Rainy Houses

It's raining again today, so I had to make do with an indoor picture of these blocks. 

I squeaked in these June blocks for do.Good Stitches.  This month we had to make 2 houses using this tutorial.  I appreciate using all scraps, but for some reason when the background is supposed to be scrappy I don't like how they turn out.  The houses themselves are cute, but I'm not in love with these blocks. 

One good thing came out of it though- it forced me back to me sewing machine, and now I already have 2 projects I want to work on. 

The Magical Mystery Tour

My dad kept telling us he was putting together a Magical Mystery Tour for our trip to Los Angeles.  It took on a life all of its own.  After the funeral services we had a luncheon at John Fusano's home.  He was my Grandpa's best friend for over 50 years.  They met through work.  John owned an olive vineyard and was GG's olive supplier at Vons.  The rest is history.  They hunted and fished together up until the final years of his life.  We had heard about Fu Fu (GG's nickname for John) our whole lives, but this was the first time I actually met him.  Here's a picture of my family at the Fusano's home before we left on the mystery tour:

Magical Mystery Tour:  My dad put together a list of all the old Stuetz hauntings in the Los Angeles area.  I'm the 5th generation of Stuetz's to be born in Los Angeles, so as you can imagine there is a lot of history there for our family.

221 East Pico Blvd.

This first place doesn't exactly exist anymore, but the building for rent is where my great-great-grandfather Edward Stuetz started the California Staats-Zeitung & Printing Shop.  It was a German newspaper that started after WWI.  (The Stuetz line immigrated here from Austria).  When he passed away my great grandfather Ray continued the newspaper until his retirement in the 70s.

2121 Portland St.

This Edward and Helen Stuetz's 3rd home (circa 1930) that was within walking distance to the German newspaper.

2122 West View St.

This is the home of Ray and Gertrude Stuetz where my Grandpa grew up in the 20s & 30s.  Up the street is the market where GG met my Grammy. 

Their second home is the one my dad fondly remembers growing up.  Ray and Gertrude built the home in 1952.  The siding is all brand new to look modern, but it's still the same back yard.  I know this because the couple living there was kind enough to invite us in and talk to us about the home.  They are both art professors.  It was a really rare and nice experience. 

1932 Roscomare Rd., Los Angeles

The pool, shed, and large avocado tree are all originals to the home.  We have some great pictures of my aunt and dad swimming in this pool when they were children.  I'll spare my dad the embarrassment of showing off his little black speedo.  The view up the hills is breathtaking.  It's such a peaceful area.

The last two stops were actually the homes of my dad.  The first home was built by his parents in Torrance where he was born and lived there until he was 7.  You can tell it was built in the 50s.  :)

4227 West 177th St.

The second home in Whittier is where my dad was raised, and where my grandparents remained until GG retired and they moved to the Bay area.  I actually have a few memories of this home.   My parent's first apartment (where I was born) is only a couple minutes away. 

10347 Maybrook Ave.

Honoring GG

In his later years, my Grandpa was fondly referred to as GG (Great Grandpa).  He even signed most of his emails as GG.  This past weekend we traveled to Los Angeles to bury and honor his life.  During his funeral services I was again reminded of what a hard working, inspiring man he was.  He had a way of driving straight to the point and definitely wasn't afraid to tell you like it was, but he was also really funny and incredibly proud of his family.  My fondest memories of my Grandpa are fishing with him up in the Adirondacks even though I know we drove him crazy, because we didn't have a clue what we were doing.  I  also loved his foodie nature.  Having spent his career in the grocery industry, he had quite the sophisticated palate.  We always loved going out to eat with him, because we knew it was going to be really good food.  He loved to watch you try new things.  I always enjoyed watching him order the food and his deliberate instructions to every waiter he ever came across.  You didn't mess with Don and his food.

This was his obituary in the LA Times:

My dad and his sister Sherry

It's fitting that the bushes along the wall are gardenias.  They were Grammy's favorite and it's the smell that reminds me the most of her.

Cousin Brian and his son

Grandpa's parents are buried right next to them

 I don't think there is a more beautiful setting for a cemetery being nestled up in the Hollywood Hills. 

 My Grandpa was a war veteran and extremely patriotic, so it seems fitting that he be buried right above the Washington monument and just below the American freedoms mural.

It seems odd to think Don (also lovingly known as Captain Elwood) isn't around anymore.  He's the last of my grandparents to pass away, so I've lost an entire generation for the time being.  Even though I was sad to see him go, I also know it was for the best.  He was 92, in a lot of pain, and extremely lonely.  Grammy passed away 20 years ago, so he's been on his own for a while now.  In this case it was more of a celebration of his life rather than a mourning for his passing.  He's in a much better place now without his physical ailments.  It was also wonderful to be together with family.  We love you, GG!