Today is my paternal grandfather's birthday. He would have been 107.This is his veteran's flag that was presented to my step-grandmother when he passed away in 1992, and a picture taken of him during the depression by a travelling photographer that was part of the economic stimulus package of the day (I have a cassette with a recording of his father playing music and singing that was recorded during the depression). It's one of my favorite pictures of him and his fiddle. I eventually inherited the flag, his piano and one of his old fiddles (very well could be the one in this photo as it is ancient) because I was the only one of his 7 grandchildren who had a military or musical background. They are some of my prized possessions. As the baby of the family, he sat me on his knee at the piano and let me play along, planting the seed for my love of music. I remember growing up listening to him play almost any stringed instrument he could get his hands on. He and his friends got together almost weekly at our house and played for hours, including his favorite song "I'm a Jolly Old Fellow" which always left everyone holding their sides when he got the giggles singing the chorus of "Ha ha ha ha ha." And I have vivid memories of him grumbling about "that damn malaria!" every time he got a cold (more than 30 yeas after he served with the Navy in the South Pacific during WWII). I don't have to wonder where my youngest son gets his ornery streak from. He gets it from my grandpa. Fitting that today's word for July is flag.
love the story. And do you play any old string instrument? that violin? I love being around people who can just use any old instrument and seemto know every song.
What a wonderful picture and treasure! I wish I had a picture of my grandfather with his banjo (the one that Jeff now plays) or a recording of him. fav
@olivetreeann@randystreat@pamknowler@flashster78 Thanks so much for helping this picture make PP! @francoise Thanks for the FAV! I don't play a stringed instrument. I wish I did. I have very short fingers! LOL! My piano teachers were amazed that I could play piano with my short fingers. They are much better suited for the flute, which I also play! @linnypinny@danette@jack4john@vignouse Thanks! @fearinnocent Flags are always a great prop. One of my favorites.
July 6th, 2015
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@bigugly Thanks!
@francoise Thanks for the FAV! I don't play a stringed instrument. I wish I did. I have very short fingers! LOL! My piano teachers were amazed that I could play piano with my short fingers. They are much better suited for the flute, which I also play!
@linnypinny @danette @jack4john @vignouse Thanks!
@fearinnocent Flags are always a great prop. One of my favorites.