The Mc Clan

The original Roy McCracken family (minus Mom) beginning on the left: Anth (Anthony), Annie (Andrea), Dad, Me, Per (Austin Perry) and Alan Paul (actually I'm the only one allowed to call him that; to the rest of the world he's Paul). Though most of the faces in the photo below were serious, I've never known our group to be that way for very long. Anth is usually pulling some mischevous prank on someone. Paul is usually telling some story that brings the giggles or chuckles out of everyone around. And Per and Annie are usually finding something to laugh about as well.

About half of the present Roy W McCracken clan. Grandson Jer (Paul's oldest son) and his family (wife Faunne and daughter Evea) had to leave before this photo was taken. All of us kids and the spouses made it, but many of the third and fourth generation couldn't attend. My daughters and granddaughters couldn't get back. Anth's kids couldn't make it. Annie's oldest daughter wasn't able to get back either. Annie's son's wife had to work, as she is in the retail business. A foster daughter and her family were also absent. Nonetheless I thought this was a pretty good representation of family members whose residences stretch from Oregon to Virginia!

Something else that's pretty amazing about the four generations of our family....all but two are still living (Mom passed about four years ago, and I lost a baby in 1982, between Sam and Anna Maria).

Dad...the gamesman

Sister-in-law Wendee (my big bro Paul's wife) created these table decorations, replicas mostly from Dad's favorite games. The table beneath the balloon was a partially completed puzzle; he enjoys those, too.

Dad's favorite games has to be dominoes, which he to this day still pronounces as "donimoes." Wendee tells me that she and Paul have now moved him on to Trionimoes (I don't know how to spell that, but...).

Dad

Photo above: D&D as my siblings have nicknamed Dad and Delores.

Though Dad's actual birthday isn't until December 14, we celebrated over Thanksgiving weekend as that's when I could get there. When my siblings asked Dad what he wanted for his birthday he said, "Just get Nete here; I want all my kids here for my birthday." So as one of his presents they all went together to buy my plane ticket. Dad's request is a bit overwhelming because historically my dad and I have never gotten along. Over the last few years though there's been a change. He even makes sure he says, "I love you" when he ends a phone call.

Besides my plane ticket and presence, all of my siblings were there. And Dad received the jacket and wallet (in the photo below) as presents as well. Except for hitting a cow as he headed for home, and getting a busted lip when the airbag inflated, I think Dad had a very good day. Several friends dropped in. Grandson Noah even made a special card.

Mom

Mom's funeral was four years ago on November 8 at the same church where Dad's birthday celebration was held, and her body was buried in the cemetery behind the church. This was the first time I saw the marker -- the musical notes reflect her love of music. Mom (Dot to some and Gramma Dot to many grandkids and great grandkids) played accordian, piano and organ; and she and her siblings (plus a few other relatives) formed a gospel music group that used to sing in area churches. Mom also led the church choir. The roses on the other side of the marker reflect her favorite flower. The names of us five kids are also listed, as being a wife, and a mom (and later a gramma) were the roles she valued highest. I have NEVER heard anyone say a negative thing about Mom, especially the grandkids. All of them (and there were about 35 of us when she passed) thought she was the greatest. The cross is also significant; I'm not sure when Mom found faith, but once she did, she shared that faith in her quiet, unobtrusive gentle way -- living it more than talking about it. She didn't want people talking about her at her funeral; she wanted them to know about her God and Savior. They talked about her anyway; you can't help but love someone who loves others as much as Mom loved her God and others, and you can't help but talk about how their faith impacted yours.

Designer of Cool Hats

I've told my coworkers and friends that I always wear a white hat with my pony tail hanging out the back when I run. And the comments back are something akin to the fact that everybody does! So I handed Eliza (age 6) my running cap Saturday and asked her if she'd design something for me. She seemed a bit nervous at first..."How would I do that?"
I said I was thinking that a permanent marker might do the trick. I got the marker and cap from my bag and put them on the table. She asked, "And where will you wear this hat?" I said, "I always wear it when I run...and I want it to look different from everyone else's so people can find me."
Eliza got to work, first printing my name, "Grammie Nete" (what else?) on the bill. She then added "feet with wings." And a runner...she then added grass, flowers, sun....And on the back it says, "Go! Run!"
The nearly-completed design....I LOVE the comic runner, and the winged feet. I should have taken a photo of the completed design, but must have have gotten distracted. I wore the cap for the first time in today's race and was so proud.

Turkey 5K in Bridgewater

Scenes taken before today's Turkey 5K (3.1 miles) in Bridgewater, where the winners received turkeys.
The scene above was near the halfway point. Although I enjoyed this view very much BEFORE the race, DURING the race I had to slow down a bit here because I feared I'd toss my cookies. Two p.m. races are a new experience, and I'm still learning how to do them. Last week I ate too little and got weak kneed and jelly-legged. This week I ate a tad bit TOO much.
At noon I drank luscious squash soup left over from last night's supper. I think that would have been enough (Anna Maria makes the best squash soup, painstakingly cutting up tons of carrots, onions, mushrooms and squash before cooking, and then pureeing the finished soup smooth). But an hour later, still feeling hungry and there being an hour remaining before the race, I added an energy bar.
Even so I DID come in second in the female 50-59 group; and even my fastest ever 5K time wouldn't have brought me close to the winner. And I beat last week's time by one second. Temp according to thermometer on the rental car I drove was 51 degrees.

Oreo Cookie Cow

Somewhere between Broadway and Mauzy/Lacey Springs, Anna Maria and I passed a herd of cattle with some of these long haired cows. I asked her what kind it was and she said, "I don't know. I call them Oreo cookie cows...actually I heard someone else call them that ..." (photo by Anna Maria). Sunday evening update: After seeing this post, my friend Michelle (from the Finger Lakes in NY) said this is a belted galloway, or a brown belted galloway (as in a brown cow with a white belt). These cows are mostly used as beef cattle. Since upstate New York is dairy country, I am thinking she is a very reliable source. Don't you just want to hug this cow? Doesn't he look soft, kind of like a huge teddy bear?