EDITOR’S NOTE: Welcome to the A to Z Challenge, an exercise in self-flagellation we bloggers inflict upon ourselves to teach us discipline as writers and to build audience. During the month of April, I’ll be posting 26 times, once for every letter in the alphabet. Looking on the bright side, we can each be thankful this is an English language exercise and not Khmer, the language of Cambodia, which sets the world record with a 74-character alphabet! After some misgivings, I’ve decided to proceed with my initial idea of blogging about the special people in my life whose names begin with the appropriate letter. There will be difficulties, like having more than one special person whose names begin with the same letter, forcing me to choose. And then there are those letters — O, Q and X among them — where no name springs readily to mind. What will I do then? We’ll have to wait and see!
D is for Danny
Since my official initiation into the world of geezerdom in 2008, I’ve been stacking up grandkids pretty much like cordwood, but there’s something about that first stick on the pile that will always be special.
Oh sure, I know he can be a handful sometimes, but mostly that’s because Danny has a brain that never stops, and it’s the way his mind works that gives me hope for the future.
Maybe he will be a great inventor. He’s been hard at work on his own designs for years:
While all that is impressive enough, it’s Danny’s Philosophical Sayings that really give me hope. His parents have been recording them:
Danny: “I hope I never become an orphan, because I don’t like porridge.”
or
Danny: “I don’t like going to the library because it is too quiet for me. I like more funny-business and bamboozling.”
or
Danny: “I am going to call you Wonder-Mom.”
Mom: “Aw, thanks, Danny! Is it because I’m wonderful?”
Danny: “No, it is because you are good at wondering.”
or
Danny: “Old people have tiny brains. They like to eat turkey and watch lots of TV. Then, when they get 70 or 90 and their brains get too tiny, they die.”
or
Danny: “Mom, you still need to get that eyelid polish, or whatever you call it, off your eyelids.”
or
Danny: “Hmmm . . . how do I explain this to a 36 year old?”
or
Danny: “Dad, you didn’t put any money in the basket.”
Dad: “I know. Mom and I already gave money to the church this month.”
Danny: “So, the church is just getting greedy now?”
or
Danny to a Donald Trump supporter: “Why would you want to vote for someone who only likes white people?”
You know, I’d be proud of any kid with such a worldview, but the fact that this one’s my grandson is icing on the cake. Whether he becomes an inventor, a philosopher or something he hasn’t even thought of yet, I think Danny is already making our world a better place.
I love Danny’s world view! Great post!
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Thanks Lizzie! That boy is going places, I think!
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This was a really thoughtful post loved it!
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Thank you very much, and welcome aboard!
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Thanks 😁
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I have giggled. He could earn a very good living as a comedian when he grows up! Your family could make a very good living now if you printed all this stuff. It’s class! Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Nicola. Yes, a book would be a good investment!
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I love when people see the potential in our future generations rather than it being all doom and gloom. Smart sassy kids will make all the difference! Leanne @ cresting the hill
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Thank you Leanne!
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Dannyisms had me laughing – esp becoz his mom is always wondering- ROFL! Reminded me of my son when he was a little boy. If I may share – When about 7 yrs old, he had gone for a birthday party and had gotten into a fight with someone. On the way back, I tried to explain that he shouldnt have lost his temper and been cool and calm and collected even if the other person was in the wrong etc etc when he stopped in his tracks and glared at me – “so you want me to be a hypocrite?” Thanks 🙂
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That’s a great story, Dahlia! I hope you had a good answer for him!
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Ah no I am still stumped – any suggestions?
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Not me! You’re on your own!
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Darrnnn 😉
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I know it isn’t right to have a favorite, but, Danny is brilliant and so dang funny. I can’t help it.
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I guess you’re allowed to have a favorite since you’re not actually related! Thanks!
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Your pics thus far have been stellar. And the writing is okay, too.
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Thank you sir. I can’t take credit for ALL the photos. Some of them I received from other family members and I didn’t write down who took it. Some I took, some my wife took. The best ones are probably mine, and of course the words are all mine … except what Danny said, which is the best stuff. Come to think of it, I really didn’t do much of anything!
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D is for Delightful! A wonderful sense of humour and an enquiring mind; super combination. We could all do with more kids like Danny and more funny business 🙂
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Blogging is kinda like bamboozling, so maybe that qualifies!
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I am the grandmother (not the rocking chair kind..lol) to 10 and one due in June. Grandchildren can sure say some funny and often insightful things! I find I get a kick out of what my grandchildren say much more than what my children said when they were young. I wonder why that is? : )
Cheryl
Plucking Of My Heartstrings
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I think there’s less investment with grandkids. You can always just hand em back when you get tired!
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Danny seems like a great kid! I reckon the world needs more like him 🙂
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Thank you, Janet!!
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Definitely related to his grandpa, whose motto at The Houston Post could well have been “more funny-business and bamboozling.”
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Boys just want to have fun!
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What a great point of view Danny has! Children come out with the best quotes and ask the best questions 🙂
@LunaNoctis from There She Goes
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Thank you, Natalie, and welcome to Roamin’ Gnomials!
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What great pictures and quotes! Kids are hilarious. “How do I explain this to a 36-year-old.” That’s awesome. Mine have said some pretty entertaining things, like, “Mommy, are you 90?” Well, I sure feel like it sometimes.
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This is true, and if they think their parents are ancient, just imagine how old they think their grandparents must be!
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“I like more funny-business and bamboozling.” That cracked me up.
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That does seem to be a favorite. You and Choppy do a fair amount of bamboozling, too!
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This is true. But I did thoroughly enjoy the rest as well.
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Danny…you’re going to be famous! Your Gran said so…
Great post.
@CazsBooks
http://cazgreenham.blogspot.com
#A-Z
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Thanks very much, Caz! I hope he listens to me!
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I think Danny should run for president as a write-in candidate. I’d vote for him. He’s smart, funny and very charming 🙂
Cheers – Ellen | http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/d-is-for-ditch-bag-nancy-drew.html
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Danny sounds awesome and I think his invention, the tornado generator, sounds like something scientists really need 🙂
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Thanks AJ!
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