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JUNE / JULY 2020 • IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT HOME & LIFESTYLE PAGE 9
No, But They Can Use It, Too.
I have told enough people in town when
BY RICH JESPERSEN our grandchildren were coming for a visit
or just left. So I was not surprised or put
“You building that for your grandchil- off when asked, “You building that for your
dren?” my neighbor called through the open grandchildren?” However, my answer has
window of his pick-up stopped in the road always been the same.
in front of my house. I heard his question, “No, but they can use it too, if they want.”
but barely. Sure, my grandchildren can climb the
At 68 years old, my hearing has become net into the crows nest. Sure, they can sit in
more an issue, or people are speaking more the lounge chair I have up there. Sure, they
and more quietly. On top of that, when he can use the pulley to hoist up picnic lunches
called, I was 15 feet or so up in the branches and snacks. Sure they can slide down the a more pleasant way
of the tree in our front yard. thick climbing rope.
“You building that for your grandchil- So can neighborhood kids who drop in. to start your day...
dren?” I had been asked that question many Some smaller ones have come with par-
times in the last week. ents, and some older ones by themselves. SUBSCRIBE
I live in a small town in north cen- Children, preteens, and teens, they ring the
tral Montana. (Big Sandy, pop. 598) When doorbell, at least the first time, and ask if
someone changes something about their they can climb the tree.
house or yard, neighbors notice, and in a I make sure I know who they are and ONLINE AT OUR WEBSITE:
town this small, everyone is more or less a whose they are and then watch them for IdahoSeniorIndependent.com
neighbor. A new roof, a new patio or deck, awhile to make sure everything’s okay. But
new siding, a contractor’s truck parked in when grandchildren are not visiting, and OR SEND $15 TO:
the driveway, the plumber or electrician neighborhood kids are busy elsewhere, you 1985 McMannamy Draw, Kalispell, MT 59901
coming and going. Few things go unnoticed may find me in the tree.
or unremarked upon. I always loved climbing trees and still
So, I have not been surprised when do. I love getting up high to get a bird’s eye
people asked, “You building that for your view of the world. I enjoy the cooler breezes
grandchildren?” Neither have I been put off up higher, as well as the rustling of leaves
by the question. and flickering of light and shadows. I often
I do have grandchildren who live in take a book with me when I climb. I sit in • LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
@MontanaSeniorNews
Montana and, I am glad to say, love to come the lounging chair
visit their grandma and grandpa. When and read, think, and
the weather allows, they shoot baskets in even nap.
the driveway, climb the tree, swing on the So, no, I did not
swings, throw frisbees and balls on the build my little crows
lawn, and build fires in the firepit. nest tree house for
The small ones, two little girls, have my grandchildren
particularly enjoyed their visits to us and to or the neighborhood
Sylvester Maplethorp, which is what I named kids, but they can
the silver maple tree in our front yard when I use it too. ISI
began to carve a face into his trunk.
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