Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Shiny Black (Waterproof) Magic

It started out well.
But magical doesn’t always remain magical.
Maybe I should explain . . .
When Dad was three, his Mom and Dad came home from their monthly Lethbridge shopping trip with something special.
A pair of rubber boots just his size.
Boots that came without any pesky laces.
Overjoyed at being able to don them himself, he quickly did so. Then marched triumphantly around the house.
“Those are for walking in water,” his mother pointed out. Then she pointed out. “Outside.”
Excited at the prospect of being able to step in water without worrying about spoiling precious shoes, Dad hurried to comply.
He stood in the yard for a moment, glancing quickly about, looking for a currently boy-less puddle of water.
In the garden where his mother had been running the sprinkler, he found exactly what he sought. A shiny pool of water just the right size.
Eagerly, he made a dash for it.
For a second, he paused at the edge, letting the anticipation of the moment . . . erm . . . wash over him. Then he stepped into the water.
Oooooo!
He moved further. The water came a little higher on his new rubber boots.
For a time, he kept his eyes on the magical, world-altering foot gear as he splashed around. Then he stopped and watched the ripples slowly still. The pool become calm.
And it was then he noticed that there was a small, blond-haired boy staring back at him out of the water.
He shrieked and spun around, intent on finding either his mother or the nearest far-away place as quickly as possible.
But toddler feet, new boots, mud and water in combination don’t make for graceful, gazelle-like moves.
Hopelessly tangled up, Dad landed backside-first in the puddle. Where his amazing, magical, life-changing boots promptly filled with water.
A few minutes later a nearly hysterical, decidedly soggy, mud and tear-streaked boy appeared at the back door of the house – boots sloshing with water.
I don’t know what his Mom said. I expect something soothing – over the chuckles – as her small son poured out his story.
And his boots.

20 comments:

  1. Your father, a toddler, an epic story! Cute as can be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love my Dad stories. Such a different, more peaceful time . . .

      Delete
  2. Kids don't really change through the years, do they? What a sweet story!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so right. I need to have my Dad read this one just when he's recalling my foray into the barnyard in my . . . erm . . . footgear . . .

      Delete
  3. This story brought back some great memories. Growing up, my boys never met a puddle they didn't like. Thanks for the laugh, I needed that.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, my boys used to love a good puddle! I can only imagine the look on his mom's face when he showed up at the door!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mom? I had a fight with the puddle. And guess who won . . ?

      Delete
  5. Your family is so good at passing down the stories that should never be forgotten. This one is a classic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dad had always been a great story-teller. I can't seem to get enough of them!

      Delete
  6. What a wonderful story! So great that your family passes down these stories I sure wish I knew more "classic" stories like this about my own family!

    Thank you for linking up to Party Under the Big Top, the #BigTopBlogParty! So happy you were able to join in on the fun this week!

    Wishing you a fabulous week!

    Much love,

    Lysa xx
    Welcome to My Circus

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Lysa! We are definitely a story-telling bunch. I love tales from the 'old' days! :)
      And it's so nice to find such a group of like-minded people. Thank you for including me!

      Delete
  7. Bit of a shock to find he wasn't the only one enjoying that puddle.
    And the interloper had the cheek to look just like him!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Aw, poor little guy! What a sweet story, Diane.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Karen! I just realized: this story happened nearly 87 years ago! Wow!

      Delete
  9. What a precious story! I love how stories are passed down from generation to generation. Thank you for tossing your hat into the ring at the Party Under The Big Top! I hope to see you again next week!
    #BigTopBlogParty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love old family stories! And 'm so happy to be included there. Thank you!

      Delete
  10. What a cute story! Our kids love splashing in mud puddles in their bare feet, but they occasionally fall, too. I'm visiting from the link up #BigTopBlogParty

    ReplyDelete

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