Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

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



Thursday, September 24, 2020

War and Chocolates

How do you relax after dinner?
Okay, I admit it: Our family is weird.
We like theatrics.
And things medieval.
And, believe it or no, that takes bravery.
Case in point:
My husband has a collection of catapults.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Catapults.
He loves them.
Oh, they're not large enough to cause havoc.
And certainly not of a size to terrorize the neighbourhood.
Although I wouldn't mention that to him. It might give him ideas.
Moving on . . .
No. His catapults are small.
Suitable for launching little, foil-wrapped chocolates.
Which he does.
Usually after family meals.
Our family is large.
And we have two tables in our dining room.
One round table, built by my Husby and seen here.
And one smaller table, also built by my Husby, which seats all of the grandchildren.
It is to this smaller table that he retreats after the meal is done.
With his grandkids, his catapults and his stockpile of chocolate balls.
Which he and his little army then proceed to fire at anyone left sitting at the main table.
Remember when I mentioned 'weird'?
That would apply here.
I should point out that the balls of chocolate don't hurt.
The little catapults barely throw them with sufficient force to get them to the other table.
Back to my story . . .
The usual targets of the invading hoards are their wife and/or mothers and/or grandmother.
Who have all learned to duck when needed.
I should also mention that perhaps, fortunately, their aim isn't great.
One day, we had just finished one of Grandpa's sumptuous feasts and he and assorted grandchildren had set up a siege at the kid's table.
Several of the moms were still sitting at the main table.
Visiting.
One of our granddaughters, five-year-old Kyra, came to tell her mother something.
Her timing was . . . unfortunate.
She had placed herself right in the line of fire.
So to speak.
A chocolate ball whizzed towards her.
With unusual, but deadly precision.
Thock!
Right in the center of her forehead.
She gasped and clapped one hand over the spot.
Everyone burst out laughing.
She wavered between laughter and tears for a few seconds.
Then her mother told her that she got to eat the offending chocolate ball.
And any thought of tears was forgotten.
She hunted for and happily ate, the treat.
Then disappeared.
A few minutes later, she was back.
“Mom, can I have another chocolate ball?”
Her mother looked at her. “You have to let Grampa shoot one at you first.”
“Oh.”
She thought about that for a moment.
Then she put both hands, palms out, over her forehead and stood up tall. “Okay, Grampa! I'm ready!”
Bravery.
It comes in all shapes, sizes and ages.
But never more noticeable than in a weird family.
After dinner.

16 comments:

  1. Your family sounds like tons of fun.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful story, I won't tell my children, then they won't stop until I've built them a catapult for chocolates. But a chocolate is worth a small bump. And your table is just soo nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is just something about a chocolate catapult. But I don’t blame you for not telling them! :)

      Delete
  3. Weird. But good weird. Guess who will never be forgotten.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sometimes wonder what his grandkids will write on his headstone! OR tell THEIR grandkids about him!

      Delete
  4. Love that table! Very talented hubby and I'd love to go to dinner at your house!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Heeheehee! How i love weird, and this is great. We need a catapult for chocolates here.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That's a good story but whenever I see a catapult I can't help but remember the line: "I'm comin' over that wall!"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. “Open that drawbridge!” BANG!!!!! “No, clse th drwbdge. Clse it, clse it.”

      Delete
    2. Oh my word! Of course! Our favourite Bugs!

      Delete

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