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
I was recently talking to Luci about what was going on with us. Jim getting a new job and being kind of nervous about getting the routine down and etc. She was talking and she said that I was lucky to have Jim as a husband he is a wonderful man and I agreed to that. 
I would also like to say that we are lucky to have each and every member of our Clan. Not only is Clyde blessed to have Jennie but we all are blessed to have her with her wonderful way of making people feel at home and taking care of us Stalkers whenever she is around. 
My boys enjoy their Uncle Ted and his laugh and how he knows so much about farm life and tractors, they think his barns full of tractors and farm equipment is amazing. 
Also, Randy is always running for Mom and Dad every minute, he takes great pride in doing a wonderful job of keeping Mom and Dad’s Road Creek home beautiful