does this look like the face of a 95-year-old?

We'd like to send a belated "happy birthday" to my Grandpa Jesse, aka Kenny's beloved "GG," who just turned 95. While we celebrated down in Orlando, the big day was actually on Wednesday. To everyone who wonders where I get my genetic disposition to look about 20 years younger than I actually am...well, there you have it.

Which reminds me of a funny story. A few years back, on his birthday, GG went down to Costco to pick up a few things. While there, he was engaged in conversation with someone he described as "a gray-haired gentleman." This "elder statesman" complained to GG that things were getting harder and harder these days, but that's what happens when "you get to be my age." GG inquired as to just how old the man was and he replied, "75." GG laughed and looked the man in the eye before retorting, "I have ties older than you." This did not go over well and the man was quite upset. "Well, how old are you then?" he demanded. "92." The man was flabbergasted and refused to believe him.

"So, did you show him your driver's license?," I asked.
"I wouldn't give him the satisfaction."

And now I'd like to take a minute to honor GG, if I may (which I can...it's my blog, dammit).

In addition to being an outstanding role model and important figure in my life, GG is a remarkable man. In case you missed it, he just turned NINETY-FIVE and still: lives on his own, drives to the store during daylight hours, retains his curmudgeonly demeanor when presented with something he doesn't like (but in a charming way, of course), sends email and surfs the Web, always asks about his great-grandson and his beautiful mother, delights in watching his politically conservative son squirm at the fact that his own sons lean so far to the left, offers fairly sound advice when asked (and occasionally when not), keeps up with his progeny's progeny when wandering ginormous amusement parks in 88 degree weather, and knows how to both give and take a good-natured ribbing. Pretty impressive stuff.

Oh yeah, he also keeps his word, even if it means annually doling out four checks for a dollar amount equal to the years he's been around. Of course, in a few years he'll hit 100 and then we start paying him, and he's hell-bent on collecting. Honestly, we wouldn't expect any less or have it any other way.