Blarney Manor House and Tree |
It reminded me of something . . .
The Stringam kids loved a scary story.
Okay, yes, it usually meant that Diane
couldn't sleep afterwards.
And needed to leave a light on.
Or, better yet, crawl in with my
parents.
But still, I loved to be scared.
And my older sister, Chris was a master
at scaring.
One who knew dozens of deliciously
frightening tales.
It was a perfect partnership.
The scare-er and the easily - and very
vocally - scared.
Chris would gather whatever siblings
were near by.
And, with them cuddled close, launch
into her current favourite.
Her soft voice would wind through the
story, slowly spiralling up in volume and suspense . . .
Or suspenders, as my dad used to call
it.
. . . to the end.
Her reward? Several squeaks of alarm as
she loudly barked out the climactic line.
“I've got you!”
Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!
“Bloody boots!”
Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!
“Ivory soap floats!”
“Eeeeeeeeeeeee!”
Okay. I admit it. We were easily
scared.
My parents were building a cabin on St.
Mary's Lake.
The fact that it wasn't quite finished
didn't deter us from actually using it.
In fact, our summer was usually spent
. . . finishing.
We had finally gotten to the painting.
Had actually spent most of yet another glorious summer morning doing
just that.
Lunch was finished.
Chris had gathered my younger brother
and I on our parent's bed.
For a few delightfully shivery minutes,
we could have story time.
I should mention that, unbeknownst
(Oooh, good word!) to us, Mom had finished the lunch dishes and
returned to her painting.
Right outside the window of the room we
were gathered in.
But I digress . . .
Chris was building to her usual grand
finish.
“Bloody
boots!”
Blair and I were completely absorbed.
“Bloody boots!”
We barely breathed.
“Bloody boots!”
Mom stuck her head through
the window. “Bloody boots!”
Her timing and delivery were perfect.
Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Our story teller proved that she was as
capable as any of us of being startled.
And Mom was rewarded with three
squeaks of alarm.
A reward indeed.
Diane, I'm back! I still have loads of dirty laundry, suitcases to unpack (still!) and Roxy to take to the vet, but I'm back! I have missed you! And I love scary stories! This post reminds me of how my sisters and I would make forts in our living room made of old sheets and hover around a flashlight, while taking turns telling scary stories. Like you, we couldn't sleep for days afterward, but it sure got our adrenalin going! hee hee! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Bella, I can't tell you how happy I am you're back! Anxious to hear about your adventures! I remember the old flashlight under the chin tactic! Ahhh . . . adrenalin!
DeleteFun memory! I love that you had to refer to yourself in third person in the beginning. Still a little scared maybe? Lol.
ReplyDeleteI've missed your stories. Glad I stopped by today.
There are still times when I have to leave a light on. Sigh. Some things never change . . .
DeleteDiane,
ReplyDeleteI had all but forgotten this! Thanks for reminding me! Love your writing style!
Love,
Chris
You were the best, Chris. Except when you were out-gunned by Mom . . .
DeleteOh, the terror of ivory soap floats. I look at little children and hope they will grow up to be as wise as they are now.
ReplyDeleteThat was always my favourite!
DeleteBLOODY BOOTS!!!! BWAH HA HA HA
ReplyDeleteThe chills! The terror! The fun!
DeleteI'm not that good a scary-storyteller, but no one can beat my sound effects! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, I so agree! Bwee-boop. Bip. Bip. Bip. Boop!
DeleteThe whispers in the dark, the shivering at each word--great memories of my own. Your mother was a saint. Glad you liked the scary tree! My own take will post on Friday.
ReplyDeleteLoved the scary tree! But now I'll have to sleep with the light on. Again. Sigh. Looking forward to your post!
DeleteHaha, how cute... perfect timing for your mother:)
ReplyDeleteOh, she had many talents. Timing was her best!
DeleteWhat fun! We used to visit an aunt, and all of the kids, plus our moms and aunt, would play "murder in the dark!" fun memories!
ReplyDeleteWe played 'murder in the dark'! Such fun memories!
DeleteI've never heard of bloody boots or Ivory soap floats, but we used to get all the kids and aunts, and play murder in the dark... Fun times!
ReplyDeleteOh, you must hear 'Bloody Boots' and 'It Floats'! Your childhood won't be complete until you do!!! :)
DeleteI really loved your story. My brothers loved to scare me with stories and other kinds of terror. You are so talented in bringing the experiences to life.
ReplyDeleteA fun read!
Thank you so much, LeAnn! Why do we love to scare each other? Weird, isn't it?!
DeleteI tried to get onto your Living Waters site, but got a Malware warning. Just FYI!