Nov 10, 2015

Thankful # 10: I’m thankful for my brother Ralph! When I think of Ralph, Baseball always comes to mind. I bet we spent hundreds of hours playing catch in the back yard, while we listened to the Oakland A’s on the radio! I never missed a game when he played little league. He played on the White Sox, and he had an RBI single that helped them win the championship game! He also played in the All Star game that year!
Some of my favorite moments: Coming home at night finding Ralph and his four friends, Laura, Todd, Joe and Steve in my room. Peter Frampton blaring from the stereo, and all five of them singing at the top of their lungs! Plus there singing was awful!!
Ralph’s knowledge of music is awesome, and he always lets you know that he is smarter than you at music. I’ve tried lots of times to outsmart him on music trivia, but he wins all the time! I have always been thankful and proud of my cocky little brother!

Nov 9, 2015

Thankful # 9: I’m thankful for my brother Stan! Stan showed me that there was more music out there than listening to KFRC. He opened my eyes to all different types of music! He got me the gig, playing drums with Steamer. He taught me all about cars when we worked together at our dads Goodyear store. Him and I loved going to A’s games, but in his later years he crossed over to the dark side and became a Yankees fan.

During the Steamer years, I was the kid drummer in the band, 7 to 10 years younger than the rest of the guys. Stan always watched over me, and kept me safe. (Lots of strange things happen when you play in a band) Besides the band, my favorite times with Stan were all the Grateful Dead concerts we went to. When the band is in the groove, Stan and I would look at each other, and smile. We both loved the music! Brother time doesn’t get any better than that!

Nov 8, 2015

Thankful # 8: I’m thankful for Jay Harris! Besides my dad, he is the greatest man I have known! He was the bishop of our church when I was young. I remember him being kind, wise, humble and so full of love. He was such a great example to me as I grew up. My favorite moments where sitting next to him in church singing the hymns. When I was 6 or 7 I told my mom that I wanted to be like Bishop Harris. She went out and bought me my first suit, I put it on, and she told me I now look like Bishop Harris! 50 plus years later I still try to be like him. His memory continues to help me be a better person.

Nov 7, 2015

Thankful # 7: I’m thankful for my son in law Randy! He’s an all-around awesome person, who would give you the shirt off his back if you asked him! A great husband and father! Always finds time for his kids, even when he is busy with work and school. He and I both love Muscle Cars! When Randy and I grow up, we are both buying Muscle Cars, and my GTO is going to smoke his Dodge Dart!

Nov 6, 2015

Thankful # 6: I’m thankful for my son in law Jerel! He’s a wonderful husband, and a great dad! He is so awesome at taking care of his family! He has always been very kind to Kim and I, and he’s been a huge support to me since I got sick. His son got his learners driving permit this past week. My favorite moment this week was watching Jerel’s face while seating in the passenger seat as his son takes off down the road! I am so thankful that it is Jerel in that passenger seat, and not me!