Road Apples: christmas '52

December 23, 2005

christmas '52

For many people, this is a melancholy time of year. The wife is shopping and the girls are at the neighbors; the house is unusually quiet and still. The dog and I are napping in the over stuffed leather chair by the tree. Like a fine mist, a ghost from Christmas past slips in under the door jamb and fills me with wonderful dreams. They warm me like a nice Christmas wine. Slowly I awake and shake the sleep from my head. Then I remember a photograph these tired old eyes have not gazed upon for many years. I must find it before I forget about him again.

The old man in the photo above is my grandfather John Elvis Dalbey and that's me in the middle between brothers Tom (L) and David (R). Elvis, as every one called him, was not a tall man in stature; he stood only five feet five. He was not a man of any importance. He never held high office, although he always went to the polls in Gentryville and voted Republican because Lincoln freed the slaves. He was not smart in the ways of book learning; he had a third grade education. But he could tell you how many cords of wood was in a stand of timber with one good look.

Nobody ever sought his advice or asked his opinion. No matter because he wasn't one to give it even if they had. He was a man of few words and even fewer emotions. His farm was not the fanciest or had the latest implements. He did not get a John Deere until long after all his neighbors had at least two. Old Whisky and Buddy was all the horse power he needed to work eighty acres. And when he died in 1971, he was as poor as a church mouse.

No my grandfather was none of the things most people use to measure a life fully lived. But he was always kind and gentle to me and he was my father figure when I needed one. I miss him and wish him well wherever he is. Godspeed grandpa.

Posted by roadapples at December 23, 2005 03:41 PM

Did those brothers grow up appreciating the girlie life as much as you ? heh. merry and happy back at you and all your women ;)

Posted by: poopie at December 23, 2005 03:45 PM

No poopie I am the only one still among the breathing. Thanks for the holiday greetings and I will pass them on to my womenfolk.

Posted by: road apples at December 23, 2005 03:47 PM

Thanks for your comments at Tjilpi. Haven't had an idea for a post there pop into my head for days. I'm not really too busy, Christmas just makes me feel too busy. Anyway, something will arise from the mists soon! Will pass on your congrats to J. Sorry about the mix up at Kim's. I got suspicious when it didn't sound like your writing - and it didn't sound like his. ;-)

Posted by: Tjilpi at December 23, 2005 04:30 PM

One of the things I hold most dear are my family memories. I think it's one reason I blog. To capture them in some tangible way, so they'll never be lost.

They aren't always as good as the flesh and bones. But sometimes, when you need them to be, they are even better.

I wish you and yours a very happy holiday.

Posted by: Jennifer at December 23, 2005 08:41 PM

I really liked the intro you gave to Farmer John Elvis Dalbey on your previous blog. It must take a lot of work to get such things back in place on a new site.

Christmas Eve here, 9pm. My kids will come over tomorrow morning. They're out with their mother tonight. We're divorced.

I've got the book Julia wants -but doesn't know she is going to get. And for Hugh - I've got two books which bring disparate facets of navigation together. Once concerns the wreck of the Batavia (the Titanic of its time)in 1629 on the coast of Western Australia. The other, 'Longitude' by Dava Sobel, is about the invention, later, of the chronometer, which, had the Batavia possessed one, might have prevented it from turning left too late as it headed for what is now Jakarta.

No wonder I am a fan of the GPS.

All the best JH, to you and yours, for the festive season, and next year.

Greg

Posted by: Tjilpi at December 24, 2005 05:32 AM

T: I keep forgetting that you are already living tomorrow. Very soon, Julia and Hugh will be gleefully opening their presents from you. The book about the Batavia sounds like one I would like and I too am a huge fan of the GPS but I can understand how you need it much more than I. To me, it is much more of an amusement than a life saver. Maybe someday I will put the intro from FJ back on here just for you. I like the thumb in bum thing. Mind if I steal it?

Jennifer: The best of holiday wishes to you and yours. Your mistletoe kiss post was the inspiration for this one. I was so filled with memories I had to let them out.

Posted by: road apples at December 24, 2005 09:10 AM

That expression is already in the public domain -so you won't be stealing it. You'll just be talking like an Australian.

Posted by: Tjilpi at December 24, 2005 05:39 PM

great description of a hero. I like your style.

Posted by: Pirate at December 25, 2005 05:24 PM

I get nostaligic this time of year for the old days and for those family members no longer with us. Thanks for sharing this.

Posted by: colleen at December 26, 2005 11:05 PM

Cool post.

Posted by: Paul at December 28, 2005 09:59 PM

what a wonderful tribute. heaven, nirvana, the after-life, there is no place as warm as the human heart and surely your grandpa lives in yours.

Posted by: karl at December 30, 2005 02:34 AM