For our grandchildren, grasping our family is a daunting task. So on one of our Gria and Grandpa days, we had those who live here in Arkansas create a family tree. What you see above is Robbie’s work that got crumpled before we could record it for y’all. As you can see, it’s many limbs are rich with the ones we love.
Hazel & Robbie’s Pumpkin Patch
Sitting idly on my back porch on Saturday evening, a crazy idea idea popped into my head: Would Hazel and Robbie like to plant a pumpkin patch? Excited, I immediately dashed a text off to Annie: If you have time tomorrow, I’d like to bring over the makings for a pumpkin patch – a small ...Read moreThis Is Your Life Edna Clapper
A few weeks ago Marie and I attended a memorial service for my brother, Larry. His wife Gretchen arranged a small, but warm and wonderful gathering during which Marie and I reconnected with her and Larry’s kids. The climax of the gathering was the chartered sailboat from which we spread his ashes and sweet rose petals ...Read moreEdna Clapper 1918-2004
As a Cub Scout den mother, Edna Clapper had a knack for turning everyday household throwaways into Transforming an empty bleach bottle into a piggy bank, dry-cleaning bags into a poodle, and burnt matchsticks into a cross were some of her creations to keep her Scouts busy each week. Edna hard at work in the early ...Read morePack-O-Fun backstory
I was only ten years old when my parents, Edna and John Clapper, published the first issue of Pack-O-Fun magazine, but I can still recall some of their adventure. That they knew nothing of publishing is an understatement. * * * Dad’s family lived in Minnesota and had been hard hit by ...Read moreMy GrandpaLyle
Actually, we never called him that. He was always Grandpa Clapper. Just as my other grandfather was always Grandpa Nielsen. Grandpa Clapper was a genius. Not just smart – a full blown genius. And if the stories about him are true, he was more than just a bit wacky. Like on his way to get married ...Read more