I saw a woman today
on the top shelf of the video store
Pamela Anderson-hyphen-Lee
and her eyelashes said "oh Peter"
and her dainty blouse said "please
help me.."
and my shoes stood still
and my eyes resembled a man
thinking of something far away
"For $4.95" breathed her cutoff
shorts, "I'd be Pamela-hyphen-
Riley, you wouldn't hurt me any more than Tommy Lee already did.
and my collar pinched me and said
"LISTEN to THAT!!!!"
and my pants pocket smirked..
but I swallowed hard and my collar felt ok again and my shirt pocket
yelled "HEY down there! YOU are
NOT in the decision making department"
so I rented "Sleepless in Seattle"
and Doris and I enjoyed it very much.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
A Real Man
What kind of man would let his heart off the leash
and watch it bound from this one to that one...
and back again to the first.
always with a lugubrious dog style panting..
"Notice me ..NOTICE ME" "Pat my head,
scratch my ears. I'll roll on my back if you scratch me there.
BUT...
is man a dog??
and watch it bound from this one to that one...
and back again to the first.
always with a lugubrious dog style panting..
"Notice me ..NOTICE ME" "Pat my head,
scratch my ears. I'll roll on my back if you scratch me there.
BUT...
is man a dog??
Plato was a Dope
Must I rest for platonic?
I desire TECTONIC, electronic, bionic, SUPERSONIC!!!
Though my mind says "moronic"
still I yearn for that tonic.
It may be demonic and completely Bubonic
yet i crave in my heart parts (the very ionic)
with achings the doctor would classify chronic
to love you with words: I'm a man not laconic
I'll permit no love fluff for that's locked in mnemonic
Though the brashness of crave waves is plainly cyclonic
What's distilled will be true
for a quote that is Donne-ic says
"No man is an island."
I desire TECTONIC, electronic, bionic, SUPERSONIC!!!
Though my mind says "moronic"
still I yearn for that tonic.
It may be demonic and completely Bubonic
yet i crave in my heart parts (the very ionic)
with achings the doctor would classify chronic
to love you with words: I'm a man not laconic
I'll permit no love fluff for that's locked in mnemonic
Though the brashness of crave waves is plainly cyclonic
What's distilled will be true
for a quote that is Donne-ic says
"No man is an island."
Monday, May 23, 2011
GRANDPA
GRANDPA
Ellen opened her eyes reluctantly. The fluffy feather bed felt so warm and her nose felt very chilly so she knew it was early. G'pa had not made the fire yet. Just as she was thinking that, she heard the prehistoric clanking from the other room. The moving of stovelids and loading of wood chunks was what had wakened her.
The room was almost black but a creaky grey blue light had given outlines to some of the larger items in the room including...
"Bucko!"
Her voice was soft but the cat instantly stirred. Bucko's purring erupted and he had brushed himself twice against her before Ellen got her hand from under the blankets to pet him.
"You old cat" she breathed "You old cat."
"Oh I am the cook and the captain bold and the mate of the "Nancy Brig"
Grampa's rumbling song put a smile on Ellen's face and tumbled her out of bed into her slippers.
"Harry, for heaven's sake you're going to waken the whole household!"
Ellen smiled again; Grandma always pretended to dislike Gpa's rough boisterous songs.
The room was almost black but a creaky grey blue light had given outlines to some of the larger items in the room including...
"Bucko!"
Her voice was soft but the cat instantly stirred. Bucko's purring erupted and he had brushed himself twice against her before Ellen got her hand from under the blankets to pet him.
"You old cat" she breathed "You old cat."
"Oh I am the cook and the captain bold and the mate of the "Nancy Brig"
Grampa's rumbling song put a smile on Ellen's face and tumbled her out of bed into her slippers.
"Harry, for heaven's sake you're going to waken the whole household!"
Ellen smiled again; Grandma always pretended to dislike Gpa's rough boisterous songs.
"It's daylight on the forecastle and high time for all hands to be on deck"
G'pa had already seen her at the top of the stairs,winked and thundered this latest reply in his best pirate form. Ellen worked her way down the painted wooden staircase slowly, trying as always to put her feet into the painted outlines of footprints as she went. Grandma's art work.
G'pa liked the morning and Grandma liked the night time.
"Did you make coffee? ...Oh, hi honey."
Grandma had seen her now.
"Grog for all my pretties"G'pa murmured as he placed a mug of coffee for Grandma and a mug of hot chocolate for Ellen on the counter.
Ellen could hear the wood crackling in the white enamel stove. It was always such a comforting sound and the small girl loved that the kitchen was so toasty warm. G'pa was still pushing in the woodbox for the right kind of stick and Grandma was on her second big sip of coffee.
G'pa had already seen her at the top of the stairs,winked and thundered this latest reply in his best pirate form. Ellen worked her way down the painted wooden staircase slowly, trying as always to put her feet into the painted outlines of footprints as she went. Grandma's art work.
G'pa liked the morning and Grandma liked the night time.
"Did you make coffee? ...Oh, hi honey."
Grandma had seen her now.
"Grog for all my pretties"G'pa murmured as he placed a mug of coffee for Grandma and a mug of hot chocolate for Ellen on the counter.
Ellen could hear the wood crackling in the white enamel stove. It was always such a comforting sound and the small girl loved that the kitchen was so toasty warm. G'pa was still pushing in the woodbox for the right kind of stick and Grandma was on her second big sip of coffee.
Ellen reached over and rubbed her hand up and down Grandma's arm. She liked how it wrinkled up and bunched together until the freckles were all on top of each other.
"Did you have a good sleep Grandma?
"Oh yes", yawned Grandma "Did your Grandfather's snoring keep you awake?"
"Awake!? She was sleeping upstairs !" G'pa sounded amazed "Harry I'm sure they could hear that snore down in the graveyard as loud as you are."
"Well! Ellen was delighted , G'pa seemed too astonished to come up with an answer for once.
"Did you have a good sleep Grandma?
"Oh yes", yawned Grandma "Did your Grandfather's snoring keep you awake?"
"Awake!? She was sleeping upstairs !" G'pa sounded amazed "Harry I'm sure they could hear that snore down in the graveyard as loud as you are."
"Well! Ellen was delighted , G'pa seemed too astonished to come up with an answer for once.
"You should eat up a good breakfast,Ellen," G'pa finally huffed "We'll go and chop open the water holes for the horses this morning."
Ellen obediently finished off the eggs he had poached,two sausages and two slices of toast with saskatoon jelly.
"Oh Grandma, I'm not sure my snowsuit will fit me; I ate so much."
"Oh stuff!" scoffed Grandma, helping with the stubborn zipper and the woolen scarf.
By the time Ellen pushed out through the front door G'pa Harry had his pickup running and she could see little melts forming on either side of the windshield. The day was very cold and she was glad Grandma had given her a scarf. The exhaust hung in the frigid winter air like a toxic cloud. Ellen had heard her mum say those very words on the way to school some winter mornings. The small girl laughed as her frosty breath mixed with the toxic cloud. G'pa had pushed his door open.
"Get up in here before you freeze,Ellen"
Although his hair was grey and the stubble of whisker on his chin was mostly white, Ellen knew that her G'pa was very strong. She laughed as the old man swung her up, over himself and onto the truck seat. G'pa had pushed most of the stuff out of the way so she had a place to sit but a good portion of the seat and floor were still covered by a jumble of tools, equipment parts, bits of newspapers, lifesaver wrappers, pieces of baler twine and Ellen thought the list could go on forever.
"It's just like an 'I Spy" book ." Ellen murmured to herself.
"A spy!?!" howled G'pa "I'm no spy, Now that Barry Henderson over by Creston..HE could be a spy.!"
G'pa was still talking about spies as he stabbed the pedal in and pushed the shuddering gearstick into position with his mittened hand.
"G'pa aren't we gonna put on seatbelts?" queried Ellen.
"Oh seatbelts." groaned Harry, "We're only going to the pasture. We won't even be on the road."
"G'pa!"
"OK."
The truck clunked to a stop abruptly and Ellen slid off the seat into a pile of wires and old icecream pails that G'pa used for grain samples.
"See G'pa, I need my seatbelt!"
By the time Ellen sorted herself out Gpa had dug out both her seatbelt and his. It looked like a very long time since either one had been out from between the seats and while hers clicked convincingly Ellen noticed that G'pa just held his own in place with his hand.
The ride through the pasture was very rough....G'pa said it was from the cows footprints and the horses hoofprints in the muddy ground last fall. G'pa encouraged her to yodel like he did as they drove over the rugged ground and he and Ellen laughed loudly at how silly their trembly voices sounded as the truck shook along.
Ellen obediently finished off the eggs he had poached,two sausages and two slices of toast with saskatoon jelly.
"Oh Grandma, I'm not sure my snowsuit will fit me; I ate so much."
"Oh stuff!" scoffed Grandma, helping with the stubborn zipper and the woolen scarf.
By the time Ellen pushed out through the front door G'pa Harry had his pickup running and she could see little melts forming on either side of the windshield. The day was very cold and she was glad Grandma had given her a scarf. The exhaust hung in the frigid winter air like a toxic cloud. Ellen had heard her mum say those very words on the way to school some winter mornings. The small girl laughed as her frosty breath mixed with the toxic cloud. G'pa had pushed his door open.
"Get up in here before you freeze,Ellen"
Although his hair was grey and the stubble of whisker on his chin was mostly white, Ellen knew that her G'pa was very strong. She laughed as the old man swung her up, over himself and onto the truck seat. G'pa had pushed most of the stuff out of the way so she had a place to sit but a good portion of the seat and floor were still covered by a jumble of tools, equipment parts, bits of newspapers, lifesaver wrappers, pieces of baler twine and Ellen thought the list could go on forever.
"It's just like an 'I Spy" book ." Ellen murmured to herself.
"A spy!?!" howled G'pa "I'm no spy, Now that Barry Henderson over by Creston..HE could be a spy.!"
G'pa was still talking about spies as he stabbed the pedal in and pushed the shuddering gearstick into position with his mittened hand.
"G'pa aren't we gonna put on seatbelts?" queried Ellen.
"Oh seatbelts." groaned Harry, "We're only going to the pasture. We won't even be on the road."
"G'pa!"
"OK."
The truck clunked to a stop abruptly and Ellen slid off the seat into a pile of wires and old icecream pails that G'pa used for grain samples.
"See G'pa, I need my seatbelt!"
By the time Ellen sorted herself out Gpa had dug out both her seatbelt and his. It looked like a very long time since either one had been out from between the seats and while hers clicked convincingly Ellen noticed that G'pa just held his own in place with his hand.
The ride through the pasture was very rough....G'pa said it was from the cows footprints and the horses hoofprints in the muddy ground last fall. G'pa encouraged her to yodel like he did as they drove over the rugged ground and he and Ellen laughed loudly at how silly their trembly voices sounded as the truck shook along.
continuing of "Grandpa"
Saturday, February 21, 2009, 5:18:17 PM | Peter Riley
The cattle,when they saw the truck come into view, came running near,expectant of the flakes of hay which Ellen and G'pa were soon tossing from the box of the pickup truck.
"Watch those crazy cows, Ellen ; they could knock you over trying to get their breakfast.
Ellen listened to G'pa's warning and moved up close to the cab behind the spare tire. The truck ambled on towards the dugout with Ellen at the controls. Harry had often let her "drive" on her visits to the farm.
"You wouldn't have to tell your Grandmother about this" he would always say. This time he went on "Those cows need lots of food just to keep warm. You and me have a comfy bed and a nice heater but they have only fat and hair. Ellen nodded solemnly.
Climbing from the truck, Ellen saw the horses moving closer through the white, frosted grass. A frozen thistle looked like some snow fairy had smitten it with a magic wand leaving the common weed glistening like a princess or an angel.
"It's always colder when it's sunny " grunted G'pa pulling his axe from behind the seat.
"Why G'pa?"
"The clouds hold the heat in...sort of like the blankets on your bed. These guys want a drink more than something to eat. Yes... yes you old fellas would be licking frost if it weren't for Ellen an me." He had spoken this last comment to four gigantic draft horses who had shambled near looking for water.
The horses nuzzled Ellen purposefully aware that such interest often produced vegetables or candy.
CRACKKKK! The first swing of the axe echoed across the meadow and slapped back from the treeline. CRACK, CRACK,,,,CRACKKKKK,,,,,each blow threw a spume of icy chips high into the air. SPLOOSH, the axe had cut through to water and G'pa soon had a trough about as big as a bathtub cut in the ice.
"Whoa boys...whoaaa! G'pa moved away as the horses pushed to dip their huge pink noses in the frosty water.
The next few minutes were always a blur in Ellen's mind whenever she thought back on them. A group of boisterous cows pushing near ,their hooves squeaking on the hard frosted ground, G'pas cries for help,how she hurriedly stretched out the nylon towrope and rolled the last of the ball across the ice into his hands.
"Watch those crazy cows, Ellen ; they could knock you over trying to get their breakfast.
Ellen listened to G'pa's warning and moved up close to the cab behind the spare tire. The truck ambled on towards the dugout with Ellen at the controls. Harry had often let her "drive" on her visits to the farm.
"You wouldn't have to tell your Grandmother about this" he would always say. This time he went on "Those cows need lots of food just to keep warm. You and me have a comfy bed and a nice heater but they have only fat and hair. Ellen nodded solemnly.
Climbing from the truck, Ellen saw the horses moving closer through the white, frosted grass. A frozen thistle looked like some snow fairy had smitten it with a magic wand leaving the common weed glistening like a princess or an angel.
"It's always colder when it's sunny " grunted G'pa pulling his axe from behind the seat.
"Why G'pa?"
"The clouds hold the heat in...sort of like the blankets on your bed. These guys want a drink more than something to eat. Yes... yes you old fellas would be licking frost if it weren't for Ellen an me." He had spoken this last comment to four gigantic draft horses who had shambled near looking for water.
The horses nuzzled Ellen purposefully aware that such interest often produced vegetables or candy.
CRACKKKK! The first swing of the axe echoed across the meadow and slapped back from the treeline. CRACK, CRACK,,,,CRACKKKKK,,,,,each blow threw a spume of icy chips high into the air. SPLOOSH, the axe had cut through to water and G'pa soon had a trough about as big as a bathtub cut in the ice.
"Whoa boys...whoaaa! G'pa moved away as the horses pushed to dip their huge pink noses in the frosty water.
The next few minutes were always a blur in Ellen's mind whenever she thought back on them. A group of boisterous cows pushing near ,their hooves squeaking on the hard frosted ground, G'pas cries for help,how she hurriedly stretched out the nylon towrope and rolled the last of the ball across the ice into his hands.
Ellen could never recall how she got the big hook clasped to the bumper or how in Heavens(as Grandma said)her small legs reached the pedals but somehow she had towed G'pa out onto the solid ice and then up on the bank. No amount of effort had been able to boost G'pa into the cab so they settled for wrestling him into the truck box. G'pa uttered instructions and Ellen slammed the gate up,put the clasps through the hooks and sprang to the cab at his word.
"Push open the back window and you can hear me"
The horses and cattle reared and scattered and soon she was grinding into gear and bumping off towards the house.
"Are you ok G'pa?"
"No, I'm in trouble;keep driving,we've got to get to the house."
Ellen's breaths were sobs and tears but she drove as fast as she dared. Once, the truck screeched loudly along a fence but she jerked away and kept driving.
"Are you ok G'pa?"
No answer.
At last Ellen saw the farmyard and began honking. She and G'pa had always played "toot tunes" on the horn and she hoped that Grandma would know that todays bleats were a call for help instead. The thought had scarcely crossed her mind when Grandma's head poked out the front door and a huge misty steam of heat rolled out after her. Ellen heard her g'ma's shout and kept driving right up into the willow hedge by the front door where the old truck shuddered and stalled.
"Where's Harry?" Grandma's voice sounded a little panicky.
Ellen was actually relieved to hear a groan from the rear of the truck.
"Oh Harry..Ohh Harry, you”ve fallen in!"
Ellen pushed the truck door open against the stubborn clutch of willows and helped Grandma pull G'pa into the house. Neither the old lady nor the girl was strong and it was mostly a dragging job punctuated by low groans from G'pa. Grandma swiftly worked on pulling G'pa's stiff frozen clothes off and once the outer layer was off tersely directed Ellen to get her sewing scissors and some blankets . As Grandma began cutting the laces of G'pa's boots she directed Ellen to put more wood int he stove , a job that she had only watched done until now. Grandma was cutting through G'pa's shirt and pants and urged Ellen over to the telephone.."Call Jerry'"and she recited the number,"Tell him what happened and tell him to come."
Ellen returned to find that Grandma had wrapped G'ra in layers of blankets and skidded him a little closer o the woodstove.
"Ok ,little one , you need to change too but first be sure the outside door is closed properly and bring G'pa's box of calf medicine from by the door."
The door was secure and Ellen watched as Grandma pulled the whiskey bottle from the crate of needles,pills,and equipment.
"GO child! we'll need you to let Jerry in"
Ellen changed quickly and scooted to the door just in time to let the massive Jerry into the house.
"I let Todd off to back the truck out and check on the gates and cattle" allowed the grizzled man quietly.
"Harry, are you frozen solid?"
Ellen saw that her g'pa's eyes had opened though his face was an awful color of white and splotchy blue. His lips had moved when Jerry mentioned the cattle but no sound came out.
"I 'spect we better get him to the hospital" Jerry observed quietly,"My cars all warmed up. Missus Drake , you get coat on . I'll get Todd to come in and take this sprout with him when he's done checking things out."
Grandma was usually the bossy one but Ellen noticed that she uttered no retort but scurried for her coat as the big man scooped up G'pa,blankets and all and walked out to the car.
Grandma kissed her quickly on the way by,"I'll come back as quick as I can , Ellen."
Todd had G'pa's truck toasty warm and Ellen noticed that he had tidied everything off of the seat to make room enough for her to sit.
"Hi, Ellen . I guess you're coming to our house for a bit."
"Yes, is it ok if I bring Bucko?"
Ellen had always had a bit of a crush on Todd and now she remembered why.
"Yup!. Let's take one of Bucko's toys so he doesn't go berzerk in Mum's plants." His smile and wink made her blush and hurry to get the cat and his jingly chew ball.
"Push open the back window and you can hear me"
The horses and cattle reared and scattered and soon she was grinding into gear and bumping off towards the house.
"Are you ok G'pa?"
"No, I'm in trouble;keep driving,we've got to get to the house."
Ellen's breaths were sobs and tears but she drove as fast as she dared. Once, the truck screeched loudly along a fence but she jerked away and kept driving.
"Are you ok G'pa?"
No answer.
At last Ellen saw the farmyard and began honking. She and G'pa had always played "toot tunes" on the horn and she hoped that Grandma would know that todays bleats were a call for help instead. The thought had scarcely crossed her mind when Grandma's head poked out the front door and a huge misty steam of heat rolled out after her. Ellen heard her g'ma's shout and kept driving right up into the willow hedge by the front door where the old truck shuddered and stalled.
"Where's Harry?" Grandma's voice sounded a little panicky.
Ellen was actually relieved to hear a groan from the rear of the truck.
"Oh Harry..Ohh Harry, you”ve fallen in!"
Ellen pushed the truck door open against the stubborn clutch of willows and helped Grandma pull G'pa into the house. Neither the old lady nor the girl was strong and it was mostly a dragging job punctuated by low groans from G'pa. Grandma swiftly worked on pulling G'pa's stiff frozen clothes off and once the outer layer was off tersely directed Ellen to get her sewing scissors and some blankets . As Grandma began cutting the laces of G'pa's boots she directed Ellen to put more wood int he stove , a job that she had only watched done until now. Grandma was cutting through G'pa's shirt and pants and urged Ellen over to the telephone.."Call Jerry'"and she recited the number,"Tell him what happened and tell him to come."
Ellen returned to find that Grandma had wrapped G'ra in layers of blankets and skidded him a little closer o the woodstove.
"Ok ,little one , you need to change too but first be sure the outside door is closed properly and bring G'pa's box of calf medicine from by the door."
The door was secure and Ellen watched as Grandma pulled the whiskey bottle from the crate of needles,pills,and equipment.
"GO child! we'll need you to let Jerry in"
Ellen changed quickly and scooted to the door just in time to let the massive Jerry into the house.
"I let Todd off to back the truck out and check on the gates and cattle" allowed the grizzled man quietly.
"Harry, are you frozen solid?"
Ellen saw that her g'pa's eyes had opened though his face was an awful color of white and splotchy blue. His lips had moved when Jerry mentioned the cattle but no sound came out.
"I 'spect we better get him to the hospital" Jerry observed quietly,"My cars all warmed up. Missus Drake , you get coat on . I'll get Todd to come in and take this sprout with him when he's done checking things out."
Grandma was usually the bossy one but Ellen noticed that she uttered no retort but scurried for her coat as the big man scooped up G'pa,blankets and all and walked out to the car.
Grandma kissed her quickly on the way by,"I'll come back as quick as I can , Ellen."
Todd had G'pa's truck toasty warm and Ellen noticed that he had tidied everything off of the seat to make room enough for her to sit.
"Hi, Ellen . I guess you're coming to our house for a bit."
"Yes, is it ok if I bring Bucko?"
Ellen had always had a bit of a crush on Todd and now she remembered why.
"Yup!. Let's take one of Bucko's toys so he doesn't go berzerk in Mum's plants." His smile and wink made her blush and hurry to get the cat and his jingly chew ball.
The excitement had given way to boredom and morning had turned to afternoon ,had turned to evening. Mrs. Tanner was busying herself with supper preparations,Todd was out doing his own chores as well as checking things out at the Drake's and the day continued bitterly cold. As Mrs Tanner rolled out biscuits and plopped them on a shiny flat sheet for the oven ,Ellen twisted in her chair.
Mrs erected herself,"You must be worried Honey...I suspect it'd be a good time to pray."
"Oh Mrs. Tanner, I've been praying all day." A tear raced down Ellen's cheek.
"Mmmm, I suspect the answer's on the way then." the older lady mused.
She wiped her hands thoughtfully on her kitchen towel and sat on the stool next to Ellen.
"After supper if we've heard nothing we'll get Todd to drive us in and see what is."
Ellen nodded without speaking.
Mrs. Tanner and Ellen ate very little but Todd who had swept in from chores in a great sweep of arctic air with frost on his eyebrows and scarf ,finished two plates of stew and nine biscuits; Ellen had started counting after a bit.
"He just has a hearty appetite " she excused him in her mind.
Ellen was reaching the end of wiping plates when she heard the telephone blast it's loud ring. It always jarred her how high the volume was set at Grandma and G'pa's and the Tanners seemed to like it the same. She always jumped and this time was no exception. Todd picked up in the livingroom where he'd been watching TV. Ellen could hear that his voice was low, that he was doing more listening than talking and although she couldn't make out the words she felt extremely anxious. The call ended. Todd remained in the livingroom but the sound did not go up on the TV. Ellen couldn't look at Mrs. Tanner and finally the woman stood and went into the livingroom.
"What is it?"
Ellen could hear Mrs. Tanner's voice but Todd's voice was pitched low enough that she could not make out his words. In spite of these things she knew that she was expected to wait in the kitchen.
"Yes, I think you're right." Mrs. Drake said, and Ellen could her her returning to the kitchen.
"Todd has convinced me that it is much too bitter cold for us to head into Linden tonight ." She paused.
""Your G'pa is not doing well at all ,honey ,but the doctor has given him something to help him sleep properly. Your Grandmother is sending Jerry home. She will stay at the hospital tonight...so...it's not good but it could be worse."
Bucko was all around Ellen's legs, his tail a plumey distraction. The girl never spoke but did pick up the old cat and pet him into a state of purring delerium.
"I will make you a bed up in the room by the bathroom and Todd is going to be sure that everything is ok at the farm for the night, Would you like him to pick up anything for you?"
Ellen merely shook her head and continued petting the cat.
The pillow was cold and hard and smelled like mothballs. The cover was tucked in so tight that no amount of tugging could let the bottom end loose....Ellen dreamed she was trying and trying to tie the tow rope to the bumper of the truck but was only able to get tangled up again and again.
Mrs erected herself,"You must be worried Honey...I suspect it'd be a good time to pray."
"Oh Mrs. Tanner, I've been praying all day." A tear raced down Ellen's cheek.
"Mmmm, I suspect the answer's on the way then." the older lady mused.
She wiped her hands thoughtfully on her kitchen towel and sat on the stool next to Ellen.
"After supper if we've heard nothing we'll get Todd to drive us in and see what is."
Ellen nodded without speaking.
Mrs. Tanner and Ellen ate very little but Todd who had swept in from chores in a great sweep of arctic air with frost on his eyebrows and scarf ,finished two plates of stew and nine biscuits; Ellen had started counting after a bit.
"He just has a hearty appetite " she excused him in her mind.
Ellen was reaching the end of wiping plates when she heard the telephone blast it's loud ring. It always jarred her how high the volume was set at Grandma and G'pa's and the Tanners seemed to like it the same. She always jumped and this time was no exception. Todd picked up in the livingroom where he'd been watching TV. Ellen could hear that his voice was low, that he was doing more listening than talking and although she couldn't make out the words she felt extremely anxious. The call ended. Todd remained in the livingroom but the sound did not go up on the TV. Ellen couldn't look at Mrs. Tanner and finally the woman stood and went into the livingroom.
"What is it?"
Ellen could hear Mrs. Tanner's voice but Todd's voice was pitched low enough that she could not make out his words. In spite of these things she knew that she was expected to wait in the kitchen.
"Yes, I think you're right." Mrs. Drake said, and Ellen could her her returning to the kitchen.
"Todd has convinced me that it is much too bitter cold for us to head into Linden tonight ." She paused.
""Your G'pa is not doing well at all ,honey ,but the doctor has given him something to help him sleep properly. Your Grandmother is sending Jerry home. She will stay at the hospital tonight...so...it's not good but it could be worse."
Bucko was all around Ellen's legs, his tail a plumey distraction. The girl never spoke but did pick up the old cat and pet him into a state of purring delerium.
"I will make you a bed up in the room by the bathroom and Todd is going to be sure that everything is ok at the farm for the night, Would you like him to pick up anything for you?"
Ellen merely shook her head and continued petting the cat.
The pillow was cold and hard and smelled like mothballs. The cover was tucked in so tight that no amount of tugging could let the bottom end loose....Ellen dreamed she was trying and trying to tie the tow rope to the bumper of the truck but was only able to get tangled up again and again.
When Ellen awoke the comforter was pushed off on the floor and her legs were wound up tightly in the afghan wrap. She could see that it had been morning for quite awhile and a brilliant ray of white sunshine lay on the bedroom floor. In a trice the girl remembered why she was in a strange bed and scooted out onto the little mat. Todd had brought her slippers last night and she blushed again wondering if he'd seen her diary on the table by her bed.
Mrs Tanner was composed in a large recliner by the pot-bellied stove . On the arm of her chair Bucko purred loudly and happily. The lady looked up over her reading glasses, her hand still resting in her open Bible.
"Good Morning, Ellen."
Ellen relaxed immediately; she knew from the tone of voice that the news to follow was not bad.
"You'll be wondering about your Grandpa and we'll talk about that but let's get something for you to eat. Once Ellen had impatiently eaten the prescribed toast and jam and hurriedly swallowed a glass of milk, Mrs Tanner disclosed her news.
"Your G'pa will be fine . He must stay in the hospital two more days to get his blood pressure right but will be home by Tuesday. Jerry's doing chores over there and when he comes back he'll take us into Linden to the hospital."
"Will Todd come too?" The question had slipped out before she could stop it but Mrs Tanner's expression did not change.
"No, Todd went into Whitecrest this morning early. He's picking up your mum from the train."
"Well, Harry is her daddy, little one . I think she will likely take you home since Clare will need to tend your G'pa."
Bucko pushed against Ellen's leg and she pulled him excitedly onto her lap.
"Bucko, It's going to be a good day after all."
The trip to Linden had been pretty quiet since Ellen wasn't sure what to say to the Tanners. Mr. Tanner had more than once commented on one or another of G'pa's cattle but had quickly stopped himself with an embarrassed "But of course ,you're not interested in that."
The nurse at the front desk relayed the room # to them and pointed down the hall. Ellen hurried ahead of the grownups; she had seen Mrs Tanner's huge old Mercury in the parking lot and knew that her mum must be here. As she drew near the door she could hear G'pa's loud voice, not as bounding as usual but still easily distinguishable.
"I'm telling you, she looked just like Walter Peyton bursting through the tackle ,coming by those horses with that towstrap under her arm. I couldn't have been happier if it was the angel Gabriel...which it almost was."
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Army on the Move/ Army on the Ground
I'm pleased to finish my first blogging story. I hope you will enjoy it in spite of the fact that it is all out of order and I haven't figured out how to organize it yet. Forgive me also the tardiness with which it was written. I expect that I shall try to compose an entire bulk before I publish it next time.
The man o' words>
The man o' words>
Army on the Move/ Army on the Ground
"I saw them going , Gramma. I saw them going!"
"Saw who going, Sarah?" Betty was preoccupied with her seed catalog, but always tried to avoid ignoring any of the kids when they spoke.
"I saw those bloody army worms flying away Gramma"
As Betty told Allan and Jane later, "I was mightily glad that I didn't have my cup of tea in my hand."
Sarah had recounted the whole history of her picture and her commandments as she painted it and how she had watched carefully since the snow melted ,many times making special requests to be at Gramma's after school and on weekends.
"I was surprised how much time she wanted to be outside." marveled Betty.
Meanwhile somewhere in the vicinity of Yorkton, Saskatchewan ,Tony let out a little squeak..
"i'm tired Tannis"
The whole troop was hoarse, voices badly depleted by three days of flying, unbroken except for sleep and very abbreviated eating spells . As a rule they had only begun eating when some fool would open their mouth to speak and out would come the unbreakable cry "Move out"
Tony's plaintive bleat was the first independant speech in Wormese that any of them had made since the previous fall when they all bid farewell as they stitched themselves in for the winter.
"TIRED!" Lina's voice would normally have made Tony flinch from the volume when delivered with this intensity. The thing that got him banking to the left this time was the shrill and deadly fierceness of it.
"Tired? You sack of dog dirt. Tannis and me and every other mother's daughter in this outfit is needing to set down and lay a mess of eggs. Tired? You have nothing to complain about"
"Saw who going, Sarah?" Betty was preoccupied with her seed catalog, but always tried to avoid ignoring any of the kids when they spoke.
"I saw those bloody army worms flying away Gramma"
As Betty told Allan and Jane later, "I was mightily glad that I didn't have my cup of tea in my hand."
Sarah had recounted the whole history of her picture and her commandments as she painted it and how she had watched carefully since the snow melted ,many times making special requests to be at Gramma's after school and on weekends.
"I was surprised how much time she wanted to be outside." marveled Betty.
Meanwhile somewhere in the vicinity of Yorkton, Saskatchewan ,Tony let out a little squeak..
"i'm tired Tannis"
The whole troop was hoarse, voices badly depleted by three days of flying, unbroken except for sleep and very abbreviated eating spells . As a rule they had only begun eating when some fool would open their mouth to speak and out would come the unbreakable cry "Move out"
Tony's plaintive bleat was the first independant speech in Wormese that any of them had made since the previous fall when they all bid farewell as they stitched themselves in for the winter.
"TIRED!" Lina's voice would normally have made Tony flinch from the volume when delivered with this intensity. The thing that got him banking to the left this time was the shrill and deadly fierceness of it.
"Tired? You sack of dog dirt. Tannis and me and every other mother's daughter in this outfit is needing to set down and lay a mess of eggs. Tired? You have nothing to complain about"
Army on the Move/ Army on the Ground
SCCHHHLOOP!!!!!
That's what it sounded like to Tannis as her cocoon opened. The sound to the outside world was measurably less, to the extent of being nonexistent. Tannis wriggled loose from the rumpled slump that used to be her winter tent. Never one for brushing her teeth, Tannis coughed roughly and spit 7 months of a greenie over the side of the branch that she hung on. Feeling itchy she twisted and scratched, unaware of the multitudes of virtually silent scchhlooops all around her. Her eyes stood wide open as she beheld upon her very own back "WINGS!!!!"
"wings" had been the word in her mind heart,mouth but the croaky roar that hit the light of day was not "wings" but
"MOVVVVE OUTTT!!!!!!!!"
Tannis spit and tried again
"MMMMOOOOOVVVEEE OUTT!!!
If possible the second cry was even louder than the first and before she could try a third time she could hear the cry taken up all around by millions and millions all around her move out move out move out move out MOOVE OUTTT.. MOVE OUT
and they did. so many so that they made the sky dark all around on wings that neither they nor Tannis could acknowledge the new wings which had grown in their cold winter storage....
"I don't even recognize Lina in this mess thought Tannis, "Maybe I'll try a little yell"
"MOOOOOOVE OUTTTT!!!!!!!"
That's what it sounded like to Tannis as her cocoon opened. The sound to the outside world was measurably less, to the extent of being nonexistent. Tannis wriggled loose from the rumpled slump that used to be her winter tent. Never one for brushing her teeth, Tannis coughed roughly and spit 7 months of a greenie over the side of the branch that she hung on. Feeling itchy she twisted and scratched, unaware of the multitudes of virtually silent scchhlooops all around her. Her eyes stood wide open as she beheld upon her very own back "WINGS!!!!"
"wings" had been the word in her mind heart,mouth but the croaky roar that hit the light of day was not "wings" but
"MOVVVVE OUTTT!!!!!!!!"
Tannis spit and tried again
"MMMMOOOOOVVVEEE OUTT!!!
If possible the second cry was even louder than the first and before she could try a third time she could hear the cry taken up all around by millions and millions all around her move out move out move out move out MOOVE OUTTT.. MOVE OUT
and they did. so many so that they made the sky dark all around on wings that neither they nor Tannis could acknowledge the new wings which had grown in their cold winter storage....
"I don't even recognize Lina in this mess thought Tannis, "Maybe I'll try a little yell"
"MOOOOOOVE OUTTTT!!!!!!!"
Saturday, February 26, 2011
PROGRESS
Done one "series"...will finish "Army on the move/Army on the ground" this weekend then something new Man o' Words
Alphabetical words that sound dirty but aren't
niggle///orb((((pistachio###quibble<<<rectify
)))slather\\\trimester""""uvula???
venal****wallowing@@@@exxstacy%%%%
ypsilanti(which is actually a place name) zener diode
)))slather\\\trimester""""uvula???
venal****wallowing@@@@exxstacy%%%%
ypsilanti(which is actually a place name) zener diode
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Alphabetical words that sound dirty but aren't
fuchsia///glottis////hegemony/// insidious/// juxtaposition/// Kickapoo/// legerdemain///
mitigate///
mitigate///
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Army on the Move/ Army on the Ground
Tannis also dreamed , totally contrary to all the accepted and adhered to laws of entemology and thermodynamics and worm hibernification.
There was a reason that she dreamed and the reason was Sarah. Sarah had been very affected by the sight of her Gramma flailing her hoe weapon at the worms and telling them to "buzz off" and as far as Sarah could tell not even one of them had listened.
Sarah made pictures whenever she was trying to make a solution to a problem and the entire time at her nursery school easel she had been muttering away to herself.
"You creepy worms you better listen...you buzz off when you wake up in the spring. Don't even shake the dirts outta your sleeping bags. just zip up the flap and march right outta here.
Buzz off, Jennifer, buzz off Sandy, buzz off LIna and Tannis."
Deep in cocoony sleep , Tannis had the only kind of dream an army worm can have. A marching dream and her dream was coupled with the greatest marching songs she had thought of ever. January turned to February turned to the beginnings of spring and still the army worms slept. In the midst of hundreds and indeed hundreds of thousands of tents, Tannis' little worm brain dreamed her little worm dreams. Always the same dream..."Move out, move out, MOVE OUT"
There was a reason that she dreamed and the reason was Sarah. Sarah had been very affected by the sight of her Gramma flailing her hoe weapon at the worms and telling them to "buzz off" and as far as Sarah could tell not even one of them had listened.
Sarah made pictures whenever she was trying to make a solution to a problem and the entire time at her nursery school easel she had been muttering away to herself.
"You creepy worms you better listen...you buzz off when you wake up in the spring. Don't even shake the dirts outta your sleeping bags. just zip up the flap and march right outta here.
Buzz off, Jennifer, buzz off Sandy, buzz off LIna and Tannis."
Deep in cocoony sleep , Tannis had the only kind of dream an army worm can have. A marching dream and her dream was coupled with the greatest marching songs she had thought of ever. January turned to February turned to the beginnings of spring and still the army worms slept. In the midst of hundreds and indeed hundreds of thousands of tents, Tannis' little worm brain dreamed her little worm dreams. Always the same dream..."Move out, move out, MOVE OUT"
Army on the Move/ Army on the Ground
Betty laid her head back on the pillow. The sound that awakened her had only been the January wind tearing around the house and shrieking foolish threats in the the TV antenna. She wrapped her head up in the blankets again and was soon swaddled in a cocoon of sleep.
She dreamed. Her hands were exceedingly cold but she kept stirring in the deep freeze.
"I know there's a couple of bags of saskatoons in here still."
It was, however, one of those dreams that repeats itself and though she thrashed through the freezer all night long she had nothing to make pies from. Her hands never did feel warm until she started the wood stove the next morning and settled with her hands around a hot cup of tea.
"Are you hauling canola this week?"
"They are going to send a semi in on Thursday to pick it up..such as it is."
"Nobody else has any better so maybe your price won't be too bad."
"Hmmph, Sarah made a poster at nursery school yesterday. I told her to be sure to bring to put on your bulletin board."
"Oh?" Betty knew he wanted her to ask what it was but she also knew she wouldn't have to.
"It's a full size picture of your fruit trees ...covered in army worms and you flailing away at them with a rag on your hoe"
"Well! " Betty was almost speechless, "The little Turk!"
This ellicited a full laugh from Allan.
"The best part was she put names for all the army worms on the poster too. Jenny, Tracy, Amanda..all her school buddies. even names that I didn't know she'd ever heard of ...Harriet, Titus, Lina...Tannis"
She dreamed. Her hands were exceedingly cold but she kept stirring in the deep freeze.
"I know there's a couple of bags of saskatoons in here still."
It was, however, one of those dreams that repeats itself and though she thrashed through the freezer all night long she had nothing to make pies from. Her hands never did feel warm until she started the wood stove the next morning and settled with her hands around a hot cup of tea.
"Are you hauling canola this week?"
"They are going to send a semi in on Thursday to pick it up..such as it is."
"Nobody else has any better so maybe your price won't be too bad."
"Hmmph, Sarah made a poster at nursery school yesterday. I told her to be sure to bring to put on your bulletin board."
"Oh?" Betty knew he wanted her to ask what it was but she also knew she wouldn't have to.
"It's a full size picture of your fruit trees ...covered in army worms and you flailing away at them with a rag on your hoe"
"Well! " Betty was almost speechless, "The little Turk!"
This ellicited a full laugh from Allan.
"The best part was she put names for all the army worms on the poster too. Jenny, Tracy, Amanda..all her school buddies. even names that I didn't know she'd ever heard of ...Harriet, Titus, Lina...Tannis"
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Background
This is a story that I made up for Breena and Tessa when they were small and I have edited it a bit to try to be more accurate and "tellable" in written form. It is based loosely on real events from approximately the early 1980's
Army on the Move/ Army on the Ground
In the next few weeks Betty listened in dreadful fascination to the woeful tales of crop consumption in virtually every farmer's fields,all related to her with a grim dismay by her farmer son. She had seen the army worms in the newspaper, on the TV and Sarah had even brought a jarful of them to show.
"The Ag rep says they are most active when the canola is in flower but they will continue eating all through their pupa stage.'
"Can you do anything to stop them?"
"Spray , if you can apply it early enough but I'm very reluctant to spray because of organic reasons. I would have to wait another five years, chemical free, to regain organic approval."
"Is Sarah coming today?"
"She has a "playday" with "Shannie" but maybe we'll all come for a cup of tea this evening."
The gloomy malaise in the farmhouse was the polar opposite of the virtual hilarity out in the fields and fence rows.
"Tannis, Tannis, give me your answer true
ain't cano-lee just over the top for you"
Lina had picked up Tannis' habit of goofy rhymes and songs and rather than feel threatened by this new creative genius Tannis seemed to feel emboldened to push on to new heights of silliness.
"This leaf's for you.. this leaf's for you. It ain't for Avadex or Raid... None of those nasty old -ates, or -oids, or -ines. This leaf dear Lina is for yououou."
"Quit that yappin' , dirtbags. You got eating to do." This latest witticism came from Tony ,Tannis' wormy neighbour on the left hand. His tone reflected one that he imagined a drill sergeant might use in boot camp.
"I do believe we've about consumed this acre", grinned Tannis
and her estimation was confirmed moments later.
They could hear the chant coming from yards and yards away.
"Move on, move on, move on" They immediately joined in the chant for it was the one army code and the deployment was something to behold.
"Army on the move, army on the move, army on the move,
move on, move on, move on."
"Girls, it's my turn to call time." Tony's statement was really a question but Lina grinned expansively.
"Ok baby brother. give it your best. You're in the army now"
"The Ag rep says they are most active when the canola is in flower but they will continue eating all through their pupa stage.'
"Can you do anything to stop them?"
"Spray , if you can apply it early enough but I'm very reluctant to spray because of organic reasons. I would have to wait another five years, chemical free, to regain organic approval."
"Is Sarah coming today?"
"She has a "playday" with "Shannie" but maybe we'll all come for a cup of tea this evening."
The gloomy malaise in the farmhouse was the polar opposite of the virtual hilarity out in the fields and fence rows.
"Tannis, Tannis, give me your answer true
ain't cano-lee just over the top for you"
Lina had picked up Tannis' habit of goofy rhymes and songs and rather than feel threatened by this new creative genius Tannis seemed to feel emboldened to push on to new heights of silliness.
"This leaf's for you.. this leaf's for you. It ain't for Avadex or Raid... None of those nasty old -ates, or -oids, or -ines. This leaf dear Lina is for yououou."
"Quit that yappin' , dirtbags. You got eating to do." This latest witticism came from Tony ,Tannis' wormy neighbour on the left hand. His tone reflected one that he imagined a drill sergeant might use in boot camp.
"I do believe we've about consumed this acre", grinned Tannis
and her estimation was confirmed moments later.
They could hear the chant coming from yards and yards away.
"Move on, move on, move on" They immediately joined in the chant for it was the one army code and the deployment was something to behold.
"Army on the move, army on the move, army on the move,
move on, move on, move on."
"Girls, it's my turn to call time." Tony's statement was really a question but Lina grinned expansively.
"Ok baby brother. give it your best. You're in the army now"
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Alphabetical words that sound dirty but aren't
Ancestors////Bodacious///Clematis////Dilettante///Endomitriosis/// (more inflammatory words to come later)
Army on the Move/ Army on the Ground
"Gramma!" Sarah burst in as always, hair to the wind, smile arcing,flowers in her clutched fist.
"Hi Sah." Betty put on her brightest smile and used the abbreviated moniker that Sarah had hung upon herself. Allan followed the small girl into the kitchen. Betty knew that anyone else would have received a lecture on refraining from "baby talk."
This was one benefit of being Grandmother.
"Well, here's her bag...Sarah, be good for Gramma or I'll feed you to the pigs."
"O.K. Daddy, Gramma where are you vases?"
"Those are purple vetch , and these yellow ones are brown eyed susans"
"I know, my daddy told me. Gramma...what's a bloody army worm?"
"An army worm is an insect that moves in huge groups eating everything in their path"
"Will it eat my kitty, Gramma ? Is it bloody from a cow, Gramma? Are they coming here?"
"Army worms only eat plants Sarah , not pets or people and unhappily it seems that they will come here."
"Lina,Lina take me to the latrina..."
Tannis let out a massive burp and her starboard crewmate looked up from the mayhem of mangled barley still chewing vigorously.
"You better chow down babygirl; we got to move out before long and I don't want to have to carry your sorry backside because you never ate a hearty breakfast."
"Hi Sah." Betty put on her brightest smile and used the abbreviated moniker that Sarah had hung upon herself. Allan followed the small girl into the kitchen. Betty knew that anyone else would have received a lecture on refraining from "baby talk."
This was one benefit of being Grandmother.
"Well, here's her bag...Sarah, be good for Gramma or I'll feed you to the pigs."
"O.K. Daddy, Gramma where are you vases?"
"Those are purple vetch , and these yellow ones are brown eyed susans"
"I know, my daddy told me. Gramma...what's a bloody army worm?"
"An army worm is an insect that moves in huge groups eating everything in their path"
"Will it eat my kitty, Gramma ? Is it bloody from a cow, Gramma? Are they coming here?"
"Army worms only eat plants Sarah , not pets or people and unhappily it seems that they will come here."
"Lina,Lina take me to the latrina..."
Tannis let out a massive burp and her starboard crewmate looked up from the mayhem of mangled barley still chewing vigorously.
"You better chow down babygirl; we got to move out before long and I don't want to have to carry your sorry backside because you never ate a hearty breakfast."
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Army on the Move/ Army on the Ground
Army on the Move/ Army on the Ground
Army on the Move/ Army on the Ground
Betty rubbed her rough hands over her gray hair."Will they come here?" Her tone was quiet but the man could hear her concern. "They absolutely will and my canola will all be screwed." Her son had always been 100% sure of every thing he said but Betty hoped it wouldn't happen.
" Jerry's fields down at Parker's are overrun already; it's just a matter of a few days. I drove by there this morning and you could easily see where they had eaten and where they had not been yet."
Betty said nothing. The kettle sounded on the stove and she stood up, rummaging with the tea things at the counter. They both drank their tea in silence.
"I better go. Can you look after Sarah this afternoon? Jane is at work afternoons"
As the truck moved out of the yard Betty sipped the last of her tea. "I know the crops are important but my saskatoons look so good this year."
Betty rubbed her rough hands over her gray hair."Will they come here?" Her tone was quiet but the man could hear her concern. "They absolutely will and my canola will all be screwed." Her son had always been 100% sure of every thing he said but Betty hoped it wouldn't happen.
" Jerry's fields down at Parker's are overrun already; it's just a matter of a few days. I drove by there this morning and you could easily see where they had eaten and where they had not been yet."
Betty said nothing. The kettle sounded on the stove and she stood up, rummaging with the tea things at the counter. They both drank their tea in silence.
"I better go. Can you look after Sarah this afternoon? Jane is at work afternoons"
As the truck moved out of the yard Betty sipped the last of her tea. "I know the crops are important but my saskatoons look so good this year."
Army on the Move/ Army on the Ground
"I don't know but i bin told....
oats will make you shine like gold...
Leaves will make you fat like me....
Foods ahead so march with me
1,2,3,4.."
Tannis grinned to the left and right and got a wink of encouragement from Lina.
"I love when it's my turn to call time"
"I love when it's time to eat!" smirked Lina "and here we are!!!"
Tannis had been calling time with her eyes shut to get the volume she pleased. Resurfacing from her reverie she could see the endless ranks in front of her and behind her all voraciously attacking a tastefully decorated field of barley.
oats will make you shine like gold...
Leaves will make you fat like me....
Foods ahead so march with me
1,2,3,4.."
Tannis grinned to the left and right and got a wink of encouragement from Lina.
"I love when it's my turn to call time"
"I love when it's time to eat!" smirked Lina "and here we are!!!"
Tannis had been calling time with her eyes shut to get the volume she pleased. Resurfacing from her reverie she could see the endless ranks in front of her and behind her all voraciously attacking a tastefully decorated field of barley.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)