Ralph – Marsha Ingrao

The Adventures of Manny

Hi Mom,

I’ve had a great time with Ute and Ralph. This is where we are staying.

Map of Spain It is hot here, and we lay out on the patio every day.

13b Ralph's Apartment

Today I got kind of mad at Ralph because he made us pose with our blankets. Mom, it was HOT! I felt like I was sick or something. All those pillows. Danny is really nice, and he wanted to kick the blanket out the window. I threw a pillow on the floor.

1a Fanny, Manny, Danny and new baby bear with Marsha's quilts

Fanny liked it because she had a new baby bear, I call him Lanny. Lanny liked cuddling under the blanket. Fanny kept KISSING him on the ears. Blaaaah

Ute, Ralph & Bears

Ute is cute. I still love Ute best. I think Danny should stay with Ralph, and I’ll go home with Ute. See how nice she holds me so I won’t fall. I LOVE Ute, Mom. She was tickling me under the chin. I didn’t even kick her.

Bye, Mom. I love you.

Manny

Dear Manny,

You haven’t told me anything about the trips you are taking. That is a lovely picture of you and Danny with Ute and Ralph. But, where were you? It is so beautiful!

Manny Goes To Spain

Remember when you were making those blankets? You were so sleepy you could hardly sew the line straight.

Manny Goes to Spain031

You stayed up almost all night. Mama is glad that Ralph took a picture of you three with your blankets. I hope you picked up the pillow. Those are Ralph’s new pillows.

Have you been to Ronda? Everyone talks about how beautiful and historic it is. You know how much Mom loves history.

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Kalev misses you and wishes she had come along with you. Chloe says hi, too.

Write soon, Love Mom

Dear Mom and Dad,

OK I’m going to send you some pictures, and you have to guess where they are.

Manny & Danny traveling

I was a little scared here because it was a long way down to the bottom of this wall, and Danny sometimes likes to wrestle and pulls me backwards. We were both on our good behavior.

Manny & Danny traveling 2

We wanted our picture taken with this arch. It’s really old. Like maybe Roman times! I bet Roman soldiers built it! Do you think they did, Mom? Ralph let us sit on the table so we could look at it better.

8 Ralph in BP

Ralph had to wear sunglasses here because the buildings are so sparkly. Do you love them, Mom? Did you guess yet? Go ask Dad. He doesn’t get lost like you do.

I gotta go. We’re busy, Mom. Sorry!

Love, Manny

Ralph’s Latest News About Manny

Manny told me this morning that he wanted a Californian breakfast just like his Mom makes for him every morning. Donuts and strong coffee. He said that his Mom ALWAYS gives him 10 donuts to start his day and he was fed up with the local Spanish breakfast of sliced cheese, sliced smoked ham and sliced bread. So I made him breakfast just like his Mom does as a treat for him. (I’m not sure what Ralph has been eating for breakfast – something gullible, I’m sure!) 🙂

Manny looks pretty calm, so Ralph? Are you just about to press delete? Or could it be that you would like to press the send or return button?

I only had 8 donuts in the cupboard, which upset him, as his Mom gives him 10 every day. Oh he really does go on sometimes. He ate and ate and ate while drinking his strong hot coffee. His stomach grew larger and larger.

He ate 9 donuts and fell asleep. (Hmmm where did Ralph get the 9th donut? – the garbage can across the street, maybe?) He’s still asleep now.

And Ralph believed him when he said his mom gave him 10 EVERY day! Manny will sleep for a week after THAT breakfast! 🙂

I hope he doesn’t want Eskimo food tomorrow !! (I think all Ralph has is gato food.) A whale perhaps !! (I don’t think cats eat whales, do they?)

Ralph, in a week when Manny wakes up – Don’t be fooled by his open eyes. He always sleeps with his eyes open. – like I was saying, when he wakes up, you can fool Manny about the whale, and when he’s not looking open a can of tuna. Don’t let him talk you into mixing up a gallon of “whale” He will only eat a little can full. You might even get by with canned cat food if you have that. You just have to eat it too, so he thinks it’s people food. 🙂

Poor Ralph, now he’s got a heavy teddy bear snoring on his table for a week. When he wakes up, he will be extremely grumpy, and worse, will have to go to the bathroom. He’s not litter box trained. I’m not sure how that will work with the balcony and everything. Here in California we live out in the country, and there are lots of trees. I have to admit that I never considered all these personal problems when we agreed to let Manny visit Ralph.

Do you all think Ralph is going to survive until Ute arrives?

Thursday: News From Manny

According to Ralph, Manny is learning new customs and ways of life in Spain. I’m not sure the man next to Manny knew about those customs. He seemed quite interested at what Manny was learning. I am not sure that Ralph’s female friend here was quite expecting Manny’s finesse, either, but when in Spain…

Manny would not tell me about the vacuum cleaner incident, so I asked Ralph. According to Manny the incident went something like this.

Dear Mom,

Can’t we talk about something else? I’m having fun with Fanny today. Here, you talk to Ralph.

Love, Manny

Hi RVBFM,

I’ll write captions as you look at the pictures. Will that do? I’m still busy getting my house ready for Ute to come visit. As you know, I ordered a vacuum cleaner. I had no idea how much more inquisitive boy teddies are than girl teddies. Fanny played in her room with the cats, but NOT Manny! Maybe he thought it would be another teddy bear. After all, that’s how he came to Spain. Anyway Manny’s words are in blue.

“What’s in here? Let’s open it”

“Lots of paper !! I’m having fun with this.”

“Ooooh more boxes !! Can I open them? Home kit, will that take me back to California, Ralph. I hope not. I’m having fun here.”

Sorry, Marsha, you know how kids are when they are having fun. It’s always too soon to go home!

“Lots of tubes. Just like home when I help Daddy. He lets me get in the tubes. Look Ralph, my hand fits. I wonder if I could get my head inside. …”

I really thought he would talk when you sent him this picture. He LOVED the tubes. Does he play with snakes at home or something? Does he help Vince with the sprinkler system. He even tried to stick his head in the tubes! I had to stop taking pictures, and hand the camera to Fanny when she came out to see what all the racket was, so that I could pull his head out of the tube.

“Here, Ralph let me help you. Dad doesn’t use these dumb books. I’ll show you how to put the Dyson cleaner together. You just start sticking stuff together, and it’s like magic. Watch me.”

BTW, nice knees, Ralph. Are you wearing pants? Is that one of the customs in Spain? hmmm Maybe I’d better warn Ute! – M 🙂

“See, I told you it was easy. Now plug it in, Ralph!!”

I plugged it in and the Dyson began to make it’s noise. It sounded just right.

“What’s this bit for? It looks like Mom’s roller skates. Can I put them on and ride around?”

Vacuum hose w bear

I turned around away from the vacuum for just a second to make sure Fanny and the cats were out of the way. Then I heard this awful sound. Slurp !! “OOOOH !! AAAARGH !!” From INSIDE the tube came this muffled voice! “Help !!”

I turned around quickly, but I was a little late!

He’s already gone for a spin! He does look a little dizzy in the picture that Fanny caught from her floor side perspective. “Get me out of here!! RALPH! OUT OF HERE!!!!! FANNY HELP!!! R – – A – – A – – – L – – PH”

I suddenly realised what happened to Manny. I was more worried that you would kill me than I was about Manny at this point. He looked a little sick, but he was still breathing. I checked for broken skin and pouching out stuffing, but he was fine!

Well trained with getting boo boos, I guess, Manny said weakly, “I need a cuddle Ralph.”

“And Mom always gives me a big kiss.”

Geez, kiss a teddy bear. What have you done to this bear, Marsha?

Before I could even give him a kiss, he backed away, and started wiggling in my arms asking, “Can I do it again pleeeeeease !!”

What could I do, but give him a tap on his little back tag, and say sternly, “No, Manny! You and Fanny go play in her room with the kitties. I have to vacuum now!” I had to hide my smile.

So now you know the whole sordid tale. Hope you’re not mad at me.

Ralph xox

How could anyone be mad at either Ralph or Manny. I had to hide a smile, too. I have a feeling Manny is going to need another bath when he gets home! 🙂

Thursday: News From Manny

Dear Mom,

Ralph’s letting me use his computer. He has Dragon, so I’m just talking. Ralph checks my spelling, too. Are you proud of me?

I have some new friends here in Spain.

I think Ariadne like me. she made me a hat and a necklace and a flag. Do you think she does, Mom?

Everybody is so nice. I got a new hat. Do you like it? I might be in love with Ariadne.

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I don’t remember the boy’s name. Do you know it, Mom?

HPIM3744

He finally held me. He’s nice too.

HPIM3745

Love, Manny xoxox

Dear Manny,

Mommy and Daddy miss you so much! It is good to get a letter from you. Your friends look really nice. I’m not sure the little boy wanted to hold a teddy bear, but you won him over, just like you do everyone! I’m sorry, I don’t know his name either. You have to tell me things before I know them!

Manny, I want to ask you about the pictures Ralph sent last week. Do you want to tell Mommy about the vacuum cleaner?

Love, Mom xoxox

Dear Mommy,

It was too scary. I don’t want to talk about it. I have been a good boy ever since then. Star and Fanny taught me safe places to go in the house when Ralph’s vacuum cleaner is on.

Love, Manny xoxox

Dear Manny,

Vacuum cleaners are scary, and that one is different from Mom and Dad’s vacuum which you already knew about staying away from.

Ralph sent me some pictures of you at the party on Saturday night.

Things are different in Spain, honey, and I know that you had a bit of alcohol. You be sure to tell Ralph that you need lots of water in your drink. I noticed that you got a little carried away.

Remember that you are a big boy now. You are old enough to travel without Mom and Dad.

There are some things that you can’t do any more like you did when you were a baby. Ralph can teach you about those things.

OK, big boy. Remember Mom and Dad love you.

Love, Mom xoxox

Manny, “Can You Hear Me Now?”

Manny has never been away from home without us, and it feels so weird to think of him being in someone else’s house – without us! He’s never gone anywhere without us. I got a short email from Ralph telling us what’s going on over there in Spain.

Dad, what's in this box. It smells good! Can I open it? — Dad, what’s in this box. It smells good! Can I open it?

Hi Marsha,

Manny arrived safely here in Spain. I think Fanny smelled the honey in Manny’s suitcase right away. This is sort of how the conversation went when I brought in Manny’s box. She wanted to open the box herself, and you can imagine how that went.

“Fanny, I think this box is for you!”

Manny's Trip to Spain

“Really Dad! Really, REALLY! REALLY! I’m so excited! I can’t get this tape off! Ooooh, it’s getting stuck in my fur. Help, por favor. Don’t cut my fur, Dad! I want to look pretty!” Fanny is picking up a few Spanish words. Don’t be surprised if Manny comes home speaking Spanish.

“Ouch, Fanny. That IS sticky stuff. Hold on. I’ll try not to mess your fur, Fanny. Ok, let me cut the tape, and open the box for you.”

Manny's Trip to Spain

“Oh boy! Is this a toy, Dad? Look how cute he is. How silly, too. It wasn’t sunny in there. He’s got on his glasses! Is he dead?”

Manny's Trip to Spain

“I am NOT silly. AND I AM CERTAINLY NOT DEAD! It was sunny when I left California. Where am I? Can you help me get out of here? I feel stiff. Thanks, By the way, I’m Manny.”

Manny's Trip to Spain

“Hi, I’m Fanny, and this is my Dad, Ralph.”

“Hi Fanny! You’re soft. Can I sit on your lap? You look pretty, and you smell good, too! Hi Ralph, You look just like the Ralph that didn’t want me playing teddy bear music at Renee’s birthday party. Fanny, do you want to see my teddy bear video? Ralph, do you have a computer? Mommy lets me use her computer A LOT!”

“Sure Manny, right here. This is my new office. How do you like it.”

Ralph's remodel003

“It’s beary nice, Ralph. Can you help me reach the computer. Mom lets me sit on the keys.”

Manny's Trip to Spain

“Wait a minute! There’s my mom. Mom! What are you doing here in Spain? I thought you were in California! Talk to me Mommy! MOMMY! I see you Mommy! Can you hear me? Can you hear me, Mommy? Turn this volume up, Ralph. I don’t think Mommy can hear me. Can you hear me now?”

Manny's Trip to Spain

“Manny, Manny!”

“Fanny don’t tease Manny. He misses his mommy. Go get your teddy bear video. I’ll put it in for Manny.”

Oh no, what have I gotten myself into? Maaaaaaarrrshaaaaaaa…!!!

Lots of love,

Ralph xox

So now what’s in store for Manny next? Ralph sounded a little franticized. Did Fanny like her present that Manny worked so hard to make? Has Manny met any Spanish people yet? Has he really been a good boy? Will he get in trouble at Ralph’s house? hmmm? What do you think? I guess we will know more next week!

Manny’s text just said,

“Hi Mom, LOL havng fun. Fany is cut. Ralf is nise to. Luv Manny”