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Our eldest grandson is in his first semester at Louisiana State University. He is the third Joseph Thomas Butler in the family to attend the university. We jinxed Joey's dad by not naming him Joseph Thomas Butler, and he went elsewhere to college. At the time our two sons were born, we thought "The Third" was somewhat of a heavy burden to lay on a baby boy, so we did not continue the tradition. Besides, we were in a daze, since one baby followed so quickly upon another. I can't think how that happened. Our son Tim and his wife returned to the tradition when they named our firstborn grandson, and Joey, according to tradition, now attends LSU.
Above you see a picture of Joe, my father-in-law, Tom, my husband, and Joey, my grandson. I love the title chosen by the author, Jackie Barkiewicz, who went to great pains to get the information in the article right. And I want you to know that Tom went for a formal sitting with a professional photographer, since my photos were not flattering enough to suit him.
Since Joey plans on nothing less than a doctoral degree in psychology, he will be a student for years into the future, far too distant in time to fix his old grandmother's mental state.
From the LSU Alumni Magazine. The most recent issue is not yet online.
I'm curious about the missing generation. Your son, Joey's dad, went somewhere else?
ReplyDeleteWe jinxed Joey's dad by not naming him Joseph Thomas Butler, and he went elsewhere to college.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm, there you are.
When I saw your title in the feed- I thought John the Baptist?
ReplyDeletewv mamycoma -- was that what you were in Mimi?
I told Tom what you said about JTB, and he was astonished. John the Baptist! Although I believe he sometimes feels like a voice crying in the wilderness when the family doesn't follow as he directs them.
ReplyDeleteMamycoma is priceless. Yes, I blame the two births in quick succession on a mamycoma.
Mimi says ". . .far too distant in time to fix his old grandmother's mental state."
ReplyDeleteI remember being able to fix *anyone's* mental state after completing Psychology 101. At least I thought I could! That was all that was required of a Music Major. I have since forgotten about all I learned.
Oh, and I just want to say, "Good looking men seem to run in your family!"
ReplyDeleteSusan, I've put in my time trying to "fix" others' mental states after only Psych 101. I actually thought about being a psychologist as a career, but I wasn't sure about all the further education that it called for.
ReplyDeleteI'll pass your compliment on to the two men who are still alive. Joey had even more hair on his face than in the picture when he came for Thanksgiving.
Geaux, Tigers!
ReplyDeleteHandsome AND smart!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Mimi!
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone. I'm a tad proud of my mens. Joey's grades are all A's so far this semester. He's off to a good start, and I hope he continues to do well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post and clipping, no wonder you are proud of them all.
ReplyDeleteMost excellent. As a "third" myself, before I took my name in religion, I always felt it was a bit too dynastic! You done good!
ReplyDeletewv: pressess = the daughter of the king of publishing
Freda, thank you.
ReplyDeleteTobias, thanks for the affirmation about the decision on naming.
These WV thingies begin to spook me a little.
Nice post. Thank you. And congratulations to you and to your grandson.
ReplyDeletewv ousel, an old name for a blackbird
Lapin, do you know everything?
ReplyDeleteI blame the two births in quick succession on a mamycoma.
ReplyDeleteWell, I've never heard it called that before :-) But I agree about the good-lookin' men in the family, specially Tom of course, so whoever is at fault it is definitely not you, Mimi.
The first Joseph Thomas Butler looks quite stern - I assume that is just because the photo is of a certain era? ... Tom and Joey both look rather sweet. I hope Joey does go on to get a doctorate. Well done him for doing so well at his studies.
Cathy, Joe could be stern. Tom's upbringing was quite strict. No sparing the rod in that household. Tom's father was a talented athlete. He's in the LSU Sports Hall of Fame. He should be. When he competed, athletes got no help or scholarships. They even had to buy their own uniforms.
ReplyDeleteJoe was musical, too, and played the violin, the guitar, and the banjo. He loved the old country hymns. He went to the Baptist church for choir practice on Wednesdays, but he didn't go to church on Sundays. He just liked to sing.
We have a wonderful photo of Joe in his Doughboy's uniform from WWI. I should scan it and post it one day.
Mimi, I was going to leave a little flattery on the lines that JTB III was the most handsome of the bunch, and that obviously must have been your contribution....
ReplyDeleteBut then I looked more closely and realized that, underneath that beard and rather dazzling smile (oh, to be that age again!), JTB III has almost exactly the same face (eyes, nose, shape of head) as JTB I. JTB II need not feel left out--he's got the eyes and nose, too, and the smile doesn't hurt, either.
WV: minglyt. Study of 15th-16th century Chinese poetry.
Rockin' The Bieber! (Which, as many lesbians could tell you, was OURS first ;-/)
ReplyDeleteBut seriously: I'm sure you're very proud of your "JTB3"! [As you are, needless to say, of your JTB2]
Mimi, I looked at your mens again and noticed that neither Tom or Joey ended up with Joe I's nose. Tom's mother's genes must have scotched that one. They are both better lookin' that the first. ;-)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I think JTB3 is the best-looking and not just because he's young. JTB2 was/is good-looking, but not as handsome as no.3 (says the fond grandmother).
ReplyDeleteSecond, JTB1 had a broken nose that was never set right, so you can't go by the appearance of his nose.
Third, JTB2 was adopted, so there's no blood relationship between JTB1 and JTB2.
Didn't y'all just know that there was more to the story? And there's even more to tell, but you don't think I'm telling all on the internet, do you?
Please! Let's not say anything to associate such a handsome young man with Justin Bieber.
ReplyDeleteCall it the emo swoop, even . . . but "the Bieber?" No. Just no.
You know, Mimi, you really do need to give these kids some encouragement. I mean you'll give them a complex withholding your praise and affection so! ;)
wv: amarm - a very motherly Islamic cleric.
Looks like a nice young man to me.
ReplyDeleteA nice young man from a very nice and very smart family.
I don't see the Justin Bieber resemblance either.
Maybe James Franco.
Was the first Joseph T. Butler the first in his family to go to college?
I had a grandpa who signed up for the army during WWI (together with his entire class) the same day he graduated med school.
All the best for nr III's future!
ReplyDelete(vw besessal ;-)
Mark, I will mend my ways starting today and act like a loving grandmother.
ReplyDeleteCounterlight, JTB1 came from a family of simple country folks in an isolated place in north Louisiana, and he was the first to finish college, as you see, after a struggle with a war intervening.
Thanks for all the good wishes for JTB3.
Please, people, it's just the HAIR (JTB3 is WAY better looking than JB!)
ReplyDeleteWe have a wonderful photo of Joe in his Doughboy's uniform from WWI. I should scan it and post it one day.
ReplyDeleteYes you should!!
PS Sorry, I think Tom is the handsomest. :-) Please feel free to disagree.
JCF and Cathy, I'll leave y'all to fight it out.
ReplyDelete