Grandpa Spendlove could fix anything. Maybe that is where I get the notion to try and fix everything. I remember I got a transistor radio one Christmas and I broke it by dropping it on the sidewalk. The circuit board broke at corner near one for the screws. The separated board caused an open circuit but if it was pushed back into place the circuit closed and the radio worked. Grandpa put a dab of silicone on the board and let it cure. Once cured, it pushed the board into position when the back cover was replaced and the radio worked. Grandpa truly could fix anything.
Grandpa was a methodical man. He had a routine. Each day of the week had its own task. Sunday was to go to church. Wash day had its own day. I think it was on Mondays but I don't remember. There was the day to go to the market. I think Grandpa woke up at the same time everyday, had his meals at the same time every day, and went to bed at the same time. We used to say that he was more punctual than the Nauvoo bell.
I don’t remember if he watered everyday but in Las Vegas that was almost a necessity. I remember that he had sprinklers put in the later years in some areas of the lawn but others he did by hand. There were spots that didn’t have much grass. In those areas, he used the hose. The way he did it can best be described the way I used the Etch-A-Sketch when I tried to clear off the powder from the glass. He started at the top, went across, and then dropped down a little and then returned. He repeated this process until he made it all the way to the bottom. He then switched the direction and went up and down instead of from side to side. It was very effective in getting the dirt wet. But the stream of water on the sparse grass probably didn’t help any as it did more harm than good to the fragile blades. I think these areas probably had too much shade and wouldn’t have grown they that type grass anyway.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. What could be better than food, family, and friends.
