Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Heads or Tails #19 (Memorable Gift)

This week, Barb, the Nobel Prize winning inventor of Heads or Tails, the mysterious fuel additive that has dramatically increased gas mileage in several recent tests, asks us to talk about "a memorable gift."

There was one gift I really, really wanted one Christmas.

I can't remember exactly when this was... I was young... 10? 11? 9? Thinking about it, I can't remember which house we were living in: We moved when I was 11, so that would have been a big clue. I'm hoping this was at the old house; I could better plead my extreme youth as an excuse.

No, it wasn't a BB gun. (That's been done, anyway.)

I wanted a cane.

I can't remember, now, why I wanted one. I may have been in a Fred Astaire phase. It wasn't because of any physical problem.

I just wanted it, that's all.

And I got it: It wasn't a cane for white tie and tails, though. It was part cane, part shillelagh. But I was very pleased. And it's still around here somewhere....

Not a rollicking, hilarious story, though, is it? Well, there is the gift I didn't get....

It was my 16th birthday and my mother and father were already sitting down to breakfast. I was late, as usual.

I ran down the stairs but didn't go to the kitchen. Instead I threw open the front door and ran outside.

My parents were confused... but there was more to come.

I ran back in, glowing and breathless. "It's wonderful, it's exactly what I wanted!"

"What is?" they said.

"The car, the CAR," I cried. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! And with a bow, too," I embellished. "That was a nice touch."

"There's no car in the driveway with or without a bow on it," they said.

And, of course, they were right: There was no car there.

But I thought I was terribly amusing.... They just thought I was nuts.

And not for the first time, either.

I hope Santa brings what you ask for: Even if it's a little strange, you may get it, as long as it doesn't cost too much. Merry Christmas.

13 comments:

landgirl said...

Oh, Cur, I love your Christmas stories. I am going walkabout for Christmas. We went to New Harmony for our anniversary and now we ar in French Lick. On our travels we stopped at St. Meinrad's archabbey and monastery. Indiana is full of little surprises. I am discovering my own state by seeing things I never saw when I lived here and experiencing some old ones in a new way. That's a pretty good Christmas package, I think.

Rambler said...

ha ha Cur nice story :)

Ellee Seymour said...

I've never heard of that request before. I have no real Christmas wishes, I always like to be surprised.

Bloggers said...

I loved your head or tails.
Mine is up on Working at home mom.

Jean-Luc Picard said...

Good story. My father finds it very hard to surprise me at Christmas. I'm just grateful for the gift.

Hootin Anni said...

A cane? Ya, you musta been dreaming of becoming part of the famous dance couple Rogers and Astaire!! I can see it all now!!!

The car story was way too funny, I think. sounds like something I woulda done myself a long long time ago.

My H/T is posted....won't you drop by?

Natalie said...

You must be a blast in real life. You're so funny!

Ralph said...

I can't stand those Lexus Christmas ads...no, I don't want a car for Christmas! I used a cane for a few years prior to the wheelchair. If I could use a cane instead of a 'chair', I'd wish for it.

I just hope for a wonderful holiday with the four of us. Daughter will be home later this week, and I can't wait for the whole family to be together...

Jeni said...

Too bad you can't remember why you wanted the cane but it's also pretty cool that you got it. And the car story - well now that was good, just plain, pure and simple GOOD! Loved it!

bcmomtoo said...

Cute car story.

I've been scrolling down and reading a bit more while I'm here. Very interesting...

Vixen of Vixensden.com said...

I think its simply wonderful that your cane was also a shillelagh. But that isn't what you were going for was it?

And way to get your parents on your birthday. It sounds exactly like something I would have done, if I hadn't gotten a job at 13 and saved and bought my own car at 16, lol.

Vixen
http://vixensden.wordpress.com

Berni said...

Hope your wishes are fulfilled this Christmas. Mine is up but it is pretty feeble. I am a friend of Jeni's at Down River Drivel and she has often mentioned your blog so it was time I came and saw for myself. I like the Curmudgeon part I am one myself.

Cariboo Ponderer

msb said...

I want a Trane. Darn wood heater doesn't put out much heat. but I'd settle for an electric blanket. I remember asking for skies at 6 and got them. a red letter day in my little life.