Grandfather Says: The Lost Entry

Original oil painting by: Grandfather’s wife

Readers: I found this edition of Grandfather Says in my inbox earlier this year. Dave sent it to me on Christmas Day, 2023 – which is probably why I overlooked it, as I am usually nowhere near my emails during the Christmas holidays. Anyway, I thought it would be appropriate to show it today, on Christmas Day 2025. It has been an honor sharing Dave’s writings over the years here. Rest in peace, Dave. – Len

Grandfather is now 92 years old, in a wheelchair most of the time. Here he is with “latest” (chuckle) wife, Tatjana:

He is increasingly surprised that his perceptions about life continue to mature.

When he started to write “Grandfather Says” he had no idea that it would become important to him as a way to preserve a record for future generations of his family.

But it has, so he is now printing out a hard copy to put in a “fireproof” box for posterity.

An example of the impetus: He wishes he could read his paternal grandfather’s diary of his day-to-day life as a gold miner in the Klondike, but its been lost.

My late wife Elaine’s diary will also be preserved; an abridgment of it, “The Chronicles of Elaine” is appearing here on Len’s blog now, and it will be preserved also.

A word to the wise: Make a record like that of and for your family. There will be posterity that wants it.

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About the Author: RD Blakeslee is a nonagenarian in West Virginia who built his net worth by only investing in that which can be enjoyed during acquisition and throughout life, as opposed to papers in a drawer, like stocks and bonds. You can read more about him here.

Photos: Courtesy of the Blakeslee Family

Grandfather Says: The Lost Entry

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