I just took a 4-hour journey wedged into a 12-inch-wide span of space between two little ones in car-seats, and SO GREAT was the love of these two for each other that all they wanted to do was clasp hands in a show of kinship – which they accomplished by having the one reach his hand under the left straps of my bra and sundress while the other reached his hand under the right two straps until – success! – they could touch at last, cutting off my airway only a little.
Then, because I’m routinely forced by the older tyke into making Stalinist-style confessions on the theme of Naughty Things I Did as a Child with an emphasis on Acts of Peeing in Strange Locations, I was thinking hard for the full 120 minutes – during which time the littler child gently patted me on shoulder, arm and torso with hands painted in the fresh juice of the berries I had been foolish enough to pack for the journey. Then, as I struggled to free-associate, pulling forth this and that bright scrap from the costume trunk of memory, my chief listener, now riveted by my talk, dreamily pulled the UPC labels from the small toys I had also brought along, affixing them to various places on my body.
‘Who’s the old lady in the stickers?” I told him people would say when we got to our destination and they saw my many bar codes. I was wrong though. When we got there and I toppled from the car so red-skinned with touching and berry-mash that I looked like I had been molested by angry seagulls what they really said was ….
“Who’s the slasher victim and why is she on sale?”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The painter:
The collage artist:
June 24, 2009 at 4:16 am
That is a truly unique experience. I doubt anyone else in the history of the world has endured such a berry and bar-coded ride. Another original experience happened to me this very morning. You are aware of climate change. Well, due to the seasonal extreme high tide, guess what? Not only were clumps of seawide strewn all over Fore River Ave., but there were jellyfish in the street. I had to dodge the slippery blobs while dragging Angel away from extreme doggy interest. You have to give them credit, though, from coming up out of the sea. After all, didn’t we?
June 26, 2009 at 8:55 pm
fascinating take Joan ! (with a great ending too!)
June 24, 2009 at 6:55 am
Eddie and David Clancey are like you and Nan were, siblings with no rivalry, just pranks sometimes!
June 24, 2009 at 7:07 am
Amazing how craziness runs in a family isn’t it?
June 24, 2009 at 9:25 am
Good one TI see you’re having lots of fun with grand kids T! I’m about to become a foster parent so I guess this is what I’ve to look forward to, squesh berries and barcode posted all over my forehead …like next stop on the fedex plane Paris, London or Milan… Lord oh wow, how delightful!
June 25, 2009 at 4:18 am
Should I assume that you posed for the pic???…with 10 grandchildren I can appreciate the joy that comes with being with them!
June 25, 2009 at 7:06 am
With five grandchildren, one set of twins who are always leaving fingerprints on me,and a Junie B Jones sticker, and yes, this week I too bought the most wonderful blackberries and raspberries to share with them, oh the carpet, the highchair, my dress, the rug, the dogs my 13 month old grandson had a field day with them! Would I trade it for the world, nope! Can I relate, yes and when I sat down the other night after I tucked my younges grandson into bed and a long ride home from Cape Cod, I smelled yummy watermellon, banana’s, chocolate, then ohh, a medicinal smell, wait, Desitin, lavender baby powder, and I realized it was coming from my dress! I had the smells of the day all over me, what a treasure, some might say gross to a grandma, its a sign of love!
June 25, 2009 at 7:42 am
Susan so nice this image of your dress! The smell of Desitin brings me back to my OWN babyhood! My mom made everything such fun I remember it all – even having my diapers changed, with my three-year-old ‘big’ sister Nan importantly holding the safety pins. Love that, the way we can conjure up moments ahhhhh
June 26, 2009 at 4:18 am
Susan has been sharing with me almost daily her experiences and it brings back memories for me, too. The Desitin–my son had eczema sp?)as an infant. I smoothed Desitin on his cheeks so that when he drooled, the skin stayed dry. The doctor was amazed to see how quickly his skin cleared up! Eddie is losing his baby looks; growing so, so fast! I’m happy you get to spend time with them. Maybe we, as children, brought such joy to someone in our lives a hundred years ago??
June 26, 2009 at 4:25 am
Andrea we did of course we did bring joy . With a baby around it’s like we all get the do-over!
pretty good tip about the Desitin hey!
June 29, 2009 at 9:06 am
mainemcq6-interesting comment about craziness running in families when you put it together with a later one about dealing with manipulation etc. Some family histories are so painful but as you said, if not dealt with, linger on for years!! For my own sanity I have had to cut some family ties; it is not easy to do but I now have some peace. The deeds that have gone unpunished are written in another Book and will eventually be dealt with.
June 29, 2009 at 10:15 am
Yes, Andrea, some of the craziness is funny and some of it is just funny/peculiar. Terry’s is funny. Sounds like yours and mine is just plain peculiar. Thanks for your sharing is helped me to look at it from a different angle and also know that I am not alone. Am in ther midst of dealing with manipulation and it is painful; although necessary. Makes a person wonder if they are the one who’s wrong. Guess that’s what manipulation is all about, huh?
June 29, 2009 at 11:38 am
Yes, it is how it works. I questioned myself for longer than I care to admit. Check out a description of an adult bully online. You might learn some surprising info. When I recognized many of the ploys used against me (and previous victims of the bully), it became easier to stop blaming myself and cut the ties. If this helps, I’d like to know. Andrea
June 29, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Andrea, Please e-mail me: mainemcq6@myfairpoint.net
June 29, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Andrea, It did help a lot. Could not believe how well it fit the situation.
Thank you very much for your insight. Would never have known it otherwise.