For Grandpa

For Grandpa

A year ago today I lost the only grandpa I knew.
His name was Gordon Crichton and he was 78.
He was married to his sweetheart Sue Bonnie Hilgers
And together they raised three boys and a girl.

It was the day before Thanksgiving and 4 in the morning
When my mother got the call we had been dreading.
Grandma called and told us that he finally passed,
And asked us to come over right away.

She came into my room, woke me up from my slumber
And told me the bad news about Grandpa.
She gave me the choice to stay home or go with her,
So together we went to comfort my Grandma.

We got into the car and started driving towards the hospital
For that’s where my mom believed him to be.
It wasn’t till we were searching around the ER for him
When mom remembered Grandma called from home, not there.

Back in the car we went, and raced to her house.
The cops that were waiting with grandma got a little worried
After we told them about our wrong stop and threatened to give
a speeding ticket if we were the family over 20 minutes away.

That small little humor helped my grandma on a day of sorrow
And now that we were there, the cops left us alone.
The daughter from 20 minutes away showed up soon after
Bringing along my cousin Dane to keep me strong.

As the morning dragged on, the rest of the family showed up
And soon enough Grandpa was carried away from the house.
I was amazed that I never saw a tear drop in Grandma’s eyes
And wondered how she could keep staying so strong.

We spent the rest of the morning remembering the great times.
The kids remembered the homemade popcorn he’d make
And how he would fix everything around the house with duck tape
And the days pitching batting practice to the Minnesota Twins.

The grandkids remembered all those homemade malts,
And driving trucks up and down Grandpa’s back.
All the years he played “Santa” at Christmas time
And walking down to see the trains at the railroad track.

So as I remember him this day, and every other day too,
I am thankful for the many years I did get to be with him.
I miss my Grandfather more than I could ever say
But I know that I will see him again in heaven someday.

Family Tradition

Family Tradition

Popcorn, Popcorn-
Oh how you mean to me.
You’re not just another food,
Left on the shelf in the pantry.
You’re the dinner of choice
When we’ve had an early dinner.
You’re the munching of choice,
While watching my favorite movie.
I love the way you sound
When you make your first pop.
And when you start filling the pan,
You make my taste buds water up.
For your salty taste makes me smile
And appreciate every kernel that pops.
You let me and my grandpa
Share a special bond.
Making you each and every 4th of July
For all the visitors that come.
Now that he is gone,
We still continue on the tradition.
So popcorn you’re not just another food,
But more of a family tradition.

By the Passing Creek

By the Passing Creek

I went on a hike today
Up a mountain in Logan Utah.
The trees filled with so much color
Spread across the land in awe.

As we started on the uneven path
Made up of colorful fallen leaves,
I passed by a slanted gray rock
With just a single yellow leaf.

How special it seemed to me
That this leaf was all alone.
Looked like someone had placed it there
To be discovered by someone unknown.

I stopped and admired the beauty
So simple, yet so rare.
I took a picture of that lonely leaf
To keep in my memory and share.

Finals Time

Classes are done and that means it is finals week here in Winona. The past few weeks have fun flown by and it's hard to believe that some people will be leaving Winona forever. I've had a lot of great times this semester and became close with some really great people. I have also found myself a special someone and things have been going great so far. He will be graduating in just a few days but lucky for me , he is from the cities so I will be able to see him often and I will be coming home enough during the next semester to work so I will see him then as well.

As far as my work load, I'm sure I could have done more stuff this weekend than I have. Friday night I wanted to relax because I had a big project that was due that day that I stayed up late doing. I ended up getting really smashed and my memory of the night is like a cow... spotty. I also realized that I have to adjust to this whole "being taken" thing since I have been single all throughout college up till now. Saturday I spent most of the morning sleeping, then did some errands and such, and then at 2:30 the roommates and I headed over to Valencia to watch Caitlin dance. Watching all my fellow dancers made me miss dance so much and I am excited to be going back to it next semester. The show next semester will be doing a Ballet, Tap and Jazz piece. I hope to make at least the Tap and Jazz and hopefully the Ballet. I don't know what kind of pieces they will be so we will just have to see. The rest of Saturday was spent eating dinner with the roommates that Krista cooked up and nerf gun fights in our living room.

Today, I have done not a lot again. The roommates minus Erin met up with our friend Dan for a Perkins breakfast. Then I got back home and just relaxed under the covers until Ben stopped by to see me and watch the first quarter of the New Orleans/Washington game. After he left, I took a nap while catching glimpses of the game. Very disappointed with the result of the game. Now I am watching the Giants/Cowboys game and writing this, getting in the writing mood to finish up my creative writing portfolio.

Vikings game is tonight. I am very VERY excited to watch it. I absolutely love watching Brett Favre and I feel like we something different every time he plays.

Okay, time to go and finish this portfolio. Have a great week everyone!

more about me!

Three names I go by:
1. Trisha
2. Trish
3. TC

Three jobs I have had in my life.
1. Server
2. Ice cream cone master
3. Barista

Three Places I have lived
1. Richfield, MN
2. Winona, MN
3. Grandma's House

Three Favorite drinks
1. Diet Coke
2. Coffee
3. Water

Three Favorite drinks (alcoholic):
1. Beer
2. Gin and Tonic
3. Long Island

Three TV shows that I watch
1. One Tree Hill
2. Bones
3. So You Think You Can Dance

Three Places I Have Been
1. Ireland
2. Utah
3. Fort Meyers

Three people who e-mail/Facebook me regularly
1. My Mom
2. Caitlin Kaman
3. Meagan Teal

Three of my favorite 'chain' restaurants
1. Noodles
2. Chipotle
3. Applebees


Three things I don't leave home without:
1. Phone
2. Keys
3. Contacts


Three things I'm looking forward to:
1. Thanksgiving!
2. seeing the Blind Side
3. Christmas Music

Three foods I LOVE to eat:
1. Ice Cream
2. Mashed Potatoes
3. Corn on the Cob

Three best movies ever:
1. Sweet Home Alabama
2. The Notebook
3. Remember the Titans

Three things (not people) I couldn't live without:
1. My Phone
2. My computer
3. Caffine

Abstract Algebra

The title of this post is what I am avoiding... studying for my Abstract Algebra test. I will start here soon enough but it was nice to just relax most of the morning/early afternoon. I spent last week working 38 hours! We didn't have school on Wednesday which is my busiest day and since I don't have classes on Tuesdays since golf is over, I went home and worked for 10 hours. Then on Friday I went back and worked for the rest of the weekend, 27 hours in total. My body was exhausted and being able to sleep in till 7:30 on Monday was a blessing since I was getting up at 5:15 each morning that weekend. However, I have to get used to the getting up early. Next week I will be working at Caribou. Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday I start work at 6am. Thursday I start at 6:30 and on Friday my mom and family always go out shopping at the mall so we usually get up early to do that. No sleeping in for me... which means I will be taking some good naps. Also I will be working on finding my room and organizing stuff so I can donate it to goodwill.

Last night I was able to see some shooting stars! Okay, I got to see meteors shooting across the sky but it was really neat. We went up to Garvin Heights and were entertained by a bunch of people singing horrible songs off key. It started with Disney songs and then went onto dirty ones. Gave us a good laugh. We didn't stay long because it was on the cold side but we did get to see some really neat stuff.

I'm starting to really look forward to the holidays. However, with the holidays right around the corner, that means classes are almost done too. After Thanksgiving is done, I only have one week left of classes and then it is finals. Wow that is really scary. Now it's time to buckle down and get stuff done.

I am also looking forward to seeing friends from home and being able to hang out with them. I am really hoping that I will be able to see Meghan if she comes back from Chicago this Christmas. If not, some of us will be road tripping it down there to see her after the 1st of the year.

Well that is all for right now. Hope everyone has a great week and I will be writing back shortly. I also put something new on my Christmas list that I didn't know would be on it. The Twins released two new jerseys and I want the new road jersey. Crossing my fingers I will see it on me soon! :)

A Very Personal Sonnet

I wrote this sonnet for my creative writing class. My professor usually chooses 3-5 poems to have read in class and mine was one of them. he said I did a great job on this and I just had to make some changes. Here is the poem. Emjoy.

I’ve always been careful with my bruised heart;
Been scared about breaking off another part.
Haven’t found love in over four long years.
Maybe this time I won’t drown in tears.

We haven’t even known each other very long,
Yet these past two weeks have left me with a strong
Feeling that things are going right this time
And I want everything to be sublime.

I am scared that I might go and screw this up,
So please let me know when I’m talking too much.
Just reach out and give me a soft touch.

I admit I’m not good with being patient.
Sorry if this seems a little rushed.
I’m just scared to be heartbroken and crushed.