Now, most people know that I am a product of a strict southern childhood. That is a fact that I neither hide nor regret.... but instead I wear it proudly like a giant belt buckle or some turquoise jewelry.
I grew up in Waldron, Arkansas... just south of the "snow possibility" line.
I can remember almost every day that I spent in Waldron. From Birthdays at Nanny & Papaws... to Holidays at Abb & Alberta's.... To entire summer breaks spent with my cousin Sandy.
Sandy is a bit older than me and therefore responsible for any of my poor judgement that might have occurred while in Waldron. I'm not sure that statement would hold up in court... but I think it explains a few things.
Anytime Sandy and I were going to spend time in Waldron, it all began with the battle for 2 things... the "gold couch" and the "blue cup".
As strange as that sounds, the loss of either or both of those items could certainly derail your entire trip.
The "Gold Couch" was one of 2 couches that Abb & Alberta ( my grandparents) had in their living room. Those couches became our beds when we stayed there.
It was called the "Gold Couch" because of the coarse, thick, yellowy gold yarn that was woven together to create the most coveted upholstery Sandy and I had ever seen.
The couch honestly looked more like a really long chair as it had a tall back that provided full lumbar support even before scientists understood it's benefit!
The other couch, the "green couch" was quite different. It's was a common green color... with upholstery that failed to make ANY statement of greatness... sure, it had many pillows... but they were common, unimpressive pillows.
As I remember it, the rules of the claim game were this. The first person to claim it when BOTH participants were inside the house gained legal, indisputable control of said item.
MANY times I remember stepping into my grandparents' house only to hear a faint echo coming from the bathroom down the hall... " I GET THE GOLD COUCH AND THE BLUE CUP!!!!!"
Immediately, I could feel the blood rushing to my face while my hopes for a good vacation were falling to the floor.
The Gold Couch AND the Blue Cup?!?!? I may as well just turn around and go home!
Then, Sandy would come sauntering into the living room, carrying that victorious chalice... that coveted cup... The BLUE cup.
See, the Blue cup was just ONE of a set of 4 plastic cups... There was the Blue cup... the red cup... the yellow cup... and the green cup.
The cups were identical in all ways... except for the majestic blue dye that was used to create that glorious glass!
Sandy would walk into the living room, carrying the cup filled with fizzing soda... she'd plop down on the GOLD couch, take a sip from the BLUE cup and say "Ahhhhhhhhhhh."
All I could do is look ahead, sipping from my bland cup... sitting on my basic couch... and just YEARN for the day *I* would would have that absolute power.... possessing both the Gold couch and the Blue cup!
I think about those times on days like today. I remember how we filled every possible moment with wonder and fun.... Whether we were playing "office"... or even when we played "Knight Rider". (By the way.. when we did... SANDY ALWAYS had Kitt as HER car... my car was called Lightning and of course it couldn't do all the things Kitt could do)
My point is, even though I spent most of my childhood in second place... I was so lucky to have that childhood. Nothing could replace all the crazy memories of Sandy and me scaring each other... of all the crazy "potions" we made in the bathroom. (it's a wonder we didn't accidentally make meth!) And even the summer I found out that unlike Sandy, I am not allergic to poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac.
Actually, that summer may have been the best one of them all! >:-)
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