The Son-In-Law (SIL) and GrandDaughter #1(GC1) made a snowman yesterday. This morning when I went out, its little stick arms were pointing in abject supplication to the sky.
"Oh, please! Please! I don't wanna go!"
But by this afternoon, he had lost his head.
"Frosty the Snowman" is a hot number with GC1 right now, and since this was the first substantial snow (3 inches) and the temperature was just above freezing, conditions were ideal for making, if not keeping, a snow-person out front for at least a day.
Like so many of life's ephemeral experiences, the fun is in the making, not the keeping. For example:
Back when we had a cottage in the lake country of Ontario and a couple of grandmothers we lugged around with us, the pair of them would go into battle over generosity.
"I'll pay for the ice cream this time, " said one.
"I won't hear tell of it, " argued the other. "It's my turn."
And so on.
On this one hot trip to the north woods, we pulled in to a gas station (now known as a "service center") and while the car was being refueled, Dad went in to get ice cream for all of us. When he came out and began to distribute the goods, the standard rivalry arose.
While the grannies rummaged in their purses to beat each other to the reimbursement, one held her cone out at an odd angle with one hand.
Did I forget to mention the dog? Oh, darn. I never could tell a story right. Anyway, up jumped the family pet, and scored the big white ball on top.
By the time Granny recovered her senses and realized that her moment of generosity had cost her her moment of refreshment, the ice cream was visiting the kibble.
I forget whether Dad went back and got her a replacement. It seems unlikely because Granny would have been a little reluctant to shell out for a second treat (even though in those days it would have cost less than 25 cents for a substantial serving). These dear old ladies were all too familiar with the boom and bust cycle of the 20s and 30s, and would have thought twice about wasting money on themselves.
These are the moments in which family legends are born. Depending on which Granny it was, the story would get retold with either humor or denial. But there was no denying that the family dog came out a winner.
P.S. If you draw a blank with the title of this post, look here. I'll guarantee that Granny remembered at least 90% of what she did that time.
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1 comment:
Very funny post, my dear. I know the snowman of which you spoke and I have to second the idea that he looked rather pale as he was contemplating his demise.
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