Saturday, January 26, 2013

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! 

20 comments:

  1. Ack ack a rat! Pow!
    Such a mom you had, lucky Birdman.

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  2. I've seen ships in a bottle, but this is a nice wintry change and the red berries set it off very well.

    Is it true that you got more snow and cold weather? I thought I heard someone from Portland yell, "Rats!", really loudly a while back.

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  3. I love that story! When I was working in Chicago, one winter day with snow on the ground, I was walking down buys Michigan Avenue when a big rat scurried across the the sidewalk in front of me. Fortunately, I didn't let out a scream but it did stop me in my tracks.

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  4. Your photo has a snowman and beautiful red berries but no rat or birds. I think I like it that way, but I'd make an exception for the birds.

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  5. Wonderful capture of the berries and bottle -- also funny story about Mr. Rat -- barbara

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  6. I love your growing up stories. I had a wonderful childhood too but no rats that I remember. MB

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  7. Mr. Rat is quite a contrast to the lovely red berries and the blurred blue sky behind them. I would have screamed like your mom!

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  8. Snowman in a bottle! I like that.

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  9. A rat has to eat too but not in your backyard!

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  10. We didn't have too many rats but mice would get into the feedbags and jump out and scare you if you didn't shake the bag first.

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  11. I'll bet you were some excited! (You probably like toads & snakes too...) But, such lovely winter memories, even living across from the skating pond...

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  12. You have quite a memory for the old days.

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  13. We all had our childhood adventures. They varied with the environments we grew up in. Mine were on cement and blacktop and tunnels under the ground. Just as exciting. Just different.

    BTW, love the photo. It's so cheery!

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  14. Very amusing image and post title to go along with it!
    God bless you!
    Cezar

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  15. and who could forget your mom's response to it...

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  16. I'll let you know when I have it Birdman..

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  17. I like everything about this photo. It reminds me of my mom who just passed away on the 15th. She collected items like this.

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  18. This is such a cute snowman, and a hilarious story! Your poor mom… :p

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