Monday, January 12, 2009

Monday Memories—Life, Where All Your Dreams Come True


Ray and Cali began their reception program by introducing themselves through memories. Cali showed this picture and it reminded me of . . .

Calvin trapped beaver, badgers and coyotes and tanned the hides. He made things like a little pair of moccasins for Cali lined with rabbit fur, and a mountain man hat from a coyote pelt that hung all the way down your back. From the time she was tiny, Cali liked to climb up on a stool and watch Calvin skin the hides. She would sit there for hours and as she grew older asked him questions on what things were and how they worked. Everything about the process fascinated her—the muscles, the skin, the bones, the tendons—but . . . though she was fascinated . . . the experiences scarred her. She has nightmares still about coyotes peering in her window trying to get in and eat her (it seems to be a little red riding hood-ish), and if we walk late in the evening she often mentions something about a mad, man-eating coyote that might be hiding behind the grass on the ditch bank.

The night of the reception Cali, Ande and I were getting ready in my bathroom. The girls were curling their hair and I had gone into our adjoining bedroom to change my clothes. Completely distracted and thinking only of things I needed to take and remember to do, I went into the bathroom to get something. I didn’t even notice the girls stare . . . until I reached down to get something in front of them. I realized I was topless. I crossed my heart and hoped to die and cried, “Oh nooooo, it’s like those dreams where you go somewhere and forget to put your clothes on, only this is truuuuuue.” They laughed, cross-chattered and I swear I heard Cali humming “Hang low sweet chariot.” There will be scars.

20 comments:

SANDERSON / MCCONKIE FAMILY said...

That is too funny!!! I have had a few moments like that...the song however was "Do your ____ hang low, do they wobble to and fro?" I think you get the drift. I learned long ago (1) laugh at myself and (2) they will get old too!!!

Leslie said...

Oh Jane, you made me laugh right out loud! That is too funny (though I feel for you cause I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time for you and perhaps still isn't). Better your daughters than your sons though, right?

Thanks for sharing some details about the wedding. I have enjoyed reading your blogs and I'm so happy that everything went so wonderfully for Cali's wedding.

tina said...

Jane, you crack me up!! Yeah, not sure I can say anything else. Truely laughing out loud!! :-)

Anita said...

OHMYGOSH, I'm glad I read your post at home and not at work ... I burst out laughing! And weren't you the cute young thing in that picture!!!

Anita

Kathy’s Korner said...

I am at home reading this and laughing out loud, Glad that my spouse is in the other room. The word picture is over the top! Or shall I say about the top - less. Life is so funny, thanks for sharing that all to precious girls moment. My girls have yet to sing those kinds of praises!

Deidra said...

Oh mercy!

(I can't believe how much your children look like you and Calvin!)

Darla said...

Janey Paney,
You make me laugh!!!! Thanks for sharing :)

Anonymous said...

Funny Jane, funny.

One day, after walking and then taking a shower, I was getting ready in my bathroom. I had been blow drying my hair, in the buff, and didn't hear a thing going on in the rest of the house, not thinking that I needed to be concerned. When I turned off the blow dryer, I turned slightly towards the door, and there was Megan, skipping school, with the look of utter horror on her face. I just shut the door and said, that'll teach you to skip school.

Love,
Susan

melanie said...

So funny Jane!! This story has years of life in it. Are you ready for lots of inside jokes about the time your forgot your shirt? Good think you're such a good sport. Thanks for the laugh! And Sharon's funny, they will get old and gravity will present itself before they know it!

Unknown said...

This is hilarious! Great post, Jane, great post.

Nikki said...

hahaha I chuckled to myself. I love the picture. You look like a baby yourself!

What neat memories.

hennchix said...

HAHAHAHAHAHAH! I am wetting my pants laughing! You are such a great sport!

Becky said...

I have not laughed that hard in quite a while!! :) I'm *still* laughing! Who will be scarred more--you or the girls?

By the way, that photo is precious!

Also, thanks for asking how I was doing...at this very moment I am feeling fine...don't ask me first thing in the morning or late at night :)

Jill said...

Oh Jane, I'm laughing out loud (with you, not at you) what a story!

Anonymous said...

Oh my, this has me dying. I love that you have shared this so soon after the incident :) It would take a little longer for the wound to heal for me.

Donna Chapin said...

Jane - you make me laugh and it is probably because it would be something I would do.
My girls usually say "that's another session on the couch".
I find if I laugh at myself first, it doesn't seem as bad. And we need more LOL moments. Right??

Ande said...

Oh Mom, you make me laugh. What a funny mom you are.

"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" will never quite mean the same thing to me.

michelle said...

HA! That is too funny, Jane! Good thing you can laugh at yourself.

(I might be scarred just by the thought of all that trapping and tanning...)

Nanci said...

I had a good laugh! I can only wish that my mom would be so bashful but she's not. I tell her that she's a nudist and that I am scarred for life!

Lucy said...

One of your best stories yet. From the intro, transition and moral. Perfectly hilarious.