After 20 years I’m going to see my sister Nancy!
Janie, the crew and I leave early Friday morning for Boca Raton. Nancy moved there recently with her dog Margaret. This will be the first big test for the PTV. And it’s a chance to see how well Janie and the crew travel long distance.
Nancy is a lot of fun. She has a sparkle that comes from intelligence, sense of humor, and a unique view on life in general. She’s a can-do person with a lot of spunk. I’m so looking forward to seeing her again!
Here’s a glimpse of how our special, sister relationship developed . . . .
Nancy’s horror storybook
You may remember the children’s book, How Bear Lost His Tail. It’s a Native American folktale.
A fox tricks a bear into lowering his long tail into a hole in the ice in order to catch fish. The hole freezes around his tail, the bear tries to pull his tail out of the ice, and, well, . . . The poor bear loses his tail and the fox has a good laugh.
This tale absolutely horrified little four-year-old Nancy.
She obviously identifies with the bear, while I definitely relate to the clever fox. At long last, here is an opportunity for revenge. This is what you get for usurping my position as baby of the family!
Go back with me to the late 1950s . . . .
Nancy is sitting cross-legged on the floor contentedly preparing Barbie for a spin in her pink convertible. In a sweet, sing-song voice, I puncture her little Barbieworld.
“Oh Nan – ceeeee.” She looks up.
Very slowly with a maniacal grin . . . “Would you like me to read you a story?”
Before she can look away, I whip out the bear book from behind my back. She’s such an easy target.
“Aaaaaahhhhh!” Nancy pulls back in horror. “Nooooooo!”
Now I fully realize my demonic self.
I bring the book closer. This propels her to her feet. She takes off in a panic. I gleefully pursue her around the house with my outstretched arm wielding the book like a spear. What delicious power!
Nancy screams, “MOTHERRRRR!”. . . .
Oh, those were the days.
A year or so later, she hits me in the face with a stick. If you look closely, you can still see the scar below my left eyebrow.
Yes, the girl’s got spunk.
I like to take credit for that.
rvsue
Oh nooooo that book! I ‘d hate to have to hit you…again! Thanks for the lovely compliments, Marg and I can’t wait to see you and the crew. Safe travels. Love you!
Nancy . . . At first I thought it was 10 years we’ve been apart. I don’t know how I came up with that. It’s actually been 20 years . . . since 1991.
Cut that out. 1991 was… just the other day.
Bob
I know. And Woodstock was last week.
The horror story account made me giggle. I had 5 sisters… we survived childhood rivalries to become best friends! Hope your visit together is wonderful!
Five sisters? That must have made for an interesting hierarchy. How nice to have that many lifelong friends.
I know my visit is going to be wonderful. Thanks!
Safe travels, Sue. I hope the PTV is everything you hope and expect it to be — and more. I so enjoy hearing about your adventures!
Thanks, Laura, for the ” bon voyage!”
I’m going to keep blogging the next few days.
The memories (good memories) of childhood are always welcomed. So happy you get to test out your PTV and visit with your sis. I was the youngest of 4 and only one was a sister. I remember the torment my brothers delivered but yet those are my fondest memories. I miss those special punch in the arm because I was just standing there. Safe travels, enjoy the drive and may all the fur babies love the ride. Stay safe. So glad you took Janie with you!
Hi, Carmen,
Yeah, I’m glad Janie’s coming with us. I was about to cancel the trip because I worried about leaving her behind in a strange place . .. then my sister invited all of us! I hope she doesn’t regret it.
Thanks for the good wishes for our trip. I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend yourself!
Prayers for safe travel. Enjoy your visit. Then you can come home and wind up stuff and head for Texas and your Casita. It’s been fun to read the memories you and your sisters share.