Crumbs from the 4-1-9

By Snickers

· Dinner with grandpa and grandma was usually simple and tasty. There was always just enough food and I do not remember an occasion where grandma packed up left-overs when we were done eating. I remember staring at that last potato and wondering if I should claim it before someone else gets it.

· I liked grandma’s Pb&J sandwiches. When I stayed on a school night, I looked forward to the lunch grandma packed – a good sandwich, chips and a King Don were the staples of a brown bag lunch made by June.

· Grapes. Always plenty available and often resting on a piece of paper towel in that small brown wicker basket. And bananas seemed to always be in stock – the healthy alternative to an Almond Joy for a snack.

· The towel tucked in the neck of grandpa’s shirt. Vivid. Romanticized now maybe, but very him. Etched in my memory forever I hope.

· And who, of all of the grandchildren, doesn’t have a story to tell about the candy drawer? (start spilling your stories . . . ) Sure, I was caught a time or two trying to sneak that door open or worse, swindling a couple extra Butterfingers with my heart pounding in anticipation of grandma’s regular reminder from the den, “only one.” She really did have eyes everywhere in that house?

· And the smell of the pantry where the oyster cracker Tupperware and cereal lived is still with me.

· How about the metal dustpan and old school broom kept in the tiny "garbage closet” in the kitchen?

· Coast soap – every time I see it or smell it, I think of Grandpa. I remember Coast from when I would spend the night.

· And Cosby Show re-runs on TV remind me of Thursdays sitting on the floor of the den watching with our family. I remember going to grandpa and grandmas so much as a child and I cannot imagine my childhood without all of those visits.

· Anyone for some Etch a sketch?

· The endless supply of winter gear in the drawer by the candy. Now, it seemed like I opened that drawer about every third time I was hunting for chocolate. For more than ten years, I tried to find my York Peppermint Patties next to the red and yellow Kent hat. You never know when you will need nine winter hats, six pairs of gloves or seven scarves, right?

That is enough for tonight. More later definitely.