Gwen and Grandpa Jarrel September 2005

Gwendolyn Piper Steeves: Notes from Grandpa Jarrel

It's a nice feeling to know that you are a grandfather to grandchildren who will contribute to society through education, faith, social skills, and a high work ethic, equaled by fun, pleasure, and laughter.

You are so fortunate to have parents that "Focus on You"!!!! It's so obvious. You will, no doubt, be highly intelligent. I also suggest that you be strong, assertive, but sensitive, and a good listner, and be persuasive in all you do. Also, take Dale Carnegie's course, or courses, on How to Win Friends and Influence People, Listening, and how to deal with people and handle yourself for financial gain as well as be socially competent. I desire the BEST OF ALL WORLDS FOR YOU AND ALL MY GRANDCHILDREN, but sometimes we have to make things happen so we can achieve our goals and objectives. Also, do not forget that most all of us have "Spiritual Needs and Requirements"....you will too, sooner or later, without fail.!!!!

Love, Gramps

Gwen and Grandpa Jarrel May 2006

Books

  • WHEELS by Arthur Hailey, first published in 1971 just about the time Gramps started to make his mark on the manufacturing floors @ G.M.; I witnessed and lived many types of examples and topics in WHEELS. You should read this to understand some of the things "Gramps" was a part of in the Automotive World in the 1960's to the early years of the 21st Century

TV

  • CSI–MIAMI, HOUSE, and GREY'S ANATOMY are my favorite TV SHOWS. I also like the Country Music "Top Twenty" show.

Movies

  • Let's stick to "types" or "stars" versus specifics—I like movies with current stars that have "long track records" versus overnight sensations. The DEVIL WEARS PRADA, my last movie, was seen at the Trillium Theatre in Grand Blanc, MI.

Music

  • Oldies with high ranking in the year of release, and contemporary, modern country, a little jazz, and when alone, classical
  • Be sensitive to all, but, I like Rock, Jazz, Country, Classicals, and I "hate" rap!!! I think it's useless and socially degrading for the most part.

Places

  • Go everywhere, like Johnny Cash....
  • The Appalachians
  • Atlanta
  • Auckland
  • Baja
  • Batesville
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Christchurch
  • Dallas
  • Detroit
  • Disney World, Disney Land, Knott's Berry Farm, and all the major amusement parks
  • The Great Northwest
  • Hawaii
  • Key West
  • Longboat Key
  • Mackinac Island
  • Melbourne
  • Naples
  • New Orleans
  • Niagra Falls
  • Orlando
  • The Ozarks
  • The Poconos
  • Reno to San Francisco on Hwy #80
  • The Rockies
  • San Francisco to San Diego on Hwy. #1
  • San Francisco and the adjacent communities such as Carmel, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Sausalito
  • Santa Barbara
  • The Smokey Mountains
  • Sydney
  • Toronto
  • Vancouver
  • Barnes and Noble
  • Borders
  • Starbucks
  • All major Botanic Gardens
  • Take an Amtrak cross–country train ride thru the US and Canada
  • Study the people, know the surrounding areas of all major cities (where you will find the beauty), and of course you will learn about culture(s) to tell "Big Tales" without personal osmosis or a change of lifestyle

Things everyone should know how to do

  • How to function in society, which she is already doing!!!!
  • Read the principles of Dale Carnegie early in life to reap benefits of his thoughts
  • Read, read, and read some more
  • Understand the business/financial world, and participate
  • Start Prep Work for high academic achievement, NOW!!!!!
  • Be strong in not only Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, but also in the Sciences, Law, Music and Fine Arts, and the Sports arena, and, oh yea, the ITT world, and the Medical world.
  • Also, CHOOSE AND PREPARE FOR A VOCATION THAT PAYS THE BILLS!!!! (THAT IS SO IMPORTANT). You can do that and be in an "enjoyable vocation" simultaneously.

Web sites

  • Travel, Financial, and News are the websites that I have invested much time, but, knowing your heritage, you should click on the Webster or Britannica daily!!!!

Shopping tip

  • Coupons are a shopper's "loser" list unless you use coupons for what you absolutely need, not what makes it a good deal...you will create "waste" or "scrap" if you over indulge with online or regular coupons.
  • Also, pay with cash or DEBIT cards, NOT CREDIT CARDS...credit cards will bury you for years to come !!!!