Family Traditions

 Some family traditions just won't die, even if they probably should.

Bryan, Emerson and Journiee, three generations of bathtub photos.

Crystal Mountain Gondolas

On our recent trip to Washington to visit the boys, Bryan took Jennie and me to Crystal Mountain.  There is a ski resort there with a gondola ride that takes you to the top of the mountain.  On a clear day, there's a great view of Mt. Rainier.

We got our tickets, hopped on one of the gondolas and headed up the mountain.

After we had ridden a few thousand feet up the mountain and were several hundred feet in the air, I got to wondering...

"Where is the BIG RED BUTTON you push to summon the Mountain Rescue Team with the helicopters and the St. Bernards?"

"Where are the parachutes, if we have to bail out of this thing?"

"Is there a rope ladder or something we can climb down?"

As usual, my stomach wouldn't be ignored for long. "Where is the Seven Day Supply of Emergency Food Rations if we get stranded up here?"

A quick examination of the interior of the gondola revealed none of those things.  There was a sign on one wall.  It gave a phone number to call "IN CASE OF EMERGENCY".  Not very comforting.  It didn't help that the sign continued, "If no answer: call 911."  

There was some more gibberish about car numbers and tower numbers and the sign ended with "...climbers left side."  CLIMBER?  Who's climbing? I'm not climbing up or down or out of anything here.

White knuckles were displayed for much of the ride.  Holly was the only one who wasn't nervous.

We eventually reached the top of the mountain and set foot on solid ground again.

The views from the top of the mountain were pretty amazing.  We even got an almost clear shot of Mt Rainier while we were up there.

We hiked around the top of the mountain enjoying the scenery for a while before the realization struck me, the only way back down the mountain was to climb in that gondola death-trap again.

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The photos above and many more of our trip to Washington can be viewed in a Google Photos Album at Washington Trip 2019.

Clyde's Fathers Day

I reported on Jennie's Mothers Day so I guess I need to review my Father's Day.

From Matt, I got an Amazon gift card, a wallet and a couple of shirts (that I'm sure Jennie picked out.)

From Bryan, I got a Google Play gift card and the promise of a place to sleep when Jennie and I go to Seattle in a few weeks.

Erik didn't write a poem for me.  Not enough words rhyme with "Redneck".  He did call and say that he and Veronica had signed me up for one of those " ______ of the Month" clubs.  He didn't reveal what so it'll be a surprise when it arrives. I'm hoping it's something like "Lazagna of the Month" but it'll probably be more like the "Mustache Wax of the Month Club."

Matt also got me a card that gave me a good laugh...

He thought I laughed a little too hard.  I can't figure out who he got his sense of humor from.

Bigfoot Christmas

When we went to Seattle in 2016 I took pictures of any Bigfoot statues or displays we came across.  I wanted to share them with Randy, our resident Bigfoot fanatic.  Apparently the family that lives there got the impression I was really interested in Bigfoot too.  Guess what I got for Christmas this year...

Bigfoot Coffee, a Bigfoot coffee-mug and some Seattle Bigfoot Poop.  That last item is supposed to be chocolate-covered peanuts, but I'm not going to be the first one to take a bite.  I've played too many tricks on my sisters to fall for that.

I guess you could say Bigfoot left his footprints on my Christmas this year.

Posted by Clyde

Silly Sunday Sketches - Erik at Dinosaurs Alive

Erik accompanied us to Florida one summer and narrowly avoided getting eaten by an animatronic dinosaur...

I think he was in more danger from the Guinea Girls than the dinosaurs.

Posted by Clyde

Before Emerson

I may have found proof that Erik and Veronica did exist before Emerson was born.  I think this photo dates from the year 1 B.E. (That's 2002 on the Gregorian Calendar.)

Apparently, in the ancient past, Erik and Veronica were "Cat People".   Limestone, Rusty and Alfred got all their attention and affection.  I wonder how the cats felt about having to share with that new hairless critter that came into their home in 2003.

Posted by Clyde

Veronica's Birthday

I went searching for old photos of Veronica to post for her birthday and discovered I don't have any B.E. (Before Emerson) pics of her.  I know she was around in the days B.E.  She had to be.  There must be photos of her somewhere from the B.E. era.  Sadly, I don't have anything older than this...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VERONICA

Posted by Clyde

Erik's Birthday Again

According to the calendar, it's Erik's birthday again.  It's a shame we can't be there with him. 

I've been looking back at some of his previous birthdays.  Here he is in 2009 with a pineapple upside-down cake...

Here he is again in 2011 with another pineapple upside-down cake...

And finally, here he is way back in 2005 with yet another PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE!

DANG!  I'm going to miss being there with him more than I realized.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIK 

Clyde

Melton Manor

Erik and Veronica received word today that their existing house was  Sold.   That frees them up to purchase their new home…

They have been waiting for this day for quite a while.  I know they can’t wait to move into their new ‘Melton Manor’.

Clyde

Movie Possibilities

Hollywood is advertising a new movie called “Bad Teacher” starring Cameron Diaz…



I don’t know but it could be the story of a teacher who was featured on local TV recently…



I’m pretty sure it isn’t based on another teacher we are familiar with…



THAT movie would have to be called ‘The HANGOVER III”.

Train Up A Child

Proverbs 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Erik, Veronica and the rest of us stay busy bringing up Emerson in the CORRECT way.  Last fall they took him to the UK Football Fan Day where he got to meet the football players and get some autographs.  His picture ended up on the Tops in Lexington website.

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This past weekend UK basketball player Demarcus Cousins was signing autographs at the Wal-Mart in Pikeville.  Another chance to instruct Emerson “in the way he should go” could not be missed so Erik, Veronica, and Emerson dutifully made the pilgrimage to Wal-Mart. 

As Demarcus Cousins was signing his basketball, Emerson, in that all grown up way he talks,  said to him, “Thank you for playing for the Wildcats this year.  We really enjoyed watching you play.”
Demarcus looked at him with a ‘Big Cuz’ smile and said, “Thank You, Little Man.”
Sounds to me like the training is going very well so far.

Clyde

Hey, I’m Not the Only One

Jennie and I were in Richmond watching Emerson one weekend a few months ago when we all decided to watch a movie Emerson had gotten.  The movie was a Disney cartoon called ‘UP’.  The three of us piled onto the couch, with Emerson sitting in the middle, and fired up the movie.

‘UP’ wasn’t like the Disney cartoons I remember from my younger days.  Ten minutes into it, big tears started welling up in my eyes.   I was trying my best not to let Jennie and Emerson see that I was crying but it soon became more than I could manage.  Emerson, sitting beside me, could tell that I was sobbing,  blubbering like a baby actually, and he yelled out, “Grandpa!”  

I was mortified, real men don’t cry at movies, especially not cartoon movies.  To make matters worse, I sobbed two or three  more times before the movie was over.  My rough and tough reputation was ruined.  I think Emerson enjoyed watching me suffer more than watching the movie.

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Well, today I found something that makes me feel a lot better.  I ran across an article at ScreenJunkies.com entitled 10 Movies That Make Real Men Cry.  Guess what the fifth movie listed was.  That’s right, ‘UP’.  Turns out I must not be the only Real Man it has brought to tears.  I feel so much better. 

 

UP   The most recent film on this list, the 8 minute prologue of Up stands as cinematic perfection. The incredibly effective “Married Life” montage (set to Michael Giacchino’s Oscar-winning score) succeeds in telling an entire life story before the first act of the feature truly begins. In this short period, we see a marriage bloom and wilt, forcing an old man to come to grips with an unfulfilled promise as his lifelong best friend and wife passes. From www.screenjunkies.com on May 25, 2010

 

I’m not sure what to think about the fact that I’ve cried while watching six of the movies listed.  And three of the other four I haven’t seen yet.   It’s getting harder and harder to maintain my ‘Real Man’ cred these days.

Clyde

A Teacher Who Makes a Difference

The University of Kentucky College of Education annually takes nominations and honors past graduates who have become exceptional teachers.

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One of only 114 educators chosen to be honored this year is our very own Veronica Melton.  (You may know her better as Emerson’s Mom.)

This is a very big deal!  The College of Education’s video promoting the program features Kyle Macy.   It doesn’t get much bigger than that in Big Blue Country.

There was a good article in Sunday’s Lexington Herald-Leader about the program.  Only a couple of the teachers are profiled but you can tell this is a pretty prestigious award.

CONGRATULATIONS VERONICA!

We’re all very proud of you.

A Message from Emerson

We interrupt the usual nonsense and nostalgia here on the StalkerClan for a special message from Emerson…

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Veronica is spending her birthday nursing Erik back to full strength following his surgery last week.  Having Erik standing beside her, straight and tall and pain free, might be the best birthday present she gets this year.  But then again, she gets Emerson every day and that’s pretty hard to beat.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VERONICA

Pineapple Upside-Down Perfect

Jennie and I went to Lexington this past weekend.  While we were there we had some absolutely delicious pineapple upside-down cake.  I think I’ve mentioned before how much I like pineapple upside-down cake.  Yummmmm.

I can’t recall ever meeting a pineapple upside-down cake that I didn’t like, but this particular cake was one of the best pineapple upside-down cakes that I have ever bitten into.  It was melt-in-you-mouth pineapple upside-down cake delicious.

Oh yeah, I think it was Erik’s birthday or something.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIK !

Did I mention that I really, really like pineapple upside-down cake.

Clyde

My Side of the Family

Whenever the talk is about how handsome Emerson is, or how smart his is, or how good he is doing in school, Jennie will proudly claim, “He has picked that up from me and my side of the family.”

All I can say is, “Well, give that boy a doughnut with candy sprinkles on top and you can SEE the STALKER in him.”

Clyde

My Summer Vacation by Emily

School will be starting soon and little Emily Isgette will be heading off to the classroom.  I wonder if Grandma Jeff is going to have a lot of explaining to do when Emily does the traditional “What I did on Summer Vacation” report.

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MY SUMMER VACATION

This summer my Grandma and my Granddaddy, I love my Granddaddy, took me and my brother Blair Bear to a place called Kentucky.  It is a funny place. 

In Kentucky ever body talks real loud, they never use their inside voice.  They yell “Hey Carlos” or “Where’s Sherry” or “What’s for supper?”   It’s funny.

They only get one television station in Kentucky .   Granddaddy, I love my Granddaddy, said it was something called Fox News.  They talk real loud on Fox News too.

The very bestest part of Kentucky is something called Stalker Daze.  Grandma and Granddaddy, I love my Granddaddy, took us there.  Stalker Daze is a lot like Christmas. Kids get lots of toys and lots of pretty new clothes.  I got this dress I got on at Stalker Daze.

We got to play out in the yard.  We played with this big ball that sprayed water.  We got Aunt Jennie wet, I love my aunt Jennie too.

And we all played with bubbles that we got .

I was the best one at blowing bubbles. Granddaddy, I love my granddaddy, said it was because I had a lot of Stalker in me.

We all got new kites to play with.  Granddaddy, I love my Granddaddy, never could get mine to fly.  I think there was something wrong with it.

We got to meet a lot of our relatives.

That’s not one of them but it looks like some of them.

My favorite part of Stalker Daze was getting to camp out.  We camped out in Aunt Luci’s camper.  It was really rough.  There was only one bathroom and it had the smallest  refrigerator I’ve ever seen.  Granddaddy, I love my granddaddy, said we was really roughing it.  I don’t know how we survived.

And that’s what I did on my summer vacation.

Emily

 

 

A Birthday Beat Down

We had cake and ice cream for Bryan’s Birthday on Sunday in Lexington.  Of course Jennie had everything needed for the mandatory ‘make a wish, blow out the candles, sing Happy Birthday’ tradition.  Jennie lit the candles and Bryan began to draw a deep breath.  Everyone knows you have to blow out all the candles in one blow for your wish to come true.  Well, just as Bryan’s lungs had expanded to their full capacity … Emerson blew out the candles in one quick puff. 

I don’t know why Bryan even tries.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYAN

Mom & Dad – The War in my Head

Luci has told about how she once asked Mom and Dad to talk about growing up on Road Creek.  Dad told several funny stories about his family, friends and co-workers at Republic Steel.  Mom remembered all the tragedies and misfortunes that had befallen her family and friends.   They grew up in the same place and time but it was like they were looking back on two different worlds.

I suspect this conflict in how they view the world has been passed on to some of us.  I know I can often separate my thoughts and memories into two categories, one that I think I inherited from Dad and another influenced by Mom.  For example, here are some of my thoughts and memories from Stalker Days this past weekend.

 

Read these loudly and with a smile on your face. Nod your head up and down.	Read these in a soft, sad tone.  Slowly shake your head from side to side.
As I drive up Road Creek Hey, there comes the crew that installs those portable carports down the creek.  Maybe they are through with Dad’s new carport already.	When I pull on the bridge at Dad’s Wait a minute, there isn’t any new carport here, and why is Randy digging under the Meaner Mall?  This can’t be good.
Loading up for the trip Million dollar pie, and Chess Cake too?	Later Jennie, where did we pack my blood sugar test kit?
Watching Chris work on Jeremy’s tractor I never knew Chris Potter could be so witty.  He has had us laughing several times.  I loved the story about the pipe wrench.	Later I never knew Chris had that much ‘ Ted’ in him.  Maybe Ted can be here next year.
After Chris got the tractor running Did you see the grin on Jeremy’s face?  He couldn’t stop smiling.	Later I bet restoring these old tractors can get expensive.  What does one of these tires cost?
Saturday I can’t believe it, Bryan is bringing his girlfriend to Stalker Days.	Saturday I can’t believe it, Bryan is bringing his girlfriend to Stalker Days.
Saturday Evening Have you ever had a steak this tender?  Everything tastes great!	Saturday Night Oh, my aching stomach.
Friday in Michelle’s dining room Look at that, Michelle still has the StalkerClan books displayed for everyone to see.	Saturday in the living room Look at that, Michelle and Jeffery are going to read from the StalkerClan books.  The party’s over.
Saturday afternoon in the yard With Emily, Blair and Emerson here playing, Stalker Days sure sounds different this year.  Listen to them squeal and laugh.	Saturday Night I haven’t had a headache like this in a long time.  Not since Dad and I went to Florida last winter.
Driving home Wasn’t it great that Erik, Veronica and Emerson got to come this year!	A few miles later What a shame that Matt and Sara couldn’t be here.

Can you tell which column is my view of the world due to Dad’s DNA and which is the view I inherited from Mom?  I bet you can.  I wonder if there is a psychiatrist around who gives a group discount?

Clyde 

Six Going on Sixteen

It doesn’t seem possible but Emerson is turning six years old today.

It won’t be long before he will be getting his drivers license and asking to borrow the family car to go out with his buddies.  That will be the end of Erik.  He will have to be put in a home somewhere.  Veronica will probably jump in the car and go with Emerson, to make sure he and his buddies are doing something educational.

When you get your license Emerson, drive by the Old Folks Home every now and then.  Come visit your Grandma and Grandpa Stalker, and your Daddy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMERSON