The Ones That Did Not Get Away

Memories of the summers spent with my grandmother at Indian Lake are some of the most pleasant remembrances from my childhood. Her small white cottage sat across a tar covered gravel road from a large quiet pond brimming with catfish, blue gills, and perch. Of all the activities we would do, fishing was one of my favorite.

We would begin early in the morning as the sun was rising across the pond. As the shadows lengthened in the evening, we would return. Sometimes we would anchor our poles into the long white dock, so we could eat dinner, take a walk or even turn in for the evening.

After fishing several hours one warm summer evening without so much as a nibble, we were fatigued and disheartened. We anchored our poles in between the 2 by 4�s of the dock and placed large flat rocks on top of the poles. Gathering up the rest of our fishing equipment, we headed for the cottage across the road and our soft cozy beds. Little did we know what we would find in the morning.

Rising the next morning, we went through our regular routine of chores: making the bed, eating breakfast, and watering the flowers, and then we headed for the pond. Because of the poor fishing the day before, we did not expect to find any fish on the end of our lines. Much to our surprise and amazement we both had caught a fish. On the end of each of our lines were large fat catfish. What a mess they had made of our lines.

The catfish had spent their time on our hooks swimming around and over and under each other, entwining our lines into one huge mass of knots. Laughing and giggling we struggled to untangle the lines. Soon the old gentleman from a nearby cottage heard the ruckus and came to our rescue. His gnarled, weathered fingers worked painstakingly to separate our lines. After several hours, he returned our poles with a word of advice not to leave our poles unattended and too close to one another.

We learned a lesson that day. Leaving our lines out all night, especially in close proximity, was not a smart idea. We never wanted to wake up to a mess like that again.

Margaret Degler
October 11, 2001

My Granny

Granny lived to be ninety-three years young. It was sometimes hard to believe she was really that old. She was so young at heart. What helped her live so long were her faith, her family and her sense of humor.

Although Granny did not attend church on a regular basis, she had a strong believe in God as her Father and Jesus Christ as her savoir. I can remember watching her as she closed up her house at night. I could see her mouthing a prayer for each of her family members.

Her family was always a top priority in her life. Life was not always easy for her. She worked hard to give her family what they needed; food on the table, clean clothes on their backs and a comfortable home.

Her greatest quality may have been her sense of humor. She could always find something to laugh about or make others laugh. One of the funniest times was one New Year�s Eve she spent with my family. I was babysitting across the street. At midnight I looked out and could see my mom, dad and sisters but no Granny. I knew she wasn�t sleeping because she was a night owl. Then from around the side of the house came Granny. Around her lower torso she had fashioned a sheet as a baby�s diaper. She was waving her arms and shouting for all to hear, "Happy New Year!! I am the New Year�s baby!"

Her life was not always easy but she was an inspiration to all her family and friends. Though all the tears and struggles of her life she learned the key to a long and full life. She may not have had a mansion on a hill, a Jaguar or a mink coat. What she did have was of more value�her faith, her family and her wonderful sense of humor.

Margaret Degler
November 20, 2001

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Midi "On a Distant Shore" is used with permission and is copyright � 2002 Bruce DeBoer