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Friday, February 10, 2012

Memories I have of Grandpa Joseph Ralph Thompson


I believe Grandpa Ralph passed away when I was very young, so I don't have many memories, however, I do have a few I want to share.


I remember him coming to our house, and sitting on his knee. I remember loving to listen to him sing “Bill Grogan's Goat” which went something like this:


Bill Grogan's goat, was feeling fine.
Ate three red shirts, right off the line.

Bill took a stick, gave him three whacks,
And tied him to, the railroad tracks.

The whistle blew, the train grew nigh;
Bill Grogan's goat, was doomed to die.

He gave three moans, of mortal pain,
Coughed
up those shirts, and flagged that train.

I don't remember if I actually ever watched him play the piano, but I do know he couldn't read music, but could play by ear, and was quite good at it.


I also remember going to visit my grandma and grandpa when they lived at the motel in Idaho (I believe Nolan Victor, my aunt Susan's father-in-law owned it), and they helped with it. I remember seeing a scorpion there, and I have a picture of my grandma and grandpa with my brother and I there in front of the motel. I'll have to find it and post it.


Sad, I think that is about all I personally remember about him, but I remember feeling of his love and kindness as a child, and the excitement I felt when I was near him.

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