what did I tell you about that curtain rod?
So there I was yesterday sitting at the computer, happy that it’s March, sad
that we’d already had 8 more inches of snow, and groggy from the after effects
of the operation. (Jude said the third day after surgery is usually the worst.)
Nothing was happening in the neighbourhood because everybody’s mobility
was so limited.
I couldn’t think of anything to post about. I wasn’t really up for another injury
so soon. I didn’t want to interact with the provincial health system again for a
bit. Slinkee nudged my arm for attention. I petted her awhile and looked at her
ear infection. It was better. I checked the blog to see if there were any comments
that needed tending to. Bingo. I found my topic.
Rosie commented that “…you are walking vindication for every parent who
has ever told their children not to run with a sharp stick.” I started to tell her
the Andy Devine story. Then I realized it was too complicated to cover in the
comments section, yet too juicy to go untold. So here it is. Thank you, Rosie.
Andy Devine was a character actor who appeared in 400+ movies from the 30’s
through the 70’s. Many of them were westerns. He played Roy Rogers’ sidekick
“Cookie” in ten films and Wild Bill Hickock’s sidekick “Jingles” on TV for most of
the 50’s. Jingles was a childhood hero of mine. My mother knew this and merci-
lessly exploited it.
Devine’s trademark was his high raspy voice. I can still hear his catchphrase
“Hey, Wild Bill! Wait for me!” rattling around in my brain. Allegedly he got his
distinctive tone from falling down while running with a curtain rod in his mouth
as a kid. Mom changed it to a stick to cover more situations.
I don’t remember a specific incident when I was actually running with a stick in
my mouth, but I must have been busted at least once. She called me in and said
“Do you want to end up like Andy Devine?” Not realizing this was a safety lecture,
I said “sure!” He rode with (or slightly behind) Wild Bill Hickock, after all.
Mom then went into more detail. She answered all my questions. No, I couldn’t
even walk with a stick in my mouth. I shouldn’t even walk with vegetables in my
mouth, although I should sit still and eat more vegetables. The woman seemed
to have every angle covered.
It worked. I haven’t run with a stick in my mouth to this day, and certainly not
a curtain rod. I just wish she had warned me to be careful stowing my kayak
with a bungee cord or I could put an eye out.
