“No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time.”
The weather is going to be the same all week, the same as it was last week. The paper did say chance of thundershowers this afternoon and evening, and I’m hoping it happens. My world is brown from lack of rain, and I love a thunderstorm. Last night I showered about eight then went right to my air-conditioned bedroom to read. I was reminded of Ghana. I’d take my cold shower, jump into my robe to walk across the back courtyard to my house then go right to bed, still wet from the shower. The air drying would keep me cool enough to fall asleep.
I have such an itch to go somewhere. The other day I went to a few sites and plugged in destinations hoping to find an inexpensive airfare. All the places I investigated were new to me, that was the only rule. I’m still on the hunt. Ghana will be some time next year, but I don’t know when yet. I’m waiting to hear if there will be festivities celebrating 50 years of Peace Corps in Ghana. I’m going regardless, but I’d like my trip to coincide if there are any planned.
When we were kids, we laughed at the grossest stuff and told horrid jokes. If someone got sick, it was fodder for endless jibes. I remember there was a Helen Keller joke phase and the punch lines would send us into peals of laughter. We weren’t cruel. We were just kids.
Telling someone they had cooties was about the worst. None of us knew exactly what a cootie was, but we knew we never wanted any. I remember making a cootie catcher and holding it near kids and saying, “I got one; I got one.” That always got me chased.
We never swore at each other back then, but we named called. I remember the universal answer was always, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” They actually did, but in no way would we let that one out. The last thing any kid wanted to be was a target, even for a little while.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: cooties, heat, name calling, travel
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
July 19, 2010 at 12:41 pm
It´s been a cool day over here, almost no sunshine and a rather strong wind. But that didn´t help against the flies in the forest. They were more annoying than ever. Since it´s going to get warmer already tomorrow I guess thunder might come.
I can´t remember any of us ever swearing and name callings was also unusual. I was really the perfect target for name callings since I was short and very fat. Only once I was called something bad, but never again strangly enough. I was just lucky I guess.
It´s been a long time since i felt the itch for travelling. I even avoid daytrips if I can 🙂 But I´ve promised to visit one of my best friends this or next week. He and his family lives on an island outside Gothenburg. It will be great photo´s then. I´ll let You know when I´ll post them.
Have a great day now, despite the heat!
Christer.
July 19, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Christer,
We got the thunder and lightning early in the afternoon. I got home from doing errands just as the heavens opened.
The rain has stopped, but it isn’t any cooler than it was.
Our name calling was harmless like you stink. We were never cruel, just annoying.
I’m sitting here sweating, and I hate it!
July 19, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Hi Kat,
Do you remember the game of Cooties? I can’t remember how it was played but you had to construct a cootie from parts.
We sang the gross songs. Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts. Did You Ever Think When The Hearse Goes By?
It appears to be clouding up outside. Maybe, just maybe, it will rain.
July 19, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Caryn,
I remember the game, but I never played it. Weren’t the parts red?
Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts was a favorite when we were kids. We just loved stuff that was gross. I don’t know the second song.
We got the rain!!
July 19, 2010 at 5:21 pm
What about “the worms crawl in, the worms crawl out, the worms play peaknuckle on your snout” I am assuming the guy is dead but you would use the name of the kid you wanted to tease. Been so long I can’t remember it all. Can you?
July 19, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Z&Me,
I remember this song now,, and the tune of the first few words now keep running through my head.
July 19, 2010 at 11:53 pm
Our favorite tunes:
http://sniff.numachi.com/pages/tiBUTCHBOY;ttBUTCHBOY.html
http://sniff.numachi.com/pages/tiDUNDER2;ttSONGAMB.html
Grandma taught them to us well over 50 years ago, and all of us grandkids love it to this day!
July 20, 2010 at 10:49 am
John,
I know I have a few versions of Butcher Boy in my files but not the other song. Maybe I can find it. Meanwhile, I’ve queued BB for playing.
July 20, 2010 at 12:34 am
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Green_Gobs_of_Greasy,_Grimy_Gopher_Guts
Cheers
July 20, 2010 at 11:00 am
Thank, Minicapt
It is the first version I remember, the one about the dirty bird feet.