He had one oar in the water before he fell

The great ice storm of January 2009 is but a memory to most folks, but down in Hart County, it’s alive and kicking. Dennis and I are still plugging along trying to burn the debris a little at a time. It’s kind of like the uninvited houseguest that just won’t leave.

A month or so ago, I was slaving away in the woods just above the pond, trying to clean up Mother Nature’s mess. Our granddaughter Autumn was playing around the area and Papaw was just coming home from the old goat’s club at Magnolia Stop and Shop.

Dennis must have been feeling young at heart that day because he flew up the yard in his truck and on top of the pond dam. To his dismay, he broke something underneath his truck but he decided the truck looked better without it anyway, so he was still in a good mood.

He came over and asked me what I was doing when he could see quite well what I was doing. I told him Autumn wanted to take a ride in the boat in our small pond. We only have one oar for this small boat because the big grandkids, Austin, Brittney and Brianna, paddled around and Brittney decided to stab it in the pond. It has been missing for several years.

Dennis put little Autumn in the boat first, then tried to climb over her to get to the back of the boat. I was still in the woods working, but I could see the poor old man trying to maneuver around.

I watched our older grandchildren try to turn the boat over several years ago. They rocked and rocked and they couldn’t seem to get it to roll.

Well, let me assure you, Big Daddy had no trouble rocking and rolling it over. The water was pretty low so when he rolled it over there was no great danger for Autumn, but apparently, the water was quite cold. I couldn’t stop laughing. Autumn was only slightly upset, but the old fella came up out of the water gasping from the frigid water. I couldn’t help myself, I just kept laughing. Dennis lost his favorite hat in the pond and Autumn lost her marshmallows she was planning to roast after the boat ride. Dennis’ good mood was gone. He finally asked if I was going to help them. So, I took those two muddy bodies and cleaned up yet another mess.

Later, while I was still cleaning up from the ice storm I saw something at the edge of the pond. I was afraid it was a frog so I waited a long time before I checked on it. It hadn’t moved for an hour or more so I figured it was safe to go look at it. It was the old fella’s favorite hat. I took that muddy hat to the house and scrubbed it and ran it through the wash. I told the old fella I had a surprise for him later that day.

Now, he’s happy and hopes to never be parted from his favorite hat again. 

Another thought

I know some of you – especially some of Dennis’ friends down at Magnolia Stop and Shop – think I’m somewhat unkind to him. I do talk about him being lazy, cantankerous and hard-headed at times.

You all may think I make some of those things up, but I assure you it’s all true. Believe it or not, for Mother’s Day, that sweet man got me a wheelbarrow. He knew it was breaking my back hauling stuff without one. He tries to make sure I’ve got all the tools I need to make my job easier.

For Father’s Day, guess what he got? He got a new computer and a four-wheeler. I just can’t do enough for the man that makes my life complete.