I’ll just have to do it for him. He sent me this old picture to use for my Photoshop assignment. Here’s the original, along with my retouched versions.

And here is his email to tell the tale:

Hi Daughter, your fault. Tempted me. I can’t resist. Here is the picture of my great-grandfather, Jacob Lee Emerick (Little Grandpa), 31 Jul 1863 to 30 Sep 1942. He died at Grandma Scribner’s (his daughter’s ) house when I was 4 years old. He used to take me to the bar and buy me “orange beer” if I would dance and spit on the floor for the crowd. That was the beginning of my acting career, which turned into preaching. I remember walking with him on Illinois Road. There are a lot of war stories about him. He was married 2 or 3 times. Once brought a “hussie” (Aunt Helen’s term) home but sent her packing in a few weeks when he sobered up. He owned a store and filling station on Main Street in Ft Wayne, but was too soft-hearted to be a business man. When people couldn’t afford groceries he just gave it to them on credit. Of course, they never paid.

My grandmother Scribner, Ethel Bernice Emerick Scribner is in the middle. Born 05 May 1896. Died 05 Aug 1976. Married when she was 15. Don’t think she had a happy day in her life. What a bitch! But, I loved her, and she made the best sugar cookies and peanut brittle in the world, then or now. Great cook! I used to go to her house every morning before school because she had a shower and toaster.

I never knew my great grandmother, Roxie Mae Morehouse, Born 08 Mar 1867, Died 01 Jan 1920. From Centerville, St. Joseph Township, MI. Met Grandpa at a dance. I understand she was thrown from a mudboat and was never well after that. She spent most of her life in bed and grandma had to take care of her.

This picture should give you a bit more of a challenge. I have hundreds more. Dad

I’ll spare you the follow-up email that explains what the heck a “mudboat” is …