Grandpa Tickler changes to Sprinkler Man. He didn't just put in one of the best sprinkling systems, he fixed plumbing, replaced lights and switches, fixed automobiles, mowers, vacuums, just about anything that was broken. He fixed, he cooked, he cleaned, he parented, and so much more. He wasn't that great with laundry, though.
Green
Dad used to do laundry
Every Tuesday night
while Mom grilled cheese
sandwiches on sourdough
bread and opened
red and white,
family-sized cans
of chicken noodle soup,
he separated her
white silk camisoles
with lace trim,
one for each day of the week,
into a small pile
along with sheer,
sandal-toed white hose.
along with sheer,
sandal-toed white hose.
He carefully selected each
article to wash separately
in cold water
with mild detergent
from the heavier white
athletic socks
and 100% cotton briefs.
Piles of terry towels
and dark colored socks,
pocket tee-tops
and Brian's 8-button Henley
all waited in line
in front of blue jeans
and last Saturday's bed linen
for the wash and
spin cycles of the Maytag,
double-load, automatic
washing machine.
He started with light-weight,
quick-to-dry batches
and moved methodically
from whites
to colors
to sheets--
leaving heavy towels
to roll and tumble in
the clothes dryer while
he and Mom slept
into the next day.
One solitary green
trouser sock
tumbled unnoticed onto
the stack of lacy personals,
and lay hidden under a pair
of vanilla colored hose.
One solitary green
trouser sock
tumbled unnoticed onto
the stack of lacy personals,
and lay hidden under a pair
of vanilla colored hose.
Dad mixes tuna fish
with Miracle Whip and
sweet pickle relish
to spread on cracked
wheat bread while
bean and bacon soup
simmers in the
blue saucepan.
Mom separates lovely
sea-green camisoles
with lace trim
from heavy white
athletic socks
and 100% cotton briefs.
This poem was dedicated to Blaine, an extraordinary husband and father and grandfather. Without his help and never-ending encouragement, I would have never tried.
This is Kali with her Grandpa, but all the grandchildren got hugs loves and tickles.
How much $ can we burn up on the 4th of July? He had his bucket and his old tin chair and made sure we all had the best seats in the house.
I remember and love the smile. He claimed to hate Christmas, but I am sure we all have memories of him being the first one up on Christmas morning, making mad dashes to Fred Meyers on Chrismas Eve to fill out someone's Santa stuff, slipping surprise presents under the tree, making Christmas dinner delish. 
"Don't look up!" How many times did you have water poured on your head? Water fight the day of the funeral--very appropriate.
His most favorite thing to do--be with family. Malone is sure to get a couple of hotcakes and several slices of bacon.
That picture of Blaine with Grandpa is one of the things I still miss -- working together. I always enjoyed how dad could either work or watch someone work but it felt like you were hanging out together. I suppose he learned that from his dad.
ReplyDelete