Friday October 14, 2011
Some books can't be described. They have to be read and experienced. Grandpa Green, a new picture book by prize-winning author and illustrator Lane Smith, falls into that category. A great-grandson narrates the story of his great-grandfather's past and present, all told through the medium of topiary. If that is a little difficult to grasp, it's like I said. You'll have to read it for yourself.
A few months ago, my grandchildren lost their beloved great-grandfather. Like Grandpa Green, my father was an avid gardener (though not a topiarist) and a veteran of a world war. Perhaps that makes the book a little more poignant for my grandchildren and me. I think, however, that all generations will enjoy Smith's creative approach and his appreciative retelling of a grandparent's life.
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Friday October 14, 2011
I like to put together puzzles with my grandchildren and take them to the park. Richard Byerley likes to climb mountains with his. On Oct. 6, accompanied by a grandson and a granddaughter, Byerley summited Mount Kilimanjaro, becoming the oldest documented climber and earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. He is 84 years old.
Byerley is a biker and a skier, and he had already climbed Mount Whitney and Mount Rainier. He bought the Kilimanjaro trip at a charity auction. The climb was to be along the Machame route, and six days would be required to reach the summit.
The climbers didn't exactly rough it. Each climber was allowed three porters to carry camping gear. Still, the trek is an arduous one. Mount Kilimanjaro tops out at 19, 340 feet. Byerley was a little concerned about the grandchildren who would be traveling with him, aged 24 and 29. Before the trek, he told an interviewer that he wondered "if they have enough leg strength to make it down." While he was concerned about the possibility of altitude sickness, he had no worries, evidently, about his own 84-year-old legs.
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Wednesday October 12, 2011
My granddaughters dreamed up this photo op on their own, when they spied the giant Oz poster at a local attraction. Interestingly, after discovering that the two of them had never seen several classic movies, I had just purchased The Wizard of Oz to watch with them, along with The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins.
What's your favorite classic movie to watch with your children or grandchildren? Since I know that the definition of classic is rather elastic, let's arbitrarily make 1980 the cut-off. What's your favorite kids' movie made before 1980?
Photo © S. Adcox. See more Pictures of the Week from around About.com.
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Monday October 10, 2011
I'm a child care gap provider. I step in when sickness, out-of-town business trips and school holidays create gaps in the care of my grandchildren. Tonight I'm sleeping over at my daughter's house, ready to get my youngest granddaughter off to school tomorrow. Her mom has to leave for work at an early hour, and her dad is out of town. In the morning I'll put a leash on my grand-dog and a backpack on my granddaughter, and we'll walk to school. I will see other grandparents joining the cheerful, noisy congress. I love being part of it, but I don't want to do it every day. If I were ever asked to do so, I'd have to consider all the issues involved in regular grandchild care, including the financial aspects. Until then, I'll feel good about helping my children and saving them a little money.
My favorite story on this topic is told by Kimberly Palmer of U.S. News and World Reports. A couple of grandparents had been helping a lot with their twin grandsons. The twins' mom expressed her gratitude and mentioned that the grandparents had saved the young family a lot of money. The grandmother's rejoinder was inspired: "But do you have any idea how much it would cost if we had to go out and rent grandchildren?"
Right now I'm feeling happy that I can help out, grateful that I don't have to do it every day and especially grateful that I don't have to rent grandkids.
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