This is my hometown...I'll take the Fifth

I hope you will indulge me on this post as I find it a little selfish. But this place is truly one of the places/things I do love most about Nephi.

The Lot

This little parcel of land is what the Painter Clan calls simply "The Lot". It is hardly recognizable by very many people. Over the course of the years the property has morphed and is definitely not the same as it was when I was younger.

Let me take you back 20-25 years ago, immediately to the left of the drive-way you see here was where my Grandpa Painter kept his horses. Depending on the time of year there could be 2-4 horses in the corral. Inside the corral on the west side was where the hey was stacked and the horses manger was located. The barns you can see in the back is where grandpa kept the rabbits and chickens that he raised. The lot was one of the places where I was taught responsibility. During the summers, grandpa allowed Paul and I free reign to the horses, he always kept horses around for us to ride. So, whenever we had the opportunity Grandpa would expect us to go with him to help feed and water the horses. We fed the chickens, collected their eggs and we also had to help tend to the rabbits. Grandpa called this "doing the chores." When I was younger, I resisted a bit more than I should have. But, today I would gladly help Gramps do chores.

Over the course of time, The Lot has morphed into what you see here. After Gramps sold the horses and got rid of the rabbits and chickens the lot was where Grandpa would to to tinker. He worked on a variety of projects, fixing up old furniture, cleaning up bikes, or whatever needed to be done.



The garden is something that seems relatively new to me. (By relatively new, I mean the last 15 years.) Uncle Duane and dad have each put in gardens on the East end of the property, something about the land there helps to grow great tasting crops.

Mike and Chris sometimes talk about heading over to the lot in the afternoons and watching Family Feud with Gramps. They talk fondly of spending time with Gramps here and just enjoying his company and listening to his stories. Grandpa's stories are one of the things I miss most about spending time with him. There is just something magical about "The Lot" and it helps me to remember my Grandpa and some of the life lessons he helped to teach me.

Lastly, today is my Grandpa Painter's birthday. If he was still with us, he would be 97 years old today. I wish all of you would have had the opportunity to know my Gramps. It would have been a life enriching moment for you. But I am certain you feel the same way about your grandfathers. Gramps, Happy Birthday. Love and Miss You!!!