In early 2001 I was married and living in upstate Pennsylvania and working part time at Men’s Health magazine. The grind was getting to me: three days a week I commuted an hour each way to Emmaus, and I spent the other four days on scattered freelance work. I hated where I lived. I hated what I was writing—coverlines, fitness copy, nutrition tips. I wanted to focus on fiction but I had already tried and failed. (More on this in a moment.) I was flailing.
Love your memories of your grandpop. I can see the bedroom and the kitchen table scene from your description. I had a family sites tour planned w my mom and then she went & died unexpectedly 3 months before my planned visit. Luckily I have many scraps of paper saved from her family story tangents during our phone visits—I was always scrambling for an envelope or handy scrap of paper and pen when she called! And a tape or two I need to transcribe—thx for the reminder!
I really enjoyed this newsletter. I, too, had moments with my granddad like you had with yours. In fact, he told me a few stories my dad (his son) didn’t know. The older I get, the more I appreciate moments like I spent in 1994 (researching for my Masters thesis in history) with grandpa. I love hearing stories like this any time you feel like writing them. Thanks.
Love this...thanks for sharing.
Love your memories of your grandpop. I can see the bedroom and the kitchen table scene from your description. I had a family sites tour planned w my mom and then she went & died unexpectedly 3 months before my planned visit. Luckily I have many scraps of paper saved from her family story tangents during our phone visits—I was always scrambling for an envelope or handy scrap of paper and pen when she called! And a tape or two I need to transcribe—thx for the reminder!
This is excellent. You should consider taking up writing.
(FYI, it would be a gas reading some of your old fitness and nutrition tips from Men's Health.)
Great piece, Duane - thanks! Looking forward to the new comic project, too!
I really enjoyed this newsletter. I, too, had moments with my granddad like you had with yours. In fact, he told me a few stories my dad (his son) didn’t know. The older I get, the more I appreciate moments like I spent in 1994 (researching for my Masters thesis in history) with grandpa. I love hearing stories like this any time you feel like writing them. Thanks.