Advice to children crossing the street: damn the lights. Watch the cars. The lights ain’t never killed nobody.
~Moms Mabley
Yesterday, I wrote about the Quan. I emailed my sister, asking for a memory or two. This is her response in its entirety. I’ve changed nothing except the names.
Two things first.
I just set up an account with StumbleUpon. Writer Dad was taken (now I know how you felt Dave; sorry). My username is writerdaddotcom. If you’d like to be friends, let me know.
Also, I need help with my Feedburner feed. Since I started, I’ve been unable to deliver full feeds. Yes, I have the full feed plugin, and yes everything is set as it’s supposed to be. If anyone can help, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks.
Without further ado, Kittytown:
I’m a bit shocked and appalled that memories of the Quan are not crystal clear in your mind.
The Quan did not happen because we were bad kids. The Quan happened because we were not allowed to have sugar. I think that is the thing that is so shocking now… that MOM (our mother’s full name) would not let us have sugar.
The Quan could only happen when the stars were aligned just right. By which I mean (of course) that it was Sunday and Mom went grocery shopping without us. We never would have dared with Mom home. I believe that if it was announced she was going without us, we had some sort of secret signal… a look… we just knew. We had preparations to make: finish our chores and then we would each go to our secret stashes of change and cram everything we could into our pockets. Then we would make sweeps of the house looking for unclaimed change in corners and on counters, maybe under the couch.
By the time Mom had her keys in her hand, we were ready. Her car was barely out of the driveway before we told Pop we were going out to play and were out the door. We would walk to the corner, doing our best to appear casual. We probably thought we were sauntering with secret agent slickness, but I’m sure we were quite obviously up to something. By the time we hit the corner of Golden and 20th, we’d look both ways and race off. You pulling ahead of me on your scooter, me pounding my little pink moccasined feet against the pavement as fast as they would go. We’d fly to the Quan, our hearts pounding and so excited we were barely breathing. And I was not much bigger than Mia.
I can still see the candy display on the counter. I remember the selection. We’d get the big stuff first… the quarter candies: boxes of lemonheads, red hots, jawbreakers, and the occasional box of boston baked beans. No grapeheads. Never grapeheads. We neglected the chocolate because it was too expensive and we were bargain shoppers. If we were feeling spendy, we would each spring for a 45cent jolly rancher stick. Then we’d throw in some packs of hot dog gum and a few envelopes of cinnamon toothpics. Whatever money was left would be traded for as many bazooka joe’s as we could afford.
Quan counter guy would sweep our candy into a plain paper bag, which you would then roll up and hide under your shirt. We would race back home as fast as we could and then hole ourselves up in your room. The candy would be dumped out on the bed and divided… some of it to be gorged on immediately (only what we could finish before Mom got home) and the rest would be horded away, hopefully to last until the next clandestine Quan trip.
This was probably the only time not involving action figures that I was allowed in your room without being beat up.
About Sean Platt
I am amazed that with your sister’s birthday and all…and the age factor, she can remember this event at all! :-) giggle.
I will find you on Stumble.
Harmonys last blog post..The Power Broker Bust (pt 2 of 4)
Wendi: Me too! I’ll host her on my server and give her a theme. Come on, KittyTown!
Betsy Wuebker: “Seems like I remember dirt being made.” I’m glad I finished my coffee, otherwise I would’ve burned myself. Thanks for making me laugh.
Ellen: Does the partial feed bother you? I’m trying to figure out if it’s just a few people who are troubled and it really bothers them or if a lot of people don’t like it and are too nice to tell me.
Dot: I have atoned for my kitty bashing.
SpaceAgeSage: That’s super funny, Sage. You should write a short story about it. I bet it would be really good.
Friar: I’ve known two people who have owned a liquor store. Neither one will ever hurt for money. Ever.
Harmony: She’s got a memory like an elephant.
Wendi: Me too! I’ll host her on my server and give her a theme. Come on, KittyTown!
Betsy Wuebker: “Seems like I remember dirt being made.” I’m glad I finished my coffee, otherwise I would’ve burned myself. Thanks for making me laugh.
Ellen: Does the partial feed bother you? I’m trying to figure out if it’s just a few people who are troubled and it really bothers them or if a lot of people don’t like it and are too nice to tell me.
Dot: I have atoned for my kitty bashing.
SpaceAgeSage: That’s super funny, Sage. You should write a short story about it. I bet it would be really good.
Friar: I’ve known two people who have owned a liquor store. Neither one will ever hurt for money. Ever.
Harmony: She’s got a memory like an elephant.
Wendi: Me too! I’ll host her on my server and give her a theme. Come on, KittyTown!
Betsy Wuebker: “Seems like I remember dirt being made.” I’m glad I finished my coffee, otherwise I would’ve burned myself. Thanks for making me laugh.
Ellen: Does the partial feed bother you? I’m trying to figure out if it’s just a few people who are troubled and it really bothers them or if a lot of people don’t like it and are too nice to tell me.
Dot: I have atoned for my kitty bashing.
SpaceAgeSage: That’s super funny, Sage. You should write a short story about it. I bet it would be really good.
Friar: I’ve known two people who have owned a liquor store. Neither one will ever hurt for money. Ever.
Harmony: She’s got a memory like an elephant.
Wow, thanks for the comments everyone! Pretty good for a dashed-off in 10 minutes email that was for my brother’s eyes only and never intended for public consumption.
Ahem.
To be fair, he asked and I did give him full permission to publish our private correspondence on the internets for everyone to see.
@WriterDad:
1. People really care that the whole post isn’t showing up and they have to click on it to read all the text? Boo hoo! STOP BEING A BUNCH OF BABIES! It’s just a click. One flick of a finger. Jesus.
2. See? This (above) is why I shouldn’t have a blog. I hate everything and I fucking cuss like a goddamn sailor.
3. I only scratched and bit because you were bigger and stronger than me. You’re sooooo lucky that I don’t bruise easily, you bastard.
4. There is no four.
@everyone who said something about my memory: Yes, I have an excellent memory. I also hold grudges, AND my 11th grade English teacher told me I write with “withering clarity.” This makes me somewhat akin to a petty vengeful superhero. I feel so powerful.
Wow, thanks for the comments everyone! Pretty good for a dashed-off in 10 minutes email that was for my brother’s eyes only and never intended for public consumption.
Ahem.
To be fair, he asked and I did give him full permission to publish our private correspondence on the internets for everyone to see.
@WriterDad:
1. People really care that the whole post isn’t showing up and they have to click on it to read all the text? Boo hoo! STOP BEING A BUNCH OF BABIES! It’s just a click. One flick of a finger. Jesus.
2. See? This (above) is why I shouldn’t have a blog. I hate everything and I fucking cuss like a goddamn sailor.
3. I only scratched and bit because you were bigger and stronger than me. You’re sooooo lucky that I don’t bruise easily, you bastard.
4. There is no four.
@everyone who said something about my memory: Yes, I have an excellent memory. I also hold grudges, AND my 11th grade English teacher told me I write with “withering clarity.” This makes me somewhat akin to a petty vengeful superhero. I feel so powerful.
TWO writers in the fam!! Listen, KittyTown, whatever you may think in rebuttal, get yourself a blog started already!! I will read. People will read. Maybe enough that your brother might even beat you up and hereby forbid you from his room forevermore. Which is totally fine now, anyway. Also, it’s only sibling rivalry. Nothing like a jealous bro to feed the fire.
Plus, look. I used *double* quotation marks.
And if that doesn’t work…c’moooon.
There. That should do it.
PS. Naomi of ittybiz cusses like nobody’s biz and she is very very popular. In fact, it may be that the more you cuss, the better.
stephs last blog post..Magic in the Air
TWO writers in the fam!! Listen, KittyTown, whatever you may think in rebuttal, get yourself a blog started already!! I will read. People will read. Maybe enough that your brother might even beat you up and hereby forbid you from his room forevermore. Which is totally fine now, anyway. Also, it’s only sibling rivalry. Nothing like a jealous bro to feed the fire.
Plus, look. I used *double* quotation marks.
And if that doesn’t work…c’moooon.
There. That should do it.
PS. Naomi of ittybiz cusses like nobody’s biz and she is very very popular. In fact, it may be that the more you cuss, the better.
stephs last blog post..Magic in the Air
Bad Kitty! :)
LOL
Writer Dad – Speed Racer?! Really? I thought you liked GOOD movies.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Eight(teen) Questions – Interview with Sean Platt from Writer Dad
Bad Kitty! :)
LOL
Writer Dad – Speed Racer?! Really? I thought you liked GOOD movies.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Eight(teen) Questions – Interview with Sean Platt from Writer Dad
Bad Kitty! :)
LOL
Writer Dad – Speed Racer?! Really? I thought you liked GOOD movies.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Eight(teen) Questions – Interview with Sean Platt from Writer Dad
Hey WD I’m sure your dentist was pretty happy for repeat business…LOL
Hey WD I’m sure your dentist was pretty happy for repeat business…LOL
Did I say that I LOVE reading childhood memories?
Well I do.
I will search for you on SU.
Vered – MomGrinds last blog post..Saw “Burn After Reading”. Non-Botoxed Actresses. Awesome.
Did I say that I LOVE reading childhood memories?
Well I do.
I will search for you on SU.
Vered – MomGrinds last blog post..Saw “Burn After Reading”. Non-Botoxed Actresses. Awesome.
KittyTown!! You would be shocked at what people seem to care about in the blogosphere. The bloggess only knows four letter words, and she makes me pee on my own leg. Please start a blog. I will read it thrice daily, host it on my server, and set you up. You have the perfect shade of skin for hiding bruises. Max and Mia are equally lucky/unfortunate. witheringclarity.com – go for it!
Steph: You would abandon my words about thirty seconds after getting down in KittyTown.
Blogger Dad: I like movies, I LOVE the good ones. I was curious to see what the Wachowskis were cooking for the kids. Can’t blame me for that.
Chris: We had a standing appointment.
Vered: I think I should do more of them. They’re easy, like cheating posts. Thanks for the StumbleUpon love. I’ll crack that nut yet.
KittyTown!! You would be shocked at what people seem to care about in the blogosphere. The bloggess only knows four letter words, and she makes me pee on my own leg. Please start a blog. I will read it thrice daily, host it on my server, and set you up. You have the perfect shade of skin for hiding bruises. Max and Mia are equally lucky/unfortunate. witheringclarity.com – go for it!
Steph: You would abandon my words about thirty seconds after getting down in KittyTown.
Blogger Dad: I like movies, I LOVE the good ones. I was curious to see what the Wachowskis were cooking for the kids. Can’t blame me for that.
Chris: We had a standing appointment.
Vered: I think I should do more of them. They’re easy, like cheating posts. Thanks for the StumbleUpon love. I’ll crack that nut yet.
You truly validate the behavior of Smith Kids down the street. They are not allowed to have sugar–at all. And if it is given to them, they are expected to take it home and turn it over to mom or dad. They are not allowed to trick-or-treat because of the evil candy. But let me tell you one thing that they have in common with you – they are sneaks. Anytime they are at our home and we have candy, they are ravenous. In fact, I tell them to take candy and I won’t tell their mom! How’s that for living on the edge? I say live a little and let your kids enjoy their sweets. I certainly don’t deprive myself of the sugar I “need” in my daily diet.
B.Wildes last blog post..Unconventional Expectations
You truly validate the behavior of Smith Kids down the street. They are not allowed to have sugar–at all. And if it is given to them, they are expected to take it home and turn it over to mom or dad. They are not allowed to trick-or-treat because of the evil candy. But let me tell you one thing that they have in common with you – they are sneaks. Anytime they are at our home and we have candy, they are ravenous. In fact, I tell them to take candy and I won’t tell their mom! How’s that for living on the edge? I say live a little and let your kids enjoy their sweets. I certainly don’t deprive myself of the sugar I “need” in my daily diet.
B.Wildes last blog post..Unconventional Expectations
Regarding the Feed issue: check out the feedburner forums. I posted a question in there when I first started and had an answer in hours…
Regarding your new StumbleUpon account: I added you as a friend and beware, it is addictive.
Regarding your post: I was in the same boat. We were so sugar-deprived that we’d be known to eat anything with sugar in the house including, but not limited to…
1. Cake sprinkles (any kind and color)
2. powdered sugar
3. baking chocolate (it was bitter, but it was SUPPOSED to be sweet) – mind over matter maybe. :)
hanks last blog post..Things I’ve Learned In The Past Year – Tell Me YOURS And Be In The $300+ Prize Drawing (Hanks Holiday Handout #4)
Regarding the Feed issue: check out the feedburner forums. I posted a question in there when I first started and had an answer in hours…
Regarding your new StumbleUpon account: I added you as a friend and beware, it is addictive.
Regarding your post: I was in the same boat. We were so sugar-deprived that we’d be known to eat anything with sugar in the house including, but not limited to…
1. Cake sprinkles (any kind and color)
2. powdered sugar
3. baking chocolate (it was bitter, but it was SUPPOSED to be sweet) – mind over matter maybe. :)
hanks last blog post..Things I’ve Learned In The Past Year – Tell Me YOURS And Be In The $300+ Prize Drawing (Hanks Holiday Handout #4)
I love the details of this memory! I instantly recognized that spinning, lightheaded feeling of being a kid and getting away with something. Heady stuff, that.
Katrinas last blog post..M.M.M.*
I love the details of this memory! I instantly recognized that spinning, lightheaded feeling of being a kid and getting away with something. Heady stuff, that.
Katrinas last blog post..M.M.M.*
This is hilarious. You guys were very organized with your operation – at such a young age. Surprising.
This piece got me in the mood for candy.
This is hilarious. You guys were very organized with your operation – at such a young age. Surprising.
This piece got me in the mood for candy.
Oh my! I’m still laughing. I don’t know if it was the image of two kids on a street corner thinking they were “casual,” but obviously up to something, or my own memory of the candy store up the hill (when 50 cents got you a small bag full), or Kittytown’s response, which was hilarious (seriously, Kitty, it’s blog time), or the truth that your mother probably knew about it all along (mine suspected, sigh). What a great way to spend a bit of time…the post all the way through the comments!
Oh my! I’m still laughing. I don’t know if it was the image of two kids on a street corner thinking they were “casual,” but obviously up to something, or my own memory of the candy store up the hill (when 50 cents got you a small bag full), or Kittytown’s response, which was hilarious (seriously, Kitty, it’s blog time), or the truth that your mother probably knew about it all along (mine suspected, sigh). What a great way to spend a bit of time…the post all the way through the comments!
Sean,
It’s amazing how much we think we’re “pulling the wool” over on our parents. When I got older, and my parents divulged some of my old “secrets,” it was quite disturbing.
Now that the shoe is on the other foot, and I’M the mom. I try not to let my kids in on the fact that I “knew thir secrets.” Occasionally, they ask “Did you know what we were up to?” I just smile…:-)
Rita
Sean,
It’s amazing how much we think we’re “pulling the wool” over on our parents. When I got older, and my parents divulged some of my old “secrets,” it was quite disturbing.
Now that the shoe is on the other foot, and I’M the mom. I try not to let my kids in on the fact that I “knew thir secrets.” Occasionally, they ask “Did you know what we were up to?” I just smile…:-)
Rita
B.Wilde: The Smith kids are going to need some sugar before they get to college or they’re going to go NUTS once they’re out of the house.
Hank: Thanks for the feed help and the Stumbling. I really want to make both of them a memory. You made me laugh. Not only do I remember eating an entire chunk of baking chocolate, I put MSG on my popcorn because it had the word sodium in it. Mind over matter indeed.
Katrina: My sister can paint a picture wonderfully. I’ve been thinking about pink moccasins and cinnamon toothpicks all day.
Bamboo Forest: She was the brains, I was the balls.
BJ: That’s a nice compliment: the post all the way through the comments. Thanks for the compliment, and the contribution.
Rita: I can’t wait to see what my offspring have planned to horrify me. My mom was over for dinner this evening, in hysterics as she read this, and yesterday’s post.
B.Wilde: The Smith kids are going to need some sugar before they get to college or they’re going to go NUTS once they’re out of the house.
Hank: Thanks for the feed help and the Stumbling. I really want to make both of them a memory. You made me laugh. Not only do I remember eating an entire chunk of baking chocolate, I put MSG on my popcorn because it had the word sodium in it. Mind over matter indeed.
Katrina: My sister can paint a picture wonderfully. I’ve been thinking about pink moccasins and cinnamon toothpicks all day.
Bamboo Forest: She was the brains, I was the balls.
BJ: That’s a nice compliment: the post all the way through the comments. Thanks for the compliment, and the contribution.
Rita: I can’t wait to see what my offspring have planned to horrify me. My mom was over for dinner this evening, in hysterics as she read this, and yesterday’s post.
@Writer Dad: My son likes wearing his mother’s high heels. I’m worried. She’s not. Are we talking a male or female cheerleader? Either is hilarious to me.
@KittyTown: Withering Clarity sounds like a great name for a blog. If you’re wondering if your sailer-talk will be too much for the blogosphere, just check out New Age Bitch (newagebitch.com), for example.
@Rita: It’s so true, isn’t it? My mother still won’t (or can’t?) divulge my secrets. Not that I really want her too…
Matthew Drydens last blog post..Time Flies Like An Arrow
@Writer Dad: My son likes wearing his mother’s high heels. I’m worried. She’s not. Are we talking a male or female cheerleader? Either is hilarious to me.
@KittyTown: Withering Clarity sounds like a great name for a blog. If you’re wondering if your sailer-talk will be too much for the blogosphere, just check out New Age Bitch (newagebitch.com), for example.
@Rita: It’s so true, isn’t it? My mother still won’t (or can’t?) divulge my secrets. Not that I really want her too…
Matthew Drydens last blog post..Time Flies Like An Arrow
WD: Inside you’re quailing, aren’t you?
Just kidding. And I would not! I would not abandon you. I’d read you both equally. In fact, what about being a copypanther/lion and doing something like the Urban Panther and Urbane Lion? Play off each other. It would be très cool…
stephs last blog post..Magic in the Air
WD: Inside you’re quailing, aren’t you?
Just kidding. And I would not! I would not abandon you. I’d read you both equally. In fact, what about being a copypanther/lion and doing something like the Urban Panther and Urbane Lion? Play off each other. It would be très cool…
stephs last blog post..Magic in the Air
Matthew: Don’t be worried, it’s perfectly normal. I was a girl cheerleader, and had long hair at the time. I even got whistled at.
Steph: I’m no competition for my sister. She would own me. But I’d love to coax her into a domain name. Time will drag her by the pigtails. We just need to be patient.
Matthew: Don’t be worried, it’s perfectly normal. I was a girl cheerleader, and had long hair at the time. I even got whistled at.
Steph: I’m no competition for my sister. She would own me. But I’d love to coax her into a domain name. Time will drag her by the pigtails. We just need to be patient.
KittyTown – That’s it I’m kicking the Bloggess out of bed and making room for you in my feedreader.
Writer Dad has had a few problems selling his wee-books, but I would pay good money to read you hurling those bad words at your brother.
I like Matthew’s idea for a domain name but maybe something with a bitter twist of lemon would suit you better. ‘KittyTown’ as a name for a blog would be great too. It speaks of mischievous playfulness and ownership. I don’t know. I don’t care…. As long as you start a blog!
Great writing KittyTown!
Dave Fowlers last blog post..Its A Plan, An Ugly One, But Its Still A Plan
KittyTown – That’s it I’m kicking the Bloggess out of bed and making room for you in my feedreader.
Writer Dad has had a few problems selling his wee-books, but I would pay good money to read you hurling those bad words at your brother.
I like Matthew’s idea for a domain name but maybe something with a bitter twist of lemon would suit you better. ‘KittyTown’ as a name for a blog would be great too. It speaks of mischievous playfulness and ownership. I don’t know. I don’t care…. As long as you start a blog!
Great writing KittyTown!
Dave Fowlers last blog post..Its A Plan, An Ugly One, But Its Still A Plan
Hi Sean – What a beautiful memory. How nice of your sister to let you share her memories, too. I can envision the two of you, partners in crime, racing to the buy candy. Sweet!
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Strike While The Iron Is Hot
Hi Sean – What a beautiful memory. How nice of your sister to let you share her memories, too. I can envision the two of you, partners in crime, racing to the buy candy. Sweet!
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Strike While The Iron Is Hot