Month: October 2024

Lou and Lynn Part 15 The Pea-Shelling Party: A Tale of Community and Fun

Mr. Al had to work the three to eleven shift that afternoon. Just before he was to leave for work, a peddler came by selling peas. Mr. Al came in carrying a huge load of peas. Aunt Kat looked appalled. “Oh no! I was planning to do laundry and mop this afternoon. Now we have to shell peas!” She spread a clean sheet on the floor and Mr. Al poured out the peas. A heap about two feet high covered three-quarters of the sheet.

“I know said Mr. Al “but we have to get peas when they’re available. These should get us through the winter.”

“I know, “ said Aunt Kat, “but it will be a big job for me and the kids to get these done by ourselves. They’ll go bad if I don’t get them in the freezer tonight.“

“I’ve gotta go. I gotta pick up Arnie for work. I’ll see if Betsy and her girl can come help.”

“That would really help.” She cheered up, knowing they would probably come help. They often helped each other on big jobs.

Soon enough, Miss Betsy and Sharon peeked in the front door. “Yoo hoo! Your help’s here.” called out Miss Betsy.

“Oh, thank you! I couldn’t imagine how I’d get all these done. Girls, get everybody a pan and let’s get started.” Lou had never seen peas shelled but she caught on quickly. The bad thing was, the purple of the pea shells stained her hands and under her fingernails. Aunt Kat told her it would wear off in a day or two.

Miss Betsy was a lot of fun. She had them laughing hysterically over her stories. Even the big baby liked her. The best thing was, Sharon loved babies. She held the little baby all the time except when the she napped. She teased Connie and kept her giggling.

Aunt Kat introduced a game called gossip they could play as the pile of peas decreased. The leader whispered a few words into the ear of the person next to them. The words couldn’t be repeated once spoken. The whispered message obviously got mangled as it passed from person to person. The last person in line revealed the message. It was hilarious. The original message “My kitten has blue eyes,” turned into “My wigwam has fried pies” They played till everyone got a chance to whisper the starting message.

After that, they all sang songs. It was like a party. Even seven-year-old Billy took his turn leading them in song. They played I Spy. They were making tremendous progress on the pile of peas when Aunt Kat took a break to make peanut butter sandwiches and kool aid for the pea shellers. By the time they were through with the peas, it was getting dusky dark. “We’d better head home before it gets too dark,” Miss Betsy said.”We have flashlights” We heard them singing far down the road.

We’d shelled two big dishpans of peas. They’d be eating peas long after I was back home. That almost felt a little sad.

Unlike washing dishes, the pea-shelling party was fun. I wished it could have gone on longer.

I was exhausted when I went to bed, too tired to talk. Loua woke me upu still had the big light on when I went to sleep. She was awakened by Grandma humming, “You are My Sunshine.”

“Grandma, I knew you’d get me home! I woke up in my own bed this morning.” said Lou, excitedly.

“Quiet!” said Grandma. “They can’t hear me but they can sure hear you. I almost messed up this morning l. It’s a wonder I didn’t spaghettify you. I can’t take that chance agin. I tried to get the bike and tore it in half. You’ll see in the morning. I’m not going to try again till I’m sure. You’re going to be here a little longer.”

“Where are you? Lou asked.

“ I think between yesterday and tomorrow. I like it. The strange thing is, a person can be in more than one place at a time. You are still at home with your parents and you are here. I’m trying to get all of you safely together at home. I’m at home and here in between.” said Grandma.

“So that’s why Mom’s not worried. I’m home, too.”

“Yes, it is but I will get you home. Don’t get discouraged.” Grandma said.

“I’ll try.” said Lou. I’m actually having a lot of fun. I like Lynn. She seems kind of familiar.”

Grandma seemed a little somber.”I won’t be back for a while. I’m getting some help from some really smart guys. We will get you home!”

The next thing she knew, Aunt Kat was waking her up.

To be continued:

Enjoying the Day at the OMV: A Personal Experience

I am at the Office of Motor Vehicles and made up my mind to enjoy myself. First of all, I had to renew my license and get a Real ID. We had some business to conduct with my son, so Bud and I are meeting him in Alexandria. We woke up to a glorious, cool day, such a relief after the blazing summer. We had a beautiful drive down. We will have lunch with John after our business, always a pleasure. He lives in Baton Rouge so it’s treat to see him without a four hour drive.

I love people watching. Amazingly, there has not been a single ugliness at the OMV. I am not accustomed to this. The last time I had to visit I joined a roomful of defeated-looking people.

I had the pleasure of seeing the kid in the red-checked pajamas get his first license. He was all anxiety until his victory, then pure jubilation.

His mother’s anxiety was unrelieved by his success. He drove home! If I had to the whole process of teaching a kid to drive again, I’d just lead the them out to the car, beat it with a baseball bat, and tell them, “Now we’re ready! You won’t have to use that excuse about swerving to miss a dog” It would get a couple of things out of the way.

Afterward, John treated us to lunch at Lea’s Lunchroom., a well-known local restaurant in LeCompte, Louisiana. We all had a fine ham sandwich. I had lemon meringue pie. Bud said it was like taking coal to Newcastle since I have three freshly baked strawberry-rhubarb pies waiting at home but life is too short to neglect pie. It has been a wonderful day!

Bud and John,

Lazy Days

Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

Lazy days make me feel good. I normally do what needs to be doing next, so if I feel like taking a day off, I do it. we inow what we need.

Lou and Lynn Part 14 Family Lunch: Soup and Cornbread Moments

The girls hurried in the back door just ahead of Daddy and Billy. “Girls, hurry and set the table. We’re having soup and cornbread, so all we need is bowls, spoons,napkins,and glasses for milk.”

By now, Lou knew where everything was so she set the table while Lynn poured milk. Lynn took Connie’s dress off and put the big baby in her highchair. Lou wondered why Lynn stripped her down but didn’t want to ask. Soon enough, it was obvious.

Aunt Kat put a steaming pot of vegetable soup with big chunks of beef on the table. The crisp golden cornbread was dripping with butter. Though she’d never even tried cornbread before, she wanted it now. When she smelled the tempting aroma, Lou was suddenly starving. The family gathered and fell to eating after Lynn said grace.

Aunt Kat had put cooled chunks of vegetables and small bits of beef on Connie’s high chair tray. When the tiny girl had all she wanted, she proudly mashed the rest into her blonde hair. She grinned widely and chunks of potato fell out of her mouth. She was adorably messy.

“I don’t like soup.” said Billy.

“That’s okay,” said Aunt Kat. “You can go on out and play then.”

“But I’m hungry!” he protested.

“You don’t have to eat soup” his mother said. “That will leave more for the others”

“Can I have some soup?” he asked.

“Of course.” He ate two bowls with cornbread.

After lunch, the girls cleaned Connie and her mess up. “Girls, bring in that load of diapers off the line and hang out these towels. Then you can go play.

“Okay!” They grabbed the laundry basket and raced to the clothesline. “It’s fun having you here.” said Lynn. “You don’t seem as worried about getting home as you were.”

“After I woke up at home this morning, I know I’ll get back. I’ve been thinking. Mom said I had been at home. She didn’t know anything weird was going on. It was a relief to know she’s not upset. Besides, I like you and we’re having a lot of fun. But, I don’t like washing dishes!” Lou said. “

“Nobody likes washing dishes!” laughed Lynn.

To be continued:

Finish the Story

Doris and Fred had been married forty-two years. Three of their four children had left the nest but thirty nine-year-old Jamie kept showing back up, often with a woman in tow. Doris was thoroughly sick of him but Fred kept the door open.

He and his current love interest had been lying about for nearly two months when Fred suddenly died. Doris,,,,,,,,,finish the story.

Either copy and paste into a new post or finish in comments

Speeding, Tickets, and Laughs: A Comedic Collection

A drunk wakes up in jail, “Why am I here officer?”

“For drinking.” replies the officer.

“Great” says the man. “When do we start?”

I am a Home Health Nurse, I was always speeding. I love to drive fast. One afternoon, I saw the familiar lights, behind me, and pulled over. I lit a cigarette, got my insurance card, and license in my hand. Ready to hand it to the officer, I knew the drill. I noticed the officer really eyeing the mess my car was in. I hadn’t cleaned it out the weekend before. So, now almost 2 weeks worth of trash was almost level to the passenger seat, from the floorboard. The officer said, with doubt that his eyes, and tone, “Are you sure it’s safe to smoke a cigarette, that close to that mess.” Without missing a beat, I returned, “Officer. I’d appreciate it if you’d give me a ticket for speeding, and not for hauling trash without a permit.” The officer gave me a split second double take. Then started laughing, and kept laughing. He couldn’t even get out what he was trying to say. Finally, he waved me on. Said that was the best response he ever heard.

Helpful Wife

An officer pulls over a man and a woman for driving their late-model Mercedes coupe 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.

The officer approaches the car, seeing an affluent-looking late-50s gentleman behind the wheel and a striking woman at least 20 years younger—and bearing a diamond on her left ring finger worth at least a year of the officer’s salary—in the passenger seat.

“I stopped you because you were going 75 in a 55 zone,” the officer says.

The driver replies, “No sir, I was going just a little over 55.”

The woman says, “Oh Stuart! You were going at least 80 and hit the brakes when you saw the cop car on the side of the road!”

The man gives his wife a dirty look.

The officer says, “I’m also going to give you a ticket for your broken tail light.”

“Broken tail light?” the man replies. “I didn’t know about a broken tail light.”

The woman exclaims, “Stuart! You’ve known about that tail light for weeks!”

The man gives his young wife another dirty look.

The officer then says, “I’m also going to give you a citation for not wearing your seat belt.”

The driver replies, “Oh, I just took it off when you were walking up to the car.”

“Stuart,” the pretty woman says, “you know you never wear your seat belt!”

The husband bursts out, “Shut your mouth, woman!”

The officer takes a moment, and then says, “Ma’am, does your husband always talk to you this way?”

“No,” she says, “Only when he’s drunk.”

2. Prescription Glasses

Officer stops a man for speeding— notices he’s not wearing his required prescription glasses.

Officer says, “I have to give you a ticket for not wearing your glasses.”

Driver says, “Officer, I have contacts.”

Officer says, “I don’t care who you know, you’re still getting a ticket.

3. The Clairvoyant

What do you call a clairvoyant midget who escaped from prison?

A small medium at large.

4. Energizer Bunny

The energizer bunny was recently arrested. He was charged with battery.

5. Two Peanuts

Did you hear about the two peanuts walking in a bad neighborhood? One was assaulted.

6. Forty Over

An officer conducting speed enforcement stops a young man for traveling in excess of 40 mph over the speed limit. The officer approaches the driver and says, “Well, 40 over…I been waiting for you to come along all day.”

Without pause, the young man replies, “I got here as fast as I could!”

7. California Roll

After making a “California Stop” at a stop sign, a man is pulled over by a patrol officer. The officer walks up to the car, gets the driver’s license and registration, and tells him he was stopped because he failed to come to a complete stop at the stop sign.

The driver replies, “I slowed down. There was no one coming, so I drove on through.”

The officer replies, “You are required to come to a complete stop before proceeding through the intersection.”

The driver argues back. “There was no one coming. What’s the big deal?”

The officer tries again. “Sir, all four wheels must cease motion before you can proceed past the stop sign.”

The driver is not convinced. “If there’s no one coming, then, stop or slow down, what’s the difference?”

The officer asks the driver to step out of his car. Once he has done so, the officer takes out his baton and begins striking the man at various points on his upper and lower body. After 30 seconds or so of this, he pauses.

“Now, sir—would you like me to stop, or is it okay if I just slow down?”

8. The Hospital

An officer observes a woman standing in the middle of the street. He approaches her and asks, “Are you okay?”

The woman replies, “Yes, but how do I get to the hospital?”

The officer replies, “Just keep standing there.”

9. The Lecture

An officer sees a man exit a bar at closing time and get into his car. After observing some erratic driving, he pulls the man over. The officer asks the driver, “Where are you going at this time of night?”

The man replies, “I’m on my way to attend a lecture about alcohol abuse and the effects it has on the human body, as well as smoking and staying out late.”

The officer then asks, “Who would be giving that kind of lecture at this time of night?”

The man says, “My wife.”

10. Drug Test

An officer comes upon a man clearly under the influence of some illegal substance. He says to the man, “We’re going to have to give you a drug test.”

Without hesitation, the man replies, “Cool, which drugs are we testing?”

11. The Wedding

An officer pulls over a man for speeding.

Before the officer can even say a word at the stop, the man—dressed in a tuxedo—blurts out, “Sir you have to listen to me…”

The officer cuts him off, “Sir, you were going twice the speed limit, I’m going to issue a ticket.”

Insistent, the man pleads, “Please! I have to…”

The officer interrupts, “Don’t bother, you’re getting this ticket.”

This back-and-forth continues for several minutes, eventually escalating to where the man was becoming openly hostile. The officer places the man under arrest.

At the holding cell, the officer says, “Lucky for you that the chief’s at his daughter’s wedding. He’ll be in a good mood when he gets back.”

“Don’t count on it,” answered the man in the cell. “I’m the groom.”

Successful

When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?

Homemaking is not often named among careers but it is a worthy choice. I admire a family member who chose that career. Though she worked a couple of times, she ultimately chose to be a full-time homemaker and mother. She was home for her children, did all the housework, mowing and yard work, raised a garden, canned and filled her freezer with produce. Her children are grown now, both admirable, productive citizens. She helps care for elderly relatives and steps up when neighbors need help. She’s active in her church and community. I admire her tremendously.

A Glimpse into the Past: The Rhudy Family History

Graveside0001 (2)This lovely photogragh, taken in 1911, is of unknown family members of my Cousin Kathleen Perkins of Grayson County, Virginia  She had no information about the the beautiful grieving young woman.  The name on the tombstone is Rhudy and date of birth 1803.  I plan to have this photograph restored and appropriately framed.  Cousin Continue reading →

Lou and Lyn Part 13 Kids’ Adventures: Tree Climbing and Chores

The sheriff left. Lynn’s dad turned to Lou. “Looks like you’re gonna be here for a while so we better get some things straight. You can call me Mr. Al. I don’t know what you’re up to but you’ve dragged me and my family into it. There’s gonna be no more lyin’ and no more nonsense about Houston an’ you bein’ born in 2015. I don’t want anymore nonsense out of you. As long as you stay here, you’re gonna follow my rules and pull your weight just the same as my kids. When you speak to an adult, you’re gonna say ma’am and sir. You will do as you are told. Do you understand?”

Lou wilted under his glare, “Uh huh.”

“You mean Yes Sir, don’t you?” he corrected her.

“Yes Sir.” she answered.

“That’s better. Now you girls get that kitchen cleaned up. Billy let’s go check on the goats.”

“Yes Sir, “ said Billy, scampering after his daddy. He was clearly looking forward to the adventure.

The girls busied themselves clearing the breakfast table. The dishes from last night’s dinner awaited them in the sink. Lynn ran scalding water over the glasses and silverware. “Ooh! What a gross mess! I hate doing old dirty dishes! These are going to have to soak while we clean up this other mess Yuck!”


Lou agreed. It looked like a hopeless task. This was only her second time to do dishes and already she hated it.
Aunt Kat came through putting a load of diapers in the washer. “After you get the dishes done, these diapers need to go on the line. Then you girls can go play awhile.” She made it sound like all that would only take a minute.

”Huh!” Said Lynn. By then it will be time to do the supper dishes.”

”Now, it’s not that bad. Lou is helping you. That should cut your work in half!” she said cheerfully. “I know you want to go play but I can’t do everything.”

”I know, Mother. You tell me that everyday.” she said.

”Don’t you get smart, young lady. The sooner you get started the sooner you’ll be done.” Aunt Kat said.

”Yes, Ma’am.” Lynn answered.

It took them over an hour to clean up the kitchen. Hanging up the diapers was actually a pleasant task. Lynn showed Lou how to pop them and hang them straight on the line. When the last was pinned up, Lynn said, “Let’s get out of here before Mother thinks of anything else. Let’s go see the goats.”

The friends ran barefoot toward the barn and scampered up the fence. Two nanny goats, each with a kid, bleated up at them. A big billy goat stared up at them, shaking his head threateningly. “Ooh!” he looks mean, said Lynn. Look at his eyes. They look like devil eyes. His pupils go straight up and down, not round like people.”

”Oh, wow! They are weird! Those babies are so cute! Can we pet them?” Asked Lou.

”We’ll have to ask Daddy.” Lynn told her.

”That’s okay.” said Lou. She was in no hurry to talk to Mr. Al

”Do you want to ride a pine tree?” asked Lynn. She ran to a stand of trees across the field. “Watch this!” She skittered up a skinny pine. As she got about three-quarters of the way up, the top started to bend over. She swung back and forth several times till it got close enough to drop to the ground. The tree sprang right back up. “Wow that was great! Do you want to try? You get a tree about this tall and this big around. She pointed out just the right tree. You climb up till it starts to bend, then you start swinging back and forth. When it goes low enough, you drop off. If the tree is too little, it will break off. If it’s too big, it’ll sling you a mile. Try this one.”

“Is it safe?” Lou asked.

“I guess so.” Lynn laughed. “I never got killed yet.”

Lou shinnied up the tree. It was harder than it looked. When she got up pretty high, it started to limber up. “Now, start swinging!” Lou shouted. “When you start getting close to the ground, drop off! I’ll tell you when.”

Lou hung on and flung herself to the left. The tree swayed. When it corrected, she swung to the right. Soon she was swinging broadly from side to side, finally nearing the ground. “Drop off! Drop off!” Shouted Lynn. Lou turned loose and fell a few feet to the ground. It was the most exciting ride she’d ever had, like flying! She couldn’t stopped laughing.

”That was cool! It felt like I was flying. I want to do it again!” She ran to another tree, quickly climbing till it swayed. The girls rode the trees all morning until they heard the car horn honking.


“Uh oh. Mother wants us. We gotta run.” She raced toward the house. Though Lou was exhausted, she tried to keep up.

To be continued: