#40 of 52 : ROBERT DO GOOD
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Imagine:
I told you, Mother, that project would not work. Anyway, don’t you remember fishing over there in the towels? Remember crappie we caught and how good they tasted?
Whose idea was this to try something new and without asking for our help? Seems to me that this world is going down hill when people think they can try that and get by with it. Then build a monument to show off such a thing.
I bet Dad would turn over in his grave if he knew this had happened to our grazing and hunting ground. Mom, I still think it was a mistake. Look at Aunt Nellie over there trying to look like she knows what she’s doing. Why ten years ago she would not have been caught dead here and now look. She’s looking for a new lamp. And look over there. There is Arthur Curl looking for that new shirt that would make him look 30 years younger. Why we used to hunt, fish, swim, chase each other and smoke cigs over there in the hardware place.
As sure as my name is Robert Do Good, I can’t understand where we will go to church. The Rev. Mr. Black always told us that if we did not pray for goodness, we all would end up in the “wrong place”. I just do not know why people think this project will work. All these years without such a delimba (sic) and now we are faced with finding the “wrong place”.
Now look. There is a sign for another such project to be placed next door. I told you, Mom, it was a sad mistake to allow them folks to come in here and attempt to rule our world. When are we going to stand on our own two feet and get things done our way? I remember the good times, fun and fellowship. But no! Someone had to allow this event to be placed next to our farm. Remember, this fence is still on our property for now.
By the way, Mom, I thought his name was Bill. Where did the name of Wall Mart come from? Was he a brother? Guess we have no choice. Come on, Mom, I need some new underwear. We might as well join Aunt Nellie and sister before we lose out on all them good bargains.
About The Author:
Richard Ehlers is a retired teacher and principal. He is currently a Methodist pastor in a small church in the Oklahoma City area. Writing has always been a special interest.
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The 2011 Imaginary Family Project is a year-long collective art endeavor coordinated by occasional amateur artist Quentin Bomgardner and co-sponsored by The Red Dirt Chronicles. This project is based around “lost” vintage photographs, which have been acquired at flea markets, garage sales, estate sales, and eBay – heirloom collections, with no heir. Every week a different author will “find” one photograph by creating an imagined history around one of its subjects. At the end of the year, the collection will be compiled and presented as a group.
Richard –
This was an interesting piece. You kept the premise secret until the end. It made me think of a painting I saw at Crested Butte once. It was a cityscape of hundreds of tiny homes, their roofs stacked together, tiny chimneys dotting the skyline… the title of the painting was, “This was my farm.”
Thanks so much for your contribution to “The Imaginary Family Project.” I think it was an extra special treat that you were willing to submit a piece. Sincerely, Kelly Roberts, aka Red Dirt Kelly