Pearls of Wisdom from Mom

"You should not go swimming with your hat on."

I should explain. Mom was watching the news last night and there was a story about a church that had their air conditioner stolen. A woman they interviewed was wearing a large hat. Following that segment was a story about kids swimming to keep cool during this heat wave. It makes perfect sense now, doesn't it.

The American GI and the German Professor

 During dinner, Pop will often tell stories about the Great War but he never mentions the actual fighting and war, only friendships. Just last night at dinner he told a story about a Professor that he met after the war. He was a German who taught English at the University. The American GIs were not allowed to speak to the German people. But Pop did and they became friends, if only for a short time. The Professor invited Pop to dinner and he accepted. Pop knew that he had two little girls and due to the war they did not have many possessions. On his way to dinner, Pop passed by a shoe store that had been raided, windows broken and much of the store destroyed. Pop went in and found two pair of brand new shoes that he thought might fit the girls. He left payment on the counter for the shoes. When he gave them to the girls they were overjoyed and hugged him, an American GI. Pop enjoyed dinner with the Professors' family. Pop commented on the delicious chicken. The girls giggled and then corrected him, "It's rabbit!" they said in unison.

Furniture Delivery

The recliner delivery was prompt and uneventful. The fun began afterward. The old recliners, in "perfect" condition, perfect...with rips, scratches and stains, were moved outside to the front porch to make room for the brand new power recliner chairs. Mom and Pop eagerly took them for a test drive. (My husband told Mom and Pop they needed drivers' licenses.)

I left the Elderfolk, sleeping in their new recliners to go to the store. When I returned, both Mom and Pop were still sound asleep but they were now sleeping in the old recliners on the porch. The only thing missing was the TV remote in Mom's hand. Priceless!

Furniture Shopping at Mealey's

On day, Mom decided they needed new recliners. "The other recliners are in 'perfect' condition," Mom said, "but I want new ones." So off we went to Mealey's. After an extensive search through an acre of furniture, Mom selected two power chairs in matching gold color. Story finished; no, just beginning...

The salesperson directed us to the Mealey's Cafe, which has a selection of snack foods to eat while completing the paperwork for the sale. You have heard the expression, "like a kid in a candy store," truer words have never been spoken. The salesperson said to Mom and Pop help yourself. Everything is free! Mom opened her purse and began filling it with wrapped candies like she was at the diner loading it with coffee creamers. Pop asked, "Where do we pay for this stuff?" Meanwhile, Mom had moved on to the freezer was busy raiding it for ice cream. Mom finally sat down at the table with a dixie cup in one hand, which she handed to Pop, and ice cream sandwich in the other. Pop asked, "Who do we pay for this stuff?"  By now, the salesperson had been waiting patiently for five minutes. Story finished, not yet, there's more....

Pop, "I can't use this wooden spoon, do you have a regular spoon?" Mom was up again selecting her second choice of ice cream and we still haven't started the paperwork.  Finally, the "kids" settled down and in between dripping ice cream and empty candy wrappers, the sale was finalized. At the end of the transaction, I asked where the restroom was, the salesperson directed me and then said, "I'll babysit for awhile."

As we were leaving the store, Pop said, "We didn't pay for all that stuff."