My mom grew up on a farm in New City, NY, where my uncle Richie still lives to this day at the age of 101. Dad, he was an Oklahoma country boy, wild as a weed! So, this conversation may sound ok, coming from their perspective. But only in the country is this considered a “normal” conversation:
“What's for dinner?”
“Go kill a chicken.”
For cryin' out loud, Dad! I was a bona fide, Catholic-School-Girl-City-Slicker for the first twelve years of my life. We had a carpool, and bought food in stores and everything! I do believe I still suffer PTSD from “Chicken Killing Day”, and yes, we did have to do it. The implications for self-analyzing are endless! Trust me! Food issues....
At the time, that was what it was. And I opted to head to my mom's beautiful vegetable garden. Protected with a nine foot chicken wire fence, clustered with wild roses and sweet peas, to keep the deer out. Well...that does not work, because with a running start, nine feet of chicken wire is not a challenge for hungry deer, who happen to consider roses & sweet peas appetizers. So, I would plant myself in there and eat tomatoes off the vine, as if they were apples. My brother, he had chicken...
And, only in the country can you trade a baby goat and an old truck wind shield for a running '63 Falcon station wagon. Back in the 1970's part of getting ready for school was, for Kathy and Julie (my little sisters), to feed the chickens and collect the eggs. We lived in the Sierra Nevada mountains, on a little over an acre. And we had lovable African Geese, who were more like pets. Each morning they would waddle up to the back door on the porch, tap on the glass with their beaks and “honk” for crusts of bread. They were named Mama & Papa Gooser.
My brother & I had a much more trying job each morning- milking the goat. Her name was Baby. Sounds sweet, huh? Baby was anything but sweet, and fought us every morning. We'd get the pail about full, and that dang goat stuck her foot in it every time, just as it was filling to the brim- kicking over the pail and spilling out all of our hard work, leaving no milk for breakfast the next day. Mike and I devised a plan to outfox that goat. We'd get her head in the stock, give her fresh hay, (because she could not resist fresh hay!) and my brother would pick up her hind legs like they were wheel barrow handles. And I would milk like crazy. It wasn't easy milking, laughing, and holding onto a goat like a wheel barrow! Baby wasn't so keen on this method, and she hollered and kicked with her mouth full of hay the entire time! But...we had milk.
The Twisted Sister challenge this week is to make a card based on a childhood memory and write a story. If you'd like to play along, please add TSC0817 to your keywords, and tell us about yourself!
Thanks for looking!
Date: Friday, August 17, 2012 GMT Views: 5781
Favorited:28
Registered: June 15, 2008 Location: North of Boston MA Posts: 9197
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 @ 6:52 AM
Oh, Pat! - what a wonderful bit of nostalgia -"Babci's" garden was the equivalent of a farm - veggies and small farm animals - just a bit smaller (but not much!). These were simpler, more loving times and I miss them!(my family is all gone!) This is when memories were made up of family, friend and work times instead of techno times! Thanks for taking me back down a wonderful memory lane!
Pat your card is beautiful....the addition of the red fence was ideal! All the beautiful details take me back to good times!
TFS!
------------------------------ ChaosMom Thanks for visiting my: Gallery!
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Proud Fan Club Member
Registered: June 19, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 6005
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 @ 9:48 AM
Pat, I laughed all the way through this story! I thought I was the only twisted one. I'm sorry I missed this challenge. I love to write and I'm pretty sure I've got some twisted memories *laughing* As for your card; well... Pat, it's always a treat to see what you've created. I love the frames on both panels and the little piece of fence... it's a wonderful highlight to your country scene. I can tell you're a true country gal too - look how you strung that wire! It's a wonderful story and a darling card.
Registered: November 1, 2005 Location: Posts: 77159
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 @ 10:55 AM
I love hearing your stories. This is funny and wow... DH mom and brothers are the same way with chicken as I have told you before. His uncle says he can still smell the chicken on his fingers and refuses to eat it. ha! Beautiful scene, love the grass and trees looks so real.
Registered: August 21, 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 3232
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 @ 2:53 PM
As as bona fide city slicker I got a kick out of your story. My Great grandparents had a farm and my mom talked about the chickens and how she use to play with the feet after they killed em and plucked em as kids (this did make me grateful for city life). She had that and several stories like Wendy above. The goat story is just downright hysterical.....I am having visions of cards for you with scenes like that - LOL - oh my still giggling over that one. That goat had you trained well. LYMI
------------------------------ I know not what this day holds....but I know Who holds the day!! My Gallery MY BLOG
Fan Club Member
Registered: December 24, 2007 Location: Posts: 12163
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 @ 4:17 PM
What an AWESOME job Sistah!! I have some wonderful memories of my gramma's & Grandpa's farm too, I love the flower soft added..never would have thought of that!! and does it ever add, and love your fence instead of a flower!!...Perfect, LYMI Hugs
------------------------------ Fan Club Member:
Teapotter's & Twisted Sistah's member The joy of the Lord is your strength. Neh. 8:10
Registered: June 4, 2009 Location: Deatsville, Alabama Posts: 83113
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 @ 5:52 PM
Can a story get any better? You need to consider writing when you retire - you reeled in a lot of us here! I adore this card and your story - hard to decide which one I like better. I wish our little place was this cute - maybe one day when we get that red barn. I can see you milking that goat! Fun stuff here - double bazillion for sure!!! LYMI!
------------------------------ Nancy Williams - Hope your day is Spirit-filled and ink-filled (in that order)!DRS Designs-DT, Punchkateerforever, Dirty Dozen Alumni
Your card is classy style Pat. Just classy style. :-) Never had to do the chicken thing but I did see my grandmother do it. My hubby can sympathize with you on the milking issue. I loved your story. :-) I will be picturing you and your brother milking that goat for a long time and chuckling. Thanks for the smile.