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Go Fly a Kite!
It came to pass one sunny, windy day in Chazy that I was asked to be a "stand-in" grandfather for a student whose grandparents were in Europe. I figured with all of three months' experience as a "Papa Fox" that I could handle the task.
The purpose of the day was for students to discover what life was like back in the old days when we were growing up. When I arrived at the sixth grade classes of Mrs. Lambert and Mrs. Gadbois, I was matched up with Amber, who became my "temporary granddaughter."
I soon found out that Amber was very friendly and also very smart. And she loved soccer. In fact, at a school where soccer is a must, she is already a star. It didn't take me long to realize that I better be on my toes and live up to my job as "stand-in" grandfather.
We sat at a table, and the room was full of students and grandparents. Amber asked me questions like, "What did a gallon of gas cost in your day?" I started to cry. Was it really that long ago? Am I this old? "32 cents a gallon," I sobbed.
Amber wasn't crying. She was too busy writing down my answers. "Who was President when you were in school?" That was easy. JFK.
After a long list of questions about the good old days, the Sixties, Amber gave me a glass of punch and a piece of cake. I stopped crying. I was happy. If you want to make a grandfather happy, even if he is a "stand-in" one, just feed him.
The next task was the toughest of the day -- assembling a kite. In all my fifty-nine, nearly sixty, years that is one thing I've never done. No worries, though, because I had Amber by my side. When I noted on the sheet of directions that this kite was called a "Frustrationless Flyer," I chuckled. They don't know Foxy Gagnon, the guy who can barely turn on a tv with a remote control.
Amber and I used markers to make designs on our kite. Amber the soccer star put a soccer ball on it, so I asked her to draw a baseball for my favorite sport. I added the interlocking L & A for my favorite team. Amber drew an American flag and put P.F.C. in neat letters. She explained that it stands for Plattsburgh Football Club, the soccer group she is part of.
Using dowels and string and the material provided, Amber put together our kite in no time. She followed the directions precisely, and even showed me how to put a piece of tape on the kite.
As we headed outside to test our creation, Amber wore a smile. I was apprehensive. The last time I flew a kite I was in Cub Scouts, and Mrs. Czechowicz was my den mother. I didn't know what to expect. I was sensing failure as a kite-flying grandfather.
It was a windy day, a windy day, indeed. Amber had flown a kite before. Within minutes our award-winning kite was soaring, boosted by the strong wind in the field behind Chazy Central. Once the kite was well aloft, she handed me the string. It was my turn. With her guidance, the kite took off skyward. I was actually flying a kite. I started jumping, yelling, enjoying a crazy moment as if I were the sixth grader.
Amber probably thought they had really come up with some kind of nut case "stand-in" grandpa, but she didn't let on. We spent about thirty minutes, taking turns flying the kite, and narrowly avoiding a few mishaps. After all, with about fifty kites in the sky, there were good odds that one or two might crash or tangle.
But not our award-winning kite! Ours soared higher and higher, perhaps setting a record for Chazy Central. At least that's the way it looked to me.
I drove back home smiling about my afternoon. I'd flown a kite. Oh, sure, with a little help from a future soccer star. The next time somebody says, "Hey, Foxy, go fly a kite!" I won't look at it as a bad thing.
And some day I'll be able to tell my grandson Ethan, "Hey, Little E, see that girl playing soccer on tv? See that girl on the Olympic team scoring that goal?" She and I flew a kite one day way back when.
Comments
Thanks for the remarks, Foxy! I read the blog to the entire class and Amber was so thrilled!
Posted by: Keri Gadbois | May 28, 2008 2:22 PM
Foxy - 32 cents a gallon? Don't you remember the Petco station out by Copeland's oil tanks just south of the Base & just prior to Clare & Carl's? I remember in the late 50's when they were selling gas for 13.9. And if you want kite building/flying assistance contact John Michelucci, whose Dad owned Mickey's Restaurant. He was The Best kite flyer I've ever seen. He also had the best marble collection.
Posted by: Miney Rowlson | May 28, 2008 9:19 AM
Hey Foxy!
So you're just starting to feel old? Welcome to the club! I can remember flying kites on the old military rifle range that was located next to Sharon Avenue just off U.S. Avenue - the grand entrance to the Base and Capehart Housing was there more recently. The first iteration of the Clinton County Fair was held there in the early 50's too.
Sounds like you had a grand time as a stand-in grandpa - the youngsters certainly learned a lot that day.
Your mention of Jeanne Czechowicz brings back a flood of memories when I used to live two houses down from her on South Peru St - she and 'Honey' Wallace rode herd on us kids in that neighborhood.
Sadly, all these folks have departed the land of the living leaving the rest of us with fond memories. You'll agree that getting older is a "#$@!!" but it sure beats the alternative!
Hang in there!!
(Foxy's note: As always, great to hear from you, Ron. I can at least take some enjoyment in the fact that I know you are a few years older than I !!)
Posted by: Ron Turbide | May 22, 2008 3:53 PM