-14-

Even though it doesn't feel like spring outside, spring cleaning sure has begun in my house. I went home for a bit and helped my parents out. It was so fun to reminisce, looking through old pictures I had drawn, journals I had kept and the strange things I collected, (A Star Wars sticker book and Milk Ads seemed to be my thing.)

Everyone loves a man in uniform

I found pictures of myself when I was little sitting with my grandpa, Stanley. The pictures really made me miss him. He passed away not too long ago but it feels like I haven't seen him in ages. I started looking around my house at other pictures of him and I think my favorite one is his portrait from when he was in the Navy. He was incredibly handsome and seeing him in his uniform inspired me to start dreaming up a nautical menswear collection. In my head, the ideas seemed so cool! On paper, however, the men looked like the village people meets Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid meets the ad for Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Male. I'll make it work but like I said, the pictures made me miss him a whole lot. I think I got my knack for collecting things from him, (I am not a hoarder... I SWEAR!)
He loved his family, could house-break any animal, was a pro at giving directions and had talent for story telling.
My favorite story he would tell is when he first met my grandma, Rose. They instantly fell in love, and from that day on, she was his princess.
Everyone who knew him loved him and even if you heard his stories 5 times before, they never seemed to get old, just made you love them even more.
Love you to pieces Gramps-

Respect Your Elders

I'll Never Smile Again, Frank Sinatra

Begin the Beguine, Artie Shaw

Hey There, Rosemary Clooney

Shake, Rattle and Roll, Elvis Presley (I strongly suggest you watch the entire video)