Grandpa Hill's True Stories

Author: Grandpa Hill

  • Sparky the Dog & Devil’s Night

    Sparky the Dog & Devil’s Night

    This story isn’t really about Devil’s night, a night of tricks and pranks. It is a story about an unfortunate—or rather fortunate—course of events that led to Sparky becoming the dog of Grandpa Hill’s family, way back when he was a just a boy of 11 years old.  

    It was 1967 on a foggy Devil’s Night in Rochester Michigan.  A prank was played on a most unfortunate family and their dog. The next morning when the fog was still thick, Grandpa discovered there at the end of the driveway the Devil’s Night Dog, a young black and white Smooth Fox Terrier. The sweetest and barkiest dog there ever was… maybe. Nonetheless, the situation needed to be remedied.  

    Grandpa’s family knew the drill.  They needed to find the owner and let them know what had happened to their terrier.  They tried and failed.  What happened next was a few years of fun love and happy times with Sparky. One day Sparky took off for his normal morning run.  He was normally back at the house within an hour.  That day Sparky was brought home dead.  He was killed by a neighbor’s dog. Gorf and Marshmallow help the young listener to think through Sparky’s death and how it may have shaped Grandpa Hill’s life and what lessons may have been learned.

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Gorf: Grandpa
    Marshmallow: David Richman
    Music: Michael Steele
    Art: David Richman
    Grandchildren in the audience: Kyla, Lawrence, Eddy, and Levi

  • The Money Tree

    The Money Tree

    “Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees” Grandpa Hill (Don)’s Dad said… as it turns out money does sometimes grow on trees. Donald was a teenager in the 1970’s, and his Dad was explaining the folly of a purchase.  Don replied oh yes it does grow on trees! “Look right there!”  Right out side the living room window there was a money tree.  Grandpa’s Mom used to pick what looked to be silver dollars off the tree and exchange them for dollars.

    This seems unbelievable to the grandchildren listening to this story from long ago.  So, Grandpa takes them down the street to Ken and Cindy’s house in Latrobe Pennsylvania and right there in the garden is a Money Tree, for real!

    Gorf and Marshmallow discuss how to make money with the Money Tree, and, food, and doing the right thing when talking to your parents or are considering harvesting someone else’s crop.  We hope you enjoy this simple Grandpa Hill True Story, keep listening, sharing, and exploring the dozens of other episodes!

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Gorf: Grandpa
    Marshmallow: David Richman
    Music: Michael Steele
    Art: David Richman
    Grandchildren in the audience: Kyla, Breandan, Lawrence, Eddy, and Levi

  • Turtle Soup

    Turtle Soup

    This story is about Grandpa Hill and his grandfather, Grandpa Bonse.  “Donny Boy” got turtle soup for his birthday and learned to consider carefully what he really wanted in his life.  In this case he was very excited to get a special meal that he was sure was the best ever.  Grandpa Bonse had to make his regular visit to the garbage dump near North Port MI.  Then he had Donny Boy look in a barrel of turtles, then they enjoyed a great lunch.  Grandpa Bonse enjoyed teaching Donny Boy this way.  Grandpa Hill (Donny Boy) enjoyed learning this way.  He felt loved.  

    Gorf the frog  and Marshmallow the raccoon discuss the eating of frogs and turtles.  What you think about your food plays a big part in whether you will like it or not.  Grandpa did some thinking about his highly desired soup and then it wasn’t quite so desired.  Marshmallow mostly thinks about eating more not what it is that he is eating.  Gorf handles the whole story pretty well.  Gorf does get tense with all the talk about eating things like frogs.  Marshmallow reminds Gorf again that he won’t be consuming frogs any time soon.

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Music: Michael Steele,
    Art: David Richman,
    Grandchildren in Audience: Annette & Breandan

  • How To Buy a Car

    How To Buy a Car

    Grandma teaches Grandpa how to buy a car–how not to pay more than it is worth or than you can afford.  34 years after he learned his lesson Grandpa has bought over 20  cars. The family has nearly always has one dependable family car and a back up car. This has saved the family so much money.  No car payments ever!  Only once did he feel he should buy collision insurance coverage. 

    His two current cars cost $1,000 and about $4000 dollars when they were new to him. Never has he bought a brand new car.  Occasionally he has offered money on cars at used car dealerships.  Never have those offers been accepted he just can’t bring himself to pay more than what it is worth to him.  Grandpa is OK with that.  So is Grandma. 

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Music and Art by David Richman

  • The Flood – Love Hurts #2

    The Flood – Love Hurts #2

    In the dark January night Don Mary Lee and Brian set out for the Indiana Library. It was a warm day in Pennsylvania in January in the early 1990’s.  The snow had been melting all day.  Flashflood warning were out.  There was water on Route 286.  Then the family car was floating and was in a flood. 

    Grandpa quickly made a plan to leave the car and when it came time for the family to escape the car he ended up hurting Mary Lee.  Grandpa dragged her over the console of the small Chevy station wagon.  The floating car sank, the flood was eliminated with a shovel and the evening came to a close.  Mary Lee’s arm was badly bruised and the car was totaled by the insurance company.

    Grandpa loved Grandma deeply and at the moment considered the dragging minor compared to losing Grandma in the flood.  Looking back, Grandpa knows he loved well.  Grandpa also knows he over-reacted.  A few more seconds of thinking could have avoided the haste of the “escape”.  A bit of caution and good judgement and he may have completely avoided being in the flood.

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Music & Art: David Richman

  • Hospital Check – Grandma Saves the Day

    Hospital Check – Grandma Saves the Day

    In 1979 Grandpa and Grandma Hill, were proud parents of their first child, Patricia Kay.  The huge $1900 hospital bill had just been paid.  Grandpa Hill was broke!  In a few days he would be at a to-be-determined-address 500 miles away with no money, no job, and full time college classes to attend.  The very next day the good news came in the mail.  The health insurance from Central Foundry was going to cover all of the hospital bill.  Grandpa went immediately to the hospital to get the $1900 back.  The hospital had already cashed the check, and, couldn’t give him the money!  It would be weeks before they would get the check and the address to send it to still wasn’t known.  All of the back and forth of getting the money would have to be done by mail and expensive phone calls.   The situation looked bleak, but, then Mary Lee (Grandma Hill) took over.

    It took some sitting, some talking and a lot of patiently waiting and then it happened, Grandma Hill saved the day again.  Grandpa was so proud of what she had done, and grateful for the money.  “Honey how did you do it?”  Was his frequently asked question in those early years.  Grandma had truly saved the day!

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Music & Art by David Richman

  • The Insurance Commissioner – Grandma Saves the Day

    The Insurance Commissioner – Grandma Saves the Day

    Grandpa Hill tells this true story to give credit to one of the unexpected talents that Grandma has for peaceably settling disputes and disagreements and issues.  Don (Grandpa Hill) wasn’t so good at that sort of thing.   Before Don would get into the arguing, the run-around and the frustration of handling difficult issues he would wisely turn it all over to Mary Lee.  It would seem like a miracle to Don, when somehow Mary Lee would get the issue settled.

    Mary Lee (Grandma Hill) was a stay at home mom in the early 80’s in Columbus Ohio.   With two little children and one on the way money was tight. There had been a wreck, the car was damaged and the insurance company wasn’t going to pay.  Mary Lee gets the insurance carrier to reverse their decision, cut a check, and, pay us for our loss.  The check was in Grandpa’s hand about five hours after Mary Lee had started to address the issue.   The money was greatly needed.  She got it done, and fast.   Nobody mad, nobody sad, and several hundred dollars available to fix the family car; she truly saved the day. 

    Mary Lee’s special talent has served the family well these past forty four years. Don is so proud of and in love with Mary Lee.  

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Music by David Richman

  • Grandpa Kisses a Woman

    Grandpa Kisses a Woman

    Grandpa is catching his breath, on the plane on his way to deliver his report to Georgia Power and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, in Washington D.C. He had realized he didn’t have the report! He wouldn’t be on the plane now if not for the work of Jody the secretary who drove across town with the papers he needed for the Nuclear Reactor case (another story). His boss had held the plane, his job was saved, and Grandpa realizes that… that… he kissed Jody. You know how people say, when they are very happy and thankful, “Oh I could just kiss you.” Well, Grandpa didn’t say that, instead he just kissed her.

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Grandchild, Art & Music: David Richman

  • Grandpa’s First Boat

    Grandpa’s First Boat

    Once upon a time there were two little boys in the back of their father’s aluminum flat bottomed fishing boat,  two big boys took turns at the front, but the two little boys got bigger.  As the four boys grew, one moved away, and, the little boys were crowded and heavy in the back of the boat.  Grandpa, one of the not so little boys, takes it upon himself to purchase a boat of his own so that he can go fishing while two of his brothers can be in the family boat.  Grandpa Hill’s solution was a little yellow inflatable boat with a brass fitting.  He had saved his money and was determined to be independent in his own boat!

    He learned that being independent is a lot of work.  That didn’t stop him from being independent. Out on the lake all by himself, catching fish.

    Grof and Marshmallow discuss the importance of independence but also the importance of taking turns (even when you don’t like to) and spending time will your family. They also imagine what might’ve happened to Grandpa Hill’s Boat. What do you think happened to Grandpa’s Boat?

    If you enjoyed our story please subscribe and share the story with everyone you know. If you would like to talk with us directly, email us at grandpahill.stories@gmail.com!

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Art: David R,
    Music: Michael Steele
    Grandchildren in the Audience: Lawrence, Edmund, and Levi

  • Grandpa Mangles His Bike

    Grandpa Mangles His Bike

    In the spring of 1973, Rochester Michigan, Grandpa Hill found freedom, fun, and adventure on his light and fast 10 speed bicycle.  He had saved up for this bike and it met all of his needs and then some.   Grandpa had plans of pedaling his bike on many long rides packed with adventure.  In this episode he takes his bicycle on one very risky ride with his friend Bill.

    His plans to ride that bike on trips that were 100’s of miles long were shattered when the bike crumpled against a curb.  In the wreck he loses his bike, breaks his arm, all while skipping school.   He does not want to admit his pains, especially not to his Dad that offered help.

    Gorf and Marshmallow help the younger listener figure out what this growing up story is about.  There were losses, and, yes lessons were learned, the hard way.

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Grandchildren in the audience: Breandan

    Music: Michael Steele

    Art: Amy Steele