Bottled Berries

The first snowman I remember making was with a big help from Mom at the Allen Avenue house. My parents rented the top floor, just about across from the old skating pond. She made sure it had all the particulars: a carrot, buttons, rocks for eyes, funny hat, and she even threw a scarf on to protect ol' Frosty from the winter chill. We built him next to the large barn and right below the kitchen window, so I could keep a close eye on him throughout the day. Mom always complained that it took her longer to dress me for the elements then the amount of time that we'd spend outside. She'd fill a birdfeeder and hang it from branches of the pine tree next to the back door, and we'd watch the small birdies come in for 'landings'. To tell you the truth though, building the snowman was fun, the birdfeeder was always entertaining to watch, but the most exciting sight was when I caught sight of a furry creature under the tree filling himself on birdseed dropping and hurried Mom to the window. She screamed out loud in a blood-curdling cry... a rat! She was scared something awful. I was some excited and couldn't wait to tell Dad on the phone what we had 'discovered' under the tree. I had all kinds of adventures growing up, and the memory still serves me pretty well. I mean, how could you forget your first run in with Mr. Rat!