When i saw Grandma monday, she had a brand new story to tell.

Dad (my dad, her son Russ) had taken her to the park. Not just a drive-by park viewing, either, this time -- the weather has warmed up a bit, and they actually got out of the car and took a few steps into the park.

Dad was brushing off something for Grandma to sit on, the base of a lamppost perhaps, when an older man called out to them.
("Older man ... well, probably about as old as me," Grandma said with a smile.)

"Why don't you take this bench?" he said, standing up. "There's room for two."

As they got settled, Russ put his arm around grandma. The Older Man got a misty look in his eyes, and said,

"That reminds me of when I used to do that with my mother, every chance I got. She's passed on now, and I miss her. You keep on doing that, every chance you get."

It looked like he was about to cry.

Grandma thought to herself, (and mind you she didn't say anything out loud, now),

"After he'd said all that, wouldn't it be funny if I turned out to be Russ's girlfriend?"

* * *

Ernie and I just found out last week that we have to move, again, by April 30th. Not terribly looking forward to it, and definitely hoping that this time we find a place that will last a year or more instead of only a few months.

Ernie's looking for a free boat. 30'-100' sailable boat, intact hull & rudder, the rest can be fixer-upper status.

I'm interested in finding something within 3 miles of Grandma's place, (NE 42nd & Killingsworth), with some garden space and lots of light, minimal stairs, and some friendly neighbors and/or housemates. Fireplace or back patio with room for Ernie to play with bricks would be a plus.

Eventually, I want a place I can plant chestnut trees.

Maybe sooner than eventually.