Crumbs From the Corner: Adventures in Woolgathering

Saturday, July 19, 2008

A Dry Run



I'd give all wealth that years have piled,
The slow result of Life's decay,
To be once more a little child
For one bright summer day.
-Lewis Carroll

Saturdays in Summer are not the same now, without a green field and a sibling to run about the place with.
I spent time last evening with a child who had happy possession of a water pistol and it put me in mind of the crudely made weapons of my own childhood.
The very best implement was the cylindrical dish liquid bottle that Mater used, which never seemed to run dry soon enough for us, and for which my brother and I would on occasion grit our teeth and volunteer to do the dishes. That way we might gain privileged access to the last drop and thereby conquer the vessel for our own underhand ends: filling it to the top with water and chasing the unfortunate sibling for hours.
It seemed that whole years passed by while we waited with an eye on the remains of the dish liquid. Each day that dragged we requested Mater not to let the other get their hands on it first.
Such an item was exceedingly better than a typical water gun: its range, I seem to recall, was about six feet, quite a considerable distance given the enclosed space we played in. One could hardly run and hide in such territory.
It almost goes without saying that my spraying my brother with the water was not only fair but completely justified, and that he doing the same to me was not only unfair but a punishable offence.
The days are not the same as they were. Life moves on and one becomes, without being aware of it, the washer of dishes rather than the energetic youngster with their whole heart set on one plastic bottle.
Of course, one could always invite one's brother for an overseas visit and challenge him to a dish liquid bottle duel and a fierce battle of wits.

8 comments:

julochka said...

and you could always get some water balloons and lay in wait for him when he arrives. :-)

Pappy said...

While there are differences in the physical locations where we were raised, the actions of siblings are universal. Thanks for sharing. It was an entertaining story that seemed say - I've been there. I'm sure my younger sister would agree. Pappy

polona said...

oh, we did these things as kids and it was great fun!
thank you for yet another delightful story

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Julie, I could... I could ;) He'd never be prepared.

Texican, we're all the same, all over the world. Childhood is a very common experience and probably experienced in a similar way for most of us.

Polona, I spent most of my younger years outdoors so I grew up without the games or gadgets of today. I was better for it! It certainly was fun and I'm sure most people can relate.

Jaime said...

Liquid dish soap bottles! I wish I had thought of that when I was a kid. I might have had a chance against my brother and the constant pounding I took of oncoming water balloons and hose sprayers.

So simple yet so effective.

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Jaime, the stress of trying to be the one to get the bottle was not worth it... ;) we would watch it for weeks, and one had to be very diligent and observant in making sure to be there when Mater emptied the bottle.
But it was effective, yes indeed. I would highly recommend it! :)

Anonymous said...

just a word of advice if that duel happens to take place - i'm pretty sure those bottles can fire at least 30 feet; in which case, you might want to step back a bit more than 6 feet :D 'Abe in the H...'

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

"Anonymous"- you seem to know rather a lot about these water bottles.
Perhaps, just maybe, you had a determined sister who beat you every time in water-battle- no doubt she would still win today.
;)

Oh, and best of luck in your new house! Glad you found a place at last.

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