Monday, October 12, 2009

YIPPIE TIE YIE YAY- COWPATTY!


It is not the stuff dream-filled sandcastles are make of. Rich warm squishy mud oozing between the toes of a barefooted child cannot compare to its sculpting constructional texture. It is the medium Michelangelo,Picasso or Bastlitz would have preferred if they had grown up on a farm seven miles away from civilization or playmates.

I loved playing outside on warm humid summer days with John my imaginary girlfriend (yes, John was a girl) and my little toy fox terrier, Tiny. My mother was most patient as she lovely set an extra plate at the table for John, helped her into her red coat with the big black buttons or calmed down hysterical visitors frightened by my vivid imagination. What's a girl to do if a friendly visitor steps right on your BFF? Poor trembling neighbor! I was carted off the the doctor shortly after that episode to see if I was in my right mind. John and I had a great time together but the best memory was one afternoon spent in the shade of the old maple tree that overshadowed our backyard. John rested in the shade as I sought fresh cow manure filling my little purple plastic bucket. Working in just enough dirt with my red shovel to improve the almost perfect texture, I remember thinking this is going to be the best! I'm going to make my daddy a surprise birthday pie. Not even close to his birthday this would really be an awesome treat. The birthday pie would be placed upon a broken mudflap platter, adorned with rock decorations and stick candles. A creation any little farm chick would be proud of!

As daddy pulled up driving the big black cattle truck, John and I ran toward him full of excitement carrying our prized creation. In my loudest voice I proudly announced , "Daddy look what we've made for you!" He snatched that old mudflap from my dirty stinkin' little hands faster than a five year old could blink as his surprise birthday pie went flying through the summer sky. Devastated my heart leaped into my throat as he yelled," get this kid out of the @&#%$* cow manure!" Daddy did not share Mamas compassion and enthusiasm for John or beautifully creative birthday pies.

Today I can still be found roving green pastures for dried cow patties to enrich my roses and fertilize my hungry flower gardens taking me back to a younger time on a hot summer day when my daddy did not appreciate my cowpatty surprise!!!
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51 comments:

  1. Yippie skippie, I'm back from the mud trenches! Severe storms shooting bolts of lightning at major telephone hubs and flooding rains put me off line for 5.5 days. I even sunk myself in the cow pen and got my barn boots stuck. Even though it's still raining (Will somebody call Noah?)the flood waters have lessened and we're leaning toward normal. Whatever that happens to be on a farm! :o)

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  2. What an adorable picture! So cute! I love hearing your cow patty story. I can remember having a cow patty mud flinging contest when I was younger...and I vividly remember wearing white. Yucky! : )

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  3. Aw.... too cute. I'd have totally loved the birthday cake and would have taken tons of pictures of it! Although I doubt I would have taken a bite! Blessings!!

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  4. Cow patties and Michaelangelo, together in a post that gives meaning to the name of this blog! Thanks for sharing such a cute story.

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  5. You are too cute! I love john and can't wait to meet her and her red coat! xoxo

    SC

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  6. I had a kitten as my imaginary friend. I would stand in my crib and try to look under it and call the kitty.

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  7. I stepped in plenty of cow patties as a kid, but I don't recall ever making a pie out of one. Of course, I didn't have an imaginary friend to spur me on. I did make a lot of mud pies. I hope you still hear from John from time to time.

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  8. Great story. Mud pies were my speciality as a kid. I totally understand, Nezzy.

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  9. Nezzy--
    Glad you are safe and sound.
    When I was four a close friend of the family was taking care of me while my Mom visited my Dad in the hospital--they had some cows on their property and I found the manure--what a great time I had but I caused the poor guy a heart attack when he saw what I had been playing in!!! Needless to say a bath was in order and fresh clothes too!
    Melinda

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  10. Being offline sucks big time. I'll probably have withdrawal symptoms if I can't get online for a day!

    I'm glad you're back. :) It's been flooding everywhere! A couple of weeks back, Typhoon Ondoy brought the worst flood to Metro Manila (Philippines) in decades --in some areas over 6 feet high!

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  11. "I'm going to make my daddy a surprise birthday pie."
    I yi yi!!!!
    Great story.
    xo

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  12. awww....kind of sad but kind of funny too~
    you had a great imagination! bet you still do
    :)
    enjoy your day...hope it's easy as pie...

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  13. I am sorry that your pie was not appreciated. It is a great story..I also played in the pies and the mud..and made the best works of art! I hope you see John now and again, I never had an imaginary friend...I daydreamed instead:)

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  14. I love the picture!

    And our parent educator told me that imaginary friends are a sign of high intelligence. Must be true...

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  15. Childhood reminiscences are the best , even the ones that made us cry.

    You've got a good memory, hope it stays with you for a very long time.

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  16. Well, I for one think John is a fine name for a girl! :) Great memory with just a tinge of sadness, but I can see where your blog name came from!

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  17. Hey Nezzy, I sure hope you and yours survived the flooding! yikes! It was nice to 'see' you ~

    take good care!

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  18. Nezzy you spin a good yarn! Say hi to John the next time you see her.

    Cheers!
    Julie
    Julie Magers Soulen Photography
    Blog of Note

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  19. My daughter was so upset with "dirty hands" that she cried when I "taught" her to finger paint.

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  20. This so brings me back. My mom had beautiful ferns on the side of the house and I don't for the life of me remember what the were called. Us kids would pull a branch off and slide all the fronds off and all that was left was a thin puny branch. They looked like little green flakes and we used it in our mud pies. So glad mom hardly never made it to the side of the house~! Wonderful story...

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  21. I love your story! -- Yippity Yi-Ya! --- and imaginary friends are cool! I remember having made up playmates but don't recall naming them... I think I treated my animals more like they were humans... Hope your weather straightens up -

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  22. I think this story is BS. (only kidding, haha. very cute.)

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  23. Adorable!!! My son had an imaginary friend as a tiny tot...I thought it was so sweet...like your story!!!

    Thanks for stopping by and leaving your kind comments...much appreciated!!!

    Enjoy!!!
    XOXO
    Cathy

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  24. Thank you for your comment. You always make my day a little brighter! xoxo

    SC

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  25. My heart is broken for your little girl self--however not everyone can enjoy a cow patty surprise. Very cute story..and you sound like you were such a spunky fun kid-- Kind of makes me wish I was John so I could have been there for all of the adventures :)

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  26. Thank goodness for your sweet and understanding mom! I love her already!

    Stay Cozy, Carrie

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  27. Your mom sounds like she was so sweet to you as a child....I have to admit I'm not sure what I would think if my kids had an imaginary friend!! My kids don't need to go in search of cow patties...they prefer to play "accidentally" poop in the tub and then try to play with it. So gross!

    Your writing is beautiful...all the descriptions of your memories were wonderful to read!

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  28. What a cute phote! Absolutely sweet. Thanks for visiting my blog and for your kind comment. Hope to see you again!

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  29. Amazingly cute....thank you for your lovely comments you always leave on my blog...you really are the best! xoxoxo

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  30. I think I've seen leopard print rain boots/wellies They'd be perfect for you!!! xoxo

    SC

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  31. What a darling pic and story! You know Nezzy, even though I am the oldest of 8 kids I still had imaginary friends~ Sometimes all my brothers just didn't cut the mustard. Neat story, glad your mom appreciated the mud pies~ Cindy

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  32. Just dropped buy to wish you a wonderful weekend and I read your sweet story. I used to love making mud pies in the sandbox.

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  33. A great photo and a great story. I enjoyed it very much. My own twin girls grew up on a farm and many a time I caught them playing in a cow pattie. They, too, still live on a farm today with horses and will always love the farm life. There is nothing like it.

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  34. I was a town girl and had to rely on mud pies on a plank decorated with Gram's dusting powder. That was not appreciated either. I didn't have an imaginary friend, but I drove everyone batty having my dolls talk out loud to each other. Have a great weekend! Susan

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  35. Beyond Great--Grand LOL no seriously My eldest son sleeps in a bed that was my mother's great great so add on 2 more greats and you've got one old bed (new mattress thank god) going on in this house. I used to think I was sentimental then I realized I was cheap--but now I'll just chalk it up to preppy! xo

    SC

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  37. Nezzy, I wanted to Thank You so very much for your comment to me. It means the world to have support. I am so sorry for your loss, as well. I pray peace and comfort for you. Thank You again...

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  38. A delightful post Nezzy. Thank you for sharing. Blessings and hugs!

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  39. Oh,Nezzie, I am escaping to your blog for a few days until the rain is gone. This is such a warm and wonderful place to visit.... even in the mud.

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  40. Just called over to say Hi! And I became totally engaged by your story of your imaginary friend! I had one too, but she was called Amanda Jane. I remember getting out of bed one Winter night to give her a blanket because I thought that she was too cold!
    Here in England, we have Cow-Pat Throwing Competitions! The person who throws the pat the furthest, usually wins a runt piglet!

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  41. Oh, and another follower, so I'll be checking regular to read more of these wonderful stories!

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  42. So sorry that your pappy didn't appreciate your ingenuity and creativity... I'm sure it was John's idea anyway, right?! Wherever John may be these days, hoping she stays in touch with you, LOL.

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  43. Hi Nezzy:

    There's a blog award for you on my blogsite (Over the Top award) as well as a little "get to know you" post. I'd love to have you take part. I love your blog.

    Regards, Sandy aka Doris the Great

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  44. Nezzy, Sorry about your pie. I enjoyed hearing this story about John. I bet yall had many great adventures together. Hope you will share more soon... Blessings,

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  45. Hey Nezzie,
    Good to hear from you. I guess now we can be certain from whence your blog name came!! Sounds like it's colder in your parts than it is here.
    Do you cut down your perennial flower seed heads or do you leave some to catch the snow when it falls?
    Joanne

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  46. I'm here via Mrs. 4444. What an adorable (and sort of bitter-sweet) story from your childhood!

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  47. adorable story with a cute picture :)

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  48. Your comments always crack me up!!! Ducks in a row! LOL I guess they are and I never thought about it. I have more--have a great day

    xoxo

    SC

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  49. ROTFLMBO!!! What a fantastic childhood story! My dad sounds just like yours! LOL!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day! I hope you're having a great week!

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  50. I love that John was a girl and your creativity with cow patties is wonderful, but do not give me any please.

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Yippie Tie Yie Yay, I'm so glad you popped in. I adore, cherish and covet your comments. Even though I love seein' my name in lights I am an award free blog. Thanks for visitin' ya'll!

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