The family schedule is just a bit complicated on Tuesdays, so I take the railroad out to Long Beach, NY to help out. My eldest grandson, Jack, said that before my RV trip, I was at their house at least one afternoon per week, and he wanted us to do that again. I guess they missed me. ;-)
Artist in progress with painting in progress. [photo credit Alice Clancy]
Immediately after school, Alice drives Ted to a studio art class in a nearby town, there is Odyssey of the Mind club at school for Jack, and I hang out with Charlie as he runs around and plays with friends in the schoolyard playground area.
In the evening, there is homework to do...
Showers, and more homework...
There are instruments to practice...
Not sure if Charlie is playing dress-up, or if this is a commentary on the instrument practice...
Sometimes I make tacos and we have Taco Tuesday, or Mama cooks before we head over to school for dismissal. The happiest morning of my week is when I wake up and remember it's Tuesday.
When Alice has a gig out of town, I sleep over and try to run things according to the schedule she leaves for us. She is a stage-manager and she knows how to get everything done on time. If we can stick to the schedule, things run pretty smoothly, and we have time leftover for fun.
Lunches to pack in the morning before making breakfasts. I'm out of practice!
Long Beach is an interesting place. Built on a barrier island, you can see how during Hurricane Sandy, "the ocean met the bay," and most of the homes were flooded. One of the post-storm recovery slogans was Long Beach Rises, and they weren't kidding. Five years on, all over the neighborhood homeowners are still raising their houses up above flood stage to be protected in future storms.
Don't let these photos fool you, they look pretty nice once all the work is finished. Although, I have to admit that there are a few small, classic bungalow- style houses that look a little funny, three stories up in the air. But I give these people a lot of credit, for doing what is required in order to protect their homes, families, and belongings.
My own home town was an island that would flood in the occasional hurricane, or spring full-moon high tide. When my son was a toddler, we raised and moved our house, so we wouldn't be living below sea level anymore. I guess that's why I am so interested in the art of house-raising as I'm seeing it in Long Beach. It's a great place to raise a family, and there are so many really nice people here. I love Grammie Tuesdays!