The boys found a orange glow that morning, as they woke.
A day that would live in their memories the rest of their lives.
They started by filling the fishing boat with flats of bottles.
The same boat that wouldn't float a month ago. A piece
of rubber innertube and some silicone and plywood screwed
to the side of the boat deemed it worthy.
Then loading the raft to an equal height.
The Shop teacher would be proud.
Tank and Ton were ass deep in water loading bottle flats as high
as they could stack them. Rodney, Josh, Brent and Brian shagged bottles
to the boat. The plan was to float the whole mess down the stream and
off load them behind the Hinky Dinky. Then Melody, Roxanne and Roberta were
to cash them in, and bring the money to the boys along with a load of
hotdogs, beans and soda. for a big party.
That was the plan anyway, Rodney and Ton sat atop the load of bottles
as they floated down the creek. Brian, Travis and Brent followed with the raft.
The first 100 yards was good poling left and right
as they approached a bend in the creek a sand bar held the boat fast.
The raft dammed behind them. Tank and Josh who had followed on
the banks behind them, jumped in the water to free the boat and raft from the sand.
A task that would take a 1/2 hr and would not be the last portage of the day.
All tolled the 4 mile trip would take all day and then shag the bottles
up the bank, and in the store. The girls wondered why they took so long,
and would help get unloaded.
It prove to be a very long day.
And by days end, everyone decided that the party was in order.
All the supplies were gathered by the girls and loaded in the boat.
Then the boys pulled the boat with a rope back up stream to camp.
The raft was tied off to a tree 'til next day, and all gave a hooyah
to the days work.
Rodney's mom had finally let the cat out of the bag, She told Ed
that it was over, He, in a rage drove down the road, but came back,
She just happened to look out the window and saw him rip up the drive.
Coming out the door he grabbed her by the arm and then as he reached
for her throat. In a blink, Clipper had his arm in his teeth, and with his full
weight pulled him to the ground. Ed, screaming and punching wildly at the dog,
as Clipper continued to growl and bite at him. It was a struggle to get the dog off
of him. "Just get the fuck outta here Ed! ", she screamed. He left but, not after
screaming obscenities as he drove away.
Rodney, I hope you're ok. she prayed that night, Your dog saved me,
He's brave like you. Good night.
Rodney and the gang started a fire in preparation for the dogs and beans.
The girls did the "I'm sleeping over at eachothers house " to avoid detection
and rode bikes to the farm field. It was a great event when the boys counted money.
275.65 divided by7 is 39.37 just shy of the total needed for bikes.
Add that with the money we have in the can 186.35 divided by 7 is 26.62.
The bikes we want are 79.99 we are short 14.00 each.
It was Dooley's bottles plus scrounging for more the rest of camp.
That night the cook out was great, Melody had brought some Boones Farm
Wine from her house, and Tank liberated some beer from his dad's
basement fridge. As the night progressed, the boy's got drunk and tried to
make out with the girls even with the numbers offset.
Rodney and Roxanne, Travis and Roberta, and Thomas and Melody
were the last to be surrounding the fire. I think it was that way, when they all awoke.
snuggled in sleeping bags, in the cabin. Another memory..........
Tune in next time....
Lost is the soul of a boatless man
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Would You?
In the centrifuge of this world, would you dare to elect someone who is suspect?
In a U tube video, In a News Article, Fox or CNN?
Can You be easily swayed by a brief, slightly, a sound bite?
Then you too are the sheep, when will we be led by a Man, A Woman
A Brilliant mind not killed buy what Politics have created?
Does anyone posses the skills to lead, all I see is a dynamic around the
fringe with the brilliant minds to lead, but we have created an environment
where those gifted are shunned or slammed for personal quirks.
Do we have to collapse to achieve a champion? Do we have to be so desperate
that we grasp at the next best thing. Could you possibly have a better idea?
Does the common sense in this nation fall deaf to the odd kid in the class who
thought running for mayor would be cool? Does running for office appeal to
any normal kid? When did leadership politically fall to the faint weak of heart?
I think of our ancestors Scottish Warriors, Danes, Vikings, Normans, Sword wielding men
their wise advisors, and their lead. Are their no brave anymore? Not even a Joan of Arc?
Sorry Sarah, I just didn't see it. Does the populus need to think that a self governed body
is better. State by State? District By Dictrict? Would Arizona get all the guns and Mexicans?
Should we give California and movie rights back to Mexico? I mean they did have it first.
I would gladly give Iowa back to the Lakotas, Fox and Sacs etc. It beats Terry Branstad.
Perhaps The Great Spirit, a knife and arrow would bring prosperity. At least it would be
equal man to man.
In a U tube video, In a News Article, Fox or CNN?
Can You be easily swayed by a brief, slightly, a sound bite?
Then you too are the sheep, when will we be led by a Man, A Woman
A Brilliant mind not killed buy what Politics have created?
Does anyone posses the skills to lead, all I see is a dynamic around the
fringe with the brilliant minds to lead, but we have created an environment
where those gifted are shunned or slammed for personal quirks.
Do we have to collapse to achieve a champion? Do we have to be so desperate
that we grasp at the next best thing. Could you possibly have a better idea?
Does the common sense in this nation fall deaf to the odd kid in the class who
thought running for mayor would be cool? Does running for office appeal to
any normal kid? When did leadership politically fall to the faint weak of heart?
I think of our ancestors Scottish Warriors, Danes, Vikings, Normans, Sword wielding men
their wise advisors, and their lead. Are their no brave anymore? Not even a Joan of Arc?
Sorry Sarah, I just didn't see it. Does the populus need to think that a self governed body
is better. State by State? District By Dictrict? Would Arizona get all the guns and Mexicans?
Should we give California and movie rights back to Mexico? I mean they did have it first.
I would gladly give Iowa back to the Lakotas, Fox and Sacs etc. It beats Terry Branstad.
Perhaps The Great Spirit, a knife and arrow would bring prosperity. At least it would be
equal man to man.
Soda Bottle Kid
Authors Note:
My apologies to my readers for the lapse of story and the
reread produced a character error.
Melody's brothers name is Steven not Chris as portrayed in
an earlier post.
My life continues as hectic as ever and I muddle though
a story that sometimes becomes larger that the boy it is about.
Please accept my humble apologies.
Douglas Botkin
My apologies to my readers for the lapse of story and the
reread produced a character error.
Melody's brothers name is Steven not Chris as portrayed in
an earlier post.
My life continues as hectic as ever and I muddle though
a story that sometimes becomes larger that the boy it is about.
Please accept my humble apologies.
Douglas Botkin
Soda Bottle Kid
Ton crept up behind the barn that morning to see his parents hook up
the boat for their trip to the Canadian boundry waters.
After they left he went back to the camp to tell the boys they were free to campfire
cook and that Camp Wanamaka was officially on.
Rodney let out a whoop of freedom, as did the others , 10 days of unsupervised camp.
"Let's make a fire and cook breakfast", Tank said.
A pile of fire wood and lighter fluid was combined to create a blaze in a hurry.
" My Dad says let it cook down to a red glow to make for good cookin'"
Josh said, but the boy's were too hungry to let the fire go that long and were cooking
hotdogs and trying to fry bologna on a too hot fire.
At the end of the on slaught I don't think it mattered.
The boys cooked all manner of things and kept the fire going.
Marshmellows Hotdogs A frypan produced fried bologna and some eggs
from Ton and Tanks hen house.
Life was good that first day at camp.
A call to meeting was sounded and they all gathered around the fire.
Rodney started with," We must gather our resources and get all the bottles cashed in
by camps end." "That means floating all this, he waved his hand over the flats of bottles,
down Beaver creek to the back of the supermarket and cashin them in, without being detected.
Josh said," and Ol man Dooley's bottles too!!
Rodney turned in astonishment, He stammered "Yeah Dooley's bottles too!!"
The whole gang cheered . Josh looked at him with the encouraging look of a life friend.
Rodney said," Then tomorrow we move!"
He had no idea what was going to transpire in the next few days.
He had no more clue than his mom did, She was working through the reprecussions
of telling Ed that she wanted a divorce. It frightened her like the thought of taking the
bottles from Ol man Dooley's shed, frightened Rodney.
His heart felt in control, but his mind was scattered all over.
The meeting ajourned, The balance of the day was spent making preparatioons for the next
days float down Beaver creek, and the covert operation to Dooley's shed.
That night around the fire, the talk turned to Dooley's mission, and that all great movies involed
a chain gang when it came to moving high explosives, prisoners of war, etc.
The plan was to make a delta force and a chain gang with a diversionary
bottle rocket display if it was warranted. It would be less dramatic, but still had casualties.
Tune in next time to see what happens.
the boat for their trip to the Canadian boundry waters.
After they left he went back to the camp to tell the boys they were free to campfire
cook and that Camp Wanamaka was officially on.
Rodney let out a whoop of freedom, as did the others , 10 days of unsupervised camp.
"Let's make a fire and cook breakfast", Tank said.
A pile of fire wood and lighter fluid was combined to create a blaze in a hurry.
" My Dad says let it cook down to a red glow to make for good cookin'"
Josh said, but the boy's were too hungry to let the fire go that long and were cooking
hotdogs and trying to fry bologna on a too hot fire.
At the end of the on slaught I don't think it mattered.
The boys cooked all manner of things and kept the fire going.
Marshmellows Hotdogs A frypan produced fried bologna and some eggs
from Ton and Tanks hen house.
Life was good that first day at camp.
A call to meeting was sounded and they all gathered around the fire.
Rodney started with," We must gather our resources and get all the bottles cashed in
by camps end." "That means floating all this, he waved his hand over the flats of bottles,
down Beaver creek to the back of the supermarket and cashin them in, without being detected.
Josh said," and Ol man Dooley's bottles too!!
Rodney turned in astonishment, He stammered "Yeah Dooley's bottles too!!"
The whole gang cheered . Josh looked at him with the encouraging look of a life friend.
Rodney said," Then tomorrow we move!"
He had no idea what was going to transpire in the next few days.
He had no more clue than his mom did, She was working through the reprecussions
of telling Ed that she wanted a divorce. It frightened her like the thought of taking the
bottles from Ol man Dooley's shed, frightened Rodney.
His heart felt in control, but his mind was scattered all over.
The meeting ajourned, The balance of the day was spent making preparatioons for the next
days float down Beaver creek, and the covert operation to Dooley's shed.
That night around the fire, the talk turned to Dooley's mission, and that all great movies involed
a chain gang when it came to moving high explosives, prisoners of war, etc.
The plan was to make a delta force and a chain gang with a diversionary
bottle rocket display if it was warranted. It would be less dramatic, but still had casualties.
Tune in next time to see what happens.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Soda Bottle Kid
The boys all gathered around monday noon at the chuch parking lot.
Most of them alone as their parents went about their way to work.
Brent's Mom stayed, Steven checked every one in as instructed,
Name Emergency Phone ETC.but Brent's mom stayed.
Rodney said "Steve go and tell her that the driver is late",
"I had enough I'm not going too"
" You want your 5 bucks "! Tell her or the gigs up. "
Steve slowly went to Mrs Moyers car to tell her that the driver was late.
She said " That's all right I'll wait." Steve gulped as he walked away,
Rodney saw his face and said " don't you give up, he turned an asked who wants a soda?"
All the boys said " me ". And Rodney trotted to the bait store.
Entering the place he bought 7 root beers and motioning to Lenny indicated he was on.
Rodney walked boldly across the lot with a sack full of root beer telling everyone to play it cool.
I got soda an I saw the driver at the bait shop.
He's coming. No sooner than he announced it ,Lenny strolled up his hair tucked up and his hat
pulled down around his head. "Everyone on?" All the boys' who weren't , climbed aboard.
He grabbed Steve by the collar and said " don't want to fuck things up". 'Last chance for Camp",
Lenny bellowed. As he started the church bus He jammed the bus in 1st and the bus lurched forward,
Then they left the parking lot everyone on board. " Oh Shit " Steve yelled as they left the lot.
"Rodney you said we weren't going to steal the bus ".
" Plans change !" ,as they pulled into the street they headed for the back of the high school ,
Rodney told them that everyone was to bail out and follow the tracks to Ton and Tanks
and he and Josh would catch up.
He got everyone out and rode back to the church to park the bus.
Lenny got out and said "What a trip little brother, I hope one day you will lead a greater cause".
" Thanks, Lenny I mean, who else would help a bunch of kids borrow a church bus?"
Josh, got out and Lenny handed him the key, You too man, I mean every great mind needs a
friend, someone to keep him pointed in the right direction. Josh ran off to get the key on the hook
before his old man got home. " Hey Lenny come to the camp fire tonight,"
"maybe in a couple of nights "Lenny said " after you get settled ." I mean you guys aren't
going anywhere are you? And he walked back to the bait shop like nothing ever happened.
Rodney, spun around like he was free, like he had pulled off the greatest caper in the last 20 years.
They would talk about him at school the next 50 years, he made his way to the camp and to a huge bunch of hoots and hollars. Rodney walked up to the camp and, said "
We got away with it so far,Now we have to keep it together".
The boys looked at eachother and agreed on that fact, today was a triumph.
Then they turned to neccesity. Thomas said " I don't know if my parents are gone."
It's cold food tonight, tuna, crackers, chips.
No fire that night, They all revelled in a dark camp.
They huddled close in the old tack shed / bunk house amidst the cases of bottles,
they had worked so hard for. A single flashlight glowed then faded and was out....
"Ton, you think we got away with it?" " Time will tell Rodney ", Goodnight.,.....
Goodnight Thomas.
Rodney lie awake that night too much aware of his life and the days events.
Goodnight Mom, I pray for you , he fell asleep just after midnight.........
Most of them alone as their parents went about their way to work.
Brent's Mom stayed, Steven checked every one in as instructed,
Name Emergency Phone ETC.but Brent's mom stayed.
Rodney said "Steve go and tell her that the driver is late",
"I had enough I'm not going too"
" You want your 5 bucks "! Tell her or the gigs up. "
Steve slowly went to Mrs Moyers car to tell her that the driver was late.
She said " That's all right I'll wait." Steve gulped as he walked away,
Rodney saw his face and said " don't you give up, he turned an asked who wants a soda?"
All the boys said " me ". And Rodney trotted to the bait store.
Entering the place he bought 7 root beers and motioning to Lenny indicated he was on.
Rodney walked boldly across the lot with a sack full of root beer telling everyone to play it cool.
I got soda an I saw the driver at the bait shop.
He's coming. No sooner than he announced it ,Lenny strolled up his hair tucked up and his hat
pulled down around his head. "Everyone on?" All the boys' who weren't , climbed aboard.
He grabbed Steve by the collar and said " don't want to fuck things up". 'Last chance for Camp",
Lenny bellowed. As he started the church bus He jammed the bus in 1st and the bus lurched forward,
Then they left the parking lot everyone on board. " Oh Shit " Steve yelled as they left the lot.
"Rodney you said we weren't going to steal the bus ".
" Plans change !" ,as they pulled into the street they headed for the back of the high school ,
Rodney told them that everyone was to bail out and follow the tracks to Ton and Tanks
and he and Josh would catch up.
He got everyone out and rode back to the church to park the bus.
Lenny got out and said "What a trip little brother, I hope one day you will lead a greater cause".
" Thanks, Lenny I mean, who else would help a bunch of kids borrow a church bus?"
Josh, got out and Lenny handed him the key, You too man, I mean every great mind needs a
friend, someone to keep him pointed in the right direction. Josh ran off to get the key on the hook
before his old man got home. " Hey Lenny come to the camp fire tonight,"
"maybe in a couple of nights "Lenny said " after you get settled ." I mean you guys aren't
going anywhere are you? And he walked back to the bait shop like nothing ever happened.
Rodney, spun around like he was free, like he had pulled off the greatest caper in the last 20 years.
They would talk about him at school the next 50 years, he made his way to the camp and to a huge bunch of hoots and hollars. Rodney walked up to the camp and, said "
We got away with it so far,Now we have to keep it together".
The boys looked at eachother and agreed on that fact, today was a triumph.
Then they turned to neccesity. Thomas said " I don't know if my parents are gone."
It's cold food tonight, tuna, crackers, chips.
No fire that night, They all revelled in a dark camp.
They huddled close in the old tack shed / bunk house amidst the cases of bottles,
they had worked so hard for. A single flashlight glowed then faded and was out....
"Ton, you think we got away with it?" " Time will tell Rodney ", Goodnight.,.....
Goodnight Thomas.
Rodney lie awake that night too much aware of his life and the days events.
Goodnight Mom, I pray for you , he fell asleep just after midnight.........
Saturday, September 10, 2011
20 x 28
Today my son Brock and I poured the slab for my new workshop,
with the help of his friend Alex. It marks the start of building a shop and
no longer renting space in Stuart. A space I have rented for a year plus,
I have constructed 1 boat, for Brocks 30th. An 8 ft Dory Dinghy. ( Ya Mon )
The name of the boat.
I started a 20 ft camp cruiser boat, a long term project,something that requires
a couple of years.
An Entertainment TV thing for Zach, and several other projects for work.
The new space will provide a great place to start many new projects.
I look forward to it.
with the help of his friend Alex. It marks the start of building a shop and
no longer renting space in Stuart. A space I have rented for a year plus,
I have constructed 1 boat, for Brocks 30th. An 8 ft Dory Dinghy. ( Ya Mon )
The name of the boat.
I started a 20 ft camp cruiser boat, a long term project,something that requires
a couple of years.
An Entertainment TV thing for Zach, and several other projects for work.
The new space will provide a great place to start many new projects.
I look forward to it.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The Soda Bottle Kid
Rodney was on the phone the next couple of days,
It was do or die on the "big fake" as it was now called.
He spoke to Josh, who said it was, in the bag, and he could
get the keys off the hook without being detected.
He spoke to Travis who had made off with a bunch of sweet corn
and tomatos from the garden.
He talked to Ton and Tank, their mom and dad were leaving that
week on a fishing trip in Minnesota.
He talked to Brian, who had got a bunch of canned food
from their basment.
Even the doubting Brent, managed to come up with a bunch of food
and camping gear. He seemed up beat and looking forward to escape.
He called Melody told her to let Roxanne and Roberta know about the fake camp,
and asked her brother to help with the clip board
check-off as they boarded the bus. At first Chris was reluctant to
help until Rodney offered him 5$, "Now are you guys really taking the bus"?
"No, we're pretending to go to camp". " What if your folks don't leave, when
the driver doesn't show"? " You need to convince them that it's okay", Rodney added
After 10 min of going over the plan Chris agreed to do it as long as he wouldn't get into trouble.
Everything was set for Monday afternoon. The boys made a cardboard sign that said
Camp Wannamaka, for the bus window.
Rodney started packing his duffle bag, when it hit him to back up his plan with one more
thing. He went over to Lenny's house, " Lenny I got a favor to ask can you help us"?
The story of what they planned went into detail with the occasional " I see"
and "you did what" from Lenny and finally a " You are something of rebel Rodney
I 'll be glad to help you guys out".
Rodney started to go, when Lenny said", Did you read the paper,
the bottles go up next week, August 1st".
Rodney turned," Don't mess with me, really"?
"I told you not to doubt me little brother", Lenny smiled
"I'll be at the bait shop monday, if you need me."
It was at that point Rodney started to feel confident about
the gang really pulling it off. Everything they had done that summer
to get bikes, to make friends, to plan camp, to build a raft and
take the risk with the church bus.
Rodney was talking with his mom that night,
"Did you pack socks and plenty of underwear"?
" Yes mom, stop worrying," Rodney said
" We're picking up Travis, tomorrow, ok ?", Rodney added.
"Oh, sure, Rodney, I know what you're up to".
Rodney gulped hard, "What do you mean"?
" Growing up without telling me", his mom smiled.
" Oh that!!", Rodney said, "I'll be 13 next week."
"We'll have to celebrate when you get back from camp",
"Sure, rootbeer and fries at the drive-in", Rodney smiled.
" That would be great, better get some sleep tomorrows a big
day", His mom said as she sent him off to bed.
She sat at the table thinking of Rodney off at camp and growing up
and how she needed to grow up too. "Damn it, I'm going to do it,
while he's gone", she said to herself.
Stay tuned in It's going to get good......
It was do or die on the "big fake" as it was now called.
He spoke to Josh, who said it was, in the bag, and he could
get the keys off the hook without being detected.
He spoke to Travis who had made off with a bunch of sweet corn
and tomatos from the garden.
He talked to Ton and Tank, their mom and dad were leaving that
week on a fishing trip in Minnesota.
He talked to Brian, who had got a bunch of canned food
from their basment.
Even the doubting Brent, managed to come up with a bunch of food
and camping gear. He seemed up beat and looking forward to escape.
He called Melody told her to let Roxanne and Roberta know about the fake camp,
and asked her brother to help with the clip board
check-off as they boarded the bus. At first Chris was reluctant to
help until Rodney offered him 5$, "Now are you guys really taking the bus"?
"No, we're pretending to go to camp". " What if your folks don't leave, when
the driver doesn't show"? " You need to convince them that it's okay", Rodney added
After 10 min of going over the plan Chris agreed to do it as long as he wouldn't get into trouble.
Everything was set for Monday afternoon. The boys made a cardboard sign that said
Camp Wannamaka, for the bus window.
Rodney started packing his duffle bag, when it hit him to back up his plan with one more
thing. He went over to Lenny's house, " Lenny I got a favor to ask can you help us"?
The story of what they planned went into detail with the occasional " I see"
and "you did what" from Lenny and finally a " You are something of rebel Rodney
I 'll be glad to help you guys out".
Rodney started to go, when Lenny said", Did you read the paper,
the bottles go up next week, August 1st".
Rodney turned," Don't mess with me, really"?
"I told you not to doubt me little brother", Lenny smiled
"I'll be at the bait shop monday, if you need me."
It was at that point Rodney started to feel confident about
the gang really pulling it off. Everything they had done that summer
to get bikes, to make friends, to plan camp, to build a raft and
take the risk with the church bus.
Rodney was talking with his mom that night,
"Did you pack socks and plenty of underwear"?
" Yes mom, stop worrying," Rodney said
" We're picking up Travis, tomorrow, ok ?", Rodney added.
"Oh, sure, Rodney, I know what you're up to".
Rodney gulped hard, "What do you mean"?
" Growing up without telling me", his mom smiled.
" Oh that!!", Rodney said, "I'll be 13 next week."
"We'll have to celebrate when you get back from camp",
"Sure, rootbeer and fries at the drive-in", Rodney smiled.
" That would be great, better get some sleep tomorrows a big
day", His mom said as she sent him off to bed.
She sat at the table thinking of Rodney off at camp and growing up
and how she needed to grow up too. "Damn it, I'm going to do it,
while he's gone", she said to herself.
Stay tuned in It's going to get good......
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Summer Reads
I am currently 1/2 way through
Jack Kerouac's On the Road.
I picked this out of Brilliant Books
while on vacation in Michigan.
Fully intended on reading it on the boat,
but duties at the helm kept me from it.
So arriving home picked it up and put it down.
grasping it for escape mostly. So much of my head
is on rent to my construction job, I wonder if I can ever
be able to separate the two?
At first I wanted to dismiss Kerouac as a Hippie before his time,
Travelling, bumming money from his aunt, drinking, partying,
and digging the scene. Until I read this;
"We pondered it. I proposed it was myself, wearing the shroud.
That wasn't it. Something, someone, some spirit was pursuing all of us
across the desert of life and was bound to catch us before we reached
heaven. Naturally I look back on it, this is only death: death will overtake
us before heaven.The one thing we yearn for in our living days, that makes us
sigh and groan and undergo sweet nausea's of all kinds, is the remembrance of
some lost bliss that was probably experienced in the womb and only be reproduced
( though we hate to admit it) in death. But who wants to die?" Jack Kerouac
This made me understand a deeper Jack, possibly a deeper me.
I read on. For a novel written in 3 weeks it reveals a lot about the human soul.
Thumbs up perhaps, thought provoking, for sure.
It makes me consider a sailing adventure travel book even if it finds me
down to my last dollar. Like Kerouac I often find myself on the precipice
of the last dollar and the next swinging bar to grasp. I'm just grounded here
not enjoying the beat. Duggan.
Jack Kerouac's On the Road.
I picked this out of Brilliant Books
while on vacation in Michigan.
Fully intended on reading it on the boat,
but duties at the helm kept me from it.
So arriving home picked it up and put it down.
grasping it for escape mostly. So much of my head
is on rent to my construction job, I wonder if I can ever
be able to separate the two?
At first I wanted to dismiss Kerouac as a Hippie before his time,
Travelling, bumming money from his aunt, drinking, partying,
and digging the scene. Until I read this;
"We pondered it. I proposed it was myself, wearing the shroud.
That wasn't it. Something, someone, some spirit was pursuing all of us
across the desert of life and was bound to catch us before we reached
heaven. Naturally I look back on it, this is only death: death will overtake
us before heaven.The one thing we yearn for in our living days, that makes us
sigh and groan and undergo sweet nausea's of all kinds, is the remembrance of
some lost bliss that was probably experienced in the womb and only be reproduced
( though we hate to admit it) in death. But who wants to die?" Jack Kerouac
This made me understand a deeper Jack, possibly a deeper me.
I read on. For a novel written in 3 weeks it reveals a lot about the human soul.
Thumbs up perhaps, thought provoking, for sure.
It makes me consider a sailing adventure travel book even if it finds me
down to my last dollar. Like Kerouac I often find myself on the precipice
of the last dollar and the next swinging bar to grasp. I'm just grounded here
not enjoying the beat. Duggan.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Grandmas Stove
Onion Pie
This savory pie is easy and sooo good year round.
1/4 cup of butter
1 cup saltines about one sleeve crushed
2 cups sweet onion sliced thin (one large)
2 eggs slightly beaten
3/4 cup of milk
1/2 cup grated cheese (4 cheese Italian Blend)
Mix cracker crumb and butter and press into 9 in. pie plate
for crust.
Combine sliced onions and milk, egg mixture, place in pie shell
sprinkle cheese over top.
Bake 350* for 30-35 min. or until knife comes out clean.
This savory pie is easy and sooo good year round.
1/4 cup of butter
1 cup saltines about one sleeve crushed
2 cups sweet onion sliced thin (one large)
2 eggs slightly beaten
3/4 cup of milk
1/2 cup grated cheese (4 cheese Italian Blend)
Mix cracker crumb and butter and press into 9 in. pie plate
for crust.
Combine sliced onions and milk, egg mixture, place in pie shell
sprinkle cheese over top.
Bake 350* for 30-35 min. or until knife comes out clean.
Monday, August 1, 2011
The Soda Bottle Kid
Wednesday proved to be just as hot.
Rodney couldn't remember it being so hot,
The mowing was on hold, because nothing would grow in the heat.
The days were filled with long bike rides and swims in the creek.
All the boys meeting up with one another at the camp.
They would work at the raft or bring in more bottles.
The big gain in bottles was from the 4th of July picnic in town when the set up barrels
for collection. Donate to the Boys Club the crude banner said, And so many had filled
the barrels at the ball diamond. And at the fireworks display next to the racetrack.
Nearly 75 cases. Rodney knew they were close to their July goal but thought about the
needs of Camp Wannamaka.
Friday came and it seemed right for a party at Ton an Tanks, Rodney passed the word
and all were coming to meet.
The meeting began with the usual meeting, a count of bottles, a report of repairs of the
boat, and a report of the raft progress.
All the boys had done their jobs and it seemed that all was in order.
" I need a crew tomorrow to help paint Pat Dooleys shed.",
The gang all stood in silence. " You got to be kidding me", Brian said.
Rodney said , " No, we all have to have our shit in order for the week at camp.
The Dooley shed bottles is our camp money."
"We have enough bottles to keep us on track to get bikes,
but nothing for the food at camp.", Rodney looked at everyone like this
was all preordained. "Can you all start taking food from home to help?"
"Have you thought of how we will bring this off?"
The boys started to chatter amongst themselves. The talk was of camp
and getting caught, it was of how much the could get away with
from the garden and pantry. But most of all it was about going through with
the whole plan of it, the bus the fake, the 10 days away from home on their own.
Pat Dooley's shed:;
Saturday brought the gang together they all gathered around while Pat
told them the fine art of painting with Linseed oil paint.
It began with a thinned pail of 1 gallon of paint and a quart of thinner.
the end was not so predictable. As the heat grew the paint had to be thinned
more. One of the boys decided to pour the paint from the top as the others,
brushed furiously to coat the boards as the icecream like paint cooked in the July sun.
" There's no more thinner", Ton said. " Look in the shed", Rodney commanded.
" I found a quart jar, it smells like thinner".Tank reported. " Ok pour it in a gallon"
Rodney said. The heat poured on the boys as they finished wiping all the thick runs
of paint over and over to get a smooth coat.
Pat emerged from the run down house to inspect the work.
The boys stood with smiles and a speckled coat of linseed oil paint from head to PF flyer.
It's a good job boys, it's got a bright glow.
" We ran out of turpintine but we found more in the shed.", Ton said.
Dooley turned pale, "What ?, Where?, " What did you use boy?"
"The, the, turpintine in the quart jars," Ton said slowly.
The blood ran away from Dooleys face, and then returned red as ever!
" You damned fools that was whiskey from my fathers home in Ireland!!
The last of me only family heirloom!, I'll beat the livin' tar out of all of ya'!
Pat Dooley started swinging wildly with his cane and the boys scattered to avoid
being caned. " Shit, let's get outta here", Ton screamed.
All the boys jumped their bikes and rode off as Dooley cursed them.
When they got back to T n Ts they all were wide eyed.
" What the hell just happened?" " I think we pissed him off",
"Duh, You mixed his whiskey with the paint", Josh said, " You're lucky
he didn't kill us."
" My Grandpa drinks whiskey and he would jump from his skin if
you did that." Josh seemed to know about this .
The rest of us talked about gettin the bottles and revenge, Josh said,
"We can get them, but when, he said, it was cool. I didn't ask why or when ,
I just knew that Josh knew.
That night we got screwed, but I knew it would work out.
Tune in next week.
Rodney couldn't remember it being so hot,
The mowing was on hold, because nothing would grow in the heat.
The days were filled with long bike rides and swims in the creek.
All the boys meeting up with one another at the camp.
They would work at the raft or bring in more bottles.
The big gain in bottles was from the 4th of July picnic in town when the set up barrels
for collection. Donate to the Boys Club the crude banner said, And so many had filled
the barrels at the ball diamond. And at the fireworks display next to the racetrack.
Nearly 75 cases. Rodney knew they were close to their July goal but thought about the
needs of Camp Wannamaka.
Friday came and it seemed right for a party at Ton an Tanks, Rodney passed the word
and all were coming to meet.
The meeting began with the usual meeting, a count of bottles, a report of repairs of the
boat, and a report of the raft progress.
All the boys had done their jobs and it seemed that all was in order.
" I need a crew tomorrow to help paint Pat Dooleys shed.",
The gang all stood in silence. " You got to be kidding me", Brian said.
Rodney said , " No, we all have to have our shit in order for the week at camp.
The Dooley shed bottles is our camp money."
"We have enough bottles to keep us on track to get bikes,
but nothing for the food at camp.", Rodney looked at everyone like this
was all preordained. "Can you all start taking food from home to help?"
"Have you thought of how we will bring this off?"
The boys started to chatter amongst themselves. The talk was of camp
and getting caught, it was of how much the could get away with
from the garden and pantry. But most of all it was about going through with
the whole plan of it, the bus the fake, the 10 days away from home on their own.
Pat Dooley's shed:;
Saturday brought the gang together they all gathered around while Pat
told them the fine art of painting with Linseed oil paint.
It began with a thinned pail of 1 gallon of paint and a quart of thinner.
the end was not so predictable. As the heat grew the paint had to be thinned
more. One of the boys decided to pour the paint from the top as the others,
brushed furiously to coat the boards as the icecream like paint cooked in the July sun.
" There's no more thinner", Ton said. " Look in the shed", Rodney commanded.
" I found a quart jar, it smells like thinner".Tank reported. " Ok pour it in a gallon"
Rodney said. The heat poured on the boys as they finished wiping all the thick runs
of paint over and over to get a smooth coat.
Pat emerged from the run down house to inspect the work.
The boys stood with smiles and a speckled coat of linseed oil paint from head to PF flyer.
It's a good job boys, it's got a bright glow.
" We ran out of turpintine but we found more in the shed.", Ton said.
Dooley turned pale, "What ?, Where?, " What did you use boy?"
"The, the, turpintine in the quart jars," Ton said slowly.
The blood ran away from Dooleys face, and then returned red as ever!
" You damned fools that was whiskey from my fathers home in Ireland!!
The last of me only family heirloom!, I'll beat the livin' tar out of all of ya'!
Pat Dooley started swinging wildly with his cane and the boys scattered to avoid
being caned. " Shit, let's get outta here", Ton screamed.
All the boys jumped their bikes and rode off as Dooley cursed them.
When they got back to T n Ts they all were wide eyed.
" What the hell just happened?" " I think we pissed him off",
"Duh, You mixed his whiskey with the paint", Josh said, " You're lucky
he didn't kill us."
" My Grandpa drinks whiskey and he would jump from his skin if
you did that." Josh seemed to know about this .
The rest of us talked about gettin the bottles and revenge, Josh said,
"We can get them, but when, he said, it was cool. I didn't ask why or when ,
I just knew that Josh knew.
That night we got screwed, but I knew it would work out.
Tune in next week.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Grandmas Stove
Steak Salad.
This is a romaine heart salad
4 romaine hearts
1 cucumber
1/2 cup onion
2 clove garlic
1 8 oz. can sliced black olives
4 oz of left over Sirlion ( prefered grilled)
1 can quartered Artichoke hearts , drained
1/4 cup apple cider or red wine vinegar.
1/4 cup olive oil
Feta or blue cheese crumbles
Wash and clean 4 romaine hearts set aside.
Peel, wash ,cut 1 large cucumber 1/2 inch dice
1/2 yellow onion chopped 1/2 inch dice .
Combine onion, cucumber, artichoke, black olive, garlic
with oil and vinegar, chill 1/2 hr
Serve over romaine heart salad, add cubed steak pieces
add cheese.
A great steak leftover won't heat the kitchen. ( serves 4-6)
This is a romaine heart salad
4 romaine hearts
1 cucumber
1/2 cup onion
2 clove garlic
1 8 oz. can sliced black olives
4 oz of left over Sirlion ( prefered grilled)
1 can quartered Artichoke hearts , drained
1/4 cup apple cider or red wine vinegar.
1/4 cup olive oil
Feta or blue cheese crumbles
Wash and clean 4 romaine hearts set aside.
Peel, wash ,cut 1 large cucumber 1/2 inch dice
1/2 yellow onion chopped 1/2 inch dice .
Combine onion, cucumber, artichoke, black olive, garlic
with oil and vinegar, chill 1/2 hr
Serve over romaine heart salad, add cubed steak pieces
add cheese.
A great steak leftover won't heat the kitchen. ( serves 4-6)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The Soda Bottle Kid
Tuesday was a hot July day, the sun beat the sweat out of the boys
as they searched for bottles. Rodney had hooked up with Travis
that morning. in hopes of finding the mother lode of bottles in some
out of the way place.
Then Rodney remembered the old man who had said he could
work for the bottles. "Let's check it out," Rodney said.
They rode up to the acreage on the outside edge of town.
Rodney knocked on the door the way he had before. No answer,
They were just about to go when a chronic cough said, " Who the hell is it?"
Pat Dooley swung the screen door wide, " What you want?"
Rodney turned ," You remember me sir?" I came to collect soda bottles.
Dooley swung his cane towards the shed, "You can have all the bottles in that shed,
If you paint it." The paint and turpentine's in there too. Come back Saturday."
Travis looked in the shed "Must be 50 cases of Squirt in there."
"Ok, hey what's your name mister?" "Patrick Dooley," The old man said.
" Saturday at 7 am sharp" the door swung back shut with a bang, as quickly as it opened.
The boys looked at each other as if they struck gold. Travis said, " he's kind of kooky."
" Who cares all we got to do is paint his shed it should take a couple of hours
with all of us," Rodney smiled.
"Let's go to the bait shop and get some grape soda," Travis replied.
The boys rode to the feed store and looked around the straw bales.
Walt and another old farmer were shootin' the breeze when they spied the
boys and asked what's up? Rodney gave them a quick explaination of the
Boys club and the need for bottles for camp. Walt said," Stop by they could
have all the loose bottles in the machine shed."
"We got a big job at Pat Dooley's," Rodney beamed, "For alot of bottles"
" You be careful of Ol' Pat Dooley", Walt warned. " He's a wiley one".
Rodney was too busy looking for, and finding a couple of bottles tucked
under the hay to listen.
"Let's go Trav I got 2 " " Yeah I got some too", Trav replied.
The boys headed to the bait shop bought 2 grape sodas.
They chugged them down and added them to the others in their packs and headed to
Ton and Tanks place.
Nobody was around so they stashed the bottles in the boat.
"I'll see you tonight, pick you up about 6:30 to go skating."
Now some believed that true love might happen upon horseback,
and some believe that your true love appears at the local dance.
But for Rodney, he honestly thought he would meet her on a
"Couples Only in the Moonlight" at Skate Country.
The only time that it was manditory to hold each other
and skate to the disco ball sparkle and some romantic
Rod Stewart tune.
On the ride home he thought only of Roxanne and skating endlessly
with her soft V-neck sweater gently cradling her breasts. Rodney's
hands on her small of her back, him skating backwards and her head
on his shoulder. Rod singing "Tonites the night."
He showered, dabbed musk oil on and put on his best bell-bottom jeans
and his Boones Farm Strawberry Hill T shirt. He gobbled down supper
and waited on the front porch for Travis. "Clipper, If I make out tonight,
I'll be the luckiest guy ever," He told his dog. Honk, Honk, Travis' mom pulled up
"See ya" he told his mom and jumped in the car.
As they rode to Skate Country he told Travis they were the luckiest guys in the world.
And they were..............
Authors note:
At that point in my life I was the luckiest guy in the world.
It was a time of gentle innocence, true love.
as they searched for bottles. Rodney had hooked up with Travis
that morning. in hopes of finding the mother lode of bottles in some
out of the way place.
Then Rodney remembered the old man who had said he could
work for the bottles. "Let's check it out," Rodney said.
They rode up to the acreage on the outside edge of town.
Rodney knocked on the door the way he had before. No answer,
They were just about to go when a chronic cough said, " Who the hell is it?"
Pat Dooley swung the screen door wide, " What you want?"
Rodney turned ," You remember me sir?" I came to collect soda bottles.
Dooley swung his cane towards the shed, "You can have all the bottles in that shed,
If you paint it." The paint and turpentine's in there too. Come back Saturday."
Travis looked in the shed "Must be 50 cases of Squirt in there."
"Ok, hey what's your name mister?" "Patrick Dooley," The old man said.
" Saturday at 7 am sharp" the door swung back shut with a bang, as quickly as it opened.
The boys looked at each other as if they struck gold. Travis said, " he's kind of kooky."
" Who cares all we got to do is paint his shed it should take a couple of hours
with all of us," Rodney smiled.
"Let's go to the bait shop and get some grape soda," Travis replied.
The boys rode to the feed store and looked around the straw bales.
Walt and another old farmer were shootin' the breeze when they spied the
boys and asked what's up? Rodney gave them a quick explaination of the
Boys club and the need for bottles for camp. Walt said," Stop by they could
have all the loose bottles in the machine shed."
"We got a big job at Pat Dooley's," Rodney beamed, "For alot of bottles"
" You be careful of Ol' Pat Dooley", Walt warned. " He's a wiley one".
Rodney was too busy looking for, and finding a couple of bottles tucked
under the hay to listen.
"Let's go Trav I got 2 " " Yeah I got some too", Trav replied.
The boys headed to the bait shop bought 2 grape sodas.
They chugged them down and added them to the others in their packs and headed to
Ton and Tanks place.
Nobody was around so they stashed the bottles in the boat.
"I'll see you tonight, pick you up about 6:30 to go skating."
Now some believed that true love might happen upon horseback,
and some believe that your true love appears at the local dance.
But for Rodney, he honestly thought he would meet her on a
"Couples Only in the Moonlight" at Skate Country.
The only time that it was manditory to hold each other
and skate to the disco ball sparkle and some romantic
Rod Stewart tune.
On the ride home he thought only of Roxanne and skating endlessly
with her soft V-neck sweater gently cradling her breasts. Rodney's
hands on her small of her back, him skating backwards and her head
on his shoulder. Rod singing "Tonites the night."
He showered, dabbed musk oil on and put on his best bell-bottom jeans
and his Boones Farm Strawberry Hill T shirt. He gobbled down supper
and waited on the front porch for Travis. "Clipper, If I make out tonight,
I'll be the luckiest guy ever," He told his dog. Honk, Honk, Travis' mom pulled up
"See ya" he told his mom and jumped in the car.
As they rode to Skate Country he told Travis they were the luckiest guys in the world.
And they were..............
Authors note:
At that point in my life I was the luckiest guy in the world.
It was a time of gentle innocence, true love.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
The Soda Bottle Kid
The boys gathered at Ton an Tanks it was almost 3:30 before everyone
was there. Rodney was still thinking about his dad, and wasn't quite
with it when he started the meeting.
I have it on good authority that the price on bottles might go to 5 cents,
after July. All in favor of holding out until the price goes up say aye.
"Now wait a minute", Brian said, "what makes you think that the price is
going up and why should we wait?" " And where are we going to put
all the bottles we get?"
"It's just what I heard from someone that works at Pepco.",
" Are you guys willing to wait"? The vote was 5 for and 2 against.
"Do we have anymore things to talk about"?, Rodney asked in a subdued voice.
" Yeah, I do, have you thought about the way we will get over 400 cases of soda
bottles to the store"?, Brian said.
Again Josh spoke up " I can do it".
"What we stealing the church bus again"!, Brent said
"No, this creek goes behind the Hinky Dinky store."
"We'll float them there!" The gang looked at each other,
Tank said, "Not in the flat bottom it has a hole in it."
"We'll fix it. ", Josh said " We can screw a piece of innertube over it".
"Everyone else can work on a raft". " All in favor?"
Again the gang looked at each other, and slowly the hands went up.
The obstacle of logistics had brought out the best of them, and the thought
of building a raft sparked excitement in all of them.
Rodney, cornered Josh later, " You know how to build a raft"?
" I read Huck Finn, does that count"?
" You're something else Josh," Rodney laughed.
" Yeah, I know, hey who told you about the bottle deposit going up"?
"Lenny did, but I don't know if he's full of it or not." It's a chance I got to take."
Josh joked," At least we will have a raft at camp Wannamaka!!"
" You want to go skating tuesday night, Rod?" " Travis is going."
"Yeah ,sure", Rodney said.
The boys kind of drifted out of the camp at Ton and Tanks place until
the only ones left were Rodney and Thomas.
" Ton where in the hell are we going to put all the bottles?", Rodney quizzed.
" I guess we'll fill the tack shed, then the barn up at the house, then my dad's shop."
Ton laughed. " hey you alright Rod? I mean I know you went to your dads grave
and all today." Rodney turned and said, "You think this is a crazy idea?"
Ton, just laughed, " yeah Rod but that's why it's so much fun. My dad always
said to enjoy whatever you do." Rodney teared up and said, "yeah mine too."
Ton through his big arm around him and said, "That's what I thought."
"It's hard for me and Tank to find good friends like you."
" 'Cause your fat?" Rodney asked. "yeah, and Tank 's ugly", Ton smiled.
" We don't really care about those kids that make fun of us, but it kinda hurts
sometimes."
"I like you guys you're a lot of fun, I'll see ya.", Rodney pumped his
pedal as he jumped on to go home.
He thought about all the things that had gone on today as he rode the gravel home.
His dad, his friends, and this big soda bottle thing.
The discovery of a friend in Josh and Ton, two of the most unlikely guys
when he started all this. "Clipper, it just goes to show you, You never can tell."
he told the dog as he sat on the porch that night. " What a day might hold in store for you."
" You just have to keep your mind open, even if you're a dog."
The dog looked at him knowingly. "Oh really, Your that smart ,eh?"
He rubbed the dogs head and went in for supper.
"Mom, can I go skating tuesday? Josh and Travis are going and I could
ride with one of them."
" I suppose, who's Josh I never heard you talk about him?" His Mom asked.
Rodney proceeded to talk about his afternoon and all it's discoveries.
" Well, you sure learned a lot today." his mom looked at him approvingly.
Somewhere in the back of her mind she remembered a time when things were happy
and she was able to make new friends easily. She thought about why her life was the
way it was and what Rodney had said on the ride to the cemetery.
When did he get so grown up? He was right about one thing, She and Edwin
were going nowhere fast. He was such an ass when they had come back,
he resented the Father's Day trip. He just couldn't understand.
No matter how she tried to explain it, It turned into her still loving
her dead husband, And how she must not care that much about him.
Edwin had left in a big huff earlier and not returned yet, and she was glad
to have time with Rodney at supper. Spaggetti and meat sauce and garlic bread.
Rodney loaded his plate and ate every bit, then belly full went to bed early.
Some time during the night Ed returned and he thought he heard some yelling.
He soon returned to sleep and got up early to start the mowing.
Going to write anything today???? He laughed in the back of his mind.
was there. Rodney was still thinking about his dad, and wasn't quite
with it when he started the meeting.
I have it on good authority that the price on bottles might go to 5 cents,
after July. All in favor of holding out until the price goes up say aye.
"Now wait a minute", Brian said, "what makes you think that the price is
going up and why should we wait?" " And where are we going to put
all the bottles we get?"
"It's just what I heard from someone that works at Pepco.",
" Are you guys willing to wait"? The vote was 5 for and 2 against.
"Do we have anymore things to talk about"?, Rodney asked in a subdued voice.
" Yeah, I do, have you thought about the way we will get over 400 cases of soda
bottles to the store"?, Brian said.
Again Josh spoke up " I can do it".
"What we stealing the church bus again"!, Brent said
"No, this creek goes behind the Hinky Dinky store."
"We'll float them there!" The gang looked at each other,
Tank said, "Not in the flat bottom it has a hole in it."
"We'll fix it. ", Josh said " We can screw a piece of innertube over it".
"Everyone else can work on a raft". " All in favor?"
Again the gang looked at each other, and slowly the hands went up.
The obstacle of logistics had brought out the best of them, and the thought
of building a raft sparked excitement in all of them.
Rodney, cornered Josh later, " You know how to build a raft"?
" I read Huck Finn, does that count"?
" You're something else Josh," Rodney laughed.
" Yeah, I know, hey who told you about the bottle deposit going up"?
"Lenny did, but I don't know if he's full of it or not." It's a chance I got to take."
Josh joked," At least we will have a raft at camp Wannamaka!!"
" You want to go skating tuesday night, Rod?" " Travis is going."
"Yeah ,sure", Rodney said.
The boys kind of drifted out of the camp at Ton and Tanks place until
the only ones left were Rodney and Thomas.
" Ton where in the hell are we going to put all the bottles?", Rodney quizzed.
" I guess we'll fill the tack shed, then the barn up at the house, then my dad's shop."
Ton laughed. " hey you alright Rod? I mean I know you went to your dads grave
and all today." Rodney turned and said, "You think this is a crazy idea?"
Ton, just laughed, " yeah Rod but that's why it's so much fun. My dad always
said to enjoy whatever you do." Rodney teared up and said, "yeah mine too."
Ton through his big arm around him and said, "That's what I thought."
"It's hard for me and Tank to find good friends like you."
" 'Cause your fat?" Rodney asked. "yeah, and Tank 's ugly", Ton smiled.
" We don't really care about those kids that make fun of us, but it kinda hurts
sometimes."
"I like you guys you're a lot of fun, I'll see ya.", Rodney pumped his
pedal as he jumped on to go home.
He thought about all the things that had gone on today as he rode the gravel home.
His dad, his friends, and this big soda bottle thing.
The discovery of a friend in Josh and Ton, two of the most unlikely guys
when he started all this. "Clipper, it just goes to show you, You never can tell."
he told the dog as he sat on the porch that night. " What a day might hold in store for you."
" You just have to keep your mind open, even if you're a dog."
The dog looked at him knowingly. "Oh really, Your that smart ,eh?"
He rubbed the dogs head and went in for supper.
"Mom, can I go skating tuesday? Josh and Travis are going and I could
ride with one of them."
" I suppose, who's Josh I never heard you talk about him?" His Mom asked.
Rodney proceeded to talk about his afternoon and all it's discoveries.
" Well, you sure learned a lot today." his mom looked at him approvingly.
Somewhere in the back of her mind she remembered a time when things were happy
and she was able to make new friends easily. She thought about why her life was the
way it was and what Rodney had said on the ride to the cemetery.
When did he get so grown up? He was right about one thing, She and Edwin
were going nowhere fast. He was such an ass when they had come back,
he resented the Father's Day trip. He just couldn't understand.
No matter how she tried to explain it, It turned into her still loving
her dead husband, And how she must not care that much about him.
Edwin had left in a big huff earlier and not returned yet, and she was glad
to have time with Rodney at supper. Spaggetti and meat sauce and garlic bread.
Rodney loaded his plate and ate every bit, then belly full went to bed early.
Some time during the night Ed returned and he thought he heard some yelling.
He soon returned to sleep and got up early to start the mowing.
Going to write anything today???? He laughed in the back of his mind.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
The Soda Bottle Kid
The sun rose slowly into Rodney's bedroom that Sunday.
The plan was to meet the gang at Ton and Tanks for a vote.
It seemed real important to get the confidence of the rest of the guys,
but in the back of his mind Rodney felt today meant more.
He slogged downstairs looked into the kitchen at his mom.
" Honey it's Father's Day," She reported. " We should get up there about
10am." Then he remembered that they had to go to his Dad's grave,
an event that he dreaded. They had to drive 2 hrs to the home place cemetery.
It was the usual placement of flowers and a prayer was said.
" Rodney did you bring a letter?" his Mom said. For years his mother
insisted that he write some kind of letter to his dad.
" Mom I didn't write this year." Rodney said head down.
"Why" ? " I don't think of Dad's here anymore, I know he's not!"
"Rodney!" " It's true mom he's in here", Rodney pointed at his chest and started
to tear up. " I dreamt about him. He told me he was proud of me and things were okay."
" You dreamt about him?" his mother quizzed. " Yeah, and I don't think we need to go
to that grave anymore."
"Rodney, we have always gone every Father's Day, It's what we do, "his mom insisted.
" It's out of respect."
" Okay mom, but, I know he's not there." "Rodney you come up with the strangest
stuff sometimes, but I understand."
"I got to go this afternoon to Thomas and Tanner's place it's important." Rodney added.
Rodney got on the phone to Tank and told him to pass it on that it would be 3pm before
the meeting. "Ok, Rodney I understand , say hello to the old man for me." Tank was a
good friend Rodney thought.
Rodney and his Mom got into the Turnpike Cruiser and headed for Storm Lake.
Rodney put all the windows down, like always, then turned to his mom, " How's come
dad went Veit Nam? Lenny said, they made people go even if they didn't want to.
" Your father thought it was the right thing to do." " So do you think it was right?"
"Rodney, I don't know anymore, I used to just agree with whatever he said."
" Like you do with Ed?" "No!, not like Ed!"she snapped.
" You don't like him much do you?"
"Rodney!"
"Well it's true!, admit it."
His mom skidded the car to the side of the road, " You have to understand
we don't have a lot of choices!"
" That's not true, dad said we always have choices and fishing and
being happy is number one!"
" Rodney , you remember that?"
" Yeah I do, don't you? "
His mom started to cry. "Don't you", burning in her ears.
"Hey I didn't mean it Rodney said softly".
" Let's just go, Let's just go....."
They arrived at the cemetery, turned in, and proceed with the ritual.
Mom laid flowers, and Rodney said a prayer, It went something like this:
Dad, I hope everything is okay in Heaven. I know you're not here anymore
'cause I feel you in my heart. I know you are looking at me when I screw up ,
I hope I can be a man like you. Amen.
Rodney and his mom held each other and cried for awhile then got in the
car and went home. They didn't say much on the way.....
The plan was to meet the gang at Ton and Tanks for a vote.
It seemed real important to get the confidence of the rest of the guys,
but in the back of his mind Rodney felt today meant more.
He slogged downstairs looked into the kitchen at his mom.
" Honey it's Father's Day," She reported. " We should get up there about
10am." Then he remembered that they had to go to his Dad's grave,
an event that he dreaded. They had to drive 2 hrs to the home place cemetery.
It was the usual placement of flowers and a prayer was said.
" Rodney did you bring a letter?" his Mom said. For years his mother
insisted that he write some kind of letter to his dad.
" Mom I didn't write this year." Rodney said head down.
"Why" ? " I don't think of Dad's here anymore, I know he's not!"
"Rodney!" " It's true mom he's in here", Rodney pointed at his chest and started
to tear up. " I dreamt about him. He told me he was proud of me and things were okay."
" You dreamt about him?" his mother quizzed. " Yeah, and I don't think we need to go
to that grave anymore."
"Rodney, we have always gone every Father's Day, It's what we do, "his mom insisted.
" It's out of respect."
" Okay mom, but, I know he's not there." "Rodney you come up with the strangest
stuff sometimes, but I understand."
"I got to go this afternoon to Thomas and Tanner's place it's important." Rodney added.
Rodney got on the phone to Tank and told him to pass it on that it would be 3pm before
the meeting. "Ok, Rodney I understand , say hello to the old man for me." Tank was a
good friend Rodney thought.
Rodney and his Mom got into the Turnpike Cruiser and headed for Storm Lake.
Rodney put all the windows down, like always, then turned to his mom, " How's come
dad went Veit Nam? Lenny said, they made people go even if they didn't want to.
" Your father thought it was the right thing to do." " So do you think it was right?"
"Rodney, I don't know anymore, I used to just agree with whatever he said."
" Like you do with Ed?" "No!, not like Ed!"she snapped.
" You don't like him much do you?"
"Rodney!"
"Well it's true!, admit it."
His mom skidded the car to the side of the road, " You have to understand
we don't have a lot of choices!"
" That's not true, dad said we always have choices and fishing and
being happy is number one!"
" Rodney , you remember that?"
" Yeah I do, don't you? "
His mom started to cry. "Don't you", burning in her ears.
"Hey I didn't mean it Rodney said softly".
" Let's just go, Let's just go....."
They arrived at the cemetery, turned in, and proceed with the ritual.
Mom laid flowers, and Rodney said a prayer, It went something like this:
Dad, I hope everything is okay in Heaven. I know you're not here anymore
'cause I feel you in my heart. I know you are looking at me when I screw up ,
I hope I can be a man like you. Amen.
Rodney and his mom held each other and cried for awhile then got in the
car and went home. They didn't say much on the way.....
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Soda Bottle Kid
Friday arrived and the the boys were busy gathering bottles,
and preparing for the weekly count. All of them had scoured the
roadways and bugged their relatives and neighbors for every bottle.
The plan was to meet Saturday for the count, at Ton an Tanks,
and cash them in. Ton had said his mom would drive the bottles
in the station wagon to town.
A lot of the boys had been dropping bottles there all week as they
found them. The tack shed was full of bottles, piled everywhere.
Brent and Brian had a stack in one corner and Ton an Tank had a stack in
another corner. Rodney and Travis had a bunch at corporate HQ
and some in the flat bottom boat at Ton and Tanks.
Things were just getting started at camp Wannamaka, when Brent said,
"Hey where's Josh?, I knew he'd weasel out and keep the money! "
" He'll be here," Rodney said. "Now let's get started counting, you got a
pencil and paper?" "Yeah, Right here,"said Tank.
The count went on for several minutes, when Josh rode up with his dad.
In the back were several flat cases of bottles and several cardboard boxes full.
"Hey, Rod don't forget these!", Josh boasted. Josh's dad helped unload
a huge amount of bottles from the truck, then said he would haul them to town
next week.
At the end they had a little over 50 cases of bottles, Rodney looked at the rest
of them and said," It's a great effort but we're short!" " We have to figure a way
to get more bottles. This week is only $36.24 by my count.
A few of the boys started to complain that they had got more than the rest.
Rodney interjected, " It might not be that way next week, share and share alike,
You may not be ahead next week". They all nodded their heads and they agreed
to meet there next week.
Rodney headed home thinking of the gang and if they would make it.
He passed Lenny's place when he heard him yell," howdy neighbor"!
Rodney slowed and turned in, "Hey, Lenny" "You look deep in thought
Rodney. What's your young mind stirring about now"?
Rodney proceeded to tell him about the gang and the plan.
" But we're starting out short of our goal," Rodney complained.
"Well my little capitalist you have created quite the corporation," Lenny
said. " You're a real business man, but what you need is inside information".
" My buddy down at Pepco told me that the state was going to raise the
deposit to a nickel, Now all you got to do is hold out 'til the end of July.
Rodney's head started spinning, 3 cents to a nickel, then he snapped back
to reality." Yeah right, you got me in deep last time I listened to you Lenny"!
Lenny responded with his usual, " I'm sorry you doubt me little brother but
I got it straight from the head man". " Lenny, don't BS me around that almost
doubles our money if we wait a month". " I got to go, I'll think about it",Rodney
said as he pedalled away. And think he did, started multiplying by 5, instead of 3
Envisioning a mountain of bottles by the end of July each at 5 cents per....Whow!
This would require an emergency meeting and vote. When he got home he phone
Travis the news, they talked excitedly about all of the possibilities.
That night he could barely sleep, he thought about a new bike and some nice stuff
for his mom.
This is a photo of the authors gang, summer of '71.
It was an Ecology Club our first project was cleaning the
the ditch east of our farm. I'm certain there were a few bottles.
The woods and creek that ran through was a childhood playground.
Many a lean-to fort was built there.
It seems to me we are all still that kid collecting soda bottles, mowing or
delivering the paper to earn money, all be it somewhat on a different level.
May we still have the same level of enthusiasm as we did when we were young.
and preparing for the weekly count. All of them had scoured the
roadways and bugged their relatives and neighbors for every bottle.
The plan was to meet Saturday for the count, at Ton an Tanks,
and cash them in. Ton had said his mom would drive the bottles
in the station wagon to town.
A lot of the boys had been dropping bottles there all week as they
found them. The tack shed was full of bottles, piled everywhere.
Brent and Brian had a stack in one corner and Ton an Tank had a stack in
another corner. Rodney and Travis had a bunch at corporate HQ
and some in the flat bottom boat at Ton and Tanks.
Things were just getting started at camp Wannamaka, when Brent said,
"Hey where's Josh?, I knew he'd weasel out and keep the money! "
" He'll be here," Rodney said. "Now let's get started counting, you got a
pencil and paper?" "Yeah, Right here,"said Tank.
The count went on for several minutes, when Josh rode up with his dad.
In the back were several flat cases of bottles and several cardboard boxes full.
"Hey, Rod don't forget these!", Josh boasted. Josh's dad helped unload
a huge amount of bottles from the truck, then said he would haul them to town
next week.
At the end they had a little over 50 cases of bottles, Rodney looked at the rest
of them and said," It's a great effort but we're short!" " We have to figure a way
to get more bottles. This week is only $36.24 by my count.
A few of the boys started to complain that they had got more than the rest.
Rodney interjected, " It might not be that way next week, share and share alike,
You may not be ahead next week". They all nodded their heads and they agreed
to meet there next week.
Rodney headed home thinking of the gang and if they would make it.
He passed Lenny's place when he heard him yell," howdy neighbor"!
Rodney slowed and turned in, "Hey, Lenny" "You look deep in thought
Rodney. What's your young mind stirring about now"?
Rodney proceeded to tell him about the gang and the plan.
" But we're starting out short of our goal," Rodney complained.
"Well my little capitalist you have created quite the corporation," Lenny
said. " You're a real business man, but what you need is inside information".
" My buddy down at Pepco told me that the state was going to raise the
deposit to a nickel, Now all you got to do is hold out 'til the end of July.
Rodney's head started spinning, 3 cents to a nickel, then he snapped back
to reality." Yeah right, you got me in deep last time I listened to you Lenny"!
Lenny responded with his usual, " I'm sorry you doubt me little brother but
I got it straight from the head man". " Lenny, don't BS me around that almost
doubles our money if we wait a month". " I got to go, I'll think about it",Rodney
said as he pedalled away. And think he did, started multiplying by 5, instead of 3
Envisioning a mountain of bottles by the end of July each at 5 cents per....Whow!
This would require an emergency meeting and vote. When he got home he phone
Travis the news, they talked excitedly about all of the possibilities.
That night he could barely sleep, he thought about a new bike and some nice stuff
for his mom.
This is a photo of the authors gang, summer of '71.
It was an Ecology Club our first project was cleaning the
the ditch east of our farm. I'm certain there were a few bottles.
The woods and creek that ran through was a childhood playground.
Many a lean-to fort was built there.
It seems to me we are all still that kid collecting soda bottles, mowing or
delivering the paper to earn money, all be it somewhat on a different level.
May we still have the same level of enthusiasm as we did when we were young.
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Soda Bottle Kid
Rodney woke to the sounds of yet another argument
between Mom and Ed. " Why can't you just leave him alone",
he heard his Mom say. " Did you see his report card!" , Ed blared.
" That boy has his head in the clouds, he needs to buckle down!"
"Ed stop!" his Mom said. " Yeah, just stop you asshole!"
Did I just say that out loud? Rodney had drifted between reality
and what he wanted to do and was unsure what had transpired.
He started downstairs and looked around the corner, " hey what's up?"
The jolt of being caught in a fight made them both look sheepish.
" Rodney I was going to ground you but, I think you can just spend
the day mowing. Front and back and the barn yard." Ed spewed at him
like it was a life sentence. "Okay", Rodney knew that Travis was going
to help in the afternoon. Ed drop jawed , Turned to his Mom and said,
" And don't you let him out of it either, his report card was terrible!"
Ed slammed the door as he left for work.
" Rodney,are you alright?" his mother asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay, why do you let him do that,Mom?"
Rodney was seething underneath, but wouldn't let it show.
" Are you sure?" " Yeah"
"Well I'm going to work, Be safe mowing and I'll see you tonight."
His Mom left with a worried expression.
Rodney went out to mow the back half while it was still cool
and in the shade. Then, he started on the front , when a fiendish thought
crossed his mind. He started down the drive then mowed a big F,
then he mowed a big U, then he mowed ED!
Then as he was just getting ready to mow across the whole mess, when,
clunk, clunk, thump, Crap, Crap, He pulled, He Pulled!
Oh my God, he was a dead man if anyone saw this!
He ran to the road, Oh yeah, you could read it in the rise of
the yard plain as day! If one of Ed's friends drove by he was dead!
If one of the neighbors drove by it would get back to Ed, he was dead!
He ran for the phone and called Travis's place, "Hello Mrs. Reynolds
is Travis there?" "Why no, Travis is gone on his bike, said he'd be back
in an hour." "Please tell him to call me as soon as he gets back it's an
emergency!" " Do you need help Rodney?," Mrs. Reynolds asked.
" Oh no it's a... a...Boys Club emergency!" Rodney toned down the panic a little.
Rodney returned to the front yard and pulled the rope again , but nothing.
I'll hide it he thought, he put the wheelbarrow in front of the top of the F
and the mower in front of the U and a few of the bushel baskets around the rest of it.
Crap, it looks like a deranged farmer yard sale. Well, at least they can't
read it from the road. But there is no mistaking what it says in the yard.
"Clipper I'm a dead man!" he said to the dog. The dog just wagged his tail
like he always did. " You don't understand", Rodney sunk to his knees, "I try and
try to be a man but things get so screwed up".
The dog just licked the tears from his cheeks as he started to cry.
"Stop, Clipper you dumb dog, this is serious stuff."
By then the day had wained into the afternoon and Ed would be home.
Rodney tried the phone again, " Mrs Reynolds is Trav back yet?"
"I believe he's outside I'll look, No, he's gone again I told him you called."
" Okay, a..a.. no message this time." Alright, goodbye." Mrs Reynolds hung up
and Rodney started working on his death sentence requests. I'll have a Lil Joes
Pizza with sausage and extra cheese, no onions, a Coke and please bury me next
to my dog Clipper.
" What ya doin, ya woosie" Travis had come to the door and poked his head inside.
" I got a whole case of bottles today, on the road." Travis said puff chested.
"Ya got your mower!" Rodney blurted out. " No I was just going to help ya finish",
" I wrote FU Ed in the front yard and my mower wont start!", Rodney said in a panic
" You what? Foremann's going to cut your balls off!" " It's not funny, help me!",
Rodney demanded.
"Let's see what's up with the mower.", Travis started out to the yard.
He pulled, and then opened the tank, and told Rodney to get the gas.
then he took out his farmer pliers from his leather pouch and unscrewed the
spark plug. Rodney returned with the gas and poured some in.
Travis took the sparkplug and held it against the block of the mower and said
"pull the rope". Rodney did so, and Travis saw he had a weak spark.
" got any sand paper?" " yeah I think so " " well go get it or do you want to die?"
Rodney returned and Travis sanded the contacts on the sparkplug and
put it back in and pulled the rope. WRRRRRRRRR...............
"Your a genius", Rodney shouted over the drone of the mower.
"Get mowing" Travis yelled. Rodney quicly mowed a big diagonal through
the yard. Then passed off the mower to Travis, and started picking up the
baskets in the wheel barrow, to put back in the shed.
The diagonal pattern continued 'til it was done.
"Thanks Travis you saved me", Rodney said. " You're a dufuss sometimes,
Rodney" Travis replied.
Rodney's mom pulled up, "Hey the yard looks nice, I like the diagonal thing"
Rodney and Travis just busted out laughing, " I gotta go " Travis said.
"Try not to break the mower again". " Ya Sure"
" What was that about?" Rodney's mom asked. "Oh, Trav' fixed the mower,
it conked out." Rodney smirked. "I didn't get the barn yard done, hope you're
not mad." No, but Ed might be, go get started on it and I'll fill him in on the mower
breaking down, when he gets home". " Thanks Mom", Rodney headed for the barnyard.
"Come in for supper in an 1/2 hr okay, I got a Lil' Joes Pizza, your favorite".
Rodney sat in his room after pizza, and fed Clipper the leftover crusts he sneeked
upstairs, " You wouldn't tell on me ever, would you?", He quizzed the tilted head dog.
He fell asleep that night dreaming of a yard service where people wanted him to
spell thing in their yards.
And do that special diagonal thing and trim their bushes in weird shapes.
Life was good again.....................
between Mom and Ed. " Why can't you just leave him alone",
he heard his Mom say. " Did you see his report card!" , Ed blared.
" That boy has his head in the clouds, he needs to buckle down!"
"Ed stop!" his Mom said. " Yeah, just stop you asshole!"
Did I just say that out loud? Rodney had drifted between reality
and what he wanted to do and was unsure what had transpired.
He started downstairs and looked around the corner, " hey what's up?"
The jolt of being caught in a fight made them both look sheepish.
" Rodney I was going to ground you but, I think you can just spend
the day mowing. Front and back and the barn yard." Ed spewed at him
like it was a life sentence. "Okay", Rodney knew that Travis was going
to help in the afternoon. Ed drop jawed , Turned to his Mom and said,
" And don't you let him out of it either, his report card was terrible!"
Ed slammed the door as he left for work.
" Rodney,are you alright?" his mother asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay, why do you let him do that,Mom?"
Rodney was seething underneath, but wouldn't let it show.
" Are you sure?" " Yeah"
"Well I'm going to work, Be safe mowing and I'll see you tonight."
His Mom left with a worried expression.
Rodney went out to mow the back half while it was still cool
and in the shade. Then, he started on the front , when a fiendish thought
crossed his mind. He started down the drive then mowed a big F,
then he mowed a big U, then he mowed ED!
Then as he was just getting ready to mow across the whole mess, when,
clunk, clunk, thump, Crap, Crap, He pulled, He Pulled!
Oh my God, he was a dead man if anyone saw this!
He ran to the road, Oh yeah, you could read it in the rise of
the yard plain as day! If one of Ed's friends drove by he was dead!
If one of the neighbors drove by it would get back to Ed, he was dead!
He ran for the phone and called Travis's place, "Hello Mrs. Reynolds
is Travis there?" "Why no, Travis is gone on his bike, said he'd be back
in an hour." "Please tell him to call me as soon as he gets back it's an
emergency!" " Do you need help Rodney?," Mrs. Reynolds asked.
" Oh no it's a... a...Boys Club emergency!" Rodney toned down the panic a little.
Rodney returned to the front yard and pulled the rope again , but nothing.
I'll hide it he thought, he put the wheelbarrow in front of the top of the F
and the mower in front of the U and a few of the bushel baskets around the rest of it.
Crap, it looks like a deranged farmer yard sale. Well, at least they can't
read it from the road. But there is no mistaking what it says in the yard.
"Clipper I'm a dead man!" he said to the dog. The dog just wagged his tail
like he always did. " You don't understand", Rodney sunk to his knees, "I try and
try to be a man but things get so screwed up".
The dog just licked the tears from his cheeks as he started to cry.
"Stop, Clipper you dumb dog, this is serious stuff."
By then the day had wained into the afternoon and Ed would be home.
Rodney tried the phone again, " Mrs Reynolds is Trav back yet?"
"I believe he's outside I'll look, No, he's gone again I told him you called."
" Okay, a..a.. no message this time." Alright, goodbye." Mrs Reynolds hung up
and Rodney started working on his death sentence requests. I'll have a Lil Joes
Pizza with sausage and extra cheese, no onions, a Coke and please bury me next
to my dog Clipper.
" What ya doin, ya woosie" Travis had come to the door and poked his head inside.
" I got a whole case of bottles today, on the road." Travis said puff chested.
"Ya got your mower!" Rodney blurted out. " No I was just going to help ya finish",
" I wrote FU Ed in the front yard and my mower wont start!", Rodney said in a panic
" You what? Foremann's going to cut your balls off!" " It's not funny, help me!",
Rodney demanded.
"Let's see what's up with the mower.", Travis started out to the yard.
He pulled, and then opened the tank, and told Rodney to get the gas.
then he took out his farmer pliers from his leather pouch and unscrewed the
spark plug. Rodney returned with the gas and poured some in.
Travis took the sparkplug and held it against the block of the mower and said
"pull the rope". Rodney did so, and Travis saw he had a weak spark.
" got any sand paper?" " yeah I think so " " well go get it or do you want to die?"
Rodney returned and Travis sanded the contacts on the sparkplug and
put it back in and pulled the rope. WRRRRRRRRR...............
"Your a genius", Rodney shouted over the drone of the mower.
"Get mowing" Travis yelled. Rodney quicly mowed a big diagonal through
the yard. Then passed off the mower to Travis, and started picking up the
baskets in the wheel barrow, to put back in the shed.
The diagonal pattern continued 'til it was done.
"Thanks Travis you saved me", Rodney said. " You're a dufuss sometimes,
Rodney" Travis replied.
Rodney's mom pulled up, "Hey the yard looks nice, I like the diagonal thing"
Rodney and Travis just busted out laughing, " I gotta go " Travis said.
"Try not to break the mower again". " Ya Sure"
" What was that about?" Rodney's mom asked. "Oh, Trav' fixed the mower,
it conked out." Rodney smirked. "I didn't get the barn yard done, hope you're
not mad." No, but Ed might be, go get started on it and I'll fill him in on the mower
breaking down, when he gets home". " Thanks Mom", Rodney headed for the barnyard.
"Come in for supper in an 1/2 hr okay, I got a Lil' Joes Pizza, your favorite".
Rodney sat in his room after pizza, and fed Clipper the leftover crusts he sneeked
upstairs, " You wouldn't tell on me ever, would you?", He quizzed the tilted head dog.
He fell asleep that night dreaming of a yard service where people wanted him to
spell thing in their yards.
And do that special diagonal thing and trim their bushes in weird shapes.
Life was good again.....................
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Goddess' Gift
On her birthday She was given a sphere of granite.
Shining with many colors Blue , green, and gold.
Her father said that it was a planet,
A very precious gift, or so I'm told.
She carried it about in her pocket,
with the other things she loved too.
A key, a coin, and her mothers old locket
The silk lace from a her old dance shoe.
If you blew on the orb, remove it's shadowy mist.
You could see mountains, steams and meadows of green.
And the people, oh the tiny people who lived there in bliss.
This gift is the greatest thing you've ever seen.
As she grew older her play time was less,
there was school, and galaxies to tend,
the responsibilities of a Goddess I guess.
The occasional boy and a broken heart to mend.
Consumed by travelling from here to there,
meeting new faces, how her time was spent.
Her precious things fell out of her care.
The tarnish on the sphere, more from her neglect.
With a rush the years went by,
so quickly had her time been wrought,
She returned home and began to cry,
So hurt by the lesson taught.
So you see when the sky brings rain,
remember things precious in our care.
Tis the Goddess' lesson of pain,
An orb of granite and why we are there.
For Katrina and Alyssa
Shining with many colors Blue , green, and gold.
Her father said that it was a planet,
A very precious gift, or so I'm told.
She carried it about in her pocket,
with the other things she loved too.
A key, a coin, and her mothers old locket
The silk lace from a her old dance shoe.
If you blew on the orb, remove it's shadowy mist.
You could see mountains, steams and meadows of green.
And the people, oh the tiny people who lived there in bliss.
This gift is the greatest thing you've ever seen.
As she grew older her play time was less,
there was school, and galaxies to tend,
the responsibilities of a Goddess I guess.
The occasional boy and a broken heart to mend.
Consumed by travelling from here to there,
meeting new faces, how her time was spent.
Her precious things fell out of her care.
The tarnish on the sphere, more from her neglect.
With a rush the years went by,
so quickly had her time been wrought,
She returned home and began to cry,
So hurt by the lesson taught.
So you see when the sky brings rain,
remember things precious in our care.
Tis the Goddess' lesson of pain,
An orb of granite and why we are there.
For Katrina and Alyssa
Friday, May 27, 2011
The Soda Bottle Kid
The next day they all arrived at the old barn, (Corporate Headquarters)
Everyone had arrived by 9:30 Brian and Trav, Ton and Tank,
Brent and he brought Josh too. Rodney asked what everyones' chore schedule
was like, then wrote it on the chalk board with the expected days of completion.
Then he asked when the guys could be ready to pick up bottles from
regular customers. Then what days would be best to look for new customers
and new recruits.
At the end it seemed that everyone had to mow at least 2 times a week
usually Saturday and Thursday. The best days for regular customers was
Tuesday, that left Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the gang to look for
bottles, get new customers and hang out. And Sunday for the occasional
meeting and cookout.
When Rodney put everything on the board it looked like together they
would have to each bring in 10 cases a week for a new bike.
plus what ever else the spent on cookouts. The goal was 15 cases a week
per man.
" What about the big lie?" Brent asked
The room went quiet...
Rodney knew it was bound to be asked, "we will cross that bridge when we get to it."
"Any ideas, what to do on that?" "We could say we didn't make enough,"
Brian suggested. "No people would want their money back." Tank said.
Ton said," We could fake it" " What?" Rodney quizzed.
"We could fake it.", Ton repeated. By then he had everyones' attention.
"How!" they all said in unison. "Camp Wanamaka is at Beaver Creek!".
"We will never pull it off", said Brian. "We can't fake being dropped off at
Ton and Tanks as a Camp for Boys!"
Josh , who had been quiet the whole time, turned and said, "I can do it!"
"My dad has the keys to the church bus, we'll meet and load for camp at church."
"Just make a sign for camp in the window and we're in like Flynn."
Brent said, "That's the dumbest idea yet!" " You got anything else brainiac?",
Josh demanded. "What're you going to do steal the bus you thief?", Brent retaliated.
Josh went to hit him, but Rodney stepped in," look you guys if this is going to
work, we have to work together!" Josh added," We don't have to take the bus
anywhere, we could all walk to T and T's after our folks left." " Just say the
driver was delayed." "All we got to do is get a high school kid to pretend he's
checking us in." "Melody's brother would do it.", Rodney said, "This just might
work". " Everyone, Camp Wanamaka plan is official? raise your hands."
" Okay, all in?"
"Tomorrow's Thursday, who needs grass cut?" Brian, Travis, and me.
Rodney put together 2 man teams so everyone got done quickly.
The guys who live closest together will work together so you don't have to
drag your mower too far. By noon we can meet at the feed store and look
for soda bottles. "Meeting is adjourned." "Everyone look for bottles on the
way home, " Hey what do we do when we get bottles?", asked Travis
"Wait meeting not adjourned.", said Rodney. He thought for a moment
then said, save them for a week then we all get together and cash them in
after an official count." "What if someone cheats?", asked Brian.
"Anyone cheating, know this, we are in together and if we don't work
together, we don't stand a chance in hell of getting our new bikes got it!",
Rodney stated firmly, "Anyone screwin' around is out!"
"That means you Josh," Brent snipped." That means you too, Brent",
Rodney resounded.
"Meeting Adjourned"
All the boy's left picking at eachother and talking about the gang,
except for Josh," Hey Rod thanks for stickin' up for me. "
Rodney turned with a dead serious face, "don't make me regret it."
" Hey I know I screwed up, but it's hard to get another chance around here.
" Do you think this bus thing will work?"
" God help us if it doesn't, everyone will know we lied to them."
Josh rode away on his bike, Rodney rolled the idea around in his head,
if they got caught in a lie, what could possibly go wrong? Would people
think they were a bunch of bad kids? Would they want their money back?
Could he make up a big excuse and get away with it?
Tune in next time ............
Everyone had arrived by 9:30 Brian and Trav, Ton and Tank,
Brent and he brought Josh too. Rodney asked what everyones' chore schedule
was like, then wrote it on the chalk board with the expected days of completion.
Then he asked when the guys could be ready to pick up bottles from
regular customers. Then what days would be best to look for new customers
and new recruits.
At the end it seemed that everyone had to mow at least 2 times a week
usually Saturday and Thursday. The best days for regular customers was
Tuesday, that left Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the gang to look for
bottles, get new customers and hang out. And Sunday for the occasional
meeting and cookout.
When Rodney put everything on the board it looked like together they
would have to each bring in 10 cases a week for a new bike.
plus what ever else the spent on cookouts. The goal was 15 cases a week
per man.
" What about the big lie?" Brent asked
The room went quiet...
Rodney knew it was bound to be asked, "we will cross that bridge when we get to it."
"Any ideas, what to do on that?" "We could say we didn't make enough,"
Brian suggested. "No people would want their money back." Tank said.
Ton said," We could fake it" " What?" Rodney quizzed.
"We could fake it.", Ton repeated. By then he had everyones' attention.
"How!" they all said in unison. "Camp Wanamaka is at Beaver Creek!".
"We will never pull it off", said Brian. "We can't fake being dropped off at
Ton and Tanks as a Camp for Boys!"
Josh , who had been quiet the whole time, turned and said, "I can do it!"
"My dad has the keys to the church bus, we'll meet and load for camp at church."
"Just make a sign for camp in the window and we're in like Flynn."
Brent said, "That's the dumbest idea yet!" " You got anything else brainiac?",
Josh demanded. "What're you going to do steal the bus you thief?", Brent retaliated.
Josh went to hit him, but Rodney stepped in," look you guys if this is going to
work, we have to work together!" Josh added," We don't have to take the bus
anywhere, we could all walk to T and T's after our folks left." " Just say the
driver was delayed." "All we got to do is get a high school kid to pretend he's
checking us in." "Melody's brother would do it.", Rodney said, "This just might
work". " Everyone, Camp Wanamaka plan is official? raise your hands."
" Okay, all in?"
"Tomorrow's Thursday, who needs grass cut?" Brian, Travis, and me.
Rodney put together 2 man teams so everyone got done quickly.
The guys who live closest together will work together so you don't have to
drag your mower too far. By noon we can meet at the feed store and look
for soda bottles. "Meeting is adjourned." "Everyone look for bottles on the
way home, " Hey what do we do when we get bottles?", asked Travis
"Wait meeting not adjourned.", said Rodney. He thought for a moment
then said, save them for a week then we all get together and cash them in
after an official count." "What if someone cheats?", asked Brian.
"Anyone cheating, know this, we are in together and if we don't work
together, we don't stand a chance in hell of getting our new bikes got it!",
Rodney stated firmly, "Anyone screwin' around is out!"
"That means you Josh," Brent snipped." That means you too, Brent",
Rodney resounded.
"Meeting Adjourned"
All the boy's left picking at eachother and talking about the gang,
except for Josh," Hey Rod thanks for stickin' up for me. "
Rodney turned with a dead serious face, "don't make me regret it."
" Hey I know I screwed up, but it's hard to get another chance around here.
" Do you think this bus thing will work?"
" God help us if it doesn't, everyone will know we lied to them."
Josh rode away on his bike, Rodney rolled the idea around in his head,
if they got caught in a lie, what could possibly go wrong? Would people
think they were a bunch of bad kids? Would they want their money back?
Could he make up a big excuse and get away with it?
Tune in next time ............
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Soda Bottle Kid
The end of school came quickly after all the tests and papers were over.
At the school olympics Robin won the girls 220, Brian won the high jump,
Brent won the high hurdles 100 and 220.
Rodney came in 3rd in the 100 yd dash
Ton won the shot put 31ft 4 in. Tank was scratched for stepping over.
He was so pissed he cussed the ref an nearly was ejected.
Roxanne won the medley relay, with Melody, Kim and Roberta.
The boys had cleaned their lockers out of all their stuff each of them had at
least a garbage bag of crap from a years worth of school.
Rodney said they could use it for the weennie roast at T an Ts.
Brent and Brian tied the bags to their bikes and headed for Beaver Creek.
Rodney hung back with the rest of the gang as they peddaled slowly to the
lane that went to the clubhouse of Ton and Tanks, down by Beaver Creek.
As they approached a small rise with a couple of large oaks, Rodney saw
the peak of a shed , a rope hung from a tree. When they started down,
the full view was a mini barn on skids, a fire ring and log benches and an
old flat bottom boat. The rope swung out over the creek from a platform
about 12ft up, the creek bent around a corner forming a swimming hole.
Ton and Tank rode up and said "lets get the fire going." Brent, Brian and
Travis stripped to gym shorts and went swimming.
Ton was telling Rodney how his Dad had dragged the old tack shed down
there and how they had built bunk bed racks in it. It had a couple of cabinets
inside the door that held, some sleeping bags and a lantern,
the other side had a few misc. camping supplies, marshmallows,
graham crackers, lighter fluid and charcoal. Ton said they couldn't keep
chocolate in there because Tank ate it.
Rodney was taking in how cool it was and how close it was to town.
Tank was squirting lighter fluid on some wet wood that wouldn't take.
Brent and Travis came up to see what was going on, when Brent remembered
his bag of locker fodder and decided to throw it on the blaze. The bag of paper
woofed immediatly, but caught some of the other wet brush.
"Here comes my Mom with the hotdog stuff", Ton said, " I hope she got chips and
Cokes too." His mother was a kind, round faced woman, and got out and went round to
the back of their station wagon.
"I need help here" she said, pulling out a cooler and a box of chips, and condiments.
Rodney went to the back of the car and carried the cooler to the fire ring.
"Thomas honey, would you get the hotdog sticks" she said to Ton.
"Oh boys, it's so good you guys made it another year of school."
"What will you do this summer?" " Well mam, we plan on collecting soda bottles
to pay for boys camp", Rodney gleemed." " What a cleaver idea, what camp
is that?", she quizzed. Rodney gulped, " we ah, ah, narrowed it down to
a couple of favorites. " Wild Wind or Camp Wannamaka. " ''yeah wannamaka
enough for a bicycle" Brent whispered.
"Well that's nice boys, I'll let you have fun, Tanner watch the fire and make sure
it's put out before you come to the house," His Mom said.
She drove back to the house, while the boys started roasting hotdogs.
After the dogs and chips, the boys sat around making fun and talking about the
school year. Each bragging on what they had done, and telling lies of what they had not.
They drank Cokes and peed in the creek and poked sticks at the fire while it died out.
The conversation came around to girls and who they kissed, and who they
wanted to go out with. " So what's the farthest you ever gone, Rodney?"
" What?" "You know", Brian pressed. Rodney blurted out " I kissed
Roxannes boobs" "who hasn't", Brent said. "Shut up Brent", Rodney
retaliated. "You haven't even gone out with a girl."
Rodney thought about what he said, He had actually done what he said, but
was so scared when she lifted her shirt that he closed his eyes and nearly missed.
It was the first time seeing a girls boobs, other than Penthouse. He freeked out.
They had gone out to Skate Country a bunch of times but, that night at Melody's
house when he finally 'made out', it was great.
Brian started saying how he went all the way , but everybody knew it
was a big whopping lie.
Travis was asking him how it felt, so everyone knew he was inexperienced.
The sun was going down, so Rodney said he was heading home.
He thanked Ton and Tank for the fun and said "be ready for a busy summer,
let's meet at my house tomorrow". " Ok, see you then".
" camp wannamaka here we come," Travis jested.
Rodney rode home in the yellow pink sunset ....
(see you next time.) ; >)
At the school olympics Robin won the girls 220, Brian won the high jump,
Brent won the high hurdles 100 and 220.
Rodney came in 3rd in the 100 yd dash
Ton won the shot put 31ft 4 in. Tank was scratched for stepping over.
He was so pissed he cussed the ref an nearly was ejected.
Roxanne won the medley relay, with Melody, Kim and Roberta.
The boys had cleaned their lockers out of all their stuff each of them had at
least a garbage bag of crap from a years worth of school.
Rodney said they could use it for the weennie roast at T an Ts.
Brent and Brian tied the bags to their bikes and headed for Beaver Creek.
Rodney hung back with the rest of the gang as they peddaled slowly to the
lane that went to the clubhouse of Ton and Tanks, down by Beaver Creek.
As they approached a small rise with a couple of large oaks, Rodney saw
the peak of a shed , a rope hung from a tree. When they started down,
the full view was a mini barn on skids, a fire ring and log benches and an
old flat bottom boat. The rope swung out over the creek from a platform
about 12ft up, the creek bent around a corner forming a swimming hole.
Ton and Tank rode up and said "lets get the fire going." Brent, Brian and
Travis stripped to gym shorts and went swimming.
Ton was telling Rodney how his Dad had dragged the old tack shed down
there and how they had built bunk bed racks in it. It had a couple of cabinets
inside the door that held, some sleeping bags and a lantern,
the other side had a few misc. camping supplies, marshmallows,
graham crackers, lighter fluid and charcoal. Ton said they couldn't keep
chocolate in there because Tank ate it.
Rodney was taking in how cool it was and how close it was to town.
Tank was squirting lighter fluid on some wet wood that wouldn't take.
Brent and Travis came up to see what was going on, when Brent remembered
his bag of locker fodder and decided to throw it on the blaze. The bag of paper
woofed immediatly, but caught some of the other wet brush.
"Here comes my Mom with the hotdog stuff", Ton said, " I hope she got chips and
Cokes too." His mother was a kind, round faced woman, and got out and went round to
the back of their station wagon.
"I need help here" she said, pulling out a cooler and a box of chips, and condiments.
Rodney went to the back of the car and carried the cooler to the fire ring.
"Thomas honey, would you get the hotdog sticks" she said to Ton.
"Oh boys, it's so good you guys made it another year of school."
"What will you do this summer?" " Well mam, we plan on collecting soda bottles
to pay for boys camp", Rodney gleemed." " What a cleaver idea, what camp
is that?", she quizzed. Rodney gulped, " we ah, ah, narrowed it down to
a couple of favorites. " Wild Wind or Camp Wannamaka. " ''yeah wannamaka
enough for a bicycle" Brent whispered.
"Well that's nice boys, I'll let you have fun, Tanner watch the fire and make sure
it's put out before you come to the house," His Mom said.
She drove back to the house, while the boys started roasting hotdogs.
After the dogs and chips, the boys sat around making fun and talking about the
school year. Each bragging on what they had done, and telling lies of what they had not.
They drank Cokes and peed in the creek and poked sticks at the fire while it died out.
The conversation came around to girls and who they kissed, and who they
wanted to go out with. " So what's the farthest you ever gone, Rodney?"
" What?" "You know", Brian pressed. Rodney blurted out " I kissed
Roxannes boobs" "who hasn't", Brent said. "Shut up Brent", Rodney
retaliated. "You haven't even gone out with a girl."
Rodney thought about what he said, He had actually done what he said, but
was so scared when she lifted her shirt that he closed his eyes and nearly missed.
It was the first time seeing a girls boobs, other than Penthouse. He freeked out.
They had gone out to Skate Country a bunch of times but, that night at Melody's
house when he finally 'made out', it was great.
Brian started saying how he went all the way , but everybody knew it
was a big whopping lie.
Travis was asking him how it felt, so everyone knew he was inexperienced.
The sun was going down, so Rodney said he was heading home.
He thanked Ton and Tank for the fun and said "be ready for a busy summer,
let's meet at my house tomorrow". " Ok, see you then".
" camp wannamaka here we come," Travis jested.
Rodney rode home in the yellow pink sunset ....
(see you next time.) ; >)
Monday, May 16, 2011
Stained
taken away, a small childs trust, another childs brave stance.
it is how I understand, this break, a sideways glance at the past,
it is pain, it is a suppression of a life, sprayed upon an uneven
playing field. it will yield , it will yield . an adult bouncing,
until the youth is sprayed upon another country, convinced of
an America. To touch, to ever touch something so gentle,
then thrust it so far away, break me, my heart, my arm.
it hurts now, it will hurt tomorrow, it will rob us until we
no longer exist. You have taken this bravery and wasted it
not on a just cause but on killing for killings sake.
pentagon fertilizer to enrich another oil saturated country.
I am sick of you, I am so entirely defeated by what you have manifested.
Every morning I weep, yet I wonder why, It is because we waste bravery?
It is because we waste? It is because? It is..............
it is how I understand, this break, a sideways glance at the past,
it is pain, it is a suppression of a life, sprayed upon an uneven
playing field. it will yield , it will yield . an adult bouncing,
until the youth is sprayed upon another country, convinced of
an America. To touch, to ever touch something so gentle,
then thrust it so far away, break me, my heart, my arm.
it hurts now, it will hurt tomorrow, it will rob us until we
no longer exist. You have taken this bravery and wasted it
not on a just cause but on killing for killings sake.
pentagon fertilizer to enrich another oil saturated country.
I am sick of you, I am so entirely defeated by what you have manifested.
Every morning I weep, yet I wonder why, It is because we waste bravery?
It is because we waste? It is because? It is..............
Sunday, May 15, 2011
The Soda Bottle Kid
Rodney found his mom crying again, "It'll be ok mommy",
something he had always said since he was little.
She tried to smile and hugged him tight.
Rodney liked being the good guy, and how it made him
feel warm inside.
"What would you say to a rootbeer float and fries at the
A n W, my treat"?, Rodney said. His mom smiled and said "Okay,
Ill get my purse and we'll go". Rodney went to the garage and got a 5
out of the tackle box, and got in the Montery,Turnpike Cruiser.
Mom came out and they were off. Rodney liked to put all the windows
down in the old hard top even the special back window. So it felt like
a convertible, Clipper hung his head out as they drove to the drive-in.
What had seemed horrible, was no longer, Rootbeer floats and the soft
neon glow of the drive-in with the sun going down.
A softserve mustache on a french fry gobbling dog made them laugh.
"Just like old times, huh mom?", Rodney smiled.
" Thanks, Rodney You saved me again", his mom said gently as they started
the long drive home. "So, what was the fight about", Rodney asked .
"Money, it's always money," his mom told him quietly.
Rodney thought to himself it had to be more than that
how could anyone get mad at someone just about money?
The pillow consumed his tired head and he fell asleep,
The next day was filled with more tests and papers.
At lunch he talked to Ton and Tank about joining the gang,
and they said," Yes" almost in unison. Tank said "on one condition,
We can have cookout meetings at our fort by Beaver creek".
"Agreed", Rodney knew about the fort, but had never been there.
He imagined a lean-to of plywood and a campfire ring, "We'll meet
there next week, after school let's out for a party."Ton said.
Rodney passed the word onto Brian and told him to tell the rest of the guys.
Social Studies ,Current Events Class was almost over when
Coach Harris said, "Rodney could you see me after school."
The class gave out a bunch of oohs and awws and Rodney sunk in his chair.
After the last bell he went to see coach, "you wanted to see me Coach"
Rodney almost stammered? " it's about your test, didn't you study? You got
alot of the true false answers right but, your essay where on earth
did you get that Cockamammy story from?" "From Lenny sir"
"From Leonard Larson your neighbor?" "yes sir", "I hardly think
Leonard Larson is a reliable resource for this class" the Coach leered.
"Do you understand?, You are getting a D+ on your final!" "Yes Sir"
Oh no a D+ you idiot how could you have listened to him, that crazy hippy?
Rodney beat himself with the thought for awhile on the way home.
How was he going to explain the D+ on his report card?
He might as well just move to another country this summer,
He'd probably get grounded for life. All this whirled in his head
as he came to Lennys' house. " Hey neighbor", Lenny called from his yard.
Rodney in a rage pulled in and started yelling how Lenny had gotten him in
so much hot water. "Slow down little brother, What I told you was true. I'm
sorry the establishment has lied to everyone." Rodney felt tears well up in his eyes
" You probably got me grounded for the summer you crazy hippy!!!"
" I'm sorry you doubt me little brother, but one day the truth will come out
about Nixon and his whole gang of deviates." By then Rodney was too upset
and rode off on his bike. Lenny just shook his head.
At home he went straight to the barn and hid out with Clipper.
" I am so screwed", he told the dog. He tried thinking about the
bottle scheme and making a bunch of money, he fantasized about
being the richest kid around and buy his mom A-W every night and
a new house and car, and having Edwin Foremann kicked out for being an
A-hole. " Clipper, one day, one day......"Rodney said
( a D+, Rodney grounded, how will he make it? will he let the gang down?)
tune in next time.
something he had always said since he was little.
She tried to smile and hugged him tight.
Rodney liked being the good guy, and how it made him
feel warm inside.
"What would you say to a rootbeer float and fries at the
A n W, my treat"?, Rodney said. His mom smiled and said "Okay,
Ill get my purse and we'll go". Rodney went to the garage and got a 5
out of the tackle box, and got in the Montery,Turnpike Cruiser.
Mom came out and they were off. Rodney liked to put all the windows
down in the old hard top even the special back window. So it felt like
a convertible, Clipper hung his head out as they drove to the drive-in.
What had seemed horrible, was no longer, Rootbeer floats and the soft
neon glow of the drive-in with the sun going down.
A softserve mustache on a french fry gobbling dog made them laugh.
"Just like old times, huh mom?", Rodney smiled.
" Thanks, Rodney You saved me again", his mom said gently as they started
the long drive home. "So, what was the fight about", Rodney asked .
"Money, it's always money," his mom told him quietly.
Rodney thought to himself it had to be more than that
how could anyone get mad at someone just about money?
The pillow consumed his tired head and he fell asleep,
The next day was filled with more tests and papers.
At lunch he talked to Ton and Tank about joining the gang,
and they said," Yes" almost in unison. Tank said "on one condition,
We can have cookout meetings at our fort by Beaver creek".
"Agreed", Rodney knew about the fort, but had never been there.
He imagined a lean-to of plywood and a campfire ring, "We'll meet
there next week, after school let's out for a party."Ton said.
Rodney passed the word onto Brian and told him to tell the rest of the guys.
Social Studies ,Current Events Class was almost over when
Coach Harris said, "Rodney could you see me after school."
The class gave out a bunch of oohs and awws and Rodney sunk in his chair.
After the last bell he went to see coach, "you wanted to see me Coach"
Rodney almost stammered? " it's about your test, didn't you study? You got
alot of the true false answers right but, your essay where on earth
did you get that Cockamammy story from?" "From Lenny sir"
"From Leonard Larson your neighbor?" "yes sir", "I hardly think
Leonard Larson is a reliable resource for this class" the Coach leered.
"Do you understand?, You are getting a D+ on your final!" "Yes Sir"
Oh no a D+ you idiot how could you have listened to him, that crazy hippy?
Rodney beat himself with the thought for awhile on the way home.
How was he going to explain the D+ on his report card?
He might as well just move to another country this summer,
He'd probably get grounded for life. All this whirled in his head
as he came to Lennys' house. " Hey neighbor", Lenny called from his yard.
Rodney in a rage pulled in and started yelling how Lenny had gotten him in
so much hot water. "Slow down little brother, What I told you was true. I'm
sorry the establishment has lied to everyone." Rodney felt tears well up in his eyes
" You probably got me grounded for the summer you crazy hippy!!!"
" I'm sorry you doubt me little brother, but one day the truth will come out
about Nixon and his whole gang of deviates." By then Rodney was too upset
and rode off on his bike. Lenny just shook his head.
At home he went straight to the barn and hid out with Clipper.
" I am so screwed", he told the dog. He tried thinking about the
bottle scheme and making a bunch of money, he fantasized about
being the richest kid around and buy his mom A-W every night and
a new house and car, and having Edwin Foremann kicked out for being an
A-hole. " Clipper, one day, one day......"Rodney said
( a D+, Rodney grounded, how will he make it? will he let the gang down?)
tune in next time.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
The Soda Bottle Kid
Rodney awoke early monday morning, went done to the
kitchen. His mom hadn't left yet for work and was sitting
hands folded on a cup of coffee at the table. "Hey mom",
Rodney greeted. "Good morning honey", she said in a
hushed voice. "You want breakfast?", "I got time for eggs
and toast if you want, when was the last time we had eggs?"
Rodney said sure and looked at his mom a little closer,
"Mom you been crying?" She turned quickly and said,
"how do you want those eggs"? "I guess I'm just tired, is all."
The job at the cafe is wearing on me, and my temp office job
is coming to an end. I'll have to find something else to do this
summer, I guess. "Scrambled is ok mom don't fuss too much",
Rodney knew something was up, the job, maybe something else.
Either way, He didn't want to trouble her. "I gotta go or I'll be late"
Rodney gulped his milk and folded egg in his last piece of toast,
and was out the door with a quick kiss from his mom.
No time for bottle hunting this morning. This was the last full
week of school, alot of final tests and papers were due in.
The last three days next week were end of school olympics
and clean out your lockers an stuff. But now was cram for tests
and take care of missing assignments, and extra credit too if you
needed it, And Rodney needed it!! Rodney was a smart kid but,
school never held his attention. It wasn't long before his mind was
wandering and he found himself looking out the window or
doodling in his note book.
"Hey Hot Rod", Travis called after him at lunch, " Wait up,
I got 2 guys interested in the gang, you know them Brent and Josh."
Brent was cool but Josh was kind of a loner and got caught stealing
last year from the feed store. Just some candy and a coffee can full
of change, but he had to do a bunch of chores for breakin' in, and
had to pay back all the stuff he stole.
" I don't know about Josh, Trav" Rodney said " he's a thief".
" He learned his lesson, he said he knew it was a stupid thing to do."
Travis defended, and added " think about it".
Rodney returned to class, current events, " take out a pencil",
Coach Harris said " we are going to see if you did your assignment
over the weekend".
The blood ran from his face, the assignment? what assignment?
Crap, Walter Kronkite, The President, Crap Crap Crap!!!
Rodney went down through the true/ false and guessed which
one sounded right. Then he started on the multiple choice,
Rodney might as well have called them multiple guess.
Then he turned it over and there on the other side was,
In 25 words or more discribe the circumstances around
President Nixon's empeachment. ( this will count for 1/2
of your semester test grade).
Holy crap he was screwed, his mind flashed back to Lenny
and what he had said last night. He couldn't remember all
of it but wrote down the story as best he could.
The rest of the day he was so worried about the test
it messed with his concentation, Am I even going to pass
this year? It was a long bike ride home. He turned in the drive,
called Clipper and went to the barn.
"Clipper am I a screw up?" Man I know I messed up today
on one test, and some of my other papers. I wish I could just
run my own gang and get out of school".
Clipper looked at him as if to understand and licked his face.
"You got it easy bein' a dog, life sucks when you're 12 years old."
Rodney always felt better after talkin to the dog.
He threw a stick on the way back to the house for the dog to fetch.
He came up to the back door he could hear his mom yelling inside,
As he reached for the door, Ed came out, mad and said,
"Get the hell outta the way you punk." He jumped in the truck and
threw gravel all the way out of the drive. Rodney ran inside.
Tune in next time will school ever end?
What's up with Ed and mom?
kitchen. His mom hadn't left yet for work and was sitting
hands folded on a cup of coffee at the table. "Hey mom",
Rodney greeted. "Good morning honey", she said in a
hushed voice. "You want breakfast?", "I got time for eggs
and toast if you want, when was the last time we had eggs?"
Rodney said sure and looked at his mom a little closer,
"Mom you been crying?" She turned quickly and said,
"how do you want those eggs"? "I guess I'm just tired, is all."
The job at the cafe is wearing on me, and my temp office job
is coming to an end. I'll have to find something else to do this
summer, I guess. "Scrambled is ok mom don't fuss too much",
Rodney knew something was up, the job, maybe something else.
Either way, He didn't want to trouble her. "I gotta go or I'll be late"
Rodney gulped his milk and folded egg in his last piece of toast,
and was out the door with a quick kiss from his mom.
No time for bottle hunting this morning. This was the last full
week of school, alot of final tests and papers were due in.
The last three days next week were end of school olympics
and clean out your lockers an stuff. But now was cram for tests
and take care of missing assignments, and extra credit too if you
needed it, And Rodney needed it!! Rodney was a smart kid but,
school never held his attention. It wasn't long before his mind was
wandering and he found himself looking out the window or
doodling in his note book.
"Hey Hot Rod", Travis called after him at lunch, " Wait up,
I got 2 guys interested in the gang, you know them Brent and Josh."
Brent was cool but Josh was kind of a loner and got caught stealing
last year from the feed store. Just some candy and a coffee can full
of change, but he had to do a bunch of chores for breakin' in, and
had to pay back all the stuff he stole.
" I don't know about Josh, Trav" Rodney said " he's a thief".
" He learned his lesson, he said he knew it was a stupid thing to do."
Travis defended, and added " think about it".
Rodney returned to class, current events, " take out a pencil",
Coach Harris said " we are going to see if you did your assignment
over the weekend".
The blood ran from his face, the assignment? what assignment?
Crap, Walter Kronkite, The President, Crap Crap Crap!!!
Rodney went down through the true/ false and guessed which
one sounded right. Then he started on the multiple choice,
Rodney might as well have called them multiple guess.
Then he turned it over and there on the other side was,
In 25 words or more discribe the circumstances around
President Nixon's empeachment. ( this will count for 1/2
of your semester test grade).
Holy crap he was screwed, his mind flashed back to Lenny
and what he had said last night. He couldn't remember all
of it but wrote down the story as best he could.
The rest of the day he was so worried about the test
it messed with his concentation, Am I even going to pass
this year? It was a long bike ride home. He turned in the drive,
called Clipper and went to the barn.
"Clipper am I a screw up?" Man I know I messed up today
on one test, and some of my other papers. I wish I could just
run my own gang and get out of school".
Clipper looked at him as if to understand and licked his face.
"You got it easy bein' a dog, life sucks when you're 12 years old."
Rodney always felt better after talkin to the dog.
He threw a stick on the way back to the house for the dog to fetch.
He came up to the back door he could hear his mom yelling inside,
As he reached for the door, Ed came out, mad and said,
"Get the hell outta the way you punk." He jumped in the truck and
threw gravel all the way out of the drive. Rodney ran inside.
Tune in next time will school ever end?
What's up with Ed and mom?
Friday, May 6, 2011
Mothers Day- Letters from home
At a low point in my life, like so many of us I needed money.
with a check or a 20 my Mom replied with this: 12/03/97
Hi Honey,
This isn't much- but maybe it will help a bit.
I wish I could do more.
What I really wish is that I could do or say whatever
it would take to make everything in your life OK.
Isn't that every mother's wish for her children?(Fathers too)
I don't know that there are any easy answers.
After talking with you last weekend, I did some reflecting
upon my own life and it's trials and tribulations.
It really was a struggle at times, and mostly because of money.
It has gotten easier the past 5 or 6 years since Bud got out of
school and were getting debts paid off.
If there is anything I worry about now, it's that we aren't
putting back anything for retirement; and what if one or both of us
loses our jobs at our age.
Not a happy thought. In other words, were like everyone else
just a paycheck away from poverty. And of course our health
is another concern, but ill health can happen at any age.
Whatever serenity I have comes from being in the country,
loving and being loved. And as much as possible- not worrying
about tomorrow, but doing my best to take care of today.
Oh yeah , and trying to accept myself as I am. Admitting that I
am not perfect, and I can't do everthing.
Two sayings that I kept in my mind over the years that
helped me are: from my Mom ( Grandma Ruth)
" Your happiness comes from within you."
And from Albert Rockwell- "Youre not a man until you
accept the responsibilty for yourself. Until I really thought
about that one, I thought I did accept responsibilty for myself.
Then I realized I still blamed other people and "circumstances"
for my problems or for my lack of joy- whatever.
It wasn't until I realized what the saying means that I could start
changing my life.
The one thing I do know is that you never get everthing figured
out. Sometimes I wonder if
the moment you die- my life will make since to me.
I doubt it. I think it takes many life times. Or maybe this one is all there is.
Who knows? Try not to be so hard on yourself. You are a good person.
So if I was 50 before life got a little easier- you've got 15 years to go.
Hope it happens sooner for you. I know it will be better when you get
moved to the your farm.
Keep on keeping on---
I love you,Mom
Note:
I near 50 now It is your love, letters and encouragement,
You're my keel and rudder, I could never have sailed with out you.
I love you so much, Doug
with a check or a 20 my Mom replied with this: 12/03/97
Hi Honey,
This isn't much- but maybe it will help a bit.
I wish I could do more.
What I really wish is that I could do or say whatever
it would take to make everything in your life OK.
Isn't that every mother's wish for her children?(Fathers too)
I don't know that there are any easy answers.
After talking with you last weekend, I did some reflecting
upon my own life and it's trials and tribulations.
It really was a struggle at times, and mostly because of money.
It has gotten easier the past 5 or 6 years since Bud got out of
school and were getting debts paid off.
If there is anything I worry about now, it's that we aren't
putting back anything for retirement; and what if one or both of us
loses our jobs at our age.
Not a happy thought. In other words, were like everyone else
just a paycheck away from poverty. And of course our health
is another concern, but ill health can happen at any age.
Whatever serenity I have comes from being in the country,
loving and being loved. And as much as possible- not worrying
about tomorrow, but doing my best to take care of today.
Oh yeah , and trying to accept myself as I am. Admitting that I
am not perfect, and I can't do everthing.
Two sayings that I kept in my mind over the years that
helped me are: from my Mom ( Grandma Ruth)
" Your happiness comes from within you."
And from Albert Rockwell- "Youre not a man until you
accept the responsibilty for yourself. Until I really thought
about that one, I thought I did accept responsibilty for myself.
Then I realized I still blamed other people and "circumstances"
for my problems or for my lack of joy- whatever.
It wasn't until I realized what the saying means that I could start
changing my life.
The one thing I do know is that you never get everthing figured
out. Sometimes I wonder if
the moment you die- my life will make since to me.
I doubt it. I think it takes many life times. Or maybe this one is all there is.
Who knows? Try not to be so hard on yourself. You are a good person.
So if I was 50 before life got a little easier- you've got 15 years to go.
Hope it happens sooner for you. I know it will be better when you get
moved to the your farm.
Keep on keeping on---
I love you,Mom
Note:
I near 50 now It is your love, letters and encouragement,
You're my keel and rudder, I could never have sailed with out you.
I love you so much, Doug
Monday, May 2, 2011
Lenny the Hippy, Fishin worms,and Walter Cronkite
Clipper milled about the barn, while Rodney tacked up a piece of cardboard.
He had brought markers from his art set to the barn to create the flow chart.
Brian and Travis were going to be there soon, he had to have a good plan.
He wrote M E F S B D at the top. then anticipated the questions it would generate.
Brian yelled first sayin "comin in", then Travis just a stones throw behind said
"Hot rod you woosy, I'm here." They had rode the mile together and raced the length
of the drive. They settled into the old couch in the grain bin.
Rodney controlled the room from the start with " what does this mean to you?"
Rodney pointed with a cherry switch like a drill sargeant.
Travis said "my extra farts silent but deadly"! "No", Rodney retorted.
It is our new saying, "Minimal Effort For Soda Bottle Donation."
I want you to pledge that by next Saturday you will get 2 more guys.
Then get 2 customers to pledge their bottles to the gang.
Then tell the guys that they can get a new bike if they get 2 more customers a week.
Get it? Travis said " I got to go to church tomorrow", " Perfect" Rodney said " have your pastor
tell your congregation that we are raising money for orphans. Brian said "we'll burn in Hell man,
you can't say that." "You will say that and more if you want a new bike." Rodney commanded.
"You got what I'm sayin", "this is a business". "Okay, Hotrod but what if our guys fall thru?"
"Then you take up the slack and your chores don't get done. We have to make a weekly chart to
take care of the lead guys chores and get as many bottles per week as we can."
Rodney was sure as sure and steel eyed his buddies into beleiving as well.
"Now can you make a flyer?"Brian started folding a paper airplane, " no you dip make a
sign that says we want your bottles for a boys club."
Rodney shook his head, was it really going to work with a gang like this?
Brian and Travis drew a bunch of posters touting the virtues of supporting the boys club.
Not the "Boys Club" , but their boys club. And how the bottles would send them all to camp.
And provide them with all manner of camp B.S.
Rodney stared at the crude posters and said" It just might work".
Rodney slept that night, better than ever with the plan well on it's way.
The next day he told his mom that he was invited to church in town.
A gentle lie to get him out all morning to hunt for customers.
He stopped at a few people that he knew, some were receptive
to helping out " the boys club". and said to stop by time to time.
for some bottles.
Then some said stop by every week for a donation.
He wrote them down in a note book.
Then he stopped by a strangers house and the man who lived there said,
"I got some bottles but I don't wanna giv'em away come back an I let you
work for'em.
Rodney thought on that for a bit.
By the time he made his regular search for bottles, he had 5,
enough for a Bubble Up at the bait and tackle store.
The only place open on Sunday.
When Rodney was milling around the minnow tank with his pop making
faces at the fish, He heard a familiar voice. Turning around, there was Lenny.
Lenny waved and said,"howdy neighbor." Rodney said hi and wondered what
he was doing. "Hey Lenny what you got?"
" Nightcrawlers, I sell'em every week."
Rodney envisioned Lenny out in his yard with a flashlight every night
hunting down worms.
" So how do you get so many"?
"You going home Rod, ? I'll give you a ride, an show you my operation."
" Ok I'll get my bike in the truck".
They loaded the bike and drove west out of town to the old farmstead.
Lenny was longhaired and bearded, a kind face with bright eyes.
He came home after a tour of Nam with a new look on life.
He spoke about alot of things that were inter-related and how people didn't get it.
How the government was killin' the common man. And he was making his own universe
and then no one could put the screws to him.
Rodney nodded at him and soaked in as much of what he said as he could.
He asked about the chicken coop and how many eggs Lenny could eat a week,
but Lenny said the chickens provided a bigger service. I take the chicken crap
put it on the worms and dirt in the cellar. They walked to the cellar and went down
to a pair feed bunks converted to worm beds.
After the tour Rodney, turned and said, " I got this test coming up on current events,
I was supposed to watch the news tonight". "Do you know about why President Nixon
was empeached? Lenny said " , You come to the right man, I got the inside news on Nixon.
According to my Weatherman weekly, He, blah, blah ,blah ,blah.
Rodney drifted back to the bottles and money , bicycles, the gang, what they were shooting for.
" and the FBI taped his crooneys spying at the hotel", and at the White House,
He was in bed with the Chinese, J Edgar Hoover found out he called him a fairy.
and didn't like how he was takin care of the protesters.
And he had blood on his hands from Kent State, and he had bad karma.
"Hey you listenin?"I'm tellin you the true facts. Don't listen to Cronkite
the FBI's been payin him to say what they want for years.
Rodney nodded as he pulled his bike from the back of the old International pickup.
"I gotta go", Rodney said. He pedaled up the road, home to his drive.
turned in Clipper wagging his tail and wooo-wooo ing his arrival home.
"Hey boy it's been a big day".
"I think this is going to be big," Rodney fell asleep after dinner,
Thinking of spying at the hotel in Springtown and kicking the President outta town....
Tune in again Schools almost out.....
He had brought markers from his art set to the barn to create the flow chart.
Brian and Travis were going to be there soon, he had to have a good plan.
He wrote M E F S B D at the top. then anticipated the questions it would generate.
Brian yelled first sayin "comin in", then Travis just a stones throw behind said
"Hot rod you woosy, I'm here." They had rode the mile together and raced the length
of the drive. They settled into the old couch in the grain bin.
Rodney controlled the room from the start with " what does this mean to you?"
Rodney pointed with a cherry switch like a drill sargeant.
Travis said "my extra farts silent but deadly"! "No", Rodney retorted.
It is our new saying, "Minimal Effort For Soda Bottle Donation."
I want you to pledge that by next Saturday you will get 2 more guys.
Then get 2 customers to pledge their bottles to the gang.
Then tell the guys that they can get a new bike if they get 2 more customers a week.
Get it? Travis said " I got to go to church tomorrow", " Perfect" Rodney said " have your pastor
tell your congregation that we are raising money for orphans. Brian said "we'll burn in Hell man,
you can't say that." "You will say that and more if you want a new bike." Rodney commanded.
"You got what I'm sayin", "this is a business". "Okay, Hotrod but what if our guys fall thru?"
"Then you take up the slack and your chores don't get done. We have to make a weekly chart to
take care of the lead guys chores and get as many bottles per week as we can."
Rodney was sure as sure and steel eyed his buddies into beleiving as well.
"Now can you make a flyer?"Brian started folding a paper airplane, " no you dip make a
sign that says we want your bottles for a boys club."
Rodney shook his head, was it really going to work with a gang like this?
Brian and Travis drew a bunch of posters touting the virtues of supporting the boys club.
Not the "Boys Club" , but their boys club. And how the bottles would send them all to camp.
And provide them with all manner of camp B.S.
Rodney stared at the crude posters and said" It just might work".
Rodney slept that night, better than ever with the plan well on it's way.
The next day he told his mom that he was invited to church in town.
A gentle lie to get him out all morning to hunt for customers.
He stopped at a few people that he knew, some were receptive
to helping out " the boys club". and said to stop by time to time.
for some bottles.
Then some said stop by every week for a donation.
He wrote them down in a note book.
Then he stopped by a strangers house and the man who lived there said,
"I got some bottles but I don't wanna giv'em away come back an I let you
work for'em.
Rodney thought on that for a bit.
By the time he made his regular search for bottles, he had 5,
enough for a Bubble Up at the bait and tackle store.
The only place open on Sunday.
When Rodney was milling around the minnow tank with his pop making
faces at the fish, He heard a familiar voice. Turning around, there was Lenny.
Lenny waved and said,"howdy neighbor." Rodney said hi and wondered what
he was doing. "Hey Lenny what you got?"
" Nightcrawlers, I sell'em every week."
Rodney envisioned Lenny out in his yard with a flashlight every night
hunting down worms.
" So how do you get so many"?
"You going home Rod, ? I'll give you a ride, an show you my operation."
" Ok I'll get my bike in the truck".
They loaded the bike and drove west out of town to the old farmstead.
Lenny was longhaired and bearded, a kind face with bright eyes.
He came home after a tour of Nam with a new look on life.
He spoke about alot of things that were inter-related and how people didn't get it.
How the government was killin' the common man. And he was making his own universe
and then no one could put the screws to him.
Rodney nodded at him and soaked in as much of what he said as he could.
He asked about the chicken coop and how many eggs Lenny could eat a week,
but Lenny said the chickens provided a bigger service. I take the chicken crap
put it on the worms and dirt in the cellar. They walked to the cellar and went down
to a pair feed bunks converted to worm beds.
After the tour Rodney, turned and said, " I got this test coming up on current events,
I was supposed to watch the news tonight". "Do you know about why President Nixon
was empeached? Lenny said " , You come to the right man, I got the inside news on Nixon.
According to my Weatherman weekly, He, blah, blah ,blah ,blah.
Rodney drifted back to the bottles and money , bicycles, the gang, what they were shooting for.
" and the FBI taped his crooneys spying at the hotel", and at the White House,
He was in bed with the Chinese, J Edgar Hoover found out he called him a fairy.
and didn't like how he was takin care of the protesters.
And he had blood on his hands from Kent State, and he had bad karma.
"Hey you listenin?"I'm tellin you the true facts. Don't listen to Cronkite
the FBI's been payin him to say what they want for years.
Rodney nodded as he pulled his bike from the back of the old International pickup.
"I gotta go", Rodney said. He pedaled up the road, home to his drive.
turned in Clipper wagging his tail and wooo-wooo ing his arrival home.
"Hey boy it's been a big day".
"I think this is going to be big," Rodney fell asleep after dinner,
Thinking of spying at the hotel in Springtown and kicking the President outta town....
Tune in again Schools almost out.....
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The Soda Bottle Kid
The Plan
The orange glow of mornings arrival woke Rodney.
Ran a comb through his hair, pulled on his dungerees, and
a striped tee shirt. He quietly crept downstairs,
made some peanut butter toast,and gulped it down with some juice.
Having saved the crust, coaxed Clipper on the screen porch,
so he wouldn't follow him. Unhooking his army knap sack from
it's peg, slung it on and gave his bike a push, as he swung his leg over.
Morning air was crisp and filled his lungs as he pumped the pedals
down the road. Once he made the hill down to the bridge he would coast,
and search for bottles along the ditch. What luck there were 2 by the bridge
railing and he poked his head under the bridge, 2 more from somebody that had
been fishing. Putting his swag in his pack he headed to the feed store.
He always looked by the straw bales, where the farmers sat in the afternoon.
His search turned up another empty. Five was good for a trip to school,
that made 15 cents. Rodney hurried to the store to cash them in before school.
When he was there he saw an ol lady with a bunch of bottles in one of those
fold up grocery carts. " Can I help you", Rodney smiled. "Oh sure honey",
the old woman said. Rodney pulled the two wheeler the rest of the way across
the lot. Rodney cashed his bottles in. He would add that to the coffee can bank
under his bed.That money was for his new bike, but sometimes he put
it in the tackle box in the back of the garage. That was seed money for the gang.
All together he had about 18.00 in the coffee can, and 12.40 in the tackle box.
This was all bottle money except for the birthday dollar from Grandma and
Grandpa.
That day at school he was talking to Travis and Brian about the gang.
He disclosed his plan about everybody working together to get new bikes
by summers' end. Travis said", I got too many chores to do, let alone do
more work for some gang, Hotrod". "Yeah, My ol man got me mowing the yard
every other day in the summer", chimed Brian. "Hotrod you're crazy",
added Travis. "You see that's the beauty of my plan", said Rodney
"How fast could you do all that crap if you had 7 guys helping you?"
"So what kinda extra work are we doing?", "That's the best part, Travis"
"People are just goin to give us their pop bottles!", beamed Rodney.
" Now I know you're crazy, Rod" said Brian. "You'll see," said Rodney
" I got the idea today when I was at the store, I saw this ol lady
she could barely carry her bottles." People don't like to
mess with them 'til they have to, then they got so many it's a bitch 'cause,....
'cause they got so many."
Tomorrows' Saturday, meet me at the barn, and we'll start planning.
"I got to mow," Brian complained . "Me too" said Rodney "Get up early
get your chore's done and we'll have the meeting at 10:30."
That night Rodney could barely sleep he was thinking about all the
potential things he would face to make his plan work.
How he was going to juggle all the gangs chores and still
have time to collect the bottles from all the little ol ladies in
Springtown. He was going to have to get busy on getting
customers.
Morning arrived way too soon, but he dragged his butt out of bed.
Took a shower and gulped some chocolate milk, and ate a cold pop tart.
It was 6:30 am when he tugged the rope on the mower.
Clipper was chewing on some roadkill bone when he finished,
"Let's get you some dog food boy", Rodney got the kibble out of the metal
trash can in the garage. Clipper wagged his whole body at the attention.
" Come on boy, we got stuff to do before the Travis and Brian get here."
The two of them headed to corporate headquarters....
Tune in next time for another exciting episode!
The orange glow of mornings arrival woke Rodney.
Ran a comb through his hair, pulled on his dungerees, and
a striped tee shirt. He quietly crept downstairs,
made some peanut butter toast,and gulped it down with some juice.
Having saved the crust, coaxed Clipper on the screen porch,
so he wouldn't follow him. Unhooking his army knap sack from
it's peg, slung it on and gave his bike a push, as he swung his leg over.
Morning air was crisp and filled his lungs as he pumped the pedals
down the road. Once he made the hill down to the bridge he would coast,
and search for bottles along the ditch. What luck there were 2 by the bridge
railing and he poked his head under the bridge, 2 more from somebody that had
been fishing. Putting his swag in his pack he headed to the feed store.
He always looked by the straw bales, where the farmers sat in the afternoon.
His search turned up another empty. Five was good for a trip to school,
that made 15 cents. Rodney hurried to the store to cash them in before school.
When he was there he saw an ol lady with a bunch of bottles in one of those
fold up grocery carts. " Can I help you", Rodney smiled. "Oh sure honey",
the old woman said. Rodney pulled the two wheeler the rest of the way across
the lot. Rodney cashed his bottles in. He would add that to the coffee can bank
under his bed.That money was for his new bike, but sometimes he put
it in the tackle box in the back of the garage. That was seed money for the gang.
All together he had about 18.00 in the coffee can, and 12.40 in the tackle box.
This was all bottle money except for the birthday dollar from Grandma and
Grandpa.
That day at school he was talking to Travis and Brian about the gang.
He disclosed his plan about everybody working together to get new bikes
by summers' end. Travis said", I got too many chores to do, let alone do
more work for some gang, Hotrod". "Yeah, My ol man got me mowing the yard
every other day in the summer", chimed Brian. "Hotrod you're crazy",
added Travis. "You see that's the beauty of my plan", said Rodney
"How fast could you do all that crap if you had 7 guys helping you?"
"So what kinda extra work are we doing?", "That's the best part, Travis"
"People are just goin to give us their pop bottles!", beamed Rodney.
" Now I know you're crazy, Rod" said Brian. "You'll see," said Rodney
" I got the idea today when I was at the store, I saw this ol lady
she could barely carry her bottles." People don't like to
mess with them 'til they have to, then they got so many it's a bitch 'cause,....
'cause they got so many."
Tomorrows' Saturday, meet me at the barn, and we'll start planning.
"I got to mow," Brian complained . "Me too" said Rodney "Get up early
get your chore's done and we'll have the meeting at 10:30."
That night Rodney could barely sleep he was thinking about all the
potential things he would face to make his plan work.
How he was going to juggle all the gangs chores and still
have time to collect the bottles from all the little ol ladies in
Springtown. He was going to have to get busy on getting
customers.
Morning arrived way too soon, but he dragged his butt out of bed.
Took a shower and gulped some chocolate milk, and ate a cold pop tart.
It was 6:30 am when he tugged the rope on the mower.
Clipper was chewing on some roadkill bone when he finished,
"Let's get you some dog food boy", Rodney got the kibble out of the metal
trash can in the garage. Clipper wagged his whole body at the attention.
" Come on boy, we got stuff to do before the Travis and Brian get here."
The two of them headed to corporate headquarters....
Tune in next time for another exciting episode!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Soda Bottle Kid
The last days of school
The gloomy rain of May seemed to make the last few weeks of school
drag even worse for Rodney. Staring out the window of math class and
thinking of summer, his friends and how he would get the gang together.
Ten minutes until the bell, and then the long ride to his house. Ton and Tank
were making faces at him, the fattest twins in the 7 grade ever, Rod thought.
They were good enough guys, and he thought maybe they would join the gang
this summer.
BBBRRRRRRIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGG. Schools out!
The bike seat was wet and Rodney wiped it with his sleeve.
He rode, dodging rain drops, past the feed store, over the bridge,
and then the long mile of gravel home. He went past the dumpy house
where Lenny the Hippy lived. Lenny was out in the the yard, Rodney
waved but, Lenny didn't see him. He passed old man Walts' place.
He was welding machinery in the shop, the blue spark made him
see spots for a bit. He liked the old farmer. He would let him ride on the tractor
or in the combine during harvest.
He turned his bike into his driveway, there was Clipper lying in the yard,
waiting for him. " Come on boy let's see if there's something to eat",
Mom or Ed wouldn't be home until 6 o'clock. Long enough to down an apple
with peanut butter and some milk. Clipper liked peanut butter,
Rodney let him lick a whole spoonful, and laughed
when it stuck to the roof of his mouth. "Mom would kill us, if she saw us pigs,"
Rodney said."Let's go to the club house, Clipper".
The club house was the worlds greatest, an old barn that
nobody used anymore. Rodney had converted the grainary part
into his personal corporate headquarters.
Along one wall and old sofa and chair, on the other a desk and chair.
A single naked bulb that still worked, would light the room after dark.
The other room was a huge oats bin.
Rodney would usually stay outside until he had to go in.
Talking to the dog, or himself about his plans for the gang that summer.
He went to the house for supper, he would get the usual small talk, how was school,
what did you do, was it raining on your way home?
He would answer with as few words as possible.
Not that he didn't want to talk to his mom, it was
Ed that made him feel small. Edwin Foremann
had married his mom a few years ago, and ever since
Rodney knew where he stood. He was no
longer top dog in the house. He had pretty much lost his
special time with his mom, and had to make up his own fun, his own way.
After dinner he would watch tv, or head to his room upstairs of the old farm house.
He crossed off another school day on his Coop callender, 12 more days left.
Then he could start his plan for the summer. Rodney had figured out that the whole gang
working together, they all could get new bikes by the end of summer.
His room faced east, and got the morning suns first light.
This was good because he would be out early looking for bottles, on his way to school.
Note: I thought maybe the boy should have story, tune in for more.
The gloomy rain of May seemed to make the last few weeks of school
drag even worse for Rodney. Staring out the window of math class and
thinking of summer, his friends and how he would get the gang together.
Ten minutes until the bell, and then the long ride to his house. Ton and Tank
were making faces at him, the fattest twins in the 7 grade ever, Rod thought.
They were good enough guys, and he thought maybe they would join the gang
this summer.
BBBRRRRRRIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGG. Schools out!
The bike seat was wet and Rodney wiped it with his sleeve.
He rode, dodging rain drops, past the feed store, over the bridge,
and then the long mile of gravel home. He went past the dumpy house
where Lenny the Hippy lived. Lenny was out in the the yard, Rodney
waved but, Lenny didn't see him. He passed old man Walts' place.
He was welding machinery in the shop, the blue spark made him
see spots for a bit. He liked the old farmer. He would let him ride on the tractor
or in the combine during harvest.
He turned his bike into his driveway, there was Clipper lying in the yard,
waiting for him. " Come on boy let's see if there's something to eat",
Mom or Ed wouldn't be home until 6 o'clock. Long enough to down an apple
with peanut butter and some milk. Clipper liked peanut butter,
Rodney let him lick a whole spoonful, and laughed
when it stuck to the roof of his mouth. "Mom would kill us, if she saw us pigs,"
Rodney said."Let's go to the club house, Clipper".
The club house was the worlds greatest, an old barn that
nobody used anymore. Rodney had converted the grainary part
into his personal corporate headquarters.
Along one wall and old sofa and chair, on the other a desk and chair.
A single naked bulb that still worked, would light the room after dark.
The other room was a huge oats bin.
Rodney would usually stay outside until he had to go in.
Talking to the dog, or himself about his plans for the gang that summer.
He went to the house for supper, he would get the usual small talk, how was school,
what did you do, was it raining on your way home?
He would answer with as few words as possible.
Not that he didn't want to talk to his mom, it was
Ed that made him feel small. Edwin Foremann
had married his mom a few years ago, and ever since
Rodney knew where he stood. He was no
longer top dog in the house. He had pretty much lost his
special time with his mom, and had to make up his own fun, his own way.
After dinner he would watch tv, or head to his room upstairs of the old farm house.
He crossed off another school day on his Coop callender, 12 more days left.
Then he could start his plan for the summer. Rodney had figured out that the whole gang
working together, they all could get new bikes by the end of summer.
His room faced east, and got the morning suns first light.
This was good because he would be out early looking for bottles, on his way to school.
Note: I thought maybe the boy should have story, tune in for more.
Monday, April 25, 2011
There's this place
Lameshure Bay is one of the most beautiful spots on this
planet. A quiet spot on St. John that I had the pleasure of
anchorage. Very few sailboats were there which led me to believe
that it was a well kept secret. The first night we were visited by sea turtles
and jack fish at our stern. The fish helped eat our leftovers,
that we saved from Coral Bay the night before.
The almost full moon painted a sureal picture above our boat.
Four other boats shared the National Park Bouys, an honor pay
15 $ a night system. Very protected from the land swell of the Atlantic
Ocean (north side) . We were rocked to sleep by a gentle breeze from the SW.
The next morning, after a banana muffin, coffee breakfast.
We took the dinghy to the beach were we spent the morning snorkling.
We saw alot of tropical fish and coral, brilliant colors, and the bouyancy
of salt water made swimming easy. A red starfish and blue and yellow angel
fish were highlights. We also discovered the old ruins of a sugar plantation.
It was cool to see the huge pit burners that boiled cane to sugar.
The slave quarters still stood but only the foundation of the large house still stood.
Isn't it ironic? All in all it was a memory I will keep a long time.
There's this place............
planet. A quiet spot on St. John that I had the pleasure of
anchorage. Very few sailboats were there which led me to believe
that it was a well kept secret. The first night we were visited by sea turtles
and jack fish at our stern. The fish helped eat our leftovers,
that we saved from Coral Bay the night before.
The almost full moon painted a sureal picture above our boat.
Four other boats shared the National Park Bouys, an honor pay
15 $ a night system. Very protected from the land swell of the Atlantic
Ocean (north side) . We were rocked to sleep by a gentle breeze from the SW.
The next morning, after a banana muffin, coffee breakfast.
We took the dinghy to the beach were we spent the morning snorkling.
We saw alot of tropical fish and coral, brilliant colors, and the bouyancy
of salt water made swimming easy. A red starfish and blue and yellow angel
fish were highlights. We also discovered the old ruins of a sugar plantation.
It was cool to see the huge pit burners that boiled cane to sugar.
The slave quarters still stood but only the foundation of the large house still stood.
Isn't it ironic? All in all it was a memory I will keep a long time.
There's this place............
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Decks
So often people ask what are you up to?
As my project oriented life changes often.
In a word (Decks), but last year we designed
a deck for a client, and it has become our signature
pattern deck. A double border with a field of diagonal
and or herring bone planks. Now that we have done this,
we get a lot of referral work. People just love the design
work in the decks. I have toyed with diamond inlay patterns, etc.
I'm thinking of getting a quilt pattern book.
The post and rail systems are usually black strap iron ballisters
on cedar. I love the look of western red cedar, and the wood is
a fast growing responsibly managed forest product. (green?) the jury is still out.
So if you or someone you know wants a deck that's not just a linear plank
looking thing......I can come up with really cool planking ideas.
That's what I'm up to.
As my project oriented life changes often.
In a word (Decks), but last year we designed
a deck for a client, and it has become our signature
pattern deck. A double border with a field of diagonal
and or herring bone planks. Now that we have done this,
we get a lot of referral work. People just love the design
work in the decks. I have toyed with diamond inlay patterns, etc.
I'm thinking of getting a quilt pattern book.
The post and rail systems are usually black strap iron ballisters
on cedar. I love the look of western red cedar, and the wood is
a fast growing responsibly managed forest product. (green?) the jury is still out.
So if you or someone you know wants a deck that's not just a linear plank
looking thing......I can come up with really cool planking ideas.
That's what I'm up to.
Someday Never Comes
All the lines of his plans were well rehearsed.
How he would make his first million,
then see the world and all it had to offer.
And someday write the novel of his adventures,
He must some how be cursed, Someday never comes.
The childhood dreams of designing and building homes,
erased by the hard work of plumbing, and digging ditch.
The days of sweat and toil for a pay check too small.
Returning to his home each night tired, drunk and alone.
Not understanding, or caring what the future was. Someday never comes.
Suffering in silence to the drone of his daily grind,
no longer capable of making choices, he forgets his dreams.
Responsibility of wife and children in tow, he drowns.
The pain in his body never ceasing, his work never ending.
Assured that he is losing his mind. Someday never comes.
'Tis a sad tale of a man who forgot his dreams,
Whos' pit of despair consumed him.
The lack of will, a bill of goods was he sold?
Of course he could have been rich and travelled the world.
But that would be predictible, this way it's poetry. And a reminder.....
Someday never comes.
How he would make his first million,
then see the world and all it had to offer.
And someday write the novel of his adventures,
He must some how be cursed, Someday never comes.
The childhood dreams of designing and building homes,
erased by the hard work of plumbing, and digging ditch.
The days of sweat and toil for a pay check too small.
Returning to his home each night tired, drunk and alone.
Not understanding, or caring what the future was. Someday never comes.
Suffering in silence to the drone of his daily grind,
no longer capable of making choices, he forgets his dreams.
Responsibility of wife and children in tow, he drowns.
The pain in his body never ceasing, his work never ending.
Assured that he is losing his mind. Someday never comes.
'Tis a sad tale of a man who forgot his dreams,
Whos' pit of despair consumed him.
The lack of will, a bill of goods was he sold?
Of course he could have been rich and travelled the world.
But that would be predictible, this way it's poetry. And a reminder.....
Someday never comes.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Grandmas Stove
Sweet Potato Chick Pea Soup
2 Tbls Olive Oil
1 Onion, chopped
2 Cloves Garlic minced
2 peeled and chopped sweet potatoes
3 cups chicken broth, (2 cans)
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp paprika
1 can diced tomato
1 pkg of mixed vegetables
( I like the stir fry variety
Peas green beans peppers onion etc.)
1 Can Chickpeas, drained
In a sauce pan, heat olive oil and add onion, garlic and sweet potatoes;
saute 5 minutes.
Stir in broth, seasoning, and bring to a boil,
then reduce heat to med-lo simmer until sweet potato
is tender, but not mushy, about 15 min.
Stir in tomato, mixed veg, and chickpeas,
simmer until tender about 10 to 15 min.
Serve hot. (I was real tempted to add chicken to this,
but it doesn't need it.)
2 Tbls Olive Oil
1 Onion, chopped
2 Cloves Garlic minced
2 peeled and chopped sweet potatoes
3 cups chicken broth, (2 cans)
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp paprika
1 can diced tomato
1 pkg of mixed vegetables
( I like the stir fry variety
Peas green beans peppers onion etc.)
1 Can Chickpeas, drained
In a sauce pan, heat olive oil and add onion, garlic and sweet potatoes;
saute 5 minutes.
Stir in broth, seasoning, and bring to a boil,
then reduce heat to med-lo simmer until sweet potato
is tender, but not mushy, about 15 min.
Stir in tomato, mixed veg, and chickpeas,
simmer until tender about 10 to 15 min.
Serve hot. (I was real tempted to add chicken to this,
but it doesn't need it.)
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Rock-n-Roll
Promises under a black light poster,
A hit a piece, a 12 hr ride for sure.
Red wine and weed to soften the rush to the peak.
It's you and I, We've opened the window
and let the devil in.
Led Zepplin, Houses of the Holy,
on a turntable, skip and hiss.
Hammer of the Gods, more wine and weed.
It's comin on, the sparkles on your halo glow,
It's you and I, The Who, Who Are You.
Touching you feels a mile deep, soft flesh,
Van Halen tee slowly falls to the floor.
Could the sun have gone down during all this?
The street light adds to the rooms swirl of color,
breathing ever closer to our venture into the abyss.
Grateful Dead, Sugar Magnolia, and the sweet smell of wine,
The smile, turns to hysterical laughter, a trip to the bathroom,
and gently touching you again,
The promise of more, before the dawn.
Dancing to the Guess Who, These Eyes.
Bob Dylan, Tangled Up and Blue
reminds me of a lost love,
The thought of seeing her again.
Drifting slowly back to earth,
Pink Floyd is eclipsing the dark side of the moon.
Sunrise, Allman Brothers, Can't Lose what you Never Had.
A tune that keeps me from drifting too far.
Gently spins as we fall to sleep, Curled together as
the fantasy comes to a close.
Rock-n-Roll had it's moments......
A hit a piece, a 12 hr ride for sure.
Red wine and weed to soften the rush to the peak.
It's you and I, We've opened the window
and let the devil in.
Led Zepplin, Houses of the Holy,
on a turntable, skip and hiss.
Hammer of the Gods, more wine and weed.
It's comin on, the sparkles on your halo glow,
It's you and I, The Who, Who Are You.
Touching you feels a mile deep, soft flesh,
Van Halen tee slowly falls to the floor.
Could the sun have gone down during all this?
The street light adds to the rooms swirl of color,
breathing ever closer to our venture into the abyss.
Grateful Dead, Sugar Magnolia, and the sweet smell of wine,
The smile, turns to hysterical laughter, a trip to the bathroom,
and gently touching you again,
The promise of more, before the dawn.
Dancing to the Guess Who, These Eyes.
Bob Dylan, Tangled Up and Blue
reminds me of a lost love,
The thought of seeing her again.
Drifting slowly back to earth,
Pink Floyd is eclipsing the dark side of the moon.
Sunrise, Allman Brothers, Can't Lose what you Never Had.
A tune that keeps me from drifting too far.
Gently spins as we fall to sleep, Curled together as
the fantasy comes to a close.
Rock-n-Roll had it's moments......
Old Truck
Hey that's a cool ol' truck would you sell it?
No, it's a part of my soul was my reply,
I bought it long ago when I was a young man,
and we've been through alot and made it this far.
It has brought me home, from many a jam,
snow storms, rain and such.
Gotten away from gun fights,
pissed off ex-wives, biker bars and more.
It has seen first dates and kisses.
Saw courtships that lasted, and some that didn't.
It was with me when I fell in love, long ago.
Brought my son home when he was first born .
This truck has never failed,
I've grown attached to it,
It's hauled wood for the stove,
kids to baseball and the fishin hole.
It's old like me, but I don't care.
It's gentle growl has rocked children to sleep,
It's strength has pulled me from the ditch,
We kinda know each other, know what I mean?
I see now, why I could never buy it.
Please forgive my request.
Where you headed now,
Old timer, if I might ask?
I'm driving back home, you see,
to my home place, I haven't long to live.
So long a memory, So long a love affair,
I could never part with it,....by the way.....
It'll still do 125 if I hold her down!
No, it's a part of my soul was my reply,
I bought it long ago when I was a young man,
and we've been through alot and made it this far.
It has brought me home, from many a jam,
snow storms, rain and such.
Gotten away from gun fights,
pissed off ex-wives, biker bars and more.
It has seen first dates and kisses.
Saw courtships that lasted, and some that didn't.
It was with me when I fell in love, long ago.
Brought my son home when he was first born .
This truck has never failed,
I've grown attached to it,
It's hauled wood for the stove,
kids to baseball and the fishin hole.
It's old like me, but I don't care.
It's gentle growl has rocked children to sleep,
It's strength has pulled me from the ditch,
We kinda know each other, know what I mean?
I see now, why I could never buy it.
Please forgive my request.
Where you headed now,
Old timer, if I might ask?
I'm driving back home, you see,
to my home place, I haven't long to live.
So long a memory, So long a love affair,
I could never part with it,....by the way.....
It'll still do 125 if I hold her down!
The Soda Bottle Kid
Coaster brake on his blue bike wheel,
Dust rose, dirt road, skid to a stop.
The sunlights dew gleaming at his heel,
The prize, the green glass, empty bottle of pop.
No money in pocket, no copper, nor tin.
A journey for bottles to earn a nickel or a dime.
Worn shirt, too large jeans, held fast with a pin,
A playing card on his spokes, keeping the time.
One then, two,three more by the tracks,
Two more at the pool, down in the park.
Looking in trash cans, Stuffing bottles in his pack,
Sunshine, a breeze, a chasing dogs bark.
To the store with his load, down the road it's not far.
He grins at the grocer, stacks them up for his pay.
Heads home to his mom, puts his money in the family jar.
Poor again, but happy, for tommorrows another day.
Dust rose, dirt road, skid to a stop.
The sunlights dew gleaming at his heel,
The prize, the green glass, empty bottle of pop.
No money in pocket, no copper, nor tin.
A journey for bottles to earn a nickel or a dime.
Worn shirt, too large jeans, held fast with a pin,
A playing card on his spokes, keeping the time.
One then, two,three more by the tracks,
Two more at the pool, down in the park.
Looking in trash cans, Stuffing bottles in his pack,
Sunshine, a breeze, a chasing dogs bark.
To the store with his load, down the road it's not far.
He grins at the grocer, stacks them up for his pay.
Heads home to his mom, puts his money in the family jar.
Poor again, but happy, for tommorrows another day.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Mans Best Friend
Dogs are excited to see you and
do not care where you've been,
just that you care enough to come home.
Dogs like to share your food
and don't mind cleaning your plate,
even the stuff you didn't care to eat.
Dogs like to sit in your lap,
and keep you warm when it's cold outside.
Even if you don't feel like scratching them.
Dogs like to keep your bed warm,
when you're not there.
Even if you don't want them on the bed.
Dogs like to play fetch and go for walks,
take you to new places to smell and see.
Even if you're too tired or busy.
Dogs like to take naps and stretch alot,
I think they are being a good example.
Even though I don't take their advice too often.
Dogs like to lick cuts and sores for you,
just cause they care that you're hurt.
They even lick you cause your feelings are hurt.
Dogs like to hear your secrets,
and will never tell them.
Not even to other dogs.
Dogs like to sleep with you,
not just to keep you warm,
but to keep you safe too.
I think I like my dog too.
This childrens book I envisioned, included
humorus pictures of dogs and their antics.
do not care where you've been,
just that you care enough to come home.
Dogs like to share your food
and don't mind cleaning your plate,
even the stuff you didn't care to eat.
Dogs like to sit in your lap,
and keep you warm when it's cold outside.
Even if you don't feel like scratching them.
Dogs like to keep your bed warm,
when you're not there.
Even if you don't want them on the bed.
Dogs like to play fetch and go for walks,
take you to new places to smell and see.
Even if you're too tired or busy.
Dogs like to take naps and stretch alot,
I think they are being a good example.
Even though I don't take their advice too often.
Dogs like to lick cuts and sores for you,
just cause they care that you're hurt.
They even lick you cause your feelings are hurt.
Dogs like to hear your secrets,
and will never tell them.
Not even to other dogs.
Dogs like to sleep with you,
not just to keep you warm,
but to keep you safe too.
I think I like my dog too.
This childrens book I envisioned, included
humorus pictures of dogs and their antics.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
There's this place
I have taken my broilers to this state
certified processor in Kimbalton several times.
But this last time I took time to sight see.
I came upon a city park that held.......
I digress.......
It was my sister in law Sally who had gone to
Denmark to visit her daughter Melinda
who was studying abroad. She went to see the famed
Lil Mermaid in the harbor, only to find it was on loan
to some Asian country and would return after she was gone.
So Sally and others if you have to see the Little Mermaid
In a not so busy setting, LOL.
There's this place..
certified processor in Kimbalton several times.
But this last time I took time to sight see.
I came upon a city park that held.......
I digress.......
It was my sister in law Sally who had gone to
Denmark to visit her daughter Melinda
who was studying abroad. She went to see the famed
Lil Mermaid in the harbor, only to find it was on loan
to some Asian country and would return after she was gone.
So Sally and others if you have to see the Little Mermaid
In a not so busy setting, LOL.
There's this place..
Grandmas Stove
Heuvos Ranchero
6 Fresh eggs
6 strips bacon
1 can Rotels tomato and green chilis
4 burrito sized flour totillas (for chips)
bag chips are ok but I prefer fresh.
1 cup oil
Shredded cheese
Chipotle seasoning (Penzeys Arizona Dreaming) is my new fav.
In a large skillet cook bacon crisp, crumble, set aside.
reserving 1/4 cup bacon fat in skillet.
Reduce heat to hi simmer.
add 1 can rotels and 1/2 can water to skillet.
with spoon hollow out holes to crack eggs into.
Allow eggs to poach until all the water is boiled away.
season to taste with salt and chipotle seasoning
While eggs poach, heat oil in another skillet med hi.
cut tortillas into triangles fry on both sides till brown
drain on paper towels and salt to taste.
Plate eggs, rotels and add crumbled bacon and shredded cheese.
Serve with chips Serves 2-3 people
6 Fresh eggs
6 strips bacon
1 can Rotels tomato and green chilis
4 burrito sized flour totillas (for chips)
bag chips are ok but I prefer fresh.
1 cup oil
Shredded cheese
Chipotle seasoning (Penzeys Arizona Dreaming) is my new fav.
In a large skillet cook bacon crisp, crumble, set aside.
reserving 1/4 cup bacon fat in skillet.
Reduce heat to hi simmer.
add 1 can rotels and 1/2 can water to skillet.
with spoon hollow out holes to crack eggs into.
Allow eggs to poach until all the water is boiled away.
season to taste with salt and chipotle seasoning
While eggs poach, heat oil in another skillet med hi.
cut tortillas into triangles fry on both sides till brown
drain on paper towels and salt to taste.
Plate eggs, rotels and add crumbled bacon and shredded cheese.
Serve with chips Serves 2-3 people
Good but not Great
And then you had to bring up reincarnation,
over a couple of beers the other night.
And now I'm serving time for mistakes
made by another, in another lifetime.
How long til my soul gets it right?
Can any human being ever reach that kind of light?
I call on the resting soul of Galileo,
King of night vision, King of insight.
( Indigo Girls)
For all the nay sayers in my life, You know who you are.
The ones who might have said, "You aren't ready to build
a house."" You aren't good enough to attempt this or that."
"You could do so much better if, You would apply yourself."
"Why don't you wait til you're older and have more experience",
Or my Fathers favorite," You can't be a rebel all your life."
I'm glad I could not understand your attempt to keep me from harm.
I'm so grateful that your wise words fell on deaf stubborn ears.
For my early attempts may have not been great but they were good.
Good enough to learn from, good enough to earn a living from.
Good enough to give me the moxie when I failed, to get up and
Start again, although some of those times were very painful.
I was fired from my first house building job. I'm glad I didn't quit
on myself then. For I would not have continued on to build some
very great things. So to my Rebels, and Conformists who always thought
they could be good. Keep after your dreams for they are truly a great
thing, But remember you are not what you do, you are so much greater
than anything you could ever do. The journey is what makes us, the smile
and the kind word makes a ever bigger ripple in the pond. So encourage
others to do great things.
Galileo's head was on the block,
the crime was looking up the truth.........
over a couple of beers the other night.
And now I'm serving time for mistakes
made by another, in another lifetime.
How long til my soul gets it right?
Can any human being ever reach that kind of light?
I call on the resting soul of Galileo,
King of night vision, King of insight.
( Indigo Girls)
For all the nay sayers in my life, You know who you are.
The ones who might have said, "You aren't ready to build
a house."" You aren't good enough to attempt this or that."
"You could do so much better if, You would apply yourself."
"Why don't you wait til you're older and have more experience",
Or my Fathers favorite," You can't be a rebel all your life."
I'm glad I could not understand your attempt to keep me from harm.
I'm so grateful that your wise words fell on deaf stubborn ears.
For my early attempts may have not been great but they were good.
Good enough to learn from, good enough to earn a living from.
Good enough to give me the moxie when I failed, to get up and
Start again, although some of those times were very painful.
I was fired from my first house building job. I'm glad I didn't quit
on myself then. For I would not have continued on to build some
very great things. So to my Rebels, and Conformists who always thought
they could be good. Keep after your dreams for they are truly a great
thing, But remember you are not what you do, you are so much greater
than anything you could ever do. The journey is what makes us, the smile
and the kind word makes a ever bigger ripple in the pond. So encourage
others to do great things.
Galileo's head was on the block,
the crime was looking up the truth.........
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