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Four Hours and Not a Word
On Sunday afternoon I spent just over two hours going south on the Northway, good old Route 87. On Monday morning I spent just over two hours going north on that very same highway. All that way to see my two-week-old grandson Ethan, and, okay, his parents, Erik and Sarah.
That's a long way to go for not even one word! I held Ethan for about five minutes, so proud to tell him that I was "Papa Fox" and to talk to him about how we will be going to baseball games and running around the house a few years from now.
All Ethan did was cry. He looked up at me with those little blue eyes and screamed for five minutes. I tried singing my version of a lullaby, but that only made him want to outshout me. Erik, in true like father-like son style, videotaped the five minutes for posterity.
Ethan seemed to listen better when his daddy talked to him, and even grandmother Gail had pretty good luck, telling him what a wonderful grandmother she is going to be. He listened quietly and shut his eyes. And, of course, when mommy offered him lunch and dinner and snack time, little Ethan was happiest and quietest of all.
In the two weeks since Ethan's birth, I seemed to have turned into a lump of silly putty. I find myself carrying around a clipboard with pictures of Ethan and his parents and grandparents. I can't help telling total strangers that I'm a grandfather for the first time, and offering photos to prove it.
In the post office each day, the postal clerks now call me "Grandpa," which is fine, because it gives me the chance to explain to those waiting in line with me why I have such a name. I start in with something about 5am on February 10th and give them the entire story, complete with 8x10 color photos.
Afterwards, I feel silly for having told complete strangers about this grandson of mine, who is looking more and more like some movie star. I can't put my finger on it yet. Maybe he resembles Johnny Depp, like his dad does. Or, maybe he looks more like Justin Timberlake.
Lately, at basketball games I notice that friends veer off towards the concession stand when they see me approaching with my clipboard full of photos. They haven't even seen my newest batch of grandson photos.
Anyway, over four hours is a long way to drive for not even a word from my grandson. But, you know what? It was worth the trip. I'm already checking the calendar for my next trip. And Easter weekend he will make his first trip to the North Country. I'll be sure to have open house so all the Blogoteers came come take a gander at this future Hall of Famer.
But you don't get to hold him. If he's gonna cry it's gonna be with Papa Fox holding him.
Comments
Fox-congrats on the new grand baby! You'll enjoy each other immensely. As to the most eligible bachelor on Saratoga, by my count at least 3 of you, each very distinguished - but in the looks department we'll just have to leave that up to babies and the ladies!!!!!!;0)
Posted by: bruin | March 9, 2008 11:08 AM
Hey Foxy,
Being a Grandparent for the first time is wonderful. This past June, Matt & Cortney brought our beautiful Kalli into the world and the last 8 months with her have been wonderful. She was a premie and it was rough at first, but you would never know it now. Being "Papa" is the most rewarding feeling in the world!!! Enjoy your time with your grandson.
Mark Schwartz
(Foxy's note: Thanks, Mark... and congrats to you as well!)
Posted by: Mark Schwartz | February 29, 2008 11:14 PM
You know you've made it when the Press Republican editorial staff quotes you. Or are they stealing your ideas because they have none of their own?
I expect now is the time for Foxy to ask for an increase in salary, and maybe become a head writer in real print.
It's about time someone got to that Tom-A-Hawk, he's really become annoying! And that's all I've got to say about that.....TBI
(Foxy's note: Yes, quite a compliment, Forrest -- but I don't need more pay. Just having you as a Blogoteer is reward enough!)
Posted by: Forrest | February 28, 2008 8:58 AM
Fox,
I'm glad to hear that you got to go and see Ethan. Go every chance that you get. He will change and grow so quickly that it will seem like you just can't keep up.
I have 2 grandbabies and as of July 2007, they moved to California. I flew out to see them last month, when the youngest was in Oakland Children's Hospital, and couldn't believe how much they had both changed in only 6 months time.
I think Ethan should be in the eligible bachelor calendar as well. (grin)
Posted by: Kathy | February 28, 2008 12:59 AM
How about a calendar with the most eligible bachelors. Different one for each month. Maybe some beefcake poses. Could be a great fundraiser.
(Foxy's note: Now there's an idea I'd go for! I've never been in a Speedo, but with my ponytail, hey, there's a first time for everything! I'm sure the Most Eligible Bachelor calendar would rival the Babes of the Demolition Derby calendar I was going to make a few years back.)
Posted by: jh | February 27, 2008 10:43 PM
Ouch!!! All classes have been canceled until further notice!
Always sensitive, miss d
(Foxy's note: Miss d, I need your interesting perspective to keep me grounded. Please don't go.)
Posted by: miss d | February 27, 2008 10:16 PM
OK, Carver, you got me. I won’t be traveling again anytime in the near future. I was greeted at the Airport by those TSA reps. and the first question they asked was whether I was carrying any firearms or explosives. Instead of being polite, I asked them “Why, will I be needing some?” They then asked me if I was preparing to run for Mayor and when I refused to answer on grounds I would be incriminated, I was rushed off for one of those ‘random’ searches. I quickly discovered that the pole shaped metal detector wands have a conversion button that acts as a cattle prod which when activated is supposed to dislodge contraband from secure body cavities. I also learned the criteria for getting one of those coveted jobs:
Applicants are given a rigorous IQ test and only those scoring in the bottom 15 percentile are considered for the position.
It helps to not have a sense of humor, or a sense of much of anything in securing employment.
A successful candidate must enroll in Miss d’s sensitivity training class, but does not necessarily have to pass it. No love felt here, that’s for sure!
All this considered, I decided to get even on the return trip. After a week of dining on chili, chimichangas, and burritos I packed all my electronics securely in my dirty underwear and put them in a carry on. When invited, again, to participate in the random search I reveled in seeing a drug sniffing dog’s eyes water and refuse to go near the bag, but did notice the TSA representative enjoying rummaging through my bag, possibly another requirement for employment.
I feel much safer for the ordeal, and am satisfied my tax dollars are going to such a worthy effort instead of funding the Iraq war. The end result: I fired ‘rubble’ as my travel agent and will now make all my plans in secret………TBI
Posted by: Tom-A-Hawk | February 27, 2008 3:37 PM
Hi Foxy: Speaking of eligible bachelor rankings. I think that John D. Ryan, of the Store, should be somewhere on the list. He's avoided marriage since Hitler was in boot camp.
(Foxy's note: I just revised my list, Fred. John Ryan deserves the #1 spot.)
Posted by: Fred Forkey | February 27, 2008 12:18 PM
Rule changes for the MLB per my wife!
1. All the ball parks would be the same size!
2. All walls would be the same height!
3. All foul balls would be strikes - 3 = Out
4. No more umpires, all calls done by
computer.
5. Two hour time limits on games.
6. All parks would be artifical grass with a
dome top.
7. A money cap on players salary.
What do you think Fox? For myself I like things just the way they are now.
(Foxy's note: Give me the good old days of 8 teams in each league and real major leaguers pitching instead of guys who should be in AA ball. And designated hitters? No way. If a pitcher can't bunt, ship him to the minors. Or, learn how to hit the way Don Drysdale (29 career homers!) and Warren Spahn (35 career homers!) did.)
Posted by: Dick Brenner | February 27, 2008 10:01 AM
Hey, Uncle Foxy! How's it going? I haven't seen you in a long time. We all know what Ethan's favorite sport is going to be... FOOTBALL!!! lol jp. So will he be rootin' for the Dodgers or the Mets? Tell everyone I said hi. Email me sometime if you want... Baseballplya2007@msn.com
(Foxy's note: Great to hear from my long-lost nephew Jeremy!)
Posted by: Jeremy LaDue | February 27, 2008 9:37 AM
I don't know about that....doesn't that Floyd guy still live next door???
Speaking of "Tom a Hawk"....I think I might have figured out why we haven't heard from him in a while...sources tell me he recently ran into trouble with homeland security trying to board a flight at our new international airport and may have been taken in for questioning (probably regarding his connection with St John's and The Di Vinci Code.).. maybe those security people really do read your blog!
Posted by: The Carver | February 27, 2008 8:57 AM
Foxy; It's refreshing to read about your trip to visit your grandson. In this crazy and fast pace world some grandparents forget to go the extra step to visit their grand children.
It might intefere with a golf game or a trip to the tavern or watching a rerun on tv! Life is so very precious and I am sure just looking at and holding little Ethan made the four hour drive feel like a short trip! I also think Ethan knew someone special was holding him!
Wait till his first Christmas! He will enjoy the wrapping paper more then the gift! I bought a small baseball glove for my grandson when he was born and dated it! He's eleven today and it still hangs on a wall in his room today! Memories, Memories, Be careful and stay well because Ethan will soon want to hang around with the foxman. Lenny
(Foxy's note: Thanks for the great comments, Lenny!)
Posted by: Lenny Smallacombe | February 27, 2008 7:57 AM
Fox, sounds like a hell of a good reason for a 2 hr ride! Can't wait til he gets his 1st 1st baseman's mitt, better start installing plexi-glass in your windows now!
In regards to the Gusman's upcoming wedding (wow, that's going to be a hum-dinger!,) and you're moving up in the bachelor rankings,,, just where do you think you stand on that list ? top 10? I 've got ya just one or two spots behind Carr, and "old timer" - Might make for an interesting blog!... With Gusman now out of the picture... who are Plattsburgh's most eligible bachelors????
(Foxy's note: I figure Foxy Gagnon, Jim Carr, Old Timer and Skip Zatonski should be up near the top. 87-year-old Raymond Favreau from Mooers Forks got married last summer so that gets him off the list. At least I can say I'm the most eligible bachelor on Saratoga Court, right?)
Posted by: The Carver | February 26, 2008 10:18 PM
That’s special that you went all that way to hold a crying baby for five minutes. Those are lasting memories. The first time Judy and I went north to visit my mom and dad, I seem to recall my son crying for the whole two hours. Ah yes, lasting memories. I thought he would have at least peed on you!
Posted by: Kern | February 26, 2008 2:41 PM
can't wait to see those pics, send to my
school address. and by the way if not heard the news. the gusman is getting married.
so i can't wait for that cry.........
(Foxy's note: Well, Cricket, with Gus getting married, there goes one of the North Country's most eligible bachelors, so that just moves me up higher on the list!)
Posted by: cricket | February 26, 2008 9:41 AM
I know just how you feel - been there done that! Now things are even harder - they're in Fla. Long way to drive! A day does not pass when I don't think about them. For years I told my children that and I don't think they knew what I meant but as they get older it's starting to sink in. I hope you get to enjoy your grandson as much as you can while you can. The days of playing catch in the back yard or bike riding move soooooooooo fast!
Posted by: DICK BRENNER | February 26, 2008 8:30 AM
Hey Foxy, isn't there a way to post photos of Ethan on your blog? How about a Flickr slideshow?
Congratulations!
(Foxy's note: Oh, Ginny, I have thought of that, but I think the Press-Republican would probably say, "OK, Foxy, enough is enough!)
Posted by: Ginny Brady | February 26, 2008 7:44 AM
Why are you surprised that he cried?
Could it have been that you started singing "Happy Holidays, happy happy holidays" or was it when you blurted out "GOOD NIGHT NORTH COUNTRY".
He will learn to live with your melodic tones. He is a lucky little fella, even if he doesn't shower yet.
Posted by: rubble | February 25, 2008 9:17 PM