Tales of the Farmer and the Salesman

Our granddaughter Nell is coming for Christmas! Along with her parents Jud and Kara and our daughter Amy and spouse Corey. And our four doggo grandpups - Franklin, Eros, Archie, and Henry. I vowed to never be the type of grandparent that forsakes my kids once a grandchild is born, but this is grandparent thing is pretty fun so far.

Just last night I was thinking of all the things we need to tell Nell. We were watching the news and a story about farming was on. I realized that Paul has a big burden. He needs to connect Nell with her farming roots. He grew up on a farm in Eastern Iowa and worked with farmers his whole career. My dad sold ladies lingerie for nearly 40 years to stores across Iowa! Talk about opposites. Still, growing up in smalltown Iowa in the 1960's and 70's, regardless of my dad's career, farming has been a big influence on my life. I did go to Moo U. 

I smile even today - imagining Paul's dad George asking about my family, and Paul explaining that my dad sold women's underthings. I wish I could have seen the look on George's face. Our dads were not much alike, yet they got along quite well. Both were really good at chatting. After Paul and I got married, when Dad was on his sales route through Iowa, he enjoyed stopping by the Goldsmith home in Earlville for a cup of coffee. I doubt they chatting much about lady's undies though - probably more about weather and crops. 

Dad with Goldsmiths, Jeff McFee, and Jean Fox and St. Malachy food fair

I've actually heard more about life on the Gsmith farm from Paul's older siblings - chicken fixin' day sounds like something I'm glad I missed! Paul and shared stories about meals, making sausage, driving a tractor as a really young boy, being around for milking cows, and scooping corn at the bottom of the silo - scary rats were brought up. And George made sure that Paul got to scoop manure whenever he had a hangover. 

Our former hometown, Creston, may be known as a railroad town, but agriculture is a big driving force there. Amy and Jud grew up with classmates from farm families. Hayrack rides were part of the annual St. Malachy Spaghetti Supper. Kids were into 4-H and Future Farmers of America, showing livestock from prize cattle to hogs and sheep. Classmates with surnames like Baker and Miller took time off to help get crops in. 

The next generation of Goldsmiths aren't involved with farming. Paul's brother Larry and wife Regina lived and farmed the "home" place near Earlville for many years, but sold out once their five boys went off to college and moved away. It's hard for Paul to drive by the farm now - most of the outbuildings are gone, though the house is still there. 

Our friend Jeff McFee is a farmer. It's a a life you must love to take on! I've never been a risk taker - preferring more "knowns" in my life, such as how much $ I'm going to make for the work I do. Farmers don't have that luxury - there are soooo many variables! I enjoy listening to Paul and Jeff talking about what's happening in the ag world - with cattle, crops, weather, prices, and farmer gossip. Boy can they gossip! A few years ago when Jud reached adulthood, he finally started to "get it" about farming. He asked Jeff if he worked outside all day even in winter. "Yep" was the answer. Hard to imagine for we cushy inside job people. Farming is a more than a job - it's a lifestyle. 

Yes, Nell needs to know her farming (and lingerie) roots! Family stories are important. People need to know where they come from - not because they must always stay the same, because is part of their foundation. Paul and I will be sure to tell Nell (and any future grandkids) the lore. 

Don't think for a minute there won't be Laura Goldsmith and Pat Bullock stories. That's a whole 'nother blog or two! 

As you can see below - our family still trades "the goods" on holidays. 

Preggo Dreams

On the deck at J and K's 

Finally, after many washed out attempts due to illness and the pandemic, we were able to visit Jud and Kara in Saint Louis. Yay! For those who haven't heard, they are soon to be parents. 💖

Baby Girl G is due in mid-September 2020. They wanted to break the baby news to us in person months ago. Thanks to Covid, we ended up finding out via Zoom call with the whole fam, including Amy and Corey. A new fam member is on the way - yahoo!

It's getting real! Jud and Kara have been working on the baby's room. It's really a large landing that will work as the baby's area while she is little. That way she'll be near their room upstairs. The small crib will fit in the closet opening - leaving room for the changing table, a dresser, and a rocking chair. It will be perfect for the little one.

They also had a few house projects for Paul (soon to be Pops). Yeah, I'm trying out grandparent names - almost as important as the baby name! (No, not really). J&K's cozy 1910 home - with the second floor added thirty or forty years ago, had been updated in recent years - before they purchased it. But you know houses - they always need something. Paul built and installed a couple of shelves. Jud and Kara helped and were on paint duty. There were several trips to Home Depot along the way. I was in charge of WD-40 patrol, spraying squeaky doors. And, mostly tried to stay out of the way - dish and cleanup detail. 

Closet

I didn't realize how much I really missed them. Zoom calls are nice, but they sure don't take the place of "in-person". Two weeks before our visit we really tried to curtail interaction with people to reduce the chances of spreading anything. I took along an enchilada casserole for Friday, we had bratwurst one night and they ordered Pi Pizza with cornbread crust one night - so yummy. So not our usual going to restaurants like we usually do in STL. There are so many good restaurants there. Jud and Kara have a lovely deck that is secluded thanks to lots of trees, bushes, and fences. There are lots of squirrels and birds to watch.

Kara is 7 months pregnant - and looks so darn cute as only preggo chicks with long torsos can. She's been feeling pretty good, though the STL heat in humidity is starting to take a toll. It's nice that they have a fenced yard so they don't have to take their good boys - pups Henry and Archie for walks. But they can if they feel like it around their cozy neighborhood in the little burg, Brentwood population 8,000ish. It's just outside of STL proper.

Kara's pregnancy has taken me for a walk down pregnancy memory lane. Pregnant with Amy, I stayed small for the first 4+ months. Then in the last couple of months, I got huge, eventually giving birth to a 9 pound 7-ounce baby a week past the due date. Similar to my Jud pregnancy though he was only 9 lb 4 ounces. Patrick, my c-section baby was breech, was a totally different pregnancy - only 7 lb 6 ounces. I didn't gain nearly as much weight with him. Wiser? Or just busier with 2 kids?

Bucko

While pregnant, I remember having vivid dreams - such as giving birth to a kitten. Likely because our cat Bucko slept by my legs. Kara said she's had some weird ones too. You know how that thing happens - when you are thinking or talking about something and it pops up in another part of your life? This week I was listening to one of my fave authors, Laura Lippman. The book is called "The Girl in the Green Raincoat". It's part of the Tess Monaghan series, one I had somehow missed reading years ago. In this book, Tess, a seven month pregnant Baltimore private investigator, is confined to her screened-in porch/bedroom due to preeclampsia. In the book, Tess dreams that she gives birth to a radish and everyone tells her it looks like her! Listening to this, I laughed out loud while walking on the trail. The book was a play on Hitchcock's "Rear Window" as Tess tries to solve a mystery stuck in her home. 

We are all so excited - dreaming about the arrival of Baby G! Who will she be? That said - I remember what those first few weeks of life with a newborn. With many employers, parents today get more time off when the baby is born. Especially dads. That should help in the lack of sleep department - a tag team. I recall being delirious at times - Jud was not a good sleeper. He really was a night owl all his life until he started working. Not good with a morning person mom!

In today's Internet age, the pressure is on for parents to present their homes and children as perfect at all times. That's why I always try to share my "fail" stories with young parents. They need to know perfect isn't real! And our home was filled with kid toys and well-worn furniture through those years. It goes by pretty quickly! 

The nutty stuff that I did is what my kids remember. 😶 Looking back, I do wish I'd been more patient. ...Note to future grandma...We took one parenting class and I read lots of books on the topic. I recommend all methods of learning for parents. There are probably lots of online resources. One thing for sure - kids need order. They don't need to be given everything they want. I hear Grandparents have different rules! haha

We got together with our friends the McFees this weekend. We talked and laughed a lot about the days (20 years ago) when Bobbie and Jeff with Kristina and Kim would have Sunday night meals with Paul, Amy, Jud, and me. The kids would play and we'd talk - about jobs, parenting, farming, our parents - everything! It was therapeutic. Hearing that other people struggle parenting too made it easier to accept. 

I miss Bobbie. Such a big hole in many lives. We'll go on, but we will not let her memory die. 

Dogs, Ears, Bikes

The kids came to visit! And they brought the dogs. It was so fun.

Amy and Corey drove to Iowa arriving last Friday Friday at 3 a.m. Paul and I were sound asleep. When they drove up, they came in through the garage. Doggos Franklin and Eros trotted around yet Paul and I didn't hear a thing! Had they been murderers, we'd be dead. We're lucky they were kindly and simply went to bed.

I seriously didn't know they were here at 5 a.m. when Paul got up to go work. I thought perhaps they'd pulled over to snooze at a rest area. Then I heard Franks bark! Later he raced up the stairs for a proper greeting. Have I mentioned how much dogs like me? I like them too. So I've got that going for me. I worked on my laptop and he hung out with me. Franklin is a wiener dog. He wedged his tubular body next to me in my big chair and I missed Odie. Still, it felt good.

Franklin

Eros

Amy, Corey and Eros got up a little later. A short night for them. Soon Amy was off to do girl stuff for Jenna's wedding. Corey and I did lunch at Taco Hangover. Paul and I dropped Corey off for the rehearsal dinner. We went out to eat. Fancy date at Jason's Deli.

Corey and dogs swim time

Paul and I visited the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning. It was a gorgeous day. Later, Paul and Corey took the kayaks out at Raccoon River Park. I had the bright idea to take the puppies for a walk while the guys paddled. The dogs got freaked out when their daddy (Corey) took off on the Titanic (my kayak). We ended up sitting in the truck for a few minutes while they calmed down. They did enjoy the water after poppa got back. It was cute to see Franklin padding his little legs. The pups were wiped out and took long naps later. I felt like a good grandparent.

For lunch, Paul grilled burger sliders with sweet corn snagged from the Farmer's Market. Paul Dad-In-Law pressured Corey into eating more than one ear of corn. Our son-in-law had never heard of this before. It seems South Carolina has a one per person limit. Paul G. claims that as a kid he'd eat 3 or 4 ears. We are the tall corn state after all. Welcome to Iowa Corey! Bring your corn-eating A-game. 

Amy and Jenna

That night Corey and Amy had a fab time at the wedding. They said the view from the Hyperion Club was fabulous! Even after they got back to our house, our little buddy - Franklin decided to sleep with us. On Sunday Corey flew off to Philly. Amy got to make the drive back to Denver with the pups. She tweeted that they were good boys. I missed them all week. (Amy and Corey too). I'm glad we get to see all four kids at Alex and Lisa's wedding soon.

Paul had made plans to meet up with his co-worker Dana and wife Mary at Peace Tree in the East Village on Sunday to bike. It was a glorious day! Our first stop was across the river and Gray's Lake to Confluence Brewery. Who appeared right behind us? Former Creston teachers John and Lois Rose! We laughed that it was One Degree of Separation from our pals Don and Diana McKim - hometown pals of Don. We all sat together on the outside deck and had beers. It was lovely! Later we rode west, backtracking to Mullets for a bite. It was a great day.

I thought back on the weekend Sunday night. We feel very fortunate to be surrounded by loving family and friends. Even when our family lives far away. 

Lois, John, Dana, Mary and us

Looking south

Puppy fix Part 2, Oh...Kids Too

It's been a great stretch since Memorial Weekend. We got to see Amy and Corey in Denver as I blogged about earlier. Amy then came to Des Moines for fun/work. This weekend Jud and Kara traveled to Des Moines. During this time I got to see not only them - but their dogs. I love my kids and I love dogs. Missing my Odie. 

Amy traveled to Des Moines the week after Memorial Weekend for work and play. Her friend Jenna is getting married later this summer and the girls were getting together for the bachelorette party. She flew in on a Wednesday night and met with clients of her graphic design business in the following days. As she always tries to do, Amy trekked south to Creston to visit longtime pal Stormy Thursday night. In between appointments and meetings we had time to talk - really talk. That's my favorite time with our children. Getting beyond the top-level stuff, hearing about their real lives.

Long ago pic of the trio

Amy had a fab time with her girlfriends, celebrating their friendship in Galena, Illinois. Galenda is a beautiful place to visit. They sampled some wine and laughed about old times and times to come. Jenna, Amy and their other mate Rachelle were friends and college roomies. They have a great bond. Amy arrived home from Galena Sunday afternoon and we got to keep her around one more day until her flight Monday evening.

Amy met me at Ceviche Bar, the Cuban place in the East Village for lunch Monday. The Cubano sannies were delish. It's times like this that I wish our kids lived closer. Lunch on Monday? Sure! We take it when we can get it. That night Amy was winging her way home to her honey in Denver.

Friday, Kara and Jud drove north from Saint Louis (with pups Archie and Henry in tow). Tag! They were it. We took them out to Global Brew in Waukee for a beer then got barbecue takeout. Jud and Kara got up early Saturday - we hit the Farmer's Market before the crowds. It was a big weekend in town - golf tourney, Gay Pride and wine festivals. We ate at the grilled cheese place and bought delicious fresh strawberries. Next stop - Raygun for t-shirts.

Jud, Kara and friends

That afternoon, college friends stopped by before heading to their longtime pal Miranda's wedding at Lutheran Church of Hope, right by our house. Paul and I were in charge of the pups, proudly taking them for a jaunt around the park.

We heard Jud and Kara come in around 2 a.m. (Thanks Uber). After a morning casserole brunch, we sat around chatting, catching up on their friends. Many of them used to tailgate with us during their ISU days. Quality time! Love it.

The good news? All four will be here this summer for more weddings. Our nephew Alex is getting married in Washington state in August and we'll all be there. We may not live close to each other, but we'll make time for each other. Yes. 



  

Barbra Streisand Cloned Fido

I read a NY Times article last week about Barbra cloning her beloved dog, Samantha. Miss Scarlett and Miss Violet were cloned from cells from Samantha's mouth and stomach. The old girl passed away when she was 14. Babs loved the dog so much, she wanted to copy her - for an estimated $50K.

I find this idea somewhat ludicrous. Each dog has its own wonderful spirit. You can always select a breed with certain characteristics you enjoy. (Facebook hounds me with articles like this all the time). Now you can even adopt a "homeless" dog that has been fostered. That way you will know all of its nuances and habits ahead of your decision. If I get another dog someday, that is what I plan to do.

In my life, three totally different dogs have blessed me. Have they all really been the same spirit? Sometimes I believe so. Perhaps it's just me seeing what I want to in their little bodies. Let's compare:

Jud the dog

Jud Bullock. Yes, I named my son after a dog. In all fairness, the from my childhood was named after my dad, David Judson Bullock. So our son is really named after him. But he could have done worse to be named after the loyal and determined 25-pound doggy bro of my youth.

Jud was a full-sized dachshund, reddish-tan. He was born March 25, 1958, so his 60th birthday will soon be here. One might wonder why I remember a long-dead dog's birthday - but cant' recall your name. Ah, they say short-term memory is the first thing to go. Jud lived to be 15, passing during my freshman year in high school.

Jud was loyal and true. He made like McGruff the Crime Dog, following the Bullock kids all around the neighborhood, ensuring our safety. There were no leash laws back then. Our Jud had the run of the area, luring the neighbors into feeding him. Jud's short little legs couldn't keep up with our bikes - yet he eventually showed up wherever we went. If any neighbor kids encroached on our playhouse - Jud went into attack mode, barking like Kujo. Jud was a good boy.

Amy, Jud and Moki all make funny faces 

Moki Goldsmith. I can't believe I waited until I was nearly 30 to get a dog as an adult. I am a very pragmatic person. I don't believe in getting a pet when you can't properly care for it. I had to "try out" parenting with kids to know I could do it. haha. I would not recommend having a puppy and a one-year-old at the same time though.

If Jud were cloned - chubby tan wiener dog, lays around all day. Loyal? To food.

Moki came to us thanks to a puppy advertisement in the Creston News Advertiser.  Paul and I had learned to love West Highland White Terriers thanks to my sister Susi's sweet dog Mac. Paul named our new white fur ball. Moki means great white bear. Bears are very creative when it comes to getting food - so the name was a good fit.

Another fitting middle name would have been Houdini, a whiz at getting out of the kennel. Even after Paul fastened a clamp on the top. Moki would do anything to get people food. I'd holler at him and he'd put himself in kennel "timeout" for a couple hours. He thought of himself as Jud and Amy's sibling. Smart dog, good boy.

Moki clone - comes complete with a Houdini outfit, he lives on the street. No kennel can keep him. Moki sneaks into people's homes to dine like a king.

Odie with mustard

Odie Pearl Goldsmith. Moki passed away in 2004. He'd lived a good life - considering he'd had diabetes for 7 of his 13 years. We were dog-free for six months. It was lonely. Amy was away at college. Jud wanted a bigger dog. Paul wanted another Westie. I wanted something different. My sis Betso had a couple miniature weiner dogs. Dad's girlfriend Kay, a dog trainer suggested that breed for us. So we got Odie - named after a cartoon character and the dog in the Spenser (Robert B. Parker) novels.

Puppies are so cute. I never want another one. Training them is ridiculous. Chewing and potty. Doxies are stubborn exceptionally stubborn. That said, once Odie was potty trained, Odie became a model doggy. She is a lover of people, especially women. Odie is a model traveler and houseguest (except for those pesky black hairs). She knows where her meals come from, so she never runs away. Odie does love people food, so she is a beggar. My bad for teaching her that our food is yummy.

Clone of Odie - already a good jumper, new Odie can leap even higher, allowing her to snatch food right off the counter.

If only our pets could live as long as we do. No doubt that's what Barbra is looking for by cloning her pet. For me, there's no replacing my best friends with new dogs their genes. The heartbreak when you lose your pet is rough - but worth it.

I enjoyed a day with my bestie this weekend. Deb drove up from Creston. Odie made a big deal about it - moaning and howling, expecting belly rubs. We tried an Ecuadorian place for lunch. One I couldn't get Paul to go to....it was great! Then we shopped at a couple consignment shops - Deb loves those. I found a cool jacket. Last stop - Taco Hangover for a beer. All the while we talked - fam, jobs, and politics! Love that girl. It was a great day. Just ask Odie.

Widdo Wegs

My name is Leslie, and I am a goofy dog talker. I’m not even reformed or in rehab! I can’t help myself. It’s just an addiction I can’t and don’t want to overcome.

I’ve explained before about my father, Dave Bullfrog (David Judson Bullock), and his way of making up names for things and people. Even my mother did that to some extent. I played basketball in high school with a girl who competed with me for playing time. She was even slower than I am. Mom nicknamed her “Lightning”.

So I come from a long line of people who played with words. So it’s not surprising baby talking pet language rolls off my tongue like lies from a gambling addict. Odie’s little legs become widdo wegs. I’ve even got Paul doing it some – now that he’s a single parent to the pets during the week.

Was it Mad Magazine (one of my teenage favorite reads) that had a “What You Say” vs. “What They Hear” feature? Maybe not, but Mad sure had some funny stuff – remember the page you had to accordion to see another picture of something funny out of another picture? And those spoofs on popular movies. “Poopside Down Adventure” for “Poseidon Adventure”. I loved the Spy vs. Spy cartoons in the margins.

Back to pet talking. I’m sure, to the pets; it’s like the Charlie Brown TV specials – when the parents speak all you hear is a tuba-like waa waa waa noise. It’s really the tone they pick up on. Paul just doesn’t have my alpha dog tone with Odie. Or he’s just a big pushover.

At least I don’t treat dogs like babies. Odie doesn’t sit on my lap while I eat. I don’t dress her up in little clothes (she’s hardly worn her little coat all year). She sleeps on the bed, but down by our feet, most of the time. Maybe I do treat her a widdo wike a kid.