She Throwed Up Her Toof, I Think

Little kids tell the best stories.

What if they don’t have all the facts? They simply make it up as they go.

They fill in the blanks with crazy, beautiful stuff they pull from their wee minds.

It’s storytelling at its best.

I thought it would be fun to share on my blog some of what I call my funny, family “shorts.”

Here’s one I dug out of my writing archives.

Something’s Missing

My five-year-old granddaughter arrived at my house for a sleepover.

Rolling her little people Barbie suitcase behind her, she came running into the living room.

Something exciting was afoot.

Chloe shouted, “I have a story that will really, really, really, really, really surprise you.”

She said “really” five times. I assumed it must be a good story.

She went on to say:

“Well, we were eating lunch at my school, you know my school where you went to the Halloween parade, right? And a girl, I can’t remember her name, ate her sandwich and didn’t know her toof fell out.”

“And she looked everywhere for it but (she takes a deep breath) she swallowed it and I bet you don’t believe it right, Mimi, but it’s actually really true. She … swallowed … her … toof.”

Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 Author, Silfide

 Toof Fairy Problem

Drawing on my grandmotherly acting skills; I gasped in disbelief.

I said to her, “Well, how’s the tooth fairy going to come for her tooth if she swallowed it?”

Obviously, that thought never crossed my granddaughter’s mind until I brought it up. Now, she appeared genuinely concerned.

Rather than feeling upset over the disturbing idea the tooth fairy might not show up for the little girl, she quickly added, “Oh, yeah, she found it. I remember that now.”

Not letting her off the hook just yet, I responded, “You said she swallowed the tooth. So, where did she find it?”

In classic five-year-old drama mode, my granddaughter cast her big, blue eyes toward heaven for some reason. Maybe hoping for divine intervention.

She said, “Um … um … let me think … um … oh, she found her toof when she throwed up I think.”

“She didn’t throwed up at school.”

“Probably, she throwed up when she got home and her mother washed off her toof and the toof fairy came that night, or the next night I think.”

What a kid. What a save.

 

 

Message For All Who Have Already Submitted Poetry

Hoping a reblog will help this worthy cause. 🙂

~Cathy~

The Roar Poetry Anthology

Dear Poets,

You are all talented, wonderful human beings and we salute your bravery and generosity in submitting your work for our charity project.

We want to show your work to as many people as possible, and add to your already impressive numbers while we still have time – so if you have Facebook, Twitter or a blog, then please please PLEASE share the link below and lets reach a few more poets before Friday!

http://thewaitpoetryanthology.wordpress.com/2014/07/26/creative-writing-opportunity-less-than-1-week-left/

More than all this, we just want to say THANK YOU, for your hard work and your support – and best of all, for the brilliant poetry we’ve been privileged to read. We’ll be including at least one poem from everyone who submitted.

You’re our favourite humans 🙂

Love,

The Wait Poetry Team

xxxx

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Getting Older? Look Wonderful, Be Cool, Do it Your Way

11-stages-womanhood-1840s-wikimedia-commons-public-domain-uploaded-by-churchh

 

“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” Betty Friedan

OK, it’s true. Aging isn’t all that fun.

I don’t wake up every morning doing the happy dance, chirping “Oh boy. I love, love, love getting older.” No, it’s not like that at all. Not for me, anyway.

However, aging isn’t the scariest life event I’ve ever had no choice but to experience. Twice I went through labor. That scared me.

I’ve discovered aging isn’t so much about letting go: it’s about tweaking my mind-set.

Oh, and I finally stopped worshiping the so-called “experts” on aging. Please; I just want to do this my way.

But I Can’t Look Wonderful

For years, I’ve thought about a conversation I heard between my mom and a young woman. It was the last holiday my mom would share with her family.

The young woman, a lifelong friend of my daughter, stopped in at our Christmas Eve party to say hello to my family.

My mother walked into the kitchen. It was a thrill for to see my daughter’s friend, who rushed over to give my mom a heartfelt hug.

With utter sincerity, she told my 75-year-old mother that she looked wonderful. My mom said, “Well, I shouldn’t.” The friend asked, “What do you mean?”

Mom responded, “Because I’m not supposed to look wonderful at this age.” I thought, Wow. What the heck?

Of course, we laughed. Honestly, though, I was sad that my mother felt that way. She did look wonderful. She was still active and lived independently.

That was despite several major health problems including spinal stenosis, breast cancer, and diabetes. I always joked with her that she was the healthiest sick person I ever knew.

Right then, I decided I wouldn’t buy into that line of thought about aging. I plan to experience wonderful right to the end. You can’t stop me. Bring on the compliments. I will, gratefully, accept every one you throw at me.

 Discovering My Self-Worth

My self-worth is much more pronounced since I’ve reached my 50s. Why did it take so long to realize the breadth of my skills and achievements no matter how big or small?

Admittedly, I went through a low self-esteem spell of feeling inept when I was around younger people; mainly, in my business world.

I had no clue what was rubbing me the wrong way. When I considered the achievements I’ve carried out effectively; on a personal level as a woman and career level; it didn’t make sense that I would feel inadequate.

Fortunately, the odd, uncomfortable feeling lost its hold on me. If I start to feel like that now; I recount my accomplishments in my head. I remain focused on my strengths instead of weaknesses.

I’m content and secure because I haves scores of valuable knowledge and life experience to lean on. I have plenty to share.

What is “Cool” Anyway?

So, I recognize I may not be cool in the eyes of some young people; especially in the business world. That’s OK because cool means what, exactly?

As time goes on, my perspective of cool constantly changes. That’s because of maturity and I like to believe, all this awesome wisdom I’ve picked up over the years.

I think people who don’t have a college degree but carved out a good life are cool. Someone who survives cancer is cool. Holding hands with my husband is cool.

My small grandson could pronounce Massachusetts, correctly, since he was two. That makes him way cool in my book.

Overall, with continuing tweaks to my mind-set, I believe aging will be cool too. I hope … I pray.

 

Jim Henson: His Creative Learning and Social Wisdom Legacy

Jim Henson in two words: remarkable visionary.

About his dad, Brian Henson wrote in a blog post, “One of his life philosophies was that we should love people not for their similarities, but for their differences.”

This single statement beautifully sums up the essence that is collectively, the Muppets. The lesson the Muppets continue to pass on about embracing diversity is Jim Henson’s legacy.

  Life through the Eyes of Puppets

Jim Henson said, “The most sophisticated people I’ve ever known had just one thing in common: they were all in touch with their inner children.”

The Muppets, unmistakably born from Jim Henson’s inner child, are not just mere puppets: These outlandish, lovable characters symbolize life with all its multifaceted emotions.

Clearly, Henson was ahead of his time when it came to principled ideas using his imagination.

Through puppets, he used his unmatched creative ability to draw attention to the melting pot of characteristics which make us human.

He achieved this feat through the human-like behavior of his family of puppets.

 

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported PeterDandy

 Realism of Muppets’ Characters

Each Muppet is an individual … their appearance distinct; just like people differ enormously in looks.

Jim Henson, who passed over in 1990, cleverly infused his beloved characters with wide-ranging qualities which children and adults easily recognize.

Who doesn’t know someone with a personality like Oscar the Grouch? I know many.

Oscar reigns supreme in cranky. He despises anyone or anything that represents “nice.” He only reveals the compassionate side of his personality to children.

Except for making his home in a trash can, Oscar’s temperament is something nearly every person can connect with at times.

In a style that can only be Jim Henson, he makes us chuckle over Oscar’s nasty disposition.

How great it’d be to just snicker at the genuine Oscars of the world instead of letting them get under our skin.

 Life Lessons

The intelligence behind Jim Henson’s creativity includes the positive messages he provided through puppetry. He was brilliant when it came to highlighting the effects of a good or bad decision.

The Muppets always encourage children to aim for their dreams. They’re progressive in promoting a healthy self-esteem, as well.

It’s probably no surprise one of Henson’s favorite movies was the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy, of course, learned the lesson: there’s no place like home.

Maybe the movie’s emotional moral ending inspired Henson’s overall creative values.

  Educational Bearing

It’s impossible to gauge accurately, the educational influence Jim Henson’s had on children. His contribution is significant, though. PBS’ Sesame Street is a children’s programming marvel.

Sesame Street aired in November, 1969. With Jim Henson’s puppets as guides, learning became fun and dare I say, perhaps, even addictive.

Often tedious; reading, writing, and counting morphed into something kids looked forward to learning. Forty-five years later, Sesame Street’s innovative learning style remain valuable.

Through puppetry, Henson sometimes introduced children to unpleasant real-life problems. A big problem many children face is bullying.

When my daughters were young, I recall watching an early Sesame Street episode in which Bert and Ernie were enjoying a day at the beach.

A bully comes along and destroys their sand castle. It just figures.

My daughters were ultra-sensitive little girls. They were nearly in tears when bully boy wrecked the sand castle.

Luckily, and typical of Jim Henson’s message, the bully embraced the error of his ways. To make up for his bullying, he returned with an ice cream for Bert.

These days, it’s not quite that simple because sadly, bullying has escalated to an atrocious level.

 

 Jim Henson Standout

Each of Jim Henson’s puppets is a star: Miss Piggy, Elmo, The Count, Grover, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird; they’re some of the many intriguing characters Henson created.

For me, however, Kermit the Frog, stands apart from the rest. Since the birth of his character beginning, Kermit has been a runaway success.

I believe Kermit is Jim Henson. Or, maybe Jim Henson is Kermit. Possibly, it’s because Kermit’s birthplace was on the banks of Deer Creek in Leland, Mississippi.

Henson, too, spent his enlightening years on the banks of Deer Creek. There, he nurtured his creativity and a passion he had for nature.

By the way; Kermit takes his name from a childhood friend of his creator.

 Kermit on the Walk of Fame

In 2002, Kermit earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s a well-deserved honor for the celebrity who began his natural life on a muddy bank in the Mississippi Delta.

The beloved frog took his place among other greats like Woody Woodpecker, Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny. Now those were the days, right?

The celebrated sweet-voiced frog is little in size but larger than life in all he brings to the world. He’s just one more extraordinary legacy that is, indeed, Jim Henson.

 

Sources:

Google Blogspot – “Remembering my dad Jim Henson,” Posted by Brian Henson, Chairman of The Jim Henson Company – September 23, 2011

Sesamestreet.org -– Video on right, third down – Standing Up to a Bully

Muppetcentral.com – News -“Kermit Honored at Hollywood Walk of Fame,” Courtesy of Yahoo News – November 25, 2002

YouTube.com

History.com

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

 

I decided to submit an image to the Weekly Photo Challenge based on a reflection of U.S. history and an important figure in that history; Lakota warrior Crazy Horse.

This is a great shot of Crazy Horse’s head, which is 87-feet high. The head was completed in 1998.

The horse’s head will be 219-feet tall when it’s finished. I love this photo because it shows all the natural colors in the mountain.

I snapped this picture while visiting Crazy Horse Memorial on a stunning autumn day in October, 2011.

Carving this mammoth sculpture out of a mountain began in 1948 and continues 66 years later.

If you haven’t had a chance yet to see this magnificent work in progress, check out more photos at the memorial project website.

Photo Copyright: Cathy A Montville 2011

Dining with Dead People and Carryout Lesson

Dead people don’t make me uncomfortable. Usually. Would you eat lunch in a restaurant alongside dead people?

That might be awkward. Well, maybe not if it was someone you knew, but it isn’t.

Is a “cemetery restaurant” insensitive, icky, ingenious? I believe it may be greater than any of that.

I was speechless when I came across a headline about New Lucky Restaurant in Ahmadabad, India.

After reading the story, though, I’m more than OK with it now. Hey, some see clouds while others “unearth” a silver lining.

Two-Fold Problem

In the photos accompanying the Mirror News article, it’s obvious that Ahmadabad’s congested and markedly lacks available space.

Clearly, it looks impossible to fit a breath between, around, or behind the buildings surrounding the small restaurant.

It’s even towered over from above by an apartment complex. And it’s a cemetery.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

As a business woman I’d pass on that piece of real estate property just because it’s a cemetery. I would never consider disturbing the resting place of the dead.

The minor size of the property would, of course, be a turn-off anyway, regardless of the burial ground.

However, I live on six acres in the woods. For my business I rent an office with two floors. Behind my building there’s a magnificent field over an acre-and-a-half wide. It even has a pond.

A beautiful river, lined with enormous oak and pine trees, runs along the outer edge of the field. Every day, from my office windows, I get to watch various wildlife at play.

Was it putting a restaurant on that little spec of land or the idea that it’s a cemetery that struck me as outrageous? I don’t think I appreciate often enough or express gratitude for how lucky I am to enjoy the freedom of wide open spaces.

Fortunately, the New Lucky Restaurant owner, Krishan Kutti, didn’t view the problem from my embarrassing closed-minded perspective of everything being bigger than is necessary.

Accepting Circumstance

Instead, Mr. Kutti embraced the existing state of affairs with a big hug and incorporated 12 graves from the Muslim cemetery into the restaurant. He didn’t like the idea of moving the longstanding graves.

Sadly, according to the news article, no one is certain who the remains are. Some believe they are “… followers of a 16^th-Century Sufi saint …”

It doesn’t matter. Whoever they are, they have a home now and they’re well looked after.

Each day, staff members at New Lucky Restaurant place fresh flowers on the graves and respectfully cover them with colorful cloths.

How’s Business?

Seemingly, the restaurant is thriving. I’m not sure how many people are curiosity seekers and how many are regular customers.

That doesn’t matter, either. Krishan Kutti, stepped out on a limb and did something remarkable.

In this case, stepping out on a limb isn’t a figure of speech; there’s a tree growing through the restaurant, too.

If you believe in the power of paying it forward, this man may not expect it, but he will receive many blessings for his good deed.

Sources:

MirrorNews.co.uk – “Pictured: Bizarre cemetery restaurant where diners sit with DEAD people,” by Mikey Smith – March 23, 2014

Photo Credit: Damas_Muslim_cemetery_1839 Wikimedia Commons Public Domain – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Copyright_tags#United_States

Heaven-Sent Message in a Postcard from Nova Scotia

No one sends postcards anymore. That’s a shame. A postcard may prove someday to be a humble but emotional link to a loved one.

This may come long after they’ve left their earthly existence.

Did you know there’s a National Postcard Week? This year it’s May 4–10.

Recently, I received a message from heaven. It came via a tattered postcard from Nova Scotia. The heaven-sent note is obviously from my mother. She passed over eight years ago.

You see, it’s an effective way for her to say “hello” because Nova Scotia and my mom were as one. Truthfully, she had a lifelong sizzling love affair with Nova Scotia.

Let me explain:

Crying and Closet Demolition

My husband, and I, are renovating one part of our old home. My mom brought me home from the hospital to this house. I grew up here then left for years.

Eventually, I returned to raise my daughters in the same house. Life would whisk me away again, but I’ve been back in this home for six years now.

Anyway, we tore down a huge closet in a room which was at one time my mother’s bedroom.

Renovating my family home triggered a cauldron of schmaltziness to bubble. I believe it was the result of hundreds of distinct and just as many hazy, memories.

When the old closet came down I experienced a weird emotional reaction of heavy sadness. It pitched me into an uncontrollable outburst of weeping. Every day I still miss my mother.

Enter the Message from Heaven

I began sorting all the gobbledygook we removed from the closet. Some of the boxes, baskets and trash bags belonged to my mother. Some were mine.

OK, time to distract myself from mushiness. Armed with Kleenex, I thought it best to start by digging in to a couple of my boxes instead of moms.

In the first box I open, on top of all the other stuff, there it sits: a postcard my mother sent me 19 years ago from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. I barely remembered it.

Schooner Adventure Lives On

On a beautiful June day, she wrote me a note to say one of her dreams came true: She went out on the Schooner Amoeba.

In her stunning handwriting, she squeezed in all the details she could possibly fit on the little postcard. She covered every available inch with her giddy excitement.

I have no doubt that my mother reached out to put her arms around me at that moment.

Physically, my mother isn’t here with me. However, I’ve now received immeasurable comfort to feel her spirit still radiating within an old postcard from Nova Scotia.

Sources:

NationalPostcardWeek.com

Amoeba Sailing Tours – Roy’s Dream

Image Credit: MorgueFile by Cohdra

Knock! Knock! It’s Me, Spring

 

There’s no getting around it; it’s been one heck of a tough, drawn-out winter. Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

Check out Spring 2014 outlook according to NOAAClimate.gov

Photo Credit: crocus SXC.hu.com by Hills22

Distraction is a Lifestyle

Distraction is an official lifestyle. I haven’t heard anyone declare it’s their way of life, though. Why?

We don’t hesitate to say we live green, military, vegan, alternative or a musician’s lifestyle.

Heck, I’ll go first:

No, I’m not vegan or green … I am into distraction, which, by the way, is a culturally acceptable lifestyle so why are you looking at me that way? Whew, that felt good. Well, no, it didn’t.

Sad Limited Engagement

Here’s what got me going about this: A couple nights ago I was out at dinner with my family. Two of my grandchildren (5 and 9) were present. When we’re all together we focus on one another.

Cell phones stay in purses and pockets. We were having a great time laughing and catching up.

Seated at a table within my direct view were a woman and young boy. She was eating her dinner while talking on her cell phone.

The boy was eating his meal while watching her talk on the phone. The restaurant filled up and the woman and boy were now out of eye shot.

It Gets Worse

When we ordered dessert, there were a few empty tables and again, I could see the child and the woman. He was coloring. She’s on the phone.

Now, though, her back was against the wall and she had both legs laying across the empty chair next to her like she was in her living room.

It took about 15 minutes for our dessert to arrive. Another 20 minutes passed while we leisurely enjoyed chocolate lava cake and hot fudge sundaes.

Unbelievably, the lady had now been on the phone roughly 55 minutes. What?

Focus Problem

That night on the local news there’s a story that fit this same scenario of lack of focus. A small boy is walking on a sidewalk playing with his iPad.

Here comes a man who snatches the iPad right out of the boy’s hands.

The mom or whoever he’s with is walking a fair distance ahead of him paying him no mind. Video cameras at one of the businesses caught it on tape.

The man could have grabbed the boy instead of the iPad. Where is our attention these days?

I’m Guilty, Too

I’m a fool for distraction. I’ve been in that tangled web for years. I multitask (my padded word for distraction) and not in a good way, either.

I made a $3,000 error in me and my husband’s small business because my focus was everywhere but where it should have been.

I was too busy reading and writing emails, scouring the web, submitting content to three or four websites, and texting.

I was like the woman in the photo that accompanies this post. She’s marching in a parade in this magnificent, flamboyant costume … and she’s on her cell.

If the Internet and iPhones were around when my children were young, well, I don’t even want to think about that!

Are you distracted? Is it a problem in your life? Share your thoughts.

Source:

PsychCentral – Distraction: A Serious Problem of Modern Life, by Therese J. Bouchard Associate Editor

Image Credit: -west_indian_day_parade_2008-09-01_woman_in_purple_costume-wikimedia-commons-creative-commons-attribution-share-alike-3-0-unported-license by Fordmadoxfraud

 

 

Cathy with a “C” – Blah to Yeah!

My name is Cathy. No, it’s not short for one of the silkier-sounding names like Cathleen or Catherine. I’m just Cathy.

My name is spelled with a “C,” though, not a “K.” My mother said that was special, so it must be, right?

Forever, I believed that “C” somehow provided me the right to step ahead of the pack when it came to ordinary names.

Sacred No More

Well, that was until the birth of the Internet. Everything you didn’t want to know the truth about is just a “search” away.

The fantastical “information highway” steamrolled right over and tamped down my lifelong reverie of Cathy with a “C” is special.

Unique My Foot

Sad, but true, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration, I’m one of 82,698 Cathy’s born between 1950 and 1959.

You’re probably wondering what my reaction was to this piece of knowledge. It went like this:

What? Oh, that just can’t be correct. Mom said my Cathy with a “C” name was distinctive. Honestly, I’ve run across a few Cathy’s with a “C” but come on … how could there be 82,697 besides me? How many more are there now?

Wuthering Heights and My Name

Somewhere in time, my mother told me another “name” story: She claimed she named me after Cathy, of Wuthering Heights fame.

She is, of course, the daughter of Edgar and Catherine Linton. You know, Emily Bronte’s classic literature tale Wuthering Heights … yeah, that Cathy.

That was rousing news and all but it came out of left field when I was in my twenties. So, was it true? It was Mom’s favorite book.

After reading Bronte’s novel myself, I felt an odd kinship with Cathy’s perky, although at times, disturbingly selfish character. Hm.

It’s All Good

Because my mom is no longer here, it’s likely I’ll never know the truth about the Wuthering Heights connection to my name.

I do know that while my name is not unique and far from fancy …  it’s who I am. I’m just Cathy with a “C” and that’s OK with me.

*The Daily Post at WordPress.com – Weekly Writing Challenge: Power of Names

 Sources:

Social Security Administration – Top Names of the 1950s

Literature.org – Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte

 Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license by Bequw

Poll: Worst Part about Winter?

Save on Small Business Overhead

Wikimedia-Commons-public-domain-by-anonymoususer

Me, and my husband, who’s my business partner, have been small business owners in distribution, sales, and service for 22 years now.

I’ve learned a lot about keeping overhead expenses down.

Many new small business owners spend money on unnecessary supplies, technology, and even office furnishings. Check out three ways I’ve painlessly cut or kept to a minimum, some of my company’s expenses.

1) – Out with the Water Cooler

For several years, we paid to have water delivered to my office. The cost, which was about $28 a month, didn’t seem like a big expense … it’s still $336 a year. I decided it was a business expense we didn’t need. I canceled the weekly water delivery.

I shopped around and found a decent small fridge for $99. My home tap water comes from a spring-fed well. I fill gallon jugs at home and keep two or three in the fridge at my office. I use my own water cup that I wash by hand at work. For customers, I keep a supply of paper cups I buy at the dollar store.

2) – Used Office Furniture

Luck was on my side when I found and rented a big office in a building that houses eight or nine other offices. I’ve rented this office for 14 years now. I’ve equipped almost my entire office with used items.

OK, I understand having a posh office is important to some small business owners … it simply isn’t essential to me or my company.

I don’t want to imply that I don’t care what my office looks like: I didn’t buy or pick up free, a bunch of junk furniture. I did save our company about $1500, though, by decorating with decent used items instead of new.

For instance, my office neighbor placed a large wood shelving/draw unit outside for the trash company to pick up. Such a waste! I went next door and asked if I could have the piece.

After a good cleaning, I bought a $4 roll of contact paper to cover up worn spots and add some zing. Now I have a ton of storage space, and it looks great. The cost of a new unit like this starts at $500.

Visit yard sales, flea markets, and look around your home or apartment for items you can polish, paint, reuse or re-cover. Reutilize furnishings to save your small business a bundle of money.

3) – No Cleaning Service   

Even after almost 20 years, I can’t justify paying someone to clean my office. I won’t pretend I’m not envious when I’m working Saturdays and see cleaning crews heading into other offices … sigh.

My office consists of two floors. Except for the bathroom, it’s carpeted. I vacuum the entire office twice a week. It takes me about 20 minutes each time.

Every morning when I get to work I clean my bathroom … five minutes and I’m done. I have seven large windows. However, I only clean the inside windows every three or four months.

So, I spend around an hour a week cleaning. It costs me nothing and I get some exercise. If I hire a cleaning company, it would be a business expense that costs roughly $1200 a year. That’s a sizable savings for my small business.

The author originally published this post at ExpertsPages.com.

Image Credit: Wikimedia-Commons-public-domain-by-anonymoususer

Inspiring Quote by Steve Jobs

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” Steve Jobs

Image Credit: photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/remkovandokkum/3702884284/”>Remko van Dokkum</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>cc</a&gt;

My Crazy, Beautiful Mom

Um, yeah, that’s my mother

My mother had it in her mind that she was special; not better than others, mind you, just, well special. She never felt she owed anyone an explanation for her actions.

When she did something ridiculous, and I questioned her, she simply shrugged her shoulders and said, “Oh well.”

Typical behavior for my mom included doing everything she should not do. For instance, she always parked in an area that was specifically zoned no parking. She could not stop herself from loading up ten items in a five-item only checkout.

Never did she consider using one cap full of laundry detergent – it had to be three or four. When it was a huge fashion blunder, Mom dared anyone to question her wearing white pants after Labor Day. Driving 50 mph in a 35-mph zone was also the norm for my mother.

Mom ripped articles and recipes out of the magazines in her doctor’s office and pinched off pieces of plants which she stuck in her purse.

Without an ounce of uneasiness, my mother would say aloud, “Do I look as old as her?” as we passed by another elderly woman. “Lord, give me strength,” was my typical reply.

This was one of my mother’s favorite stories, which she loved to recount every chance she could: My mother couldn’t find a parking spot at the local grocery store. Even the “no parking” spaces were gone; of course, those were taken over by people just like her.

On her third swing through the lot, she eyed an empty space. So, she dashed her car into the spot, which was right in front of the store. I’m sure she was thinking, bingo it’s my lucky day.

When she made her way to the front of her car, there was a woman standing there glaring at her. She barked at my mother, “Can you read?” My mother said, “Of course I can read I went to college. I’m not stupid.” The lady pointed to the sign, and waited for my mom to respond.

The sign read, parking for expectant mothers only. Without hesitation, my special mother said, “Listen to me lady; I gave birth to four kids and that should count for something at 72-years-old.”

Off my mom went to get her grocery shopping done. Um, yeah … that was my wonderful, crazy, beautiful mom.

©Cathy A Montville