My Cousins-in-Crime are reminding me that I didn't finish the "Sweet Potato" story. They insist that the rest of our mischief must be revealed in order to make adults aware of the dangers of the shenanigans of children . So folks, sit back and listen and, by all means. learn. If nothing else, you will never look at chocolate and peppermint chewing gum in the same way again.
In the middle 1950s, one could buy a pound of coffee in tin cans with a neat little key that opened the lid. The cans and lids were used by us as cooking utensils in homemade playhouses, but that is another story for another day. The adults saved them and used the cans for storing small items. Lucky for us Aunt Gladys and Uncle Tim were coffee drinkers and had several saved for future use.. Those one pound coffee cans came in handy for Richard, Susan, Lynn, Glenn, and me. Dwayne was still in diapers and didn't need one.
Tom was the eldest of us kids and knew where there where small packages of chocolate and chewing gum in the bathroom. So being the sweet and sharing cousins we were, we split the packs so everyone of us had either chocolate squares or tiny chewing gum pillows. The chewing gum tasted like peppermint. Tom helped the younger ones to divide our treasures. It was like striking gold in the bathroom. I will add here that Tom couldn't have been more than nine years old and was so generous that he shared his findings with the rest of us.
We enjoyed our goodies and played in a newly painted bedroom. Soon we all needed to use the bathroom at the same time. It was as if a stomach bug had attacked all of us at the very same time. Aunt Gladys thought quickly and started passing out the small, empty coffee cans. All of the younger children had one while Tommy got the commode. It was a busy and smelly time.
If memory serves me correctly, the chocolate and gum wrappers cleared up the mystery of the stomach virus. Tommy had found chocolate Ex-lax and Feen-a-Mint gum laxatives. Fortunately we were sweet children and shared our treasures which kept us from overdosing. We also had a bottle of children's aspirin and shared the tiny orange tasting treats. The Lord took care of us. There were enough children that when we shared, we prevented a fatal outcome.
It is me again, Lord, thanking you for watching over small children who love to plunder.
A little Georgia Wisdom: Children love to explore. They will find your stash of "goodies."
I remember trying to eat ex-lax and Feen-a-mint laxatives because they tasted good to me. You are too funny, Linda. No wonder you have the patience of Job with children. You still remember all those shenanigans from your childhood. That's probably why I have NO patience with them. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteGrowing up with Linda, we were nearly unseperatable. HOWEVER, this is one of those times that I did miss out on the fun. Thank the Good Lord for giving us the ability to remember the past. Especially out childhood days.
ReplyDeleteKathy, one child at a time, we were angels, but let there be more than one and we were dare devils!
ReplyDeleteBruce, missed this one, but there were plenty more good adventures that Bruce and Earl, along with Carol and Nancy, took part in and can't deny!
We had so much fun growing up and when I think about how long ago that was, I am surprised I can still remember these events.
Yes, Kathy, it is difficult to let things bother me because I know how children are or at least us. I think that is the reason that out of those seven children that night, four of us became teachers.
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