My Grandma's Old Rocking Chair

Rocking my son, deep in the night,
He is searching for some rest.
As I sing to him a lullaby…
His vocal chords he tests.

We sit in that old rocking chair,
My family knows it well.
For each of us, if we were asked…
Could find a tale to tell.

A childhood memory where Grandma sat
In this same rocking chair...
And talked to us, her grandchildren;
There’s a story...we each could share!

‘Cause that old chair has been around,
At least as long as me.
For more than 50 years it’s been...
A part, in our history.

My Grandma loved that ‘rocking chair’,
She passed it on to Mother.
From Mother, to my Sister Lynn...
From Lynn, a gift to Brother.

After all the years now past,
My Grandma’s long since gone.
My son’s now rocking in that chair,
His life...just in its dawn.

To think…that he now gets to rock
Where my Grandma used to rest.
Makes me feel a little proud...
Like, he’s an honored guest!

My Grandma loved that rocking chair,
My Mother loved it too!
And now I rock my son to sleep...
A time for ‘just us two’!

Grandma Flo: “Your chair still works!”
At rocking kids to sleep.
And if I think about it long...
My eyes begin to weep.

For I know you and Mom would both
Have loved to rock my son.
So as I rock, I’ll think of you...
And we will get it done!

Sweet dreams Ethan!

Dedicated to My Grandma: Florence Coulson,
Her rocking chair we still use today,
My Dearest Mother Eva Mae Gardner,
And all the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren
Who have rocked in Grandma’s chair!


Clint Gardner 2008


My Grandma, Florence Coulson





Me...in front of Grandma's chair (approximately 1969)



Eva Mae Coulson, Age 15, 1935






Dad and Ethan in Grandma's chair 2008

New Olympic Champion

Olympic Fencing Gold Medalist: Ethan Gardner from the USA!

Phun with Foto's

My Dad says sorry that he has not posted much lately. I think his creative juices have dried up! Perhaps the lack of sleep has driven his body to its limits and his brain is no longer functioning. Perhaps he is in a deep depression as he must return to work Tuesday! Perhaps all of the above. Regardless, here are a few recent photo's:

"And a one, and a two...Karaoke anybody?"




"Touchdown!" Hurray for football season!



"You do NOT want to mess with me!"




The big one is more ugly...but he does have more hair! ...For the moment



Angelic huh?




Pork chops and white socks!




"Power to the People Man!"




"OK, this means steal home on the next pitch.




"My lips are so shiny"!





"Perhaps if I stretch my neck...they won't notice my fat cheeks...OK, what's plan B"






"I pity the fool who don't read my shirt"!

Little Mister Magic

Not my Rhyme. This one written By: Jimmy Buffett
1980. But I like it. I changed some of the words...
(Note: Ethan loves to wach the ceiling fan)

Constantly amazed by the blades of the fan on the ceiling
The clever little glances he gives me can't help but be appealing
He loves to ride into town with the top down
Feel that warm breeze on his gentle skin
He is my next of kin

Chorus:
I see a little more of me everyday
I catch a little more moustache turning gray
Your mother is the only other woman for me
Little Mister Magic, what you gonna be?

Sometimes I catch him dreamin and wonder where that little mind meanders
Is he strollin along the shore or cruisin o'er the broad savannah
I know someday he'll learn to make up his own rhymes
Someday he's gonna learn how to fly
Oh that I won't deny

Chorus:
I catch a little more dialogue comin my way
I see those big brown eyes just start to lookin astray
Your mothers still the only other woman for me
Little Mister Magic, what you gonna be?

Yes, he loves to ride into town with the top down
Feel that warm breeze on his gentle skin
He is my next of kin

Constantly amazed by the blades of the fan on the ceiling
Those clever little looks he gives just can't help but be appealing
I know someday he'll learn to make up his own rhymes
One day he's gonna learn how to fly
That I won't deny

Chorus:
I see a little more of me everyday
I feel a little more moustache turning gray
Your mothers still the only other woman for me
Little Mister Magic, what you gonna be?
Little Mister Magic, what you gonna be?
Little Mister Magic, just can't wait to see

Its raining, its pouring
Your old man is snoring

An update on my progress

Hi, My name is Ethan. I was born on the third of July. It's not been that easy of a time.. Sorry, but I'm not gonna lie. It all started out on the wrong foot because I was having some breathing trouble. So, they put me in the NICU, and gave me oxygen while I slept in a bubble. I'll spare you all the details about my 12 days in the NICU. Lets just say, it was not much fun, and its not the kind of thing a baby wants to do. And thats just me...I can't begin to tell you how hard it was for my Mom and Dad. They were really glad when I finally got to go home. But there were many times when they were very sad.

So, I finally made it home, and to tell you the truth, even that has been a little bit tough. Its because I don't know how to communicate very well. So, its been hard for Mom and Dad to understand stuff. The worst part has been my little tummy. Its been very troublesome, and is often upset. The three weeks I've been home have caused much worry...and my parents often fret.

Still, It's not been all bad. I'm really kinda cute. And though I really don't say much yet, I often toot. I don't really have much of a personality yet. Still, as I said before, I am awfully cute. I'm not sure what it is, but it often seems like I am sick. I don't eat as much as should, and I can't finish my formula. I'm often fussy for hours. That's been pretty hard on my Ma and my Pa. They even got so frustrated they took me to a Chiropractor. I guess thats because they were not having too much success with the General Practitioner. The jury is still out on the Chiropractor, but I did show some improvement after my first visit. Anything would be a welcome change. My parents are just tired of me throwing my little fits.

So, I guess I'm still a work in progress. Cute, but I still have an immature digestive system. I'll get better as time goes by, but in the mean time...sleeping time might be a little grim.

My parents still love me, but Blue Cross of Idaho is not too happy with me these days. My Mom and Dad just want my tummy to improve so I can eat better and move on to the next phase.

Well, there you have it. A brief overall update of my progress. I still have more work to do, but I'm doing OK...more or less. So keep praying for me. And keep praying for my parents too. I've been a little tough on 'em. I've caused my Dad to loose a hair or two. (And he can't really afford that!)

Awesome Little Man Anatomy

From his fat little hands




To his long skinny feet





My son is so splendidly sweet.



****************


From his cute little foot




To his round curvy ear





My son, is so wonderfully dear




*******************

From his tiny long fingers



To his curled little toes





To my son, that is where my love goes.



*******************


From his soft rounded heels





To his dark locks of hair




For my son, I sincerely do care.




*********************

From his big handsome head



To his soft bended knee



Oh my son, Oh my son, I love thee!

A knife throwing exhibition...

"Watch closely"




"Wanna see it again?"




"Thank-you, Thank-you very much"

The Saga continues...

Sooo...Deep thoughts or making doodoo?






There is a job that everyday...
It really must get done.
And you will find that everyone
Agrees...that it’s no fun!

The same is true for Mighty Kings
Who have a throne to drool.
‘Cause when this job does not get done…
Well...things begin to pool.

Like the Kings of Old
With their Knights so bold
We’ve heard the stories told...

How the Mighty Kings of lore and fables
Were brave and oh, so able…
To rule their land with strength and wisdom…
These...Knights of Arthur’s Table!



Well, we’ve a job that’s not so bold...
Butt still it must be done.
It happens many times per day...
It’s...’the cleaning of the buns’!

Yes, those diapers must get changed
Especially on our King!
And if the task does not get done…
A rash on thee he’ll bring!

So bring your weapons to the dual
Be armed with your best sword
‘Cause if you lose, they send you back...
To the diaper changing ward.



Butt you’ll still have some honor there,
Your crusade has got a label:
From this point forth, you’ll now be known...
As the ‘Knight of the Changing Table’!

Ha Ha…Behold…Sir Wipesalot



Ha Ha Ha Ha (infinity)

The Dragon Slayer

In a land that’s not so far away…lived a King named Arthur…eh….Ethan Arthur. This King was a great warrior…but recently had been having trouble sleeping at night. The King had many things on his mind. He spent many a night in his chambers contemplating how he could best serve the people of his Kingdom.



There were many enemies of his Kingdom, and the King would ponder ‘whose diapers he would be soiling on the morrow’.

The King had a mighty sword that he carried with him at all times. He also had a scepter that would ‘rattle’ throughout the land.




Whenever he would rattle his scepter, his loyal subjects would flock to his aid. Together they have conquered many enemies. The King’s greatest enemy is Prince Colic on his southern border. Prince Colic and his brother Sleep have cost the King many restless nights.

With your help, and perhaps a few burps, the King hopes to prevail against his enemies. Then King Arthur…eh…Ethan Arthur, can live happily ever after in the land of the Sleepless Knights!



Not so very far away
In a Kingdom near your home,
A fearless night-light, undeterred…
Sends forth a gleam of light.
Thus making pathways through the castle
As safe as they can be.
Here in Ethan’s restless realm:
The Land of the Sleepless Knights!

From the coast of the Froggy Bathe’ing tub,
To the blades of the ceiling fan,
Near the moat around his crib,
Glows the night-lite's flickering light.
No matter what the time of day
Or the hour you might call
You’ll find that someone’s still astir
In the land of the Sleepless Knights!

For the Master of this mighty Kingdom
Sits swinging in his throne.
He’s wrestling with his foe: ‘Prince Sleep’
We’re in for a long hard fight.
Ethan keeps a vigilant watch
Prepared for another battle
It’s just another Knightly quest
In the Land of the Sleepness Knights!

The enemy tries many feats
To force him into sleep.
From Lulaby’s, to dancing sheep
They fight with all their might.
But Ethan staves another surge
He’ll wake to fight again
His parents cry and face defeat
In the Land of the Sleepless Knights!

His colic cries, his arching back
The burps throughout the land
Have proven him a daunting foe
No rest for us in sight.
Still the skirmish rages on
The chamber door is blocked
No formula has yet to crack
His grip on the Sleepness Knights!

The dragons shadow overhead
A screech from an old night owl
This crying foe goes onward still
His torch still burning bright.
"Grant us just 3 hours sleep",
His peasant parents beg
But Ethan’s ‘will’… triumphs again
In the Land of the Sleepness Knights!

Like an eagle resting on its perch
Surveying all the land
Ethan’s torture of his parents
Has climbed to unequaled heights.
"There’ll be no rest for anyone
Until I get some porrage!"
His proclamation’s been put forth
In the Land of the Sleepness Knights!

So if this sounds like a restless (K)night…
It is! - It’s a nightly tale.
Still we search throughout the land
For the spell that will set things right!
For here in the land where Dragons fly
Where castles are cold and dark
Ethan still stands undefeated…
In the Land of the Sleepness Nights…

Ethan - The Mighty Warrior King!
Behold, Dragon’s lay at his feet!




To be continued…