Bless His Pea-Pickin' Heart

Boomers, remember the smooth baritone of Tennessee Ernie Ford? Now his son has written a memoir of his parents:



Yes, this is a shameless plug for my website www.eyeonbooks.com -- and a test of my new embedding feature.

"Younger, healthier, better educated"

"It's the boomer mentality," says Christine Crosby, founder of "Grand" magazine, in a recent article in The Cincinnati Enquirer:

"We are not going to go quietly into that old-age image of grandparenting. We are totally refuting it," she says.

The article by reporter John Johnston points out that while society's image of grandparents is shifting, we're still usually portrayed in movies and TV as doddering old fogies, often for comic effect. But with high-profile grandparents like Billy Crystal, Goldie Hawn, and Paul McCartney, our image is changing.

Booming Baby Boomer Voice Silenced

Every child of the '50s or '60s remembers the booming voice of Tony the Tiger ("They're GRRRREAT!") .. and the holiday song "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" .. and the "grim-grinning" singers from Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. The deep booming voice behind those iconic songs, Thurl Ravenscroft, has died at age 91. More on Thurl's 60-year career can be found at members.aol.com/bejacob/thurl.htm.

Take the Grandkids to England and Scotland

The Chicago Tribune highlights the "Scotland & England: Castles, Highlands and Heather" tour in August.

"Designed for grandparents and grandchildren ages 7-17, the trip takes in classic sites with a nod to the kids. At Windsor Castle, for instance, Queen Mary's dollhouse is featured, while at Stratford-Upon-Avon everyone goes backstage to try on costumes."

It ain't cheap: nearly $7,700 for adults and teens, slightly less for children 7-11. That includes lodging, meals, activities and sightseeing -- but airfare is still extra. It's offered by Grandtravel of Washington.

Goldie's Pride & Joy

In forty years in show business, Goldie Hawn has risen from the giggling, tongue-tied bikini girl on "Laugh-In" to one of the most influential women in Hollywood. Now she has written a memoir, “A Lotus Grows in the Mud.” Goldie, who is 59, is also a YG -- her grandson Ryder Russell Robinson was born in January 2004. Click here to listen to Goldie brag about Ryder. And hear more from Goldie about her book at Eye on Books.

Boomer Grandmas

The Boston Globe's Erica Noonan writes how a chance remark made her mother-in-law's day:

"[She] was out for lunch recently with her 6-month-old grandson. She's a youthful-looking grandma, but the comment from a young man behind the counter really made her day. ''I didn't know she had a baby!" he marveled to a co-worker."

Boomer Grandmas, Noonan writes, are "hands-on managers with decision-making authority." But she also notes...

"This is not to ignore the Boomer Grandpa -- some are absolute gems. But too many BGs are still behind the times. Many still won't change diapers, and nearly all flee the room at the merest suggestion of breast feeding."

For the record, this reporter changes lots of diapers, particularly those the Boomer Mom-Mom he's married to won't touch.

Summer Vacation With Grandchildren

Vacations with grandparents can be rewarding for everyone, according to Dr. Marlene Coleman, author of "Safe and Sound - Healthy Travel With Children." Her advice includes making the planning part of the journey, prepare for the unexpected, and:

"Consider taking one grandchild at a time. A trip alone with Grandma is a special treat. A trip with all the siblings is likely to be a lot like every other day, just moved to a new location."

But Dr. Marlene, is this really necessary?

"Parents should provide a written (and notarized) document that clearly gives their permission for the grandparent(s) to travel with, care for, and secure medical treatment for their child."

Have we become so afraid of lawsuits that we now need written (and notarized!) permission from our children to take our grandchildren on a trip?