Halloween - he was the best pumpkin carver I ever saw! And he insisted costumes had to be homemade - no store bought crap for us.  I have been spoiled forever by my brother. Every year now we have a pumpkin carving tradition, thanks to Jimmy.  Since my God-children were babies, I made them costumes every year - we had such fun planning and making them, and wowing the neighborhood. And the stories I told him about our little traditions brought that sly smile to his face - it makes me smile just thinking of his smile.

When I was a little girl Jimmy used to take me along when he went smelting - I remember getting those 10¢ blue bags from the laundromat and bringing a full bag back to Ma to clean & cook up. I never realized how much work she did for us - snapping off the heads and using her thumb to clean them out all seemed so effortless back then.  Rolled in flour & cornmeal and fried up in a cast iron pan - nothing else has ever tasted like that - to this day.

Racing days... 57 is still my favorite number.  I loved watching him drive.  I loved all those nights spent at Al Sirles' garage with Dwight & Jimmy working on the race car - me trying to learn about how to set up tires and tire chains... I just wanted to hang with my brothers - and they let me.  They even taught me a thing or two... I am very proud to say.  I remember the night Jimmy flipped his car into the "frog pond" in the middle of the Loudon race track - my heart stopped - but he was fine. Except for that cut across his nose. That scar became a part of his handsome face forever.  Ice racing on Meredith Bay - those were the days - he won most of the time - he had quite a collecton of trophies. I will never forget the time he took me for a spin on the track on the ice - I felt like we were going a hundred miles an hour! And there was a hole, yes, a hole in the corner of the track that water just came right through.  I'm not sure if we were brave or just crazy - but we sure had fun.

My first car.  Jimmy picked it out - a '64 Chevelle Malibu SS, 327 small block, 4-on-the-floor Hurst shifter with Cragar mag wheels - and a slightly leaky windshield. I had no idea how to drive a stick.  Jimmy taught me. I'm pretty sure he picked out a car he wanted, but I loved that car.

I don't know how many times Jimmy tried to teach me how to dance - he was a wonderful dancer, and so full of fun.

All of my life, Jimmy was there, singing, playing the guitar, dancing. Oh, the hours I spent listening to songs like Hank Snow's "I've Been Everywhere" to write down the lyrics for Jimmy so he could sing them.  He was a natural & I loved his voice.  To this day, I still burst into song at random times - another tribute to my brother.

He was an artist, even though he denied it. I still remember my favorite cartoon he drew of Mutt & Jeff. Jeff holding a hotdog on a fishing pole in front of Mutt - and Mutt forever chasing after that hotdog!

Both of my brothers embodied the "perfect" man - especially Jimmy. He had perfect hands. I always told him that I judged every man by his hands! and no one ever came close to my big, strong, handsome brother.

Jimmy was never afraid of telling people he loved them - every time I saw him, he told me he loved me.  I treasure those moments.  I could go on about his talents, but that is nothing new to those of us who loved him. He was smart, funny, loving, creative, mischievous and always hard working.

Even though my heart is breaking at losing this beautiful man, I am glad I had that last "short one" with him, and I know he is in the best of company now.

I love you Bubba... from your baby sister, Kathy