bill and rosi

Small Plates of Grandma Rosi   #7

June 3, 2012

Hello Everyone!

Well, June is here and it’s celebrate Father’s Month.  (Especially your Dad, Big Bill, as his birthday is the same day as Father’s Day.)

Dad bore his testimony in church today.  It was the first time in a long while.  He lumbered up to the podium and had the brightest light in his face…smiled and when he couldn’t remember words, he would wave his hands and ask for help from those around him.  He touched many people as he spoke of his children and how proud he was of all of you.  I cried and wiped tears for the rest of the meeting.  Many people jumped to their feet to bear their testimonies when he was finished.  It was a beautiful moment and wish that all of you could have been there.

I have decided to dedicate this month’s weekly thoughts to the Dad and Grandpa  --Big Bill--  in our lives.

Luke’s family and I held a surprise birthday party for Grandpa Bill today.  Emma made up a treasure hunt with notes for Grandpa to follow in order for him to find his presents.  She did a great job and was very patient until it became time to conduct the “hunt”.  We all followed Grandpa from note to note like the Pied Piper.  Emma was often out in head directing traffic.  She laughed the whole time and Grandpa was such a good guy to make a big deal out of it.  I made his favorite dessert, Applesauce Cake, and by the time I got home from church a huge chunk of it was missing.  I also made a banana cream pie that got wasted as well.

I want to tell you about Bill’s and my first date.  Many of you already know this story, but I am going to take the time to write it down.

THE HAND HOLDING EPISODE

While at the University of Nevada I spent considerable time at the LDS Institute.  Our branch meetings were held there and I was the Sacrament Meeting chorister.  One day, I arrived late and as I was walking down the center isle to go up to the podium area I happened to notice a new guy.  He was a big guy with red hair (the top part of the hair was missing …but that is another story…)  He was bent forward in his chair and sat alone.  When it was time to sing, I could definitely tell that he had a whale of a voice.  As time went on, I was in charge of the ward quartet festival and I took the opportunity to put together four men to form a quartet.  Bill was one of those guys.  Another was a young man that I had met at school in the music department.  Robert (Bob) it turned out was an inactive member of the church.  He was a heavyset man with a ready laugh, a fun personality and boy could he dance.   One night we had gathered for a rehearsal of the quartet and while there, Bill asked me if I might like to go to the movie with him after the rehearsal.  Well, I thought, yes but there was a problem that I did not share with Bill.  Bob had already asked me to go to the movie with him.  But not to be put off, I suggested that we could all go together and we could go home and pick up my roommate, Reneal, as I was sure she would also like to go.  So picture this:  we are at the movie…    we sat in this order 

       Bob            Rosi               Bill                 Reneal

Part way through the movie Bob reaches over and takes my hand.  I thought that was okay.  But a while later Bill reaches over and takes hold of my other hand.  Whoa, this is a bit strange.  It didn’t take long for Bill to notice that I was already holding hands with Bob.  He quickly tossed my hand away.  Embarrassing!!   Later, he told me that he took Reneal up the mountain to Lovers Point.  (I am not sure if he was telling the truth.)  But this is a fact, I married Bill and Reneal married Bob. 

So, here is the deal.  Would each of you please reply to this email with an experience or a memory that you have had of your Dad or Grandpa Bill (grandchildren).  I will put these memories in a book and give them to him for Father’s Day.  It doesn’t need to be lengthy.  Even a few sentences would be special.

Next week, I’d like to talk about Woody and Lloyd.  I will be trying to decide which story to tell you.

Recipe for the week:

Dad’s Favorite Potato Salad   (from Lorraine’s kitchen)

8 potatoes boiled with skins on, cooled, peeled and cubed

1/3 cup diced celery

¼ cup diced onion

6 boiled eggs, cooled, peeled and cubed.  (Save one for garnish)

Salt and pepper to taste

Best Foods Mayonaise

1/3 cup mustard

Stir all together.  (Add more mayo if needed.)   Refrigerate for a few hours before serving.

Word for the week:   Father   hmm    that's a very person word.   I think it has a different feel for all of us.  You define it.

Love you all.  Have a great week.

Mom