Tuesday, September 24, 2024
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So sad to learn of Uncle Ron's passing. I will be always grateful for the time I was privileged to spend with him. We had fun times at his camp and driving tractors around his land. Running the old big engines. He taught me to shoot on Ithaca Guns single shot 20 and 12ga. He took a bunch of us on a road trip in the Big Red truck to see Andromeda Strain at the movies. Then some years later I learned what a talented musician he was. I stopped by at his home more than once to play some guitar and he accompanied me on his harmonicas. He had a whole box full of them! And he could play like a pro!! I marveled at how he could listen to a song I played, and I am sure he never heard it before, and then he would improvise harmonica riffs to compliment the song. He showed me his Dad's 4-string guitar that his Dad used to play on the radio.The guitar looked lonely and Uncle Ron graciously allowed me to restore it a bit. I felt honored to learn some old songs on it, and play them with Uncle Ron on the harmonica. Uncle Ron could spin a good yarn or two too! I learned of his Dad being mistaken as being Grandpa Jones, and of the two Grandpa Joneses meeting, and about a one night event of an Adirondack lake musical serenade involving Kate Smith!
Yes, I am sad to learn I can no longer do these things with Uncle Ron. But remembering him makes me smile and feel blessed to be able to recall the good times we did share.
