From the Home Office in Medford, OR, A Letterman Tribute: Lifelong Pants and Canned Hams

This is a family blog post, dedicated to David Letterman.  With his recent retirement announcement, it seemed like a family tribute would be fitting, as he has been a nightly family member for 32 years.

Marilyn and Kent / Grammy and Skipper

Somehow, Marilyn and Kent found out about Letterman’s 1982 NBC morning comedy show (90 total am shows), and began taping it for viewing after the kids went to bed.  We continue to do so today.  We even competed with his morning TV audience for a Letterman home visit, using Whitney’s birth announcement as the ‘hook’.

(An advertising theme discussion for an upcoming series of TV commercials)

- Ad man (convincingly) – “I tell you JP it’s great Americana.  An interview with a cheery family of seven…five kids under age eight…living, if you can believe, in Idaho.

Now picture one of our white baby cribs, sparkling in the background.

JP – (exasperated) – OK, OK, I’ve got it in my mind but what’s the grabber, what’s our gimmick?

Ad man (excitedly) – Our crib looks new and it’s in its eighth year of continuous use!

JP – I like it.  The idea’s got promise but…(pausing)…there’s one fatal flaw.  I know you couldn’t make up a story like this, but will the public ever believe it.

__________

On September 18, 1985 Letterman began his nightly Top Ten Lists (the first one was the top ten words that almost rhyme with peas).  Somehow, someway, by some means, his top ten lists became the way family members organized their thoughts when:  giving a presentation;  speaking at high school graduation ;  campaigning for school office;  writing for the school newspaper;  announcing a wedding;  communicating with classmates at reunion time;  writing a college admissions essay;  upon departure from a foreign country after two years;  etc. etc. etc.  Here is a very tiny sample:

a.  Top Ten Favorite Mom Sayings (on a hand made Mother’s Day card, that has been on the refrigerator since 1989) – ‘It’s December 26.  Don’t you think this will make a good present for next year?’

b.  Top Ten Thing’s Learned Since High School  -  ‘If you and your wife leave idyllic southern Oregon after 25 years, and move to Idaho Falls, even to be nearer the kids and grandkids, expect people familiar with the climate to look at you and think to themselves, ‘decision making is not their strong suit’.

c.  Top Ten Reasons For Admittance Into Brown – ‘a strong desire to attend a college where it is just a short walk to another state.’

d.  Top Ten Reasons Why Kirse and Tim Should Get Married – ‘With their History and Art college degrees, they become the most unemployable couple in America.’

e.  Top Ten Reasons To Vote For Brinn – ‘chocolate milk in all the water fountains.’

f.  Top Ten Signs I’ve Been in Argentina Too Long – ‘while my companion was sleeping he awoke suddenly and asked, ‘what was that?’  I calmed him by saying, ‘don’t worry it was only gunshots.’

McKenna

I remember when going on first dates I would always ask the gentleman a very simple question.  The question was Leno or Letterman?  Depending on their answer I would decide if a second date was going to happen or not.  Also, I remember going to New York City and I loved being able to take pictures in front of the Ed Sullivan Theater and I even got Rupert from Hello Deli's autograph.  I felt oh so cool.  Good times with Letterman, especially watching it with my family while growing up.  To this day I still love a good top ten list.  Thanks Dave!

Whitney

So I had the rare fortune to grow up a Granat - this basically meant several things.  We were loud, funny, friendly, clever and always and forever die hard David Letterman fans. It wasn't ever a choice it just was.  Not that any of us would have made a different choice anyway.  From as long as I can remember Letterman was an honorary uncle that we discussed and talked about like a great family friend.  I remember all receiving Late Night with David Letterman sweatshirts one Christmas - which wouldn't thrill the average kids aged 6-16 (or somewhere around those ages), but for us Granat's it was perfection.  We also received Late Show with David Letterman attire when he switched networks.  I remember how annoyed we all were when that other guy took over the Tonight Show after Johnny, and took it more personally then perhaps we should have.

I also along with other siblings am sure I played the same "Leno or Letterman" question when first dating new people.  And let me tell you that if you answered incorrectly, or weren't willing to change your ways - there wasn't a future.  Ha!  But Seriously!   On my first trip to NYC it was imperative that I meet as many of the Late Show family - and was fortunate to meet several of them including Rupert G.

He has been on the air pretty much my whole life, and it is crazy and sad that he is retiring, but I am grateful for the opportunity to grow up in a household that was full of his humor, fun, and brilliance.  Thank you for the laughs Mr. Letterman.

Brinn

In reflecting back to my childhood a couple things stand out in my mind in regards to David Letterman.  I remember the sweatshirts of course that I think we all got when his show was Late Night with David Letterman, before the Late Show with David Letterman.  We were all so proud to show these off in and out of the home.  If I'm not mistaken when I ran for Vice President of Hoover elementary despite the "Brintendo" campaign that was used, I believe I also had a top 10 list for things I would do for the school when I gave my speech to influence the student body in the voting process.  I won and I'm sure it was a combination of the Brintendo theme as well as what we all know to be the cleverness of a good top 10 list.  In high school our family also contributed to many a top 10's in the South Medford High School South Paw as well.  Fast forward to the mission years I was able to track down a top 10 list I created when exiting the mission field.  Definitely funny to read and reflect back of that time in my life.  Letterman will definitely be missed and it is disappointing to learn of his retirement, but his memory, quick wit and humor will never be forgotten.

Dalan

My earliest memories of watching Dave is around 1983 in Redlands, CA.  I remember Mom used to record the 12:30am "Late Night" show (on our classic Betamax VCR!) and would often watch it back the following day.  If I was lucky she would be watching it around the time I came home from school.

As a kid, I loved the crazy and silly bits of the old "Late Night" show. The Monkey-Cam, The Guy Under the Seats, the suit made out of Alka-Seltzer.  All classic bits that an 8 year old could really connect with (check 'em out on youtube!).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89GrBnmYwXY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAu0USchCrI

And, ironically as it would turn out in the years ahead, I loved it when Jay Leno would be a guest on that show and read from the TV Guide or share "What's my beef".  Some of those early Leno/Lettermen bits still pop into my head and make me smile to this day.  

During my freshman year of college Dave got his new "Late Show" show, and since I was now in the Mountain time zone that meant I could watch Dave not one, but two whole hours earlier.  I was a big fan of the new show, making sure my roommates knew that they could watch whatever they wanted on my TV, except when "Late Show" was on.

During my adventures in the South American country of Uruguay I would often sport my very own "Late Show" T-shirt and took pride in the fact that I was most likely the only one in the whole country (maybe the whole southern hemisphere?) to have that shirt.

I've been a fan forever. During the first Late Night Wars, I was there. When Johnny Carson visited Dave's show and Dave offered him his desk, I was there. When Dave was out with quintuple bypass surgery or shingles, I was there. 

He's been such a big part of my life that when I got married I wanted our honeymoon to be in NYC so we could see his show.  Alas the writer's strike of 2007 made it so there were no shows during our honeymoon trip. But that didn't stop us from visiting the theater and getting a sandwich from Rupert.

I did get to his show once. It was a Friday night show that Dave was taping on a Thursday. As he came out to warm up the crowd he explained that he needed a Friday energy and we should all act like it was Friday. He then emphasized "There's nothing illegal about it"  with his classic dry sardonic delivery. I remember that line because it got a big laugh, but it wasn't a joke for the show, just for us in the audience.  Even before the cameras came on he was clever, funny, and a real showman. And that is the way I'll always remember him.

Well, that and throwing footballs at a meatball on top of a Christmas tree every year. That stuff is classic! Luckily we'll get to see it one more time.

Oh--Here's some pics.  One is me wearing my "Late Show" shirt in Uruguay and the other is a fun collection of Letterman themed books currently living on my bookshelf.

Lauren
Okay - here goes! I do love me some Dave!! I remember Dave talking about "Big Ass Hams," and when he drank a whole bowl of eggnog. And Barry White doing a Top Ten list. I wish I had been able to go to his show and am jealous of my siblings who got to go. I will miss The CBS Orchestra and good ole Paul Shaffer. RIP the Late Show with David Letterman!!

Kirse
Where do I begin with my personal Letterman history? I have been watching his program as long as I can remember. Of course there was the Christmas that our pajamas were Late Night sweatshirts, and the school election campaigning where I used a Top Ten List. Or the Top Tens I added to the school paper when I was the editor, and the device for my graduation speech. Or the fact that I got a TV in college for the sole reason of watching David Letterman. 

The first phone conversation I ever had with Tim before we started dating we discussed Letterman and his virtues over Leno. We had a Top Ten list at our wedding. We continue to use the Top Ten feature for our Christmas card letter. When we moved to Boston, the first thing I did was send away for Late Show tickets. We traveled by train to NYC that fall, and I sat in the audience transfixed, as if in a daze, not believing that I was seeing the show in person. I don’t think I clapped or laughed once, so stunned was I. After the show we met Rupert at the Hello Deli, where I blurted out “Rupert, I love you.” He said thanks. 

Recently I have been showing my kids fuzzy You-Tube clips - “What About That Guy?”, Stupid Pet Tricks, Stupid Human Tricks, Dave in the drive-thru, the Velcro suit, adventures with Rupert and Mujibur and Sirajul. They laugh and laugh. I have taught them the Dave comedy rule - that repetition makes things funnier and more absurd. I’m hopeful that with this retirement there will be some sort of “Best of” compilations that I can buy, so I can show my kids the genius of David Letterman for years to come. And we will continue to repeatedly enjoy him, which will make him funnier and funnier. Particularly the word “Pants.” 

Cache Valley History

By: McKenna Magalogo

Back in January we attended a different chapel in Logan. It was really old and had some interesting features, like a pioneer painting and a balcony in the chapel. It was there that my interest was piqued. I wondered what other old buildings are in town and what are their stories? So the investigative journalist kicked in and began to research. Here is my story.

I began by checking out tons of books from the library, I marked all the buildings I wanted to find and take pictures of. Finally we planned out an adventurous day with the kids and we went all over town discovering some of these older buildings.
So with that I present Cache Valley Historic Buildings:

Here is the first chapel that started it all.

 

Here is a photo of John T. Cain's home in Logan

 

 Here is a picture of the same home from 1910

Many buildings were affected by the 1962 earthquake in Logan. The third story of the store Levens was removed.

Because of this when you go to the second story of this building there is a phantom staircase that goes to nothing. The kids thought this was pretty fun.

 Now a restaurant, this was the site for many travelers to come and go from Logan

 Here is the Passenger Station back in 1890

 In 1891 JR Edwards was a Saloon

 An old chapel in town

Thatcher Home: Moses Thatcher began the first Opera House in Logan, after it burned down he opened the Eccles Theater. This was his home.

 Moses Thatcher Jr.'s home

This was the most expensive home built in Logan. Built for $75,000 in 1907 with lumber imported from Oregon. David Eccles was one of the first multi-millionaires in Utah. This is my favorite house in Logan.

 Here is a shot of the home from 1907

Second Temple in Utah: The Logan Temple was dedicated in 1884

This was something interesting I came across in my reading. When the Logan Temple was remodeled in 1977 they found names written in the walls of people who helped build the original temple. Pretty neat.

 Here is a close up shot

 The Bluebird restaurant on Main Street. It has been in business since 1914.

Interior of Bluebird Restaurant

 In the upstairs of the restaurant, a dumbwaiter

 Now a Skating Rink, this used to be a dance hall in the 1920s

 This is what remains of the Union Roller Mills that began in 1865

 Old home in historic Logan

Another old home near Main Street

Utah State University: Began in 1888

And that is what I learned about Logan and some of its historic buildings. Thanks to the Logan library and Elise for being so into this project that she practically memorized the pictures in the books and helped me find them around town.

I Learned It By Watching You!

 I believe it is a universal fear that we will one day become our parents and that their quirks will become our very own. This "fear" has turned into a reality. I have become my mother and to a degree my dad as well.

I used to be so embarrassed by my mom's over sharing and long conversations with strangers. Her willingness to take on every project and party and accomplish it with what appeared to be minimal effort. My mothers ability to get great customer service and items for free through her humor and civility must have seeped into my brain or possibly it's part of my DNA.

I find myself over-sharing all the time - "I am buying all of these Hershey kisses because I am making 6 dozen cookies..." or "Yeah a girl needs her diet coke..." or whatever. I am assuming that people don't really care, but I can't help myself from talking to strangers and involving them in my life if only for a moment. I have found that people remember me and treat me well on future visits and I also receive free items or discounts on items all the time. I know that my sisters have this same disease of over-sharing. We can't help
 ourselves. I don't know about my brothers. We need to discuss it the next time we are together for sure.


I also teach (church) similar to my mom and dad as well. Through what I hope is spirituality mixed with humor. I also say what I think and don't always keep my opinions to myself. This usually serves me well and I learned it by observing my parents. (More my mom - my dad has a bit more decorum and knows when his opinion will not be welcome - Ha)

I was never embarrassed by our fabulous parties my mom threw for us kids whether as our room mother or for our birthdays and our weddings. I find myself organizing and decorating for parties as my mom might. I was recently in charge of a Relief Society (Women's Organization) dinner and it was super fun and turned out great. Not everyone would go to the effort I did for a church party. But I learned from my mother the importance of doing your best. It's helpful that she lives close enough that I can borrow things as well.

So in short - don't fear becoming your parents. Embrace it! I am luckier than most as my parents are pretty awesome so it isn't much of a hardship. Hopefully, I will embarrass and teach Bailey to follow in my footsteps.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs.

By Dalan Granat

Maybe it's just that I'm getting older, but the all the signs out in the world have started getting a little odd for my taste.  It used to be that a sign was simple. It simply conveyed information. Most signs would offer instructions, assistance, or warning; While others would simply be trying to sell you something.

Well, we as a population must have started to turned a blind eye to all those signs out there because in order to now attract our attention signs in the world have gotten weird.

I first noticed this a few weeks ago when my wife and I were at an Italian restaurant downtown.  I got up to use the restroom and was immediately perplexed.  As I approached the corner where the bathrooms were located I suddenly realized this was one of those "cute" places where the labeling of the bathrooms was not very straightforward.  One door had a picture of two tomatoes. The other had a picture of what appeared to be a large cucumber.  I had to quickly try to ascertain which door was the women's bathroom and which one was the men's. Or did it even matter here?

In that brief moment I had to make the mental argument that the cucumber was most likely representing the men's room (Don't ask me why) But one could make a pretty solid argument that two tomatoes might also represent a men's room.  I choose the cucumber room but decided, these signs are getting really whacky.

Here are just a few I've encountered in the last few days. Most of them raise way more questions than answers. Which I think should be the exact opposite purpose of most signs.

Don't you dare buy me any regular flannel shirts. For me to wear a flannel it must be EPIC!  Is that really a word you would ever use to describe a flannel? Or are they simply trying to "jazz up" an item that in all actuality is not really that neat? Who am I kidding? Those shirts look Epic!

Here's another great warning sign. Max height 7' 6". That would normally make a lot of sense if this wasn't an open-air outside parking lot. Why have people drive under a sign with a height requirement only to park in an area that doesn't really need one? All I could think is that this sign was left over from a previous plan (or eventual plan?) for the parking lot to have multiple levels.  But it is strange, right? 

Okay. The contents of this garbage could potentially be infectious. You can decide for yourself. Take a chance.  Live on the edge, Mister. But it's pretty typical of a sign found in a doctor's office to not be 100% sure about anything--Even the status of its own waste.

This next pair of stop signs crack me up. It shows that the oddness of signs is spreading over into graffiti, and that people can now use something as ubiquitous as a stop sign to make a quasi-political statement.

This first one we encountered on our trip to Portland last Fall.  It says "Stop Monsanto" which we got a kick out of because once you start learning a little bit about the evil empire that is Monsanto and their GMO's that are terrorizing the entire food industry, you'll want them stopped too (although they did give us "Adventures Thru Inner-Space" ride at Disneyland--so points for fun childhood memories).  We also thought it reflected well the type of people that live in Portland.  Health loving, clean eating, stop-sign vandalizing hippies.

Now it's funny to contrast that with the similar political statement that popped up in my very own neighborhood lately.

Yes it's the same concept with the complete opposite message. This time "Stop Vegans".  I'm not sure why this particular vandal has a problem with vegans, but these two stop signs seem to wonderfully reflect the current red state/blue state dynamic.

Seriously people, keep your eyes peeled. You'll start to notice that signs that at first glance appear normal, in fact are super strange.

Let me know what else you find out there. I'd love to discover some more. 

Just Keep Swimming……….

Well a couple of weeks ago Merritt got the chance to swim in her first swim meet and I went with her. We had to travel 2 hours in a bus, leaving at 5:30 in the morning to arrive at a big dome filled with 2 large pools, loud music, and a strong chlorine smell!!! I learned quickly (no shocker) that I was overdressed. I did not heed the warnings that my feet would get wet...and my clothes..etc etc. So after about 6 hours the bottom of my black polyester (that fabric really held on to that water) jumpsuit was soaked about halfway up my calves. But enough about me I am just trying to fill some space.

So back to the swim meet. I have never seen Merritt swim and she blew me away with her great form and speed. (and I can totally brag because this is a family blog) She didn't get disqualified in any of her events...which is fairly common...especially for a first timer.
She was confident and rocked it out!! Her coach asked me if she was clumsy on land because lots of great swimmers apparently trip and fall down a lot!! Plus her coach said Merritt was a great swimmer.

So Merritt and I were both out of our comfort zones as I was hanging with a bunch of adults I didn't know who wore tevas and t-shirts...I know the horror...and Merritt walked right up to her starting block and just kept swimming and swimming.

So the moral of this (not my best) post is sometimes a lot of good can come from trying new things. But I still will not be wearing any water friendly shoes to the next meet.  Just maybe shorter pants!