Wednesday, February 3, 2010

BUSTED!!! (part two of Money!Money!Money!)

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"Lettin' the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in," was a sayin' heard frequently from my Pappy Walden's soft spoken voice. "Well I am no thief, but a man can go wrong when he's busted," was what Nashville Songwriter Harlan Howard wrote in 1962 for Johnny Cash but the song "Busted" wasn't a smash hit 'till Ray Charles sang the soul version in 1963. Yep, that Charles was known for havin' a lot of fun with his songs and sang it from the prospective of a dirt poor farmer who could really use a government bailout. The floundering farmer couldn't borrow any cash 'cause everyone else was busted too! Sound familiar??? This song might have had a whole different meaning if Granny Walden had a hold of it. Ya'll did not want to be the one to fall in the wrath of my Granny Walden. Everyone in the county knew who ruled that roost and poor Uncle Wilbert was about to be busted as Dolly Parton.

When we pulled in the drive from our Albuquerque trip Mama saw her beautifully open back porch completely encased by lush gourd vines, the woman went off like a cannon during the Civil War. Well, poor Daddy thought he had done a good deed by stringing the invasive seedlings up and keeping them alive all summer. The Battle of You Did~~Who Did was on as we pushed our way with suitcases in tow through the dense green forage into the house. That's when this prosperous independent little farm chicklet had the let that wild kitty out of the bag and divulge my plans of attaining the affluent life of a three year old and how it came to be. I can remember Mama and Daddy shoutin' in unison, "you Uncle Wilbert told you WHAT???" I knew right then and there my bachelor uncle was as busted as a can of biscuits whacked hard against a sharp edged counter and my little heart sank as faster then a horseshoe tossed in a pond.

I had dreams of that new toy Singer sewing machine or a Mickey Mouse doll. I was quite smitten with that Annette never missin' an episode of the Mickey Mouse Club. Maybe I'd buy a bunch of socks so Mama could make sock monkeys for all my friends. My plans for adding some new red vinyl 45's to spin on the old turn table went out the window along with keepin' Mama in those Toni Home wave kits so I could have the curls of Shirley Temple she wished upon my board straight hair. Yes, the dreams of endless cream soda and nickel chocolate bars were no longer in my grasp......so I thought.

Swanked by my Granny Walden and trapped as a southern gal in a six~tier skirt, Uncle Wilbert was ordered to purchase my gourd harvest at the market price of five cents apiece. Nobody ever argued when the verdict came down from Granny. All's well that ends well. It was a rich harvest, rich as the black soil that propagated the seeds planted by my young enterprising fingers. This little Ozark chicklet laughed and danced on the porch that crisp autumn day as my cash crop was harvested and purchased by my Uncle Wilbert who was just soooo "Busted!!!"

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95 comments:

  1. Awww...this an adorable picture!!

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  2. What an adorable photo! The look on your? face is priceless. Thanks for sharing!

    Cheers!
    Julie
    Julie Magers Soulen Photography
    Blog of Note

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  3. SO CUTE.

    My babies would love this so much. Wonder if I can still buy one?

    By the way, I think you added some antiqueing to that photo!

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  4. Your poor uncle! teeheehee

    And you were one lucky little girl to have a wonderful fire truck like that to pedal around. I so wanted one when I was that age!

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  5. ROFL!! My sides hurt from laughing!! Oh my goodness!!! the joys of childhood! Thank you so much for the much needed giggle!!!

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  6. Too funny! Great picture! Happy Wednesday!

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  7. That is one story you'll never forget for sure. Memories are wonderful things.

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  8. What a treasure!

    Did you buy that fancy hook & ladder truck with your gourd earnings???

    And did Uncle Wilbert ever try to pull a fast one on you again?

    Lucy

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  9. OK Nezzy,
    Your a good writer. And now I know how you got the curly hair. But I am so jealous of you sitting in that oh so cool firetruck up there! Only the rich kids got those!! hehe. Love your story! Hugs, Cindy

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  10. I blast husband for stuff he does that he thinks are "good" deeds-then I feel guilty. LOL
    xoxo

    SC

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  11. Goes to show ya...don't underestimate the smarts of children!! :-)

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  12. And you still remember it to this very day! LOL

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  13. That made me LOL! :D As always, u tell a good story! :)

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  14. Oh how funny. I was wondering how your gourd seeds were going to turn out. Seems you Uncle was dead on, you DID get a nickle for each gourd. Quite a cash crop. Priceless story.
    I love the song "Busted". Kind of fits for today.

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  15. HILARIOUS!!! So good old Unc's gourds really WERE magic, huh? And did he continue with the practical jokes afterward?
    I'm still laughin'. Thanks so much for makin' me smile so early in my day, sweetie!

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  16. Did you do a repeat crop the next year? Seems like your Granny was a very wise woman! I get the feeling that you might have been quite a handful as a child! :)

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  17. I wonder , if as a child you were so smart , how are you as an adult. I believe you belong to the category of superwomen.

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  18. That was such a cute story!!!! Your uncle is quite a character!

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  19. Hilarious!!!! I love you stories! I wonder did Uncle Wilbert learn his lesson?

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  20. Poor Uncle Wilbert! I'll bet he didn't mind a bit, though, and would have given you the world. You are just adorable in that fire truck. I never had one of those :(

    Keep those stories coming. It is so easy to relate to them!

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  21. Good for you...Bustin Uncle Wilbert...you are like a "Living Doll" as my Mom always calls the cuties..and I love that phrase too..!

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  22. What a great story! Thank you for sharing. I look forward to getting to know you better. Thanks for your visit to my blog, I will be back to your again. Blessings, Martha

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  23. Great story!!! Love the picture!! Poor Uncle Wilbert.

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  24. Boy, I bet your Uncle Wilbert took the cure...
    and your Granny had the wisdom of Solomon. I was also a big Annette fan. I love the memories evoked by the things you wanted to buy.

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  25. Great story. By the way, just today a patient was telling me about growing gourds as a little girl on her grandparent's farm!

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  26. I love it! Bet Uncle Wilbert was real careful about what he told you after that.

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  27. Nezzy, Nezzy-you are hoot!
    Love the picture too.

    Melinda

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  28. That story is just too priceless! Did Uncle Wilbert learn his lesson? Bet he did if Granny had anything to say about it!

    Just too, too funny.

    Yvette

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  29. That is too cute - love that fire engine and you look so sweet and cute. sandie

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  30. Isn't a amazing hoe photos of ourselves are now...vintage? Where did the time go? Such a cute post!

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  31. You are such a wonderful story teller - I can hardly wait until the next one! Do you still have a garden full of gourds each year? Oh how I laughed - I'm going to read it again!

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  32. This is THE best story!!! Loved the ending! Girl, you should be writing books, filled with these funny stories. Your writing just flows and I feel like I can actually hear your Southern drawl as you tell your story (I know I say that a lot to you but it's so true!)

    You look so smug in that picture...adorable!

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  33. So it ended just right! You did make some money and poor Uncle Wilbert....I'm sure that was the end of telling you stories.

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  34. You sure did start my day with a smile...and a giggle! Thanks, Nezzy!

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  35. Adorable story and adorable picture of a wee chicklet! =)

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  36. ~What an enterprising little critter you were, Nezzy! Do you recall what you did with your "stash?"
    ~Adorable picture of you on your way to put out a fire!
    Joanne

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  37. Oh Nezzy, thank you so much for sharing your testimony! Isn't God just too cool? May God bless you and your precious daughter and grandson! Thank God for His mercy!!!

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  38. This is a sweet story and the picture is precious. How proud she looks to be sitting behind the wheel of her new convertable!
    I copied the photo. lightened it and did a few minor repars. You will find it in an e-mail. Blessings

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  39. Thanks for stopping by recently. I'm always falling behind here in Blogland, but I SO enjoyed coming over to see these PRECIOUS pics of you in your last two posts. Past family photos are such a treasure!!!
    M.L.

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  40. That was really a cute story. Love the photo!

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  41. What a perfect ending to the story! I'm so happy that you had a good money crop and am literally doing a happy dance with you.

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  42. You are a good story teller. Love the photograph at the beginning too.

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  43. I was waiting for a "Don't count your chickens before they hatch" story but then you DID get a nickel for each gourd. Sheesh. Let the punishment fit the crime, let the punishment fit the crime. Your uncles sound like a hoot! And I wish I had some red vinyl 45s~!

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  44. Oh Nezzy, You tell the greatest stories! I'm so glad your crop paid off even if your "....uncle was as busted as a can of biscuits whacked hard against a sharp edged counter..." Ha! I love that. (What a way with words-- I've probably banged a biscuit can on the counter a couple hundred times and could never have said it better than you!)

    You are the greatest!
    xo

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  45. I remember those fire trucks! Sounds like you made a good profit and didn't even have to weed them, good deal!

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  46. Great story.. and my, that photo - too adorable for words!

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  47. First time to visit you and I loved your story! The picture that goes with it is just adorable! Thank you for stopping by my side of blogland!
    Patti

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  48. Your opening quote cracked me up! Love the picture too. Look at those icicles on that tree! My grand-girls don't even know what icicles are.

    Have a great weekend!

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  49. I loved it!! Did your uncle ever tell you fabulous get-rich stories again? ;p

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  50. The things grownups tell little kids:) Well, it makes for some fun memories when you look back.

    What a cute photo. You had a pretty nice ride there.
    Marnie

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  51. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog. I really like the pic above. I would love to have a little fire engine car like that!

    Blessings~Kim

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  52. Love that picture! Adorable!
    Thanks so much for stopping by again to visit me. I have been really behind in my blogging and so I have not been over to visit you until now. Will certainly be back. Have a Blessed Weekend!

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  53. that is a great ending to a wonderful story!

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  54. Beautiful story! I could actually picture this in my mind! Love the pic! So cute!

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  55. methinks sarah grace looks an awful lot like her grandma. :)

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  56. I too am wondering what you spent your earnings on! You were obviously destined for greatness from the start! Great story!

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  57. I'm so glad that your hard work paid off! I also wonder what you spent your money on. And did your Uncle ever set you up again after that?

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  58. Oh Nezzy Sweetie...
    Whoever said hard work doesn't pay off? It sure did for you.

    So what did you do with your earnings? Inquiring minds want to know.

    I love the firetruck. You were some lucky gal. I never got one of those. I bet you had to use to put out that fire between Uncle Wilbert and Granny. So cute sweetie. So very cute.

    Have a beautiful day. Country hugs and so much love...Sherry

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  59. What a precious little picture! You're a little darling and you've made me laugh.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  60. Nezzy - this is such a great story. I can just picture the look on your Mom's face when she saw those vines!

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  61. I loved your story. The story and the picture are both priceless. You sure can spin a yarn!
    Keep up the good work. This brought back a lot of memories.

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  62. A great story teller you are!!!
    Enjoy your February= the month of love!!!
    xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  63. Thank you for stopping by!
    Your Uncle got himself in a pickle didn't he? :-)

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  64. Oh my, that was so funny! What great memories and what a character your Granny sounds.

    You look as pleased as punch in that cute photo.
    xoxo

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  65. Very, very funny and what a precious photo!

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  66. The hubby and I love that song. Great post.

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  67. Just found your blog and signed up to follow. You make me Laugh Out Loud! Thanks, Jamie

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  68. Oh, that is good! Love it. You are truly a gifted story teller.

    So glad you tried the dishwasher soap and liked it!

    God Bless,
    Jackie

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  69. So! What did you spend it on? May-hap a college education? May-be donated it to world peace? I hope like any proper little girl it all went for candy! Yay! How did they stop you from planting more next year?

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  70. Nezzy, is there anything better than a darned good story? Story telling is something I love and it's not always easy to find a good one. I can tell you probably come from a long heritage of story tellers. That was a cutie! As is that little girl riding in a fire engine she is ever so proud of! You were a cutie then and you still are~!
    Love and hugs,
    Mona
    While I am here...I just want to thank you so much for the sweet comments you make on my sometimes pathetic posts. I appreciate it so much. Gives me courage! :)

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  71. Grannies were always good at dealing our justice! Great story.

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  72. Oh how I enjoyed this post. Thanks for the smiles and have a great Sunday.

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  73. What a great and funny memory to have and share, thanks.

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  74. I just love your blog. How are you doing? Hope all is good with you.

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  75. Oh Nezzy, what a cute ending to your story... I'm glad your uncle paid you for all your hard work! :)

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  76. That was one rich fun-filled childhood memory. I enjoyed reading it.

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  77. I'm sure glad you didn't leave us hang'n! I'm going to read this to my kids! They'll think twice before tell'n a lie, especially to their younger brothers and sisters! It's a GREAT story! LOVE IT!

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  78. :) great story, you have a wonderful way with words daaaaaaahling.
    *kisses* HH

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  79. Nezzy, Love the story and the photo. Hope you are staying warm and having the best day. Much Love,

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  80. 83 comments!! Holy Moly Nezzie, your a popular gal! Have a great week my friend. Cindy

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  81. Great story & great post! Thanks too for stopping by my blog!

    Have a great week!

    x LOLA:)

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  82. Nezzy,
    That was quite a read. Love the picture. Thanks for all your kind words.
    Blessings!
    Gwen

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  83. Ray Charles...Dolly Parton...you're mentioning all my favorites!

    Have a great day!

    :-D Anna

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  84. Hi Nezzy,
    I think the blogger rule is that you have to post again before you get to 90 comments. LOL! I am reading seed catalogs too, oh I have got the fever bad! You are probably about 4-500 miles south of me, so you'll see spring earlier. Lucky Gal. Hugs, Cindy

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  85. Hi pretty! Just wanted to send you some prep blog love and a thank you for all of your adorable comments. xoxo

    SC

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  86. G'eve Nezzy ~ ROFLOL! You tickle the tar outta me, lady bug. The knack you have for writing is wonderful. TY for always making my day.

    Love that pics of you in that little car.

    Happy Valentine's
    Have a beautiful week!
    Hugs, Marydon

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  87. Haha! Wonderful wonderful wonderful.

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  88. Wonderful memories from your childhood and all the colorful characters in your family! :-)

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  89. Aloha Nezzy,
    you definitely are gifted ...I am never dissapointed when I come to visit!
    Your stories are fabulous...are you going to print your blog into to hard cover book? It would be a wonderful family heirloom for your posterity, That is my goal with my blogging to "slurp it into an online publishing space where they will print it words and pics for so much $ per page. I look forward to that someday, where I can run my fingers over the pages and read with my Grandkids.....someday....None of my kids are even old enough to be married, but I like to be able to project...:)

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  90. What a great story, Nezzy!

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  91. Now Nezzy you were just the cats meow!!

    I have a similar story with my grandaughter at age 3 when she decided to make some money selling pumpkins that she raised. She planted seeds EVERYWHERE she could get one in the ground at my house, her house and her other granny's. We laughed and laughed and prayed for at least a couple of them to come up. EVERYONE came up!!!!!!

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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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