Good evening, Ethan...

Well, baby boy, your Granddaddy is recovering from a bout with gout. Gout is a VERY painful condition that I've had about a dozen times... this time it's in my right ankle. Here is a very old drawing that illustrates how painful gout is:Previously, I've had it in my foot and my big toe. I went to the doctor yesterday and she gave me a shot in my bottom that is beginning to help but I limped around all day trying to help Aaron, my worker, finish up the flashing on the roof. Here is a picture of what we have done so far at one end:I really am pleased with the way the siding looks. We are completing the flashing at the end of this gable wall where it ties into the main part of the metal roof. Do you see the blocks in the wall under the siding? Your Granddaddy laid all 750 of them last summer. It looks kind of messy but the blocks are glued together and the walls are VERY strong. I'll finish the wall by stuccoing a uniform white finish on it.
Yesterday I was thinking of when your Mommy was a little girl about your age. We lived in Waynesville, North Carolina which is in the mountains in the western part of the state. It's very beautiful there and I'm sure your Mommy will take you to see it. I searched google maps but I couldn't find the house I built for your Mommy before she was born but here is a picture of her Grandfather's store (Poppa). Do you see the door at the right of this first building? Years ago your Granddaddy (me) had a picture framing shop (Agape Custom Frames) and wood stove store (The Liter Knot) in that space. We used the stove in this picture (below) in our house in Oklahoma when your Mommy was a little girl. I still use the same stove to heat my new house here in Tennessee. Here's me and my favorite dog, Baxter next to the Tempwood wood stove from all those years ago.I have very fond memories of one day in the store with your Mommy. She was about your age and - like you - she was just learning to talk. I laid her on the carpeted counter where I took orders for picture frames and began to talk to her. She was smiling at me and I asked her, "Jordy, do you love your Daddy?" I'll never forget your Mommy's sweet, giggling response, "I DEW!"
I DEW love you too, Ethan,
Granddaddy
P.S. Call me sometime 931-598-9160.