Childhood things fondly remembered involving my Grandparents McLean

Hello.

I came to realize that my post about my Grandparents McLean might imply that I really have no memories of what it was like being around them.  While it is true there is an extended period that I missed out with them, there are still plenty of fond things I remember when in their presence.   So I figured I would share a few.  So without further ado:
 
Chocolate meringue pies
 
Dessert made from banana pudding, sliced bananas and 'Nilla Wafers
 
Getting my first ever lottery scratch ticket and soon after realizing that gambling just isn't my thing
 
Grandma's big black poodle who instilled a love of dogs
 
Sitting in the kitchen watching Grandma and assorted aunts gossiping
 
Asking to try coffee for the first time and being warned that it would stunt my growth
 
Coming to the realization that I just wasn't a coffee guy
 
Christmas Eve at their house, being the first grandchild, but soon joined by my brother and eventually my cousins
 
Getting my first ever wristwatch at one above said Christmas Eve.  (It was a Star Wars one with R2 and C3PO on the face.)
 
Grandpa getting as a gag gift a pair of 'mantyhose' (which featured THREE legs) and him wearing them around their house
 
Getting introduced to one of the greatest sammiches ever; the Cheesy British from the Hoagie's Corner down the street
 
Lying down in the attic bedroom and looking at the Underdog and Keep on Truckin' stickers on the ceiling
 
Playing on the stairs to the attic with assorted toys and a light blue Jabberjaw lunchbox
 
My Grandma playing a song off her record player that had the lines 'My name us Michael, I have a nickel.  I have a nickel shiny and new,' and telling me this song was about me.  I eventually tracked down the song.  (Clint Holmes - Playground In My Mind.)

Playing an old Disney record on their portable record player that featured a marching song about Alice in Wonderland that I have yet to find

But I continue to look...

Cruel to be kind

Let me tell you a tale from the past.  Don't worry, it's not depressing and it has a point relating to the now...
 
One day when I was a young lad living in Edmonds, I raced out the front door on a nice spring day.  Our front porch was about a 3 by 6 foot slab of concrete that had a couple steps down to the walkway that had the front yard to the right and a small garden-type area to the left.  The garden area had a small wooden fence my dad made.  I cannot remember why there was a fence around it or what said fence protected in the space.  Anyways, I raced out the front door, heading to the front yard for one reason or another.  I started  down the steps-
 
And missed the first one completely.
 
All that forward momentum was now angled downwards and I took a spill into the little fence on the left, where aforementioned fence proceeded to scrape the skin off my left shoulder.  Screaming in pain, my parents proceeded to clean me up, and I put on a clean shirt and went about my way.

 
Cut to the next day...
 
Well the shoulder was healing rather quickly.  Unfortunately it had healed into my shirt, bonding to it. My dad, knowing what had to be done, tried to distract me as he quickly ripped the shirt off, removing it and the skin and scab that had grown.  Needless to say I was NOT happy.  In fact, for a short time I HATED him for what he had done, not comprehending why it had to be done.  A little pain and cruelty now to save me from a lot of pain down the road.  While I eventually understood it, I never thought it would be something I would have to think about.
 
Until now again.
 
My Cappy has a couple scratches on his belly that he just will not leave alone.  It has been nearly a month and they are getting all inflamed.  So to prevent him getting any serious damage and going to the Vets, which hates, I have to show a little cruelty to him by making him wear a cone for about a week so I can clean and bandage his wounds.  I know he is going to hate me and act out in revenge for this (the rug shampooer is on standby), but for his long term well-being I have to do this. 
 
But it makes me sick to my stomach to have to do this.  And I think this is how my dad must have felt. Having to be cruel to be kind...