Check the butter My grandma was the smartest woman I have ever had the pleasure to have known in my life. She had remedies for every ailment under the sun. Ok, some were not perfect, but because we believed in her so strongly, we would shake the sickness and heal fast. She was also the more motherly grandma. Her name was Nana. All five of my brothers and sisters and I, would fight all week to see who would get to go and stay with Nana on the weekend. My cousins did the same. Every one wanted grandmas undivided love and attention. I was a runt, and my brothers always picked on me, so mom usually sent me. It was great to get away from my one really horrible brother. He tormented and tortured me for years. I hated him for that. But getting to go and stay with Nana was almost worth the pain. It was just me and Nana. She was the superintendent of a fifty family apartment building. Most of the tenants were old folks. They all treated me like gold. I was like everyone's grandchild. What a life it was when I was there. Nana would always ask what I wanted for lunch and dinner. Not like at home where mom put out whatever she decided. I was a king. Gosh, so long ago. Sometimes I wish I was at Nana's house even now. But I have grandkids of my own to love and take care of. A couple of weeks ago during a really cold spell, my daughter let her kid run around my house in just a diaper. Normally I don't care, but this day the fire had gone out and it was pretty cold inside. I told her to get the kid dressed. She said, she's fine dad, let it go. All of a sudden, out of nowhere I yelled, check the damn butter. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy. Check the butter? My son asked with a look of oh god dad's senile on his face. Yes I said, check the butter. Dad are you alright asked my kids over and over. Of course I'm alright, what is wrong with you guys I muttered. What do you mean check the butter my daughter asked? I then got lost in thought for a couple moments. I hadn't heard that saying since I was a little kid. Dad, dad, are you okay? I looked up and smiled at them. Yes, I am fine. I am better then fine. With a tear in my eye I explained my comment to them. When I was little I said, when my mom and dad would argue about it being to cold for the kids to run around half naked, grandma would yell out, stop fighting and check the damn butter. The butter always sat on the kitchen table in the little glass butter plate. If it was hard, the kids need to be dressed. If it was soft, they were just fine running around in their diapers. Yea, Nana was a smart old gal. Yesterday, my daughter stopped by with the kids and I was still in my underwear being lazy. My two year old grand daughter looks right up at me and asked, pop pop, did you check the damn butter. May your day be peaceful and happy, and if you feel a chill, check the damn butter. All my love to you.