March 31. Today would have been my father-in-law’s 90^th birthday. I remember celebrating his 70^th and his 80^th birthdays and several in between. We miss him.

We’re on spring vacation in the Keys. The Keys are a special place, it’s place he and his daughter introduced to me in 2002. B has fond memories of her time in the Keys – visiting with her folks. I had never been to Florida, outside of Miami International, until that trip. I fell in love with the Keys and we’ve been back several times – 2004, 2007, 2013, and this year. Each time I come here, I think of him and grandma and enjoy the sun.

The first time we came, they met us at the airport – it was B, W, and me. B was pregnant with O at the time, so I suppose you could say that O came along, too.

I am an early riser and so were B’s parents. I remember sitting on the balcony with grandma and watching the sunrise and sipping coffee, much like we did at the cottage.

We spent our time playing on the beach, swimming in the pool, and visiting with grandma and grandpa. W had turned four a couple of months before that visit and was full of all of the energy a four year-old boy had and more.

2002 was the beginning of our digital photo library. Now, I take more photos than ever, but seemingly I have fewer to look at. I can look at them on my phone or download them and search through the photos, but it is not the same as a picture book.

Easter Sunday fell on March 31^st in 2002, it was grandpa’s 76^th birthday and we had Easter brunch together. This year, on Easter Sunday, we went back to the same place. I had printed several photos from that day and put them frames for B, and all of us, and had them on display when we woke Easter morning. We’ll pack them up when we leave in a couple of days and take them home with us along with memories of our trip to Florida and the Keys.

Last week, I heard a song while I was waiting in line and I really listened to the lyrics and laughed. I was  listening to song “Picture Book’ by the Kinks. It has a catchy beat and tune, but the words came alive for me. We’ve been spending time looking through old photos and old picture books, Since my in-laws have passed away, it brings back wonderful memories. Enjoy the picture book from Spring Break 2002.

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Picture Book – The Kinks

Picture yourself when you’re getting old
Sat by the fireside a-pondering on
Picture book, pictures of your mama
Taken by your papa, a long time ago
Picture book of people with each other
To prove they love each other, a long time ago
Na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na
Picture book, picture book

A picture of you in your birthday suit
You sat in the sun on a hot afternoon
Picture book, your mama and your papa
And fat old uncle Charlie out cruising with their friends
Picture book, a holiday in August
Outside a bed and breakfast in sunny Southend
Picture book when you were just a baby
Those days when you were happy, a long time ago
Na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na
Picture book, picture book
Picture book, picture book

Picture book
Na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na
A-scooby-dooby-doo
Picture book
Na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na
A-scooby-dooby-doo

Picture book, pictures of your mama
Taken by your papa, a long time ago
Long time ago, long time ago
Long time ago
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Songwriters: HUCKNALL, MICHAEL JAMES/MCINTYRE, FRITZ
Source: Metro Lyrics

Today’s post is a Tuesday’s Tune on Thursday. It’s been a while since I posted a Tuesday’s Tune but Thursday is a great day to post this Tuesday’s Tune. Enjoy both picture books

Today’s gonna be a great day, I know it and I can feel it, so I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, one photo, one memory.

When was the last time you looked at ‘old photos’? How did it feel?