THE BEST

As sure as this Ozark Farm Chick knows a 'possum is a flat animal that sleeps in the middle of the road, it's clear that this man was one remarkable fella. Ya'll might say he was "Simply the Best!" That fact is always confirmed by the glimmer in my Mama's eyes and the joy in her voice as she speaks of him.

Born in 1904, Fred Augustus Dow grew up in Iowa where this industrious young lad ran a paper route. He later moved to Emporia, Kansas before settlin' in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He loved to gather his family for Sunday drives which consistently included a melody of his favorite songs like "My Blue Heaven." Seemed he always had a great tune to belt out, imagine that!!! Fred delivered groceries, was a railroad fireman, ran yet another paper route and was for a very short time, my Grandfather.

'Pa' was feelin' higher than an Ozark pine holdin' a six week old Nezzy Chicklett. Would ya'll look at those toothpick squirrel legs? Dang, I was so skinny it looked like I swapped legs with a wasp and got cheated a stinger!!! This was my first trip to see my maternal grandparents who lived in Albuquerque and the last time they both would both be there. My grandpa had suffered with heart problems as did two of his four children. Booger, I'd love to of known this man.

He did get the chance to visit the Stockton farm and was nuttier over me than a port~a~potty at a Peanut Festival. It was durin' this visit I called him 'Pa'. Me?? Well, accordin' to my daddy I was born a farmer skilled at milkin' and spreadin' manure from the get~go but ya can tell my 'Pa' was a true city slicker. Who wears penny loafers and white socks 'round cow patties???

'Pa' didn't come to visit me empty handed. No, he brought me a beautiful gold locket~bracelet set which I still cherish today and a skillfully hand made potty chair.

Upon arriving' 'Pa' brought the potty chair into the house where I was nappin'. A gals gotta get her beauty rest ya know? Mom woke me and was gonna put a clean hippen on me when she noticed my diaper wasn't wet. (Even then I was kinda a control freak) She sat me on my new princess commode and slicker than grease off a BBQ biscuit I tinkled! Knowin' I was the most intelligent exceptional ten month old on Earth , 'Pa' bowed up like a Banty Rooster with pride! He had a gifted prodigy tot on his hands but ya'll know even a blind hog finds and acorn every now and again! Or....maybe... just maybe, my grandpa hit the nail on the head and I am a true genius!!! A girl can dream can't she?

That was the last time I would see my grandfather. He passed shortly after makin' his one and only trip to these Ozark hills. After runnin' an early dawn paper route Pa sat down on the sofa to count his mornin' collections as my Grandmother (Ma) rustled up some breakfast. Ma heard a thump and discovered that my grandfather had collapsed from a heart attack. He could not be revived. All I have today are the pictures, a beautiful gold locket set, an old potty chair and the assurance of a grandpa's love. I'm saddened that he never got the chance to visit the Ponderosa, he would'a loved it! I know these things.

In 1974 I discovered I had my own little bun brewin' in the oven. Well, I got busier than a kitty tryin' to cover it's business on a marble floor to prepare the little loo for my own brood. I sanded my little heart out and refinished the beautiful wood grain in that old potty chair. I burnt lines in it for a distressed look and painted a Winnie the Pooh theme on the 'wee' john. Only the best for my youngens!

Over the past 59 years this potty chair has traveled almost as much as this old gal. I'm almost ashamed of how long I used this marvelous privy. Raised without indoor plumbin', it was a welcomed warm friend to my tush when it was cold enough outside to freeze the balls off a pool table. My tiny throne traveled from New Mexico to Missouri. It's visited the Gulf of Mexico in Brownsville, Texas and returned back to the Ozarks. Pooh Chair has caressed the bottoms of my kiddos (Geek Son and Social Butterfly), nieces, nephews and grandkiddos alike.

These days the galvanized pot is rustier than an old sheriff's badge and so ugly maggots would have to be blindfolded to use it. Yep, your eyes aren't deceivin' ya folks, that sure enough is Pooh Bear waitin' for incomin' poo. I'm twisted like that!!!

This positive rare gem of a song confirms the way my 'Pa' thought of me, "Your simply the best, better than all the rest, better than anyone, anyone I've ever met." Miss Tina Turner sang this encouragin' anthem from 1966 to present day. Knowin' how very blessed I am, I too can sing... "I'm stuck on your heart", 'cause I know my 'Pa' had the biggest heart of hearts and that he was " (Simply)The Best !!!"

The old potty chair is goin' into storage but not so far that it can't be pulled out to be used another day or another generation.