What They Notice
I dedicated this project to my grandfather, "Pop." Him and I are very close and he's made me the man I am today. Not going to lie, he totally turned me into a mini version of him.
Spot 1
My grandfather is an avid reader. Once he wakes up he goes to read. He likes to read thrillers and some bible-related material. This picture is in his music room where he also likes to play his guitar.
Spot 2
He will then come into the living room and sit at this high table that we have. He might read here also. It's guaranteed though that him and I will drink our coffee here and we kick each others butts in rummy. It's my favorite thing to do. We both like to look out the windows and look at different features of the trees.
Spot 3
Usually after I win (yeah I said it!). He'll play with the new pup, Valentine. Pop has the biggest heart and when we saw this pup with a heart on her forehead, he immediately asked for adoption papers. She reminds us of our old dog Jax, who Pop was very close with.
Spot 4
We decided to work on getting some wood for the thanksgiving fire we always do. Working with wood is another fun thing we do together. We had Valentine to follow us and keep us company. Pop is very observant so I tried to keep up with some of the things he looks at when we walked to the barn. He noticed the vines that were growing.
Spot 5
On our walk. Pop felt his hand on some of the branches to feel them (that's me reenacting).
He also made a comment about how the pot is busted and falling apart, due to the rain.
Spot 6
There's a trampoline in front of this horribly made treehouse that I built. We saw Val messing around with the leaves under there. I should've taken a picture of the treehouse because I know Pop looks at it. It was one of his lessons that he taught me. I just turned 17 and he told me if I wanted a treehouse then I would have to do it myself. He'd give me all the material I need, as long as I did it myself. I asked him if this was to build character and he just said in his usual wit "Yeah sure that works, I don't just want to do it"
Spot 7
Almost to the barn! I can still smell the manure the horses would leave. We don't have them anymore though.
Spot 8
Finally at the barn! Pop commented on the boat that's been there for years. It used to be owned by his father. He always wanted to paint it or do something to it, but is afraid of messing with it. I think it's a token from his childhood where he would boat in the Hamptons
Spot 9
We've had this tractor for YEARS. They stopped making parts for it, that's how old it is. But it's still sturdy and reliable. I still remember being a kid and riding on the back/side of this thing while Pop mowed the yard. We use to carry the dead trees we chop down. Pop is always doing stuff like this and keeps himself active
Spot 10
I've spent so many winters here. Chopping wood, doing bonfires, so many memories. It's weird doing the same thing for years and it still feels brand new to you each time. I'm truly blessed and grateful for the time I get with my grandfather. I'm really trying not to get sappy with it, but I do love being with my family and having these memories. Even if they are little ones that no one else would care about.
