On Wednesday, I learned that my grandfather died, and before I knew it, I was on a car/train/subway/plane to New Jersey in order to make it for the funeral.
It was a dizzying experience learning about my grandfather’s unexpected death and then suddenly making new travel plans. (I originally planned to leave for a trip to New Jersey next week.) Needless to say, I won’t be working on my house for a few weeks.
Perhaps I will bury one of his possessions (maybe a watch or something - my grandfather loved to buy watches and clocks at the local flea market and then to hawk them to other people - ha!) in my cob wall as a memory. He will be missed. The more I think about it, the more I feel a certain connection to him and his personality. He grew up on a farm in Poland and eventually made to the US during World War II, settling in New Jersey. When he visited Dancing Rabbit with my parents last year, he was amazed by all of the open land and he insisted that he could be happy in the local area (which I didn’t doubt.) He never lost touch with his past and his rural roots.
Rest well, Chet.
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We miss you Brian! The watch is a lovely idea. And I have no doubt that you’ll finish your house by the end of the summer, with your grandfather watching over you…
Alline