Laddie

When I was 7 or 8 years old, my Dad brought home a puppy. He was a yellow Mountain Cur, which he got from one of his fellow workers at the hardwood flooring mill. I was a huge Lassie fan at the time, but you can't name a male dog - Lassie (little did I know back then). Instead, we named him Laddie.

Laddie's first night at our house wasn't the greatest. He was missing his mother and litter mates. His howls echoed in the Oaks and Hickories of our yard and adjoining woods. The little dog house with the leather hinges on the door wasn't where he wanted to be. And Mom's NO DOGS IN THE HOUSE rule wasn't about to be broken. I talked to him through the rough cut lumber until he settled down and we both went to sleep. Dad picked me up and carried me back to bed.

Laddie was the best friend the only boy in the neighborhood could have. While sisters were doing their thing, Laddie and I kept all the squirrels and rabbits nervous. That first summer as we both grew up and in devotion to each other was the greatest. The next year, Dad went to work in the meat department of Lentz Cee Bee. Laddie was one lucky dog... Bones to chew on and "out of date" packaged meats as his evening meal. When Dad drove up, Laddie knew there was something special waiting for him.

Laddie had one bad habit - he loved to chase cars, especially those that headed west on the dirt road in front of the house. When he heard a car round the curve at the Charles Creek Cemetery, Laddie would make his way to the corner of the house. When the car was at our driveway, off he would sprint. He wore a path through the weeds and grass parallel to the road and then down the bank to the red clay and limestone gravel.

"Sic'em Laddie" was all I had to say to get him running into the Woods on the east side of the house. He wouldn't return until he found the tree where a squirrel had taken refuge. He took to his nature of hunting, even though we hunted with him only occasionally. Any wild animal was his prey and game.

Skunks are everywhere in Middle Tennessee. Drive very far at night and the unmistakable scent of an unhappy skunk will quickly fill the interior. The earlier 70's were also the time of a great Rabies epidemic. Skunks and foxes were the main carriers and news reports told of various domestic animals being attacked.

One afternoon, as I walked out of the back door, Laddie got between me and the tire swing that hung from the huge Oak by the clothes line. He wouldn't let me pass. As I moved to the right, a small black and white figure jumped out of the tall grass at the edge of the yard. It hissed and started toward us. Laddie grabbed it and slung it back out of the yard and gave chase. I could hear the yelps of pain as the sharp teeth tore into Laddie's flesh. I ran into the house and called Uncle James (Mom and Dad worked late on Friday evenings). He arrived in just a few minutes. His .22 rifle in hand, the told me to stay in the house and he followed the sounds down in the Clay Gullies. Moments later, two shots rang out. The skunk was no more and Laddie limped home behind Uncle James.

When Mom and Dad got home, Laddie was still licking his wounded legs. I told Dad how Laddie had protected me and kept me from walking right into the skunk's path. Dad said, "Son, you should be proud of Laddie. He did what he was suppose to do. But there is something I've got to do now." Dad explained that even though Laddie had his Rabies Shot, they weren't as effective as they are today and Laddie was suffering from injuries.

Dad retrieved the Mossburg from his closet and Laddie, even in his pain, jumped to his feet and was ready to hunt as Dad stepped on the back porch. They walked together to the Clay Gullies. A single shot ripped through the night and my heart.

Forty years later, I still fondly remember the smell of the yellow fuzz ball that rode home in the front seat of a Skyblue Chevy. I can wait to see ya at the Rainbow Bridge!

Sherry's Birthday Wish to Me

• Listening to Chicago 8 tracks in the old blue car
• Just knowing you are out there when I need you on instant message, or knowing I need to call Amy if you are missing for 2 days
• Fighting over the album jacket on Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, so we could both read the word as it played for the first time
• Red and blue high low shag carpet--yuk
• I will always be your Tiny Dancer; if you will be my Hercules
• Sitting in my driveway and saying a prayer together for Daddy
• Funeral for a Friend playing through the screen window as you refinish Granny’s dresser
• Throwing milk in your face because I was mad at you
• Naming newborn kitten found in the old washer--“Everything is beautiful” except Loudmouth
• Driving for 14 hours in one weekend, to see you turn 50
• 12 noon every Saturday---American Bandstand—“Oh Mandy”
• Swapping out Prater kids on Sunday afternoon till church that night
• Playing kick the can under the large street light in the church parking lot and watching out for bats
• Picking the red berries off my dress on the way home from church while eating the remaining “crackers” left in the communion trays
• Digging a hole to China and only finding a yellow electric cord running to the smoke house
• Holding my hand as they deliver to you the flag that covered Daddy’s casket
• Giving you credit for my first set of stitches, as you hit me in the head with a hoe as we dug for worms.
• Standing in the living room and yelling out the door as you turn the TV antenna until the “snow” went away.
• Alpha and Omega, first on, last off—0 dark thirty bus ride to school
• Lying in the floor at Granny’s as we watch the Brady Bunch—first run
• Following you to Mama’s grave site as you drove Daddy to the cemetery and see all the policemen standing at attention as we passed through each inter-section.
• Knowing that I have a loving, caring and wonderful sister-in-law that will always be there for me and my family.
• And finally be able to say, “You are old”….because you will always be 3 years older than me.

I love you.

25 Random Things

1. I’m two pints short of my 4 Gallon Donation pin from the American Red Cross. But I haven’t given blood since 2002.
2. Current inventory level is over 9000.
3. 14 airports, 16 flights, 5 airlines in two weeks - very tiring.
4. I have worked in the same industry for 27 plus years. Yet, it is different every day and definitely not boring.
5. I plan to NOT to use all my vacation days this year as a patient in the hospital. The summer of 2008 was not fun!
6. Deconstructing and rebuilding a barn that was over 100 years old is one of my greatest accomplishments. The Cabin by the Pond is complete as it stands, but we will continue to add features to make it more comfy.
7. I went face first down the slide into a mud puddle when I was in the second grade. I was pushed, I tell ya!!! I’m still called by the nickname – “Gingerbread Man” by Kevin.
8. I wish I still owned the 1972 Chevelle that I had in high school and college days.
9. I love to catch a 20/20 Rainbow Trout some day.
10. In less than two years, we have taken 22,175 photos with the Canon EOS 350D’s.
11. I walked through the phone booth scene as an extra in the movie “The Nights the Lights Went Out in Georgia”. Sadly, I ended up on the editing room floor.
12. Coffee, tea and ‘Cokes’ – I refuse to be caffeine free!
13. I spent three weeks working in Asia in November and December of 2005. My only regret is Sarah was not able to share the experience.
14. My fingerprints are now on file with the FBI’s Fingerprint Identification Records System (FIRS). They were scanned when I obtain my GFL (Georgia Firearm License).
15. Walking in the woods and fields with my Dad on Sunday afternoon are my fondest childhood memories.
16. Laddie positioned himself between me and a rabid skunk when I was 10 or 11 years old. That dog gave his life for mine. I still tear up when I think about it.
17. I miss my Mom and Dad so much. I still find myself wanting to pick up the phone to call them three years later.
18. I have manned the wheel of “Stars and Stripes” – the 1987 winner of the America’s Cup. When the captain told me I could take over the helm, I nearly tripped over my jaw that had dropped. Two hours of sailing the waters around Hilton Head – FUN!
19. I’m totally addicted to Stride™ Gum. In order of preference – Sweet Berry, Always Mandarin, Forever Fruit, Winterblue, Spearmint, Sweet Peppermint, Nonstop Mint and Sweet Cinnamon.
20. I’ve not had a professional haircut in nearly 10 years. Sarah does a better job with my head than any barber in the past.
21. My C3/C4 and L4/L5 are way too close to each other. Owie!
22. I love to cook. Asian, Mexican, Italian and of course Southern Cuisine (no that’s not an oxymoron).
23. Sarah is a gem. A ruby for sure. Proverbs 31:10-31
24. I’m amazed at the simple things: How a spider weaves her web. How long a dew drop can hang on the end of a pine needle. How an army of ants can march and wear a path in the sand with their many, tiny feet. The peace that is seen in the face of a sleeping infant.
25. My most important relationship is with my Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ. I’m not perfect, just forgiven!

Metro Monday

Friends sharing the warmth of a Friday evening fire!