Day 45
Becky and the
Flintstone float
that “got a slow
leak”
I
truly am a “humble” man, the epitome of an Independent-Individual,
but, I like “fine” things. Won’t wear any “brand” name, eschew Nike, Oakley,
Levis, Cadillac, Lexus, “popular”.
Long
ago, now, when I was a pre-teen sprout, my Levis were held in place by a thin
half-inch belt worn just for “show” to highlight the jeans, Cool! I reckon. The length of the legs,
just long enough to turn up the heavy cuff, one turn equal to the thin seam; in
the right rear pocket, a white handkerchief ironed flat to a perfect square,
folded neatly into a triangle-half with just a quarter peak of the tip extended
above the top of the “winged” logo. Perfect. Real Cool!
Soon
enough, I passed beyond the need to be seen; an aloof self-imposed shyness
settled in.
At
sixteen, I bought a convertible. Now, even I think that rag-top was Cool!
I
enjoyed a few of those “fun” machines; proudly, I’ve been blessed to give away
some, too.
For
Lovely Lady Candice Leah’s fortieth birthday, I presented her ladyship with a
brand spanking new, red shiny chariot: a Mustang GT convertible, red with a
white top. Cool!
While
she dearly loved that conveyance, two months and one day later, Candy gave it
away! Daughter Rachel Rebecca turned sweet sixteen; Candy presented her with
that red Mustang!
Now,
that generosity is: Cool! An expression of pure love is an un-selfish humble pride.
So,
to the float with the convenient slow leak “hole” in it.
When
we built our first house, we located a ten acre piece of real estate sitting
high on the bluff of Monroe County with a million dollar view across the
bottoms to the mighty Mississippi River and on westward into Missouri for
thirty miles; I still miss that vista panorama.
We
had lived in a basement apartment while we finished college, then bought an
older home in town which we fixed up and decorated---and…sold. At twenty-six I
challenged building a new home; Candy drew up the plan on graph paper and I
hired a contractor doing much of the work, myself. Turns out, I had a penchant
for construction enjoying all phases of the challenge. Even operated some heavy
equipment over the years, built ponds, roads, and, houses.
When
our first try at a home was completed with that great view, I decided to build a
pool.
Now,
I knew nothing about such an endeavor; that didn’t phase me. I found a pool
contractor who installed pools for a livelihood, worked out a deal to purchase
a “kit”, hired a high lift and a back hoe and laid out the design, dug a hole---put
it together…filled it with water. Voila!
I
landscaped all around the new “toy”, found a thirty foot cedar tree which I
pressed into service as a flag pole and enjoyed bar-b-ques and parties. Beth,
9, could swim; Becky was only three and while not afraid of the water, or
anything else, then, or since, she paddled around in the shallow end in a float
the likeness of Fred Flintstone. Life is good!
One
afternoon, Beth, Candy and I were at the end by the diving board; Becky in the
shallow.
All
of a sudden Beth yelled, “Becky is under the water!”
Looking
toward the urchin, all I saw was her little white leg sticking out of the float
holding her under water.. I swam to the side and right onto the deck and ran to
her, jumping back in the pool. Her eyes were open and she was holding her
breath, not excited. I sure was; Candy and Beth, too. I got her turned right
side up and all was okay. Thank God!
She
didn’t want to give up that float, so, it mysteriously got a “purposed” slow
leak in it.
Becky
learned to swim and now holds a scuba diving license. Pay attention! It’s
mandatory!
Ah! Pleasant and
Thankful! Cookie Jar Sweet Memories!
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