Friday, March 31, 2017

Day 122 CJSM


Day 122

 

“Eat Buster! Eat!” Begged Becky

 

 

Like I confessed previously: We had a menagerie of animals on our farm---mostly…pets.

So? We have all this land and hay and crops and creeks and a pond and sheds and barns and fencing and ole Dad decides to do something to bring money “in”---for a change. No pun intended. Well! I saw an ad at the local feed store for seven feeder cattle, young cattle to be fed for market. We had a pick-up and a stock trailer, so I made a phone call and off went the “farmers” to view our project and bring home the “bacon”---or…”beef”, as the case may be.

All the way to the seller’s farm I am preaching to my two co-pilots, Beth and Becky, “Do not name these critters; they are a business. We will feed them and when they are big enough, we’ll load them up and take them to market and sell them for cash.”

The little girls listened politely to my admonition and agreed; they wouldn’t name the cattle.

Well! We met with the farmer, bargained a price (I am a horse-trader from way back!) and loaded the new “money-makers” into the stock trailer and headed for the seller’s gate and home.

Before I got twenty feet, the old man yelled and came “running” after us; I stopped.

Waving a slip of paper, the old farmer said, “Here’s the names and birthdates of all the cattle!” The girls giggled and snickered and I swallowed hard. Was this a conspiracy?

I paid for the cattle but, when we unloaded them at our barn, I told the girls to each pick a calf for their own and when we sold them, they would each get the money that their beef brought at market; seemed like a “fair” deal---at the time…not everything is as it seems.

We fed the cattle for nine months. Beth had chosen a calf and pretty much forgot about the venture; Becky chose one and named it “Buster”. She was religious about tending to the beast and would feed Buster and say to him, “Eat! Buster! Eat!” And---boy! Did he ever!...And, grew!

When the day came for market, Buster weighed in at the top of the heap and brought the biggest price! Becky immediately claimed the prize; much to Beth’s chagrin!

To this day, Beth feels “cheated” by the results. I guess ole Dad didn’t do such a good division job of splitting up the money on that deal. Mea culpa! Mea culpa! Mea maxima culpa!

Sorry! Girls! A deal is a deal. In the end---it all comes out in the wash, or…hamburger!?

 

Ah! Cookie Jar Sweet “Cattle-baron” Memories!

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Day 121 CJSM


Day 121

 

 

Dad would travel to Columbia, Missouri on business and

Mom and the girls would watch for him to drive through

the bottoms from the balcony of our house at New Hanover

 

 

I hated to travel on business and found myriad ways to preclude the aggravation.

Still, it did happen and we stretched the leaving as long as possible; I would always rather spend time with my family than any other people; I’d go! But, reluctantly, and, slowly.

Our house sat on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River bottom and by taking the Bluff Road direction to the Interstate, the family got a final view of me as I began my distasteful trek.

It’s the little things---folks!...I wouldn’t have it any other way!

 
Ah! Cookie Jar Sweet “heartwarming” Memories!

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Day 120 CJSM


Day 120

 

 

Bapa playing “Dots” with Z. Tyler or Lexi

 

 

It just doesn’t take any money to Live a worthy life of time and space; create adventure!

We spend “most” of our days creating “fun” for the entire family; we enjoyed the “goodies” of life, certainly. I built the kids a swimming pool, we had a farm with myriad animals, horses, dogs, cats, chickens, sheep, doves and a turkey named “Tilley”. There was plenty of time spent together playing and working, each aiding in the overall “plan”. We had golf clubs and went to “Putt-Putt” and the driving range, took day trips and extended vacations. We mowed a lot of grass and put up thousands of straw bales and also, alfalfa bales. We raised cattle. One of the family favorite pastimes was sitting by the open hearth fire in chilly months; sled riding.

We played a lot of checkers and I taught the kids and grandkids to play chess---as best I knew how. I never won a game of “anything” save the one time I annihilated daughter Beth in a “friendly” game of Monopoly! In a moment of weakness, I reckon I took it like life “real estate”.

A game called “Dots” where a plain piece of paper is covered with dots in lines and columns and each of two players draws a line vertical or horizontal between any two dots. When a player “closes” in a box with four connecting lines making a square; the successful player making the square complete writes their initial in the box and gets another turn to draw another line. When all blocks are filled, a count of the letters in the boxes determines the winner.

Not much to the game! Perhaps. But, it sure is fun. Inexpensive. Fun family-time.

Yeah! I’m a dreamer; these are the “important” issues of my Simple-life and times.

I have a file folder from each of the “kids” with sacred “games” contained there-in. Hmm!

They serve as a reminder of the “worthy” manner in which I spent my time and space values!

 

Ah! Cookie Jar Sweet “treasure-measure” Memories! Amen!

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Day 119 CJSM


Day 119

 

Solo games and giving the grandkids strategic hints

 

We have invested myriad hours entertaining our progeny; they are such fun! Smart, too!

Of an antique  “pie safe” stuffed with board games and various challenges, one of the kids’ favorites is an English-born game akin to, but, totally different from, checkers, is a delight.

A single player tries to remove marbles from the board until only one, single orb remains in the center slot, the others liberated by “jumping” them, one at a time.

A round wooden board of any species will suffice; our own is made of myrtle wood purchased when we resided in beautiful Oregon. The outer edge is routed about 3/8 of an inch to accommodate the marbles used to play the game. 6 columns of 7 holes each are drilled the same depth in the interior of the outer slot; these columns are perpendicular to one another resulting in a total of 25 repositories for the marbles. 24 orbs are placed in all but one of the depressions on the board; the player can leave “open” any hole he/she chooses.

Then, picking a marble one away from the “open” hole, the player jumps a marble and removes it from the board. Round ’n round they go until the player cannot jump a single marble. Again, the idea is to remove all the marbles, save one, and, that marble should end up in the exact center hole of the board. You’ll find this challenge by searching the internet. Various numbers of holes and marbles can make the game more challenging.

There exists a “logical” pattern for removal of the jumped-marbles; to date, I have come close with only “4” orbs remaining; Lady Candice can reach “2” with neither in the center and has succeeded to a dwindling single marble---but…not in the center hole.

In our quest for sacred “family”-time, we “help” the kids with pointed prompts and encouragement; of course, it is not cheating; it’s educational! Somebody?---Help me…cheat!

 

Challenging and educational! Give ’er a whirl! It’s just a game!

 

Ah! Cookie Jar “Solo” Sweet Memories!


 

Monday, March 27, 2017

Day 118 CJSM


Day 119

 

A freezer full of fried chicken and free ice cream.

Saucer-rides through the fields of snow.

 

 

Daughter Beth had a night time job at Kentucky Fried Chicken and when they closed each evening, the employees were given the fried chicken that had not sold. We feasted for a time with the “boon”-find; soon enough, we all had our fill and lost interest. So? Never un-Thankful for any gift, we froze the delights in our garage freezer for future dining. It lasted a long time.

 Somewhere along the space of time, I did business with a man who had a delightful little enterprise: He sold ice cream novelty treats. Liking my services, he sent me home with several large boxes of frozen ice cream treats. These, also, went into the freezer. The girls loved going to the basement freezer and retrieving a frozen treat.

 Never look a gift horse in the mouth! (Good advice!)

 Our farm was  ½ mile wide from east to west and ¾ of a mile long from north to south. When it snowed in the winter, I tied a thirty-foot heavy rope to the metal snow-saucer and hooked the end with a loop to the bumper hitch of our truck. Off we went on “snow”-adventures.

 The very first trek took place in our front yard which was about three acres of grass. Beth got aboard the saucer---and…ole “Dad” got carried away with “speed” and “sharp-turns” whipping the metal saucer and its passenger to and fro at “breakneck” velocity. Finally, getting really “insane”, I pulled a fast turn and Beth sailed into the rock bottom creek in front of our home.

 As I came around to search for my “lost” daughter the headlights picked up “one” black boot sticking up above the 4’ bank of the creek! (I thought that I had killed her!)she survived to laugh!

 A “nerdy” little boy from the city had a crush on our Becky-girl; he came to Maeystown to visit his grandparents and befriended Rachel at Sunday School; she invited “Hoot-owlen” to our farm for sled riding one Sunday afternoon. Oh! Boy! A new “victim”!

 Shy, little, frail Hoot-owlen got on the saucer tied behind the silver beast with a “demon” at the wheel. Well! We took off down the long length of that snow-covered field, snow flying.

 When we had made the full circuit---I stopped, and…Hoot-owlen looked like a frozen snowman frozen to that cold metal saucer. Even his glasses were covered.

 He held his affection for daughter Becky and did visit our domicile often; never did the young man ask to go snow “saucering” under my tutelage, again. He was very polite to me!

 

Want a snow-saucering adventure? Anyone? Hmm!

 

Ah! Cookie Jar Sweet “snow-fun” Memories!

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Day 117 CJSM


Day 117

 

Carl pulling Sharon Kunzelmann into the pool when

she was fully clothed, right down to her red heels.

 

Yeah! I am a rebel, rascal, rogue, rapscallion! I’m good at it---I…practice!

Do? Well! We had this property on the bluff looking westward into neighboring Missouri for about thirty miles or so; I still miss those gorgeous sunsets after several decades. Umm! Umm!

 I put in a swimming pool (for the “kids”---me…being the biggest of the urchins). Anyway, we had some humdinger pool parties; “sometimes”, they say, I got a “little” out of control!

 Who!? Me!? I’m not crazy!? Well!---Maybe”...just a bit? Sometimes! Full-moon time!? Hmm! I always did wonder if those fences were to keep”them” in---or, “me”…out? Hmm!

Daughter Beth made friends with a cute little girl name of Sonja who just happened to be Mormon/ Now, I am tolerant (live and let live and all that such doings) and her mother’s religious preference had absolutely nothing to do with me throwing her “highness” in the deep end of the swimming pool that day I invited their family for a party, bar-b-que and swimming.

Living in the country, we had a fine herd of wild whitetail deer as friendly neighbors.

Our “guest” was dressed to the “9’s” or as close as one can get to that enviable pinnacle in my “country” neighborhood. Sculpted waves of dark hair coiffured to “stylish” excellence, crisp white button blouse, white, snug fitting, “tasteful” slacks with thin red belt and high heeled strap-on red shoes to complete the elegant ensemble; the petite manikin perfectly arranged for photos. Now? Tell me! Please! How could “simple-me” possibly know the lady could not swim a stroke?

That “little” boy demon in me came rushing forward; I already sensed the manner of the lady’s treatment of her spouse who seemed to have nothing to say. Her “highness” exuded an affluent attitude toward things in general---and, I sensed…me, in particular.

Polite “gentleman” that I am (or, can be), I got onto the diving board, wearing appropriate “pool” garb and pretended to see “deer” in the pasture across the creek. Getting excited, I pointed in an excited manner; soon, I had the full peanut-gallery’s attention---including…Miss Priss!

Oh! How she wanted to see the deer; I was ready, willing and able to show her. And, how!

As the “princess” naively   climbed onto the diving board behind me, being the exquisite “gentleman” that I aspire to be, one day, I politely grasped her wrists and “helped” the little deer “balance” on the springy, thin board so that she would not “accidentally” fall in the 8’ deep end and ruin that erudite, sophisticated presentation! Oh! Yeah!

As I walked backwards on the diving board, pulling my victim (er---I mean…”guest”) further along the plank (er---I mean…viewing platform), as God is my witness, I meant to let go of my “death-grip” hold on her. As I plunged into the water, having run out of diving board length, the last vision I saw as my head went under was the “fashion-model” Princess flailing her arms in a vain effort to regain her balance (and, dignity). I knew that I had gone too far---this time…again!

I stayed under as long as my breath held as I did not want to reap the consequences of my “innocent” prank-trick. Finally, choosing “punishment” over drowning, I surface.

Her “Elegance” bobbed to the surface, eye glasses askew, hair---ruined, clothes…fresh from the washing machine. She “swam” to the side---like an Olympian!...I never charged her for swimming lessons! As I tried in vain to look “innocent”, her little three year old daughter yelled and cried, pointing at “innocent” me because I had hurt her mommy. Who!? Me!? Her husband laughed so hard at her that I thought he might fall  in the pool, to (Oh! NO! Not another swimming lesson!?). I still believe my little “game” that fine summer sunny afternoon when I gave “needed” humble-swimming lessons to the lady precipitated their eventual divorce.

Looking every bit the part of a “drowned rat”, our newly designated “champion” swimmer had brought a chocolate cake to our little gathering by the pool with bar-b-que; her first fiat after escaping the a double-edged attempt of her own demise (drowning and the “Great white” shark a.k.a. swimming instructor!) let Simple I know that delicious chocolate cake was NOT to be consumed by the likes of me! Not a single crumb! And, after she dried off and donned some of 12-year old daughter Beth’s clothes (which regained “some” of her appropriated dignity), she kept her word; of course, being the rascal I am (or, was---years ago!) I snuck a big piece of the cake only to find that not only did she require swimming lessons---but…could have benefitted from my culinary skills, as well. (just a “polite” non-revengeful opinion). Actually, I joke, the cake was quite good! (Sort of like eating---crow…with your foot in your mouth!)

Our guest family had taken on an exchange student from Norway who we all called
Jay” because the erudite Americans could not linguistically master a Norwegian 15-letter handle.

 A few weeks after the expert, successful “swimming” lesson, the two families got together for a visit. Good ole “Jay” had a surprise in store for the swimming instructor---Yes!,,,Indeed!

Ole “Jay” had had his trusty 35 mm SLR camera on hand that infamous day and he had the pictures developed to “tell-the-truth” of the tale. (Damn! Foreigners! Can’t trust them!)

I, of course, and, quite naturally, had denied any “intent” to throw the fine lady into the pool.

Oh! Sure enough! I was accused by the suspect skeptics---but…I am innocent! I tell you!

Well!? The developed photos disclosed that even if I had relented in my grasping of her wrists---the relinquishing of her incarceration was…way beyond too late! Looked very “intentional”! My defense (not a confession-of-purposed-transgression)---How in hell can I teach a novice to swim like Michael Phelps…if I can’t get them into the water!? Amen!? Amen!

Like any “guest”-of-a-warden in a federal facility felon convicted by the obvious “evidence”, I offer my strident bellicose lamented plea: I am innocent! I was “framed”!

May not be the “best” choice of words---considering…the photos! Not too good!? Hmm!

 

Anybody with a “new” car in for some “free” expert driving lessons!? (I thought not!)

 

Ah! Cookie Jar Sweet “innocent-deer” Memories!

 

 

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Happy Easter! Plus: Day 116 CJSM



Salvation Prayer

(a celebration song-of-love)

 

This prayer may be sung either of two ways in Praise! Honor! Glory!:

 

In staccato-cadence intent of purpose to electrify the spirit:

Or,

In whisper-soft sacred-soul transcending simple-humble Love!

 

 

Gone where is Abraham of Bible-times in Genesis-space?

Revealed his true Faith! With son-sacrifice offered-case

I was myriad centuries late for rendezvous with his face

 

In tender-heart reverence I pray His patient presence

 

Absent, too, brother “wild” Johnny-that-Baptist boy

Already baptized sweet Lord in river holy-water joy

Wild-honey locust wild-beast clad embraced spirit toy

 

In tender-heart reverence I pray His patient presence

 

Old Lazarus asleep so deep thought dead or such

Readied his tomb for burial, concluded too much

In “miracle-mode” his life reborn at Jesus’ touch

 

In tender-heart reverence I pray His patient presence

 

False-accusations with faux-trial defined His sacred loss

Fourteen challenges finally nailed Him to yon tree-cross

Proclaimed victory-over-death with a Resurrection-toss

 

In tender-heart reverence I pray His patient presence

 

God surely blessed America! From coast to coast!

We celebrate Freedom practiced Liberty the most!

Simple! Humble!-I! Bless me Father! Son! Holy Ghost!

 

In tender-heart reverence I pray His patient presence

In tender-heart reverence I pray His patient presence

 

 

Amen! Amen! Amen!

 

Happy Easter! 2017




Plus:
 
 
 
 
Day 116
 
Feeding the fish with Capt’n. Eddie! Yuk!
Beth was very sick.
 
 
Bahama’s calling! Oh! Yeah! Oh! Baby!
 Seldom did we take any trips, especially vacations, without the entire troupe in tow.
 Z. Tyler went on a cruise with us; only 3 or 4 at the time, he was as cool as James Bond!
 Our foray to the islands included Mom, Dad, Beth, Becky and Z. Tyler. What a glorious trip!
 The “landlubbers” did fine until we took an outing on Capt’n. Eddies catamaran. Ugh!
 Three miles out, the skipper loaded his spear gun; most of the passengers didn’t notice; I did!
 Then he anchored---and…the “calm” Atlantic kicked up her heels with three foot swells; that “substantial” ocean-going vessel suddenly felt like a cork in a whirlpool! I quickly donned a snorkel mask and fell backwards into the chop---Amazing!
 The sand-bottom was dotted with chunks of colorful living coral; sun danced across the waves above creating a rhythmic cadence of light and shadow on the sculpted bottom. Myriad sea creatures of various shades and colors highlighted the undersea vista.
I was in heaven! Coming up for my bearings, I found myself some distance from the “boat” which bobbed around like the tiny red and white cork on my trusty ole cane pole I learned to fish with as a kid. I started back to the “safety” of the tiny island afloat on the wild Atlantic Ocean. Refuge!? Slogging aboard like a beached whale, I began to feel the “queasiness” that had already laid claim to Beth and Becky who were quite busy “feeding” the fish. When I finally managed to get aboard the twelve foot vessel, Capt’n. Eddie’s “Bahama-mamma” servings in the large water coolers hit me---Yeah!...My turn to “feed” the fish, too. Nobody escaped unscathed!
 We made it back to the safety of the dock---no casualties…at least, none that wouldn’t eventually, with a little time and some “light” food, recover. Beth and I seemed to have suffered the most; everybody de-boarded, politely stepping over our prone bodies, white as sheets.
 All-in-all---another fantastic adventure! The “highlights” (good and bad) part of the experience. Nobody can have a “bad” adventure if your “attitude” precludes adversity.
 
 Thanks, Guys! For the Memories!
 
Bon Voyage! (Keep a bag---handy!)
 
 
Ah! Cookie Jar “cork-bobbing” Sweet memories!


Friday, March 24, 2017

Day 115 CJSM


Day 115

 

Nanny playing “Donkey tail” with the grandkids! EEE! AAW!

 

 

 Faith! Family! Freedom! My sacred mantra displayed on a metaphoric golden gonfalon!

 It’s how I grew up; the exact way I wanted my own family to experience life; we sure did!

 Our lives revolve around this particular Trinity! I am proud to confess to: Simple & Humble!

We spent every possible moment together: Living! Loving! Laughing! We “played” a lot!

Nanny played a card game with the kids; sometimes I joined in, too. We found the game at a store when we moved to Oregon, called “Bi-mart”, along with several other card packs. These delightful games provided hours and hours of “family”-time. Thank you!

Just---Amazing…how the kids always Won! (Yeah! Boys and girls---I cried…a lot!)

I could never beat Zach at golf or Lexi at chess, either. But, I sure wouldn’t miss a single match! It’s a lot like “baseball”: the privilege and honor is “in the actual participation.

I sure have enjoyed that “Great” life! When it is done---I just…want to do it all, again.

 

“Donkey-tail”-winner: Eee! Aaw! Eee! Aaw!

 

Ah! Cookie Jar Sweet “Game-playing” Memories!


 

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Attitude! Plus: Day 114 CJSM



Attitude!

 

 

So!? You have some issues? Some problems? Hmm! Gee! Wonder how “that” happened?

Well! By “choices! By---your…choices! Yeah! Get a mirror and view the “cause”---and…the “solution”! That clearly delineated image staring back---is…you! Wow! How can that be?

Somebody else has to be at fault!!! Not---me! “I”---am…innocent! Please! Not---my…fault!

Free-will saddles “you” with the responsibility of your life and its events and conditions.

Yes! “Virginia”! Bad things can happen “naturally”; that is your opportunity to exercise that “Free-will” fiat to: sort it out, take responsibility, straighten out the “supposed” mess.

Voila! Simple! Things are only convoluted because we choose to have them so.

Humble thyself! Exercise “authority” over your life and circumstance. Others have---you can!

It isn’t about “fairness”; it’s simply about “life”! Choose carefully! Choose wisely! Live free!

Exercise a humble-spirit And, a heart exuding Christian “generosity”. Try---Love! It works!

Envy that gal who seems to have it all? “Not fair!” Really? An habitual practice of Charitable-Love! Derives miracles! Don’t believe “it” could be “that” simple? Humble thyself and try it!

That “hate-filled” manner you now practice and exercise vehemently isn’t reaping dividends.

A comic strip once concluded our problem, to wit: We have met the enemy and he is us!

 

I offer thee---Love!  I pray thee…Peace!

Find “both” within! God bless!

 

Amen!


 
 
Plus:
 
 
 
 
Day 114
 
Sports cars & Convertibles!
 
 
Yeah! Okay! So they make a joke about women applying make-up.
Well! Buddy-boy! They got something for old guys---too…sports cars!
I reckon I bought about $100,000 worth of the chariots; all colors and styles and brands.
Humpf! And---I still don’t…own one! I gave them all away. It’s what Santa Claus does!
Lovely Lady Candice Leah won a “nice” gift for her fortieth birthday---a Rio-red Mustang GT with a white convertible top! Happy Birthday! Darlin’! But, the lady out-did my generosity with style: Two months and one day later, Candy gave that chariot to Miss Becky on the occasion of her 16th birthday! WOW!
Now, there is a class act that is “impossible” to follow! Happy 16th Birthday! Becky!
I had a few top-down rides in my long ago youth; guess I don’t need them---anymore!?
 
Ah! Cookie Jar Sweet “Santa Claus” Memories!
 
Maybe one fine day---I'll buy another one…for You!
(If I do? Will you give me a ride? Please!

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Day 113 CJSM


Day 113

 

“1 - 2 - 3 L-M-N-O-P – ‘10”!”

Bapa’s “counting lessons” with the little girls

 

 

 Just like a “typical”-grandpa!? The kids and grandkids are super-intelligent! (Fact!)

 Well! They learned “a – b – c’s and how to count so fast and so young---Amazing!

 So? As they came along, and, in order to applaud their aptitude and obvious intelligence, ole Bapa quickly became detected as “The family ‘Idiot’”; he couldn’t count or say the a, b, c’s!

 These darling little girls quickly came to his rescue offering the “dummy” counting lessons and trying, in vain, to teach him the alphabet. Poor old guy! Just---plain old…Dumb! I reckon.

 After many years of the “supposed” charade, the girls refused to give up. As they endeavored in their hopeless quest to educate ole Bapa (I’m sure they felt really sad and sorry for me), these little angels exercised infinite patience with this old man’s idiotic games.

 Well! Sure enough! They grew and became sophisticated and erudite---and…I didn’t! Hmm!

 They still love me; always have. They are quite tolerant of my immaturity; they even still manage to laugh at my sophomoric-humor---on occasion! Annie Rie is so kind-hearted, as are Lauren and Lexi; all are too polite to insult my strange “sense-of-humor”, but, Anna Marie will “roll” her eyes at me! (In the most loving manner!)

So? I trudge onward---and, hopefully…upward!? I am so very proud of each of my seven jewels! I love them more than life, itself; I am pretty sure that they know.

Sometimes it is sad to realize that they became young adults, Z. Tyler quite the “man”, while I wallowed in a world full of imagination and “real” magic where only a “kid” can survive.

Maybe one fine day, when the sun is shining on an ice storm-painting of glistening “spider web”-type branches honoring the magnificent trees, why, I might just saddle up and ride yonder-west to check on my old pals, The Lone Ranger and Tonto; might offer a hand to clean up Tombstone or Dodge or---someplace…if there’s any wild-thing left out there, save me.

Okay! Here we go now: 1, 7, 4, 2, 10! Umm! Hmm! Got that!? Now: a,---Uh!?...l, m, n, o, p!

Yup! I got ’er!? Hmm! Can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Humpf!

 

Ah! Cookie Jar Sweet “Never bothered to grow-up” Memories!

 

Amen!

 

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Day 112 CJSM


Day 112

 

It’s winter and we have to drive through the creek

or, rather, we bounce off one side into the water and

hopefully have enough speed to bounce back up onto

the other side.

 

 

 

 

Ah! The pleasures of “country” living; always an adventure to be---savored!? Hmm!

Never a dull moment. I love winter, snow, cold, ice! Oh! Yeah! Baby!

Of course, I adore all the seasons; might get “bored” (God forbid) without change.

The ole creek flowed year round At a pretty good pace; in dry times, the width reached about fifteen to twenty feet and only 8 – 10 inches deep. In winter, the edges would freeze solid and over a few days begin to build up to a height of six to ten inches, forming a city-type “curb”.

To negotiate this hazard, a delicate maneuver involving “speed”, dexterity and judgment had to be employed. It was not particularly difficult; we managed the impediment for twelve years.

Some people “look” for trouble (It’ll always find you!), I solve problems and laugh and live!

 

 

 
Ah! Cookie Jar Sweet “Bumpety-bump” Memories!