Today, Aunt Jeanette writes:
Last Friday was one of those days when Mother Nature was loudly and clearly saying, “I AM IN CHARGE HERE AND THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT!” Just to prove her point, she threw in a few snowflakes that afternoon.
We woke up to temperatures in the 20s. But wait, it gets worse! It’s now the first of April…time to be playing outside, blowing bubbles and chasing them until our little legs are worn out, creating masterpieces with sidewalk chalk, searching the yard for ‘treasures’, pulling a little red wagon and filling it with sparkly rocks, flying kites, and just loving the outdoors. I think the temperature did manage to get into the 40s by mid-afternoon. Then came the snowflakes!
Two of our grandchildren were spending the day. I know they would rather be outside. So would I. I was searching the far corners of my brain and trying to come up with something different for us to do or play with. I had been looking for some paint in the basement several weeks ago and came across this box of handmade blocks. I didn’t take the time to get them out then, but today I thought, “Aha! Those are perfect!”
We got the box down, cleaned them up, and those wonderful, handmade blocks provided several hours worth of entertainment. We made pens for animals, sheds for equipment, and even a barricade between the living room and kitchen to keep Grandma out!
Those blocks have stood the test of time because my dad originally made them for my three sons many years ago. I had to chuckle at the memories as I held one and noticed someone had printed on it, “15 cents” and “2 & 5”. I am not sure what that meant, but I am sure the kids knew. Another one said, “The End” on one side and the other side was possessively marked with the writer’s name. I won’t tell, but it starts with a B!
Perfect playthings – cut to just the right sizes, sanded, stained, and coated with polyurethane – meant to last through several generations. They are still providing hours of creative play, thanks to Grandpa!
Until we walk again …