Grandpa Stephens
Paternal Grandfather
He used to do this slow whistle (sort of like Mr. Incredible on the roof when he watches Elastigirl run off). He would do it when there was a close call, or it got real cold.
On his left forearm he had 2 tattoos. One was a skunk with the phrase no one loves me. You could not tell what it was or read it until very late in his life when his skin shrunk back down. Which I think means he must have got it very young.
He told me that he left school in 8th grade to become a truck driver, and lied about his age cause he wasn’t old enough to have a real license.
Was terrified of snakes. I watched him use a 12-gauge shotgun to kill what had to be a ~2-3 ft garter snake.
He had a habit of threatening REMC (electric company) people that came on his property. While holding the shotgun.
Something my uncle said about him after he died was “he could make a friend as fast as he could loose one”. This feels right to me.
Smelled like oil, parts cleaner and some times old spice.
Used iodine on cuts.
He would use terms like mother of pearl and she is a pistol.