Tuesday, January 26, 2010

(PUT ANOTHER NICKEL IN) MUSIC! MUSIC! MUSIC!

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Gourd is the name given to the hollowed arid covering of the fruit in the Cururbitaceae family. This native curious looking African plant may just be the oldest plant domesticated by two legged mortals. The uniquely peculiar pumpkins were said to be the inspiration for the shape of current contemporary clay pottery. Ha, say that quickly three times! The dried fruit can be used for bowls, bottles and instruments both stringed and drums that are typically found in the Caribbean. Birdhouse gourds can be seen scattered all over the USA accommodating the lodging requirements of the royal Purple Martins. To this young Ozarks farm chicklett a nice crop of gourds only meant money in the bank!

My Granny and Pappy's farm was a short distance from ours so I spent many hours there. Being a most inquisitive child, Mama would frequently say if I asked just one more question she'd go completely nuts and be put in a straitjacket. Soon after such statements I'd be carted off to spend some 'quality' time with Granny Walden. One of my daddy's twin brothers was a bona~fide eternal bachelor who lived in the old farmhouse with my grandparents. Uncle Wilford was the more serious family man and Uncle Wilbert was the joke lovin' prankster of the two. They looked enough alike that I often said I had two Uncle Wilberts 'cause they'd have this perplexed three year old mixed up more than a movin' truckload of cement.

Toward the end of growin' season I was admiring the wonderful shapes and colors of Granny's gourds reaching up toward the heavens clinging to her white picket trellis. That's when Uncle Wilbert approached this gullible juvenile gal announcing that, "ya know,them gourds grow money inside 'em." Even though I always was and am an easy mark, I AM from the Show~Me~State and I desired, requested and demanded proof stomping my tiny feet and jumpin' up and down with excitement of a pirate who has just found a treasure. Uncle Wilbert slowly pulled out his trusty pocket knife that castrated calves, scraped manure from his boots then used to split a candy bar and gently carved the gourd in his hand revealing a bright shinny nickel. Ahhh, there is was shinnin' in the sun! I felt the spark in my big browns, my heart pounded with excitement as I developed my plan. Granny thought nothin' about my questions concerning harvesting and preparing gourd seeds or even the inquisition of planting the dried embryos. Heck, the woman was a saint and even helped me harvest and dry the seeds at her house. This just may have been the beginning of my OCFD (Obsessive Compulsive Flower Disorder).

Spring had arrived and I carefully planted my cash crop around the foundation of our large back porch using my trusty blue plastic shovel. Mama thought nothin' of my enterprising bustle as I was always diggin' in something. Later that spring Mama and I boarded the Santa Fe Red-nose train for our annual trip to visit my maternal grandmother in Albuquerque for several weeks. I can still vividly remember that astounded flabbergasted look on Mama' face upon our arrival home. The home we could barely enter due to the vines that were carefully strung up and secured to the porch roof by Daddy who was under the impression Mama must of planted 'em. The vines that were goin' to supply this youngen' with enough nickels to fulfill any farm chicklet's dreams. Fort Knox eat your heart out! I'd never need to ask Daddy for a nickel to buy a candy bar or bottle of cream soda again. Mama would not be bothered by my request for more change for the nickelodeon (early jukebox) to feed my love of a good song. Yes, this self sufficient industrious child could pick the number one hit song in 1955 and sing along with Teresa Brewer, "put another nickel in, in the nickelodeon, all I want is lovin' you and music, music, music!!!"

91 comments:

  1. What a delightful memory and that is the most precious photograph!

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  2. That was a great memory to share. My dad was one of the pranksters among his 13 brothers & sisters. I can just imagine him telling a little girl a tall tale like that. After all, he told me enough of them.

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  3. Aloha,
    Wow, you are a fabulous writer, I have met few that can actually create the drawl or accent in their writing to give an increased sense of texture to the story. I LOVED IT, you are quite fabulous, and I am finding it a pleasure in getting to know you :)
    I think we'd do just fine on the porch swing with lots of lemonade and laughter..
    Aloha wishes from across the sea
    Brandi

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  4. This sounds like something my four children would do!

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  5. Oh, I loved this story! Too funny! Have a great day!

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  6. An adorable cutie pie you were as a little girl. And when you discovered that your cash crop wasn't going to come in, what was your reaction?

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  7. Hey Nezzie,
    You were such a cutie! Where is your curly hair now? I bet they just loved you and your curious little nature. Smart cookie then, smart cookie now! What't this flower OCD you have? I think I could easily pick up that disease! Hugs, Cindy

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  8. Oh Nezzy, you are terrific storyteller! What a sweet memory. thanks for sharing it with us.

    As soon as I saw the photo in my sidebar I knew it had to be you! What a cutie.

    Hope you are having a great week.
    xo

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  9. What a cute story and a cute picture too! That is a wonderful memory from days gone by. Thankfully that was one story that no one ever told me. But at my grand parents they did have Rooster Eggs. These eggs were much better than the ones that chickens laid ...and I've loved eggs ever since. Thanks for the SMILES today!

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  10. What a fun story....and I love that song and lots of old Teresa Brewer hits (Sweet Old Fashioned Girl, etc.) Wish we could have a sit down and sing them together....that is if I could carry a tune, but I know all the words.

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  11. I'd like to plant those nickle Goards out back under my Money Tree. Thanks for the tip!

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  12. Teresa Brewer is a name I have not thought about in many years:) Maybe you can send some of those Goard seeds down to DC to help stimulate our economy and pay off the debts:)
    Joyce

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  13. Oh, Nezzy, I'm sure you were such a delightful little one to have around --and never a dull moment with you either! :)

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  14. What a lovely memory! I love the way you spin your words, they draw you in and you can't get to the next sentence fast enough.

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  15. The picture is so cute and your story is so fun with sweet memory.

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  16. Thanks for sharing this story. I just love that song...'put another nickel in...." it reminds me of my childhood.

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  17. Oh, Nezzy, you do tell a tale so well! I have to wonder - did you ever tell Uncle Wilbert how deeply you had fallen for his little trick?
    By the way, this post reminded me of a house near here, a tiny little cabin, which has gourds hanging from every inch of the front eave and porch rail. I have a photo; I may build a post around it soon.

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  18. What an adorable pic!

    Thanks for visiting my blog--and I think I may follow your ebay advice! Stranger things have sold there...

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  19. And I bet that sly, "wicked" uncle teased you about that for the rest of his days. What a charming story. I will never be able to look at a gourd again without thinking about you and that nickel.

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  20. You are sooo funny--I bet you were as much a hoot when you were little as you are now.
    Cute story.

    :) Melinda

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  21. What I real little cutie you were...and still are! I just loved this story. I never quite knew what a gourd really was before! I knew that it was the outside of a vegetable, but I thought things like pumpkins or other hard skinned vegetables were gourds too!

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  22. What a cute little girl you were...! And you haven't changed a bit.

    Where can I get some seeds for those money gourds? I'd like to grow some myself. :-)

    I'll think of you now whenever I see gourds.

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  23. I love that picture!

    Isn't it kind of sad that no one has pictures like that taken anymore? I have a few of me in that sepia tone too.
    Yvette

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  24. Oh - what precious memories - and what a sweet story! Love it! Blessings to you dear one!

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  25. This is a short chapter for a book of your tales, Nezzy. Fabulous! Timeless.

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  26. Thanks for sharing that wonderful childhood memory Nezzy!

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  27. What a delightful story and perfectly told. Such a talent you are.
    Think we could send some gourd seeds to congress?

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  28. Nezzy, I hope you're keeping these stories together - they are always so much fun!

    How did you learn the real gourd story... or did your industrious self manage to plant some nickel surprises???

    Lucy

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  29. Your gorgeous face still shines as it did...and I for one am a fan of inquisitive minds..never change that..!!

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  30. Gourds really do have money in them. I love to carve, paint and make bird houses. It is a happy year when the gourd crops are good.

    Wonderfully delightful memory!

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  31. Love the picture! And the story! What a wonderful story. There must be something about Missouri that spins these tall tales. Are we still going to get this weather they promised? I sure hope not!

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  32. You haven't change much since those days: cute like in the picture, curious minded, industrious.

    Have a blessed DAY!

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  33. Nezzy, what a fun memory. Thanks for sharing that. And you have not changed much at all. Adorable photo!
    <><

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  34. I love to remember those days when, as a child, I thought anything was possible:) It must have been a little discouraging to open those gourds and not find any money.
    Marnie

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  35. What a wonderful story, and so well told! Good thing your father didn't know you planted them to grow nickels... lol.

    Such a cute picture, too!

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  36. OH Nezzy I so enjoyed stopping by here this morning. It was well worth using my bytes for. lol
    Love your picture, your just as beautiful now as then.
    this story is such a keeper. Loved the way you told it to us
    Keep writing my friend
    Maggie

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  37. Did you ever forgive your Uncle? Or where you able to convert your gourds into money...or at least something fun and useful?

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  38. Thanks for dropping by my blog about Ethan. What a charming story you've posted here! Happy to discover your blog.

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  39. Fantastic story.

    I love that photo too.

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  40. Another great post, Nezzie. And thanks for the tutorial on gourds!
    Joanne

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  41. Oh my gosh what a WONDERFULLLLLLLLLL story! What a great memory! I can just picture your uncle with the knife too! :)

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  42. What a darling story! This post made me laugh out loud, and I just love that!!!

    Blessings friend,

    Jo

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  43. Hello........ It is nice to meet you and I so loved the story... It brought back memories of my grandmother.. She grew goards out by her old well house and we would paint them and make bird houses...... Her house burnt in 1994 and those few painted gourds from my child hood burnt to ashes........ It is strange but it was such a heart break to this grown woman.......

    Thanks for coming by my blog and I will so be back here to visit..... I get the feeling we are a lot alike.......

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  44. What a great memory! I love your stories!

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  45. I just wanted to tell you...............I love you. Thank you for your support and your prayer and your encouragement and everything.

    Please, stay safe and warm and eat a lot of hot comfort food. I hope you guys don't lose the power and if you do not for long. I am praying for you and your homeplace.

    And what wrong with your blog? I don't get it.

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  46. Whoo Whee Nez - you were a CUTE little dolly at that age! Isn't it funny how uncles could do and be??? I had a couple of twin uncles too.

    Hope the big storm spares you; it is just damned cold up here in N Illinois. Loved the story - take care!

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  49. Hi Nezzy,
    Thanks for coming over and visiting my blog! I think I've seen your picture from posting at my friend Martha, Line from Linderhof's blog, but can't be 100%. Always neat to meet someone
    from the midwest, becuase you never know what might happen with someone who loves taking country drives!

    You have a WONDERFUL talent for writing and I enjoyed reading more than one of your posts, and looking forward to becoming better aquainted!

    Warmly,
    Nancy

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  50. I just love the words grammy and grampy! and I love you too. xoxo

    SC

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  51. What a beautiful picture and such a great story to go with it. Sandie

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  52. thanks for sharing such a delightful memory! were you disappointed when you didn't reap any nickels??? I'm so glad you stopped by to visit my blog, I've quite enjoyed visiting yours!!!

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  53. Awww, that picture of you is adorable!! Love all those wavy curls in your hair!

    I really enjoy when you tell stories...you just seem to draw me in and I find myself hanging on every word. It's almost as if I can hear your accent, telling the story.

    I'm curious, too, about what you did when you realized you weren't about to strike the jackpot!!

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  54. Loved your story and thanks for visiting my blog! I remember weeding the garden in 150 degree weather for hours and getting a nickel to go buy penny candy. I should have raised gourds.

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  55. Nezzy, What a wonderful memory. Thank You so much for sharing. Your OCFD was great lol... Wow the price of stuff back then. Things have changed alot.

    I love Gourds, and hope to get some real ones sometimes to hang up. (They sell them alot of places here, but are plastic lol).

    Thank You for all your emails and most of all your friendship. Your Support and Prayers mean so much to me. Love you so much my friend, Audrey

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  56. Girl, you're a mess to be sure. How funny.

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  57. I think I could get hooked on your posts!! You've sucked me right in! :-)

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  58. You are such a gifted story teller! You sure were a cute child. Love the picture! Have a great weekend, Jackie

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  59. What a fun story girl..I really loved reading this...May you have a great weekend my friend...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  60. I am so going to do this with great nieces and nephews...won't they be surprised when they start harvesting nickels...I used to tell my nieces and nephews to catch the wind, put it in their pockets and save it for rainy day. They still do it to this day and they are almost 30!!

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  61. Do the gourds have quarters now because of inflation?

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  62. Great story, I loved it! Thanks for putting a smile on my face this morning.

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  63. That is a great story and so well told! It sounds so much like something my dad would have pulled on me!

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  64. what a great story!!!!! wish I had me some cash crops!

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  65. ha...if only!
    we'd all be growing gourds.

    great story nezzie.

    hugs~

    chasity

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  66. Wonderful memories. I have grown gourds including the kind that can be used for bird houses or feeders. I love the photograph at the beginning of this post.

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  67. I just want to know How dissappointed you were to find there really weren't any nickels in there! LOVE this story. Your writing brought me there with you. I could just picture you there! Thanks for the journey..

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  68. I had to laugh when I read about you being an inquisitive child. My nine year old girl is just the same, always curious, always asking..drives me nuts at times. Beautiful memory of your childhood. It's always wonderful to recall and share precious moments like these to loved ones and to your readers.

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  69. You have an unbelievable way with words and story telling! I loved this!

    My favorite part (among many) was Uncle Wilbur's trick pulling money from the gourds. I was right there with you.

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  70. What a time you must have had growing up within such a lovely family. This made me laugh so much. I just love it.

    That picture is totally adorable by the way.
    xoxo

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  71. Yes, we all have a similar story from being young and trustworthy. Yours is very cute! Did you sell them and become independently wealthy?

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  72. How bad did you get dumped on last night? We just got what I call "nuisance" snow. Not complaining!

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  73. Great story Nezzy!! You musta been a beautiful baby!!! You were a beautiful baby!!

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  74. Nezzy, beautiful. Thank you for sharing and also for encouraging me along in my own journey. Blessings.

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  75. Nezzy, you have such great memories!!! I love visiting you!

    And I remember that song!!!! (-:

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  76. Nezzy, I just loved your memory story..what a gift you have left for your children and grands.. You were a cute little spunky lady..how did your Mother ever survive. My Mother kept saying we were driving her crazy..we never got shipped off to Grandmas..Lucky you!! I bet those vines were something to see:)

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  77. Great photo. And the story made me want to try growing gourds.

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  78. What a great story :0) and that has got to be the sweetest pic EVER

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  79. gourds. say it like 4949 times and it sounds REAL weird and gross.

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  80. Adorable and colorful story. Reminds me of a character in a movie.

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  81. I LOVE this story! Partly because I love gourds, partly becausen I too have an inquisitive child who drives me mad with his questions, and partly because you are an amazing storyteller!

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  82. That was a great story!!
    When I saw the name of your blog I knew I was in for a treat. We always had to watch out for the cow patties in the pasture. Some of my best memories come from playing in the barn and down by the creek.

    Have a great day!

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  83. you are such an encouragement! I am getting so that I get excited to see what you say when you leave a comment. You bless my socks off! May God bless you!

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  84. Wonderful post daaahling, a pleasure to read.
    *kisses* HH

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  85. Oh Nezzy what a precocious child you must have been... and now you've grown up into such a delightful writer! I really enjoyed your story, and as one of your commenters said, you really have a knack for injecting your stories with that lovely Southern drawl!

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  86. Nezzy good morning
    Just stopped by to say hello and to check on you.
    Hope your having a good week. It is raining here and I so want some sunshine. lol
    Maggie

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  87. G'morn, Nezzy ~ Another wonderful story & the way you tell them is so inviting of memories to enjoy. TYSM, I truly love visiting with you.

    Pop over for our giveaway ..........

    Happy Valentine's ~
    TTFN ~ Marydon

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  88. What a great story! Too sweet - and my, were you enterprising!

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  89. What a sweet story. I enjoyed it very much. Did you find out before they were ready to harvest that there wouldn't be any nickles involved?

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  90. That's cute. (I assume there's a sequel?) I think we all have a sotrye like that; mine is my grandpa telling me that brown cows gave chocolate milk. :)

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  91. I love to read your stories! I feel like I am there with you!!!!I love this one! Maybe I should plant some gourds!

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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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