A HOT FOURTH ON THE GROUND and
IN THE AIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Over twenty five of us watched and enjoyed the fireworks in Manchester Mo.This particular July 4Th tradition has been going on for five years

BOYS WILL BE BOYS!!!

Recently I took some random photos of our youngest grandson and his brother at play.

Sometimes I think being a grandfather is my number one purpose in life.
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!

AN ADULT FIELD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Recently Nancy and I visited Shaw's Garden [ Botanical Gardens to the younger readers]. When you visit on Saturdays in the AM. your admission is free.
They had a special orchid show the day we were there and Nancy in the last photo is standing in front of an orchid by the name of
" Nancy"
We topped our trip off with a late breakfast at the Park Ave. Grill in Lafayette square.

PRESENTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE STAR!!!! of

THREE PENNY OPERA

Recently our youngest granddaughter starred in her kindergarten play

She sang a solo and she definitely sings better than her grandpa.

She knew her part and hit every note perfectly.

Grandpa's buttons were a popping.!!!!!!!!!

OLDIES but GOODIES !!!
Recently I have done some current Grants Farm and our park blogs. I thought it might be interesting to look at some really old photos of Grants Farm and our park.
The first photo is from the summer of 1970 with eighteen month old Edward and his older sisters.
The second photo from 1970 features Terri in the purple dress and Sherri in the yellow dress.

The third photo is also of the girls on our same 1970 visit to Grant's farm.
Fast forward to the summer of 1992 [I think} and a visit to Grant's Farm with grand daughter Kelsey.
The fifth photo finds Todd and Kelsey at the Zoo in the winter of 1993 [I think ]
The last two photos feature Todd and Kelsey at our park probably in the summer of 1992.

MALE INFLUENCES IN MY LIFE

Because of divorce, [my age was four] World War II [my age five] his death [my age ten] my father did not have a big influence on my life. In meeting a distant cousin late in life there is no question that I am a Tritschler descendant. It is simply amazing the characteristics that flow through the Tritschler clan. My father and I are pictured in photo one on the back steps of my Tritschler grandparents house.


My three biggest memories of my dad are
1--- A long distance phone call on a Sunday afternoon from either the Philippines are Japan. I was probably six.
2--- The night he returned from WWII either it was Christmas Eve or New Years Eve I think it was 1946.
3--- Going to the visitation and burial are still vivid memories even thought I was only ten.
My grandfather Ramsey in photo two along with me. No doubt had the biggest influence on my life.
I have so many fond memories of first living
living with them from age four to fourteen and then living in the same four family flat until my marriage.


Grandpa was a big man and he had rough hands from being a carpenter but when he touched you his hands felt sooooo gentle. When I was six I had my tonsils taken out and he carried me home from the hospital on his shoulders.
The last visit that Nancy and I had with grandpa he told her I was as much of a son as a birth son would be.
Pictured in photo three is my step-father Razz [his nick name]. Razz 's influence is for sure in my love for baseball. It would probably be safe to say I was not a good step -son. In looking back on my life I am sure he wanted to be a father to me but I was not very open to the idea.
The last photo is of my Uncle Bob and he had so many good influences on my life. I am sure my passion for all sports came from his influence. He took me to soccer games, football,games, hockey, basketball, boxing and I am sure I left a few out.

Three lessons that Uncle Bob taught me that stand out are.
1--- You do not have to be blood relatives to love each other.
2--- It does not have to be your birthday to receive a birthday cake. One January I had pnumonia and when I was well Uncle Bob brought me a birthday cake simply because I loved birthday cake [still do]and he felt it was time to celebrate.
3--- Giving of your time is more precious than gold and silver. Uncle Bob gave you flowers when you could still smell them.
Happy Fathers Day to all dads that happen to read this post.
Ed

A FULL DAY AT THE BALL PARK!!!

Cardinals win 9 to 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve Haupt and I enjoyed a game featuring drizzle, power, and lots of runs scored. In addition we were invited to an evening of dinner in the swanky Cardinal Club along with an appearance by Tony LaRussa.



The victory walk















Jay Randolph Sr. Cardinal broadcaster from the seventies and eighties and is once again doing Televised games for channel5.

Jay is the son of former U. S. Senator Jennings Randolph of West Virgina. In the mid eighties Senator Randolph moved to St Louis and I had the good fortune to handle his banking needs. The Senator was simply a nice man.

Tony during a lively question and answer session.

He was surprisingly humorist,honest and positive about the Cardinals of 2007.

Tony and Jay finishing up the program together.

Simply a good day was had by all.

A DAY AT GRANT"S FARM!!!
























Fridays have been designated grandparents field trip day
























Donovan loved playing and feeding the goats. Kayleigh did not quite have the same thrill as she stayed outside at the goat pen.

THIRTY FIVE YEARS AGO WE BOUGHT OUR HOME!!!
One reason we chose to buy here is location as a park is less than two blocks from our front door.
All of our children and all six of our grandchildren have enjoyed
" Going to our park."
Photo one is James contemplating what he will do next.

I guess it is climbing!!!











Paul shows off his climbing abilities!!














Paul loves to ride his bike,at the park,to the park, and back home.













All grand kids have loved the huge rock formations















Grandma is watching the bike rider while I watch the swinger!!!!

MORE PHOTOS FROM THE

MAGIC HOUSE

For some reason the photos did not post on last blog posted.