would have listed most of these little things as joyful in my youth. There, I've said it. I am no longer young. I can still be youthful though. That is what I find somewhat frightening: the thought of being 90 and looking in the mirror and wondering how the hell did 90 years disappear so fast. So, I guess when I look in the mirror, I'm coming to grips with the fact that I am no longer young and at the same time I am wrestling with the best way to gracefully make the most of being a geezer.

Craig's view

I know its been a long time..but its time...I read the book twice. My selections for "my" movie are: Jacob is played by Nicolas Cage..Marlena..Renee Zelwegger...August...Gerard Butler..and finally Big Al....Jeff Bridges...Kinko/Walter...a good character actor..with guts and a touch of empathy. Of course the second question is the hardest There are many way to approach this question. I've decided not to lay my soul out there, its just to vulnerable. I can adequately answer this question..anyway. Let me say, I can see how this question is going to be difficult for the young ones. My advice..have fun with it..spoof it. Now..for me being older and actually can relate to looking in the mirror and seeing sagging flesh...wow..the physical component..I'm defintely not in the physical shape... I used to be good or really good at a number of sports.. most with a ball involved: baseball , golf, basketball, pingpong..and my favorite..tennis.. I found I like competition..and learned to gracefully lose..even though I don't like losing. Physicallly still feel I have some fire inside. I hope to recover some of that past fire.. Healing my back and living the rest of my life with purpose is my goal. Past life..I can't say... its xxxxxxx psychiatric for sure!! Judgement day will take care of it all! With that positive note...I enjoyed the book and sharing with you all. HEY! THE NEW BOOK IS ENTITLED ...".HOPE ARISING..". selected by Grandma Tebay...the pregame was good. ENJOY. Craig.

Grandma Tebay's view

Hello everyone. I'm trying to complete "Water for Elephants" before moving on. I invite everyone who read the book to blog. ....I interviewed Mom today , in a similar manner as I did Dottie. Coaxing a response to the questions, but not answering the question for her. Her answer to the characters she selected for the movie version are: Jacob, the main character, she selected Tom Hanks..Marlena...Jennifer Anniston...and August..I"m impressed..she selected the suave and daring..Johnny Depp. Pretty good huh! The second question was much more difficult for her. ...When looking into the Jacobs mirror, at 90 years old, what does she see....Well, most of her answers ended up towards the physical portion of the question....for a woman who in the past put up with a abusive alcoholic..work at picking grapes, travelodge maid, potato processing plant, road guard at elementary school, teacher's aid, and lastly and most important, a full time mother of five kids...I understand and respect her responses. Physically..she has some problems, especially the arthritis..now affecting her shoulders as well as her knees. I didn't even try...to convince her that she really is in great shape for 88 years old. Especially..when I know most of us won't come close to living that long. Second question...Mom really didn't relate to the idea her spirit is either young or old or somewhere inbetween.. She just doesn't relate on that level. She did indicate...that she sees herself as someone similar to her mother, who she admires..greatly. A gentle woman, with the amazing ability to mother lots of kids., partner with a hard working husband, and still stand on principal...even if she was a woman of those days. Her story...a salesman..or such...was selling material that dissed the Catholic Church. Her mother promptly..told the salesman to get the hell out of my house. Don't stir the irish Catholic. I fully enjoyed my visit. She truly has lived a extraordinary life...see ya Craig

Connecicut connection

I have to relay this interview. I had Ewee and Tyler for dinner the other nite, wee mows my lawn for me. I invited Dottie. We had a fine dinner together and great consversation. I posed the second question on the blog to Dottie. She has heard the whole story of the "Water for Elephants" from me. Her response to question #2 was precious. Here is an 87 year old woman, can't see the food on her plate, with seriouis dementia, telling me her opinion of herself looking into the Jacob's mirror. Her response, I"M STILL A DOVER ROAD GIRL! She goes on to say...her gang..Dick Royal, Pat Price, Dick Virgie, Joyce O'connel, Anne Murray, Freddie Coriel, and Dot. ( Thats good for a person with dementia) She ,being the leader of the Dover Road Gang. They played baseball in the streets forever. She said the neighbor woman, who 's daughter didn't want to be included, always called the police when , the gang, played ball in the streets. The same policeman would arrive and whisper to the kids, stop playing in the streets until after I leave: then commence playing in the streets. She indicated things changed when the boys wanted to play a kissing game. YaHoo. At this point she said her attitude changed, she wanted the boys to be the leader. WOW...what hormones won't do . In conclusion..she is a woman I admire for her POSITIVE spirit. Her mirror says she's still got it at 87. Craig.

"Water for Elephants" finale.

O.K. it's time. I believe everyone has read it ..that going to. I enjoyed it..read it twice. I think for our closing thoughts this time we could do something different. Question 1.- If you were casting the movie, who would be your selections to play: Jacob/Marlena/August/Walter-Kinko/Big Al/Camel/. Question number 2 I found in the back of the book. Quote..Looking at himself in the mirror, the old Jacob tries "to see beyond the sagging flesh." But he claims, "Its's no good....I can't find myself anymore. When did I stop being me? How would you answer this question for yourself? I know this is going to be challenging for the young folks..not so much for someone such as I. Have fun. See you back here in awhile.Craig.

craigs spring pics.

Just a few pictures taken over the last couple of months. I made two trips to Seattle/Tacoma for doctor visits. Stayed with Jennifer and Rick for a portion and some with Sam and Megan. Got a chance to see Andrew and his friend Will while I was there. Andrew spent most of his time studying. I think it was crunch time, before his graduation. He graduates in mid May this year. The best place to hangout, if you wanted to see Andrew, was in the vicinity of the refrigerator. I always enjoy my time there..and my epidural worked this time. WhoHoo! Brother Sam and I and Sam/Megan and Tyler got invited to Pam and Jeff's home for Easter brunch. It was nice to see them again..and the food was great. Thanks again. It was nice trip visiting and reducing my pain. I did get Fox News withdrawal syndrome while I was there. Whew..thats tough. Here are my pics.PICs Andrew and Will/Sam playing basketball with a Tibetan refugee/Goofing off/Deb's new puppy..Lucy/Husky mania/final four indoor participation/Redbreasted Nuthatch. Enjoy Craig.

new book "Water for Elephants"

Hello again. This is a re-post. I tried to delete one picture and deleted the whole blog. Thats whats so good about growing old..even though I've deleted a single picture in the past..it doesn't mean I'll remember how to do it in the future! Yikes! Larry has a new hobby. He started with the intention putting a train set he has had for some time around the ceiling of his newly refinished office. Now he has "Lionel Fever". I remember him telling me that Crowley was incouraging him to add details to the setup, but he said he didn't have the time or inkling to go further. Yeah right! He now has added authentic built train tressles, water tower, station with lights, snow tunnel, outhouse and more. Bill Crowley assembled the rock formation that looks real. Is there a "Lionel Doctor" in town. I've added some pictures I enjoy. Lastly, the book I have chosen I read this summer. It's a winner..I know you will enjoy it. I am here and now inviting all of the family who has not read with us to join in...this is a good one. Craig.