Lorie’s Stories

Grandpa John’s Story

My mom’s father, John was quite a character. He always shared interesting stories with my brother and me. I know all of them by heart because he told them over and over again. When I became an adult and watched my grandma listen to these repetitive stories I realized how much she must have loved him. She would sit in her chair giving him her full attention, and act as though she was hearing the story for the first time. A perfect example of unconditional love! Anyway back to my childhood. My grandpa told my brother and me many stories. The following is one of my favorites. First it helps to know a little history.

My grandfather always told us that he had perfect attendance from Kindergarten through twelfth grade. He grew up in Nebraska, and yes, he had to walk two miles in the snow to school. Sound familiar? I think all grandpas had to walk two miles in the snow to school. Enough history here is the story. One day while at school in the third grade he raised his hand asking to be excused for a bathroom break. The teacher excused him. He went out of the classroom, and mischievously stood on a chair outside the class (I’m sure students know the chair he’s referring to, it’s the bad kid’s chair). Anyway, while standing on the chair he threw a chalkboard eraser through the classroom window right at the teacher.

He took off running to the bathroom. When he came back the teacher was addressing the class. She didn't know who had thrown the eraser, but asked that the guilty student come confess. When no one came forward the teacher told the class that all the students had to stay after school for half an hour; except John, (my grandpa) because he wasn't in the room when the eraser was thrown.

Facts that my parents didn’t know

Some facts I could teach my dad (my mom passed away). One of the first things is that the Vietnam War didn't really get going until after I was born. My dad thought that was a pretty significant event, but he was off on the time. Secondly, the reason NASA was formed was because of the race with Russia to be in space and land on the moon. Also, a civilian who received 16 million dollars for it took the film footage that is often played of John F.Kennedy’s assassination. Another interesting fact is that JF Kennedy was President while his brother Robert Kennedy was Attorney General and together they sent federal marshals to aid in the Alabama racial wars.

The night Elvis Presley was on Ed Sullivan show they were only allowed to film him from the waist up because it was considered too risqué. Lastly, "the Day the music died", Waylon Jennings was suppose to be on the plane but because the Big Bopper was sick, Jennings gave up his seat, adding in a joking way that he hopes the plane crashes.

Grandma and Grandpa’s house

My grandparents on my father’s side lived in San Diego, Ca in a little pink house. They were very sweet, and I loved to visit them. The weather was always beautiful, and we use to go to the San Diego Bay, and take a ride on the ferry. We loved to drive over the Coronado Bridge. Their house had a little cupboard in the dining room that my brother and I would check once we arrived because it always had special things for us. My grandma was a terrific cook, and we always went to their house for the holidays. On Christmas they put up their aluminum tree with the big glass ball decorations. Candy was free for the taking in the candy dishes.

I always filled up on eggnog, too. On Christmas Eve I was always sure I could hear Santa’s sleigh bells as I fell asleep in Grandma’s bed. In the morning very early I would wake up; no longer in Grandma’s bed they moved me to Grandpa’s recliner. I probably woke up because of the awful night sleep I was getting, rather than the excitement of the stockings. Nevertheless, my brother and I would quickly look into our stockings. One year I got a note from Santa and it stated that he didn’t have any skates in my size (imagine that!), and I was suppose to go look in the dining room for my real present. I ran into the dining room, and a huge motorcycle was next to the table.

I was shocked because I was only seven years old and I didn’t want one. My mom came rushing in and said, “That’s not for you, this is for you,” and she pointed to an organ on the dining room table. It was pretty cool. I was relieved, and so was my brother because the motorcycle was for him.

A Stormy Day

Ever since I began talking the word “horse” sprung from my lips time and time again. I always wanted a horse. I loved horses! My dad would mess with me constantly. For instance, he’d say, “If you get me a bowl of ice cream I’ll buy you a horse.” When I figured out that wasn’t going to happen he began saying, “I’ll get you a horse for your wedding gift.” When I was eleven my dad and mom became divorced. My dad was living in Australia, and feeling guilty I guess. He told my mom to buy me a horse. Who was I to argue? Honestly at this point I was kind of happy they got divorced. They had been miserable for a long time anyway.

Cheri, my cousin, had a horse that had a foal named Stormy. Stormy was turning three, and Cheri wanted to sell her. Cheri sold her to my mom for three hundred dollars. What a bargain! She lived in Ramona which was about two hours away from my house in Orange County, so I couldn’t see her until Easter. When Easter came we went to go see her. She was beautiful. She was a dark bay with a pretty star on her face. Her breed was appaloosa. My cousin had just begun to break her, which means to train her. She was coming along pretty good. My first day on her however just about killed us both. We went into the woods with my cousin and her horse.

Cheri’s horse spooked and took off running. Stormy panicked. She took off running after Cheri’s horse, only she didn’t use the trail. She went straight through the trees. I was having one heck of a hard time hanging on. Finally we came to the edge of the woods, but she ran out onto the road right in front of a truck. He was kind enough to honk at us. Ha! Ha! As though I had any control. We were lucky we didn’t get ran over. We made it safely to the other side. When we all got back home my mom asked me how it was. I of course didn’t dare tell her what happen, but simply said it was great!

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