Several "no shows" on the courts today

I am not playing this morning as we have a match this afternoon.  I did however bike over to the courts to see what was happening.  Even though the computer schedule had the courts fairly full there were many empty ones.  Why?  Well it could be because as I rode over the temp was 37!!!  On the news last night they said if it got to 37 it would be the coldest temp in the last 5 years.  I had on long pants and a pull over jacket and still the bike ride was chill.  It is only maybe a quarter of a mile or even less so no big deal but still unusual for here this time of year.

There have been e-mails flying all over the place as Al, Deb, Mark and spouses try to button down details for Grandma's funeral which takes place a week from this Saturday.  I will take the time to relate some stories of parents, mine and Gail's over the next few days.  Today we recall Grandma Saunders.

Perhaps in the early 2000s

Grandma had written a note to say she was coming down for a visit.  She would be coming into St. Paul on the bus on a Thursday.  It was not often she came to visit and for sure she had not been down much since Grandpa died.  Gail got things ready including changing things in the den as Grandma would be sleeping in our room and we would take the den downstairs.  As usual, Grandma arrived in grand fashion with a new color to her hair BUT the same suitcase and clothes she came with the times before.  After exchanging hugs at the front door I picked up her suitcase and started upstairs.  Grandma quickly said, "no".  I will be in the den.  Now in Grandma's defense she and Grandpa had made the den their bedroom the last 4 months of Grandpa's life BUT that was in the past.  I turned and said "Grandma we are putting you in our room upstairs."  Things went down hill from there!  She flat out refused to be in our bedroom and I said something like it is our house, you are our guest and we will have you where we think it is best.  Within 30 minutes or so we were on the road on the way to Allen's place in Hastings.  I should add at Grandma's insistence.  Such was Grandma, a gal with a strong opinion and a will to back it up!  I am sure the situation said nothing about me!!!

Grandma, the last in the family of a generation that lived through wars, the depression and much much more.  Even though I did not always agree with my parents or Gail's parents they certainly are missed and I hope that my generation can be as resilient and strong as they were.  I am also convinced that my kids do not always agree with me either.  Many of their generation lived from the horse and buggy days through the days of flying coast to coast or continent to continent was no a rare occasion but rather an everyday occurrence for some.  I wonder if any generation of today or tomorrow will see those kind of extreme changes.  AND if we do can we adapt?

I already have a few butterflies as I think of the tennis match.  I know, that sounds strange but it is true.  Today is a match I feel we could win again as we did last week but we will see.  

The FP is finished and I am out of words so will stop for today.  Tomorrow a story about my Mom.