Thursday, May 11, 2017

"All's Fair..."


"All's Fair..."

"Horseradish" Grandmother would mutter
beneath her breath and I knew she was ruffled.
"That's Queer", which embarrassed me no end,
was another expletive.

Vinegar reminds me of her.  One tablespoon,
milk became buttermilk, a dash more
cleaned the kettle, crystal, and oven.
Did wonders with laundry, mirrors, floors.
Come summer a preventive for swimmer's ear;
I hated the "tickle".

Slyly coaxing teaspoons of mineral oil
proved futile:  my stubbornness my savior.

* * *

Smile to myselfcarefully wasabi peas rinsed,
with vinegar no less, fiber and protein
a healthy "snack"; hide the Cheese Puff's
my kids (and their father) prefer.
Set a tall glass of water before them.

Complain I'm trying to kill them.

"Horseradish" I mutter beneath my breath.
Launch into a trip down memory lane:
plowing my way through drifts of snow
to catch the school bus (I did),
summer mornings spent weeding mother's
two acre vegetable garden (truth),
and the dreaded daily dose of mineral oil.

Swear I hear Grandmother say,
"That's Queer" ... allow the memory
of her raised eyebrow make me feel
a little guilty.

by Margaret Bednar, May 11, 2017


This was a hard challenge.  I was to combine an odd phrase "self care wasabi peas" with the photograph above.  I highlighted the words in the poem - you can see I took a bit of "artistic liberty" - it's the only way I could make this work...

This is linked with "The Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Out of Standard - Photo Finish"  These really are memories of my Grandmother.  I don't serve wasabi peas BUT I am joined to a CSA and the vegetables are often the bane of my families existence - and my joy!   I have found a number of ways to prepare the vegetables that they are willing to eat (and put those darn cheese puffs away).

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I feel your "creative license" worked well for you here.

Gillena Cox said...


luv the phases and the mood each remembrance brings

much love...

kaykuala said...

"That's Queer" ... allow the memory
of her raised eyebrow make me feel
a little guilty.

Great ending Marge! Such memories did bring a little smile as one could have caused mischief then and Grandma didn't realize it

Hank

Susie Clevenger said...

Love your memories. I have some of the same ones.

Isadora Gruye said...

Such a clever way to use the prompt. I very much liked the story you have weaved, here. Thanks for posting!!!!

Fireblossom said...

I agree, it was a very challenging challenge! But you've done just fine with it, haven't you? :-)

purplepeninportland.com said...

You certainly were up to the challenge. This full circle poem works well!

Jim said...

Wonderful, Margaret. I can just see and hear Grandma saying, "That's Queer." Vinegar also cleans coffee pots though my Army KP sergeant wouldn't let any of us touch his coffee urn. No soap ever, just cold water. That's the way I do but 'someone' sneaks a little Vinegar now and then
I've not read all, but those I have read except Shay have used this picture. I also took license.
..

Anonymous said...

It was indeed a challenge but one that you definitely rose to meet. Love the creative {insertions}

brudberg said...

I loved where you took it, the way you connected yourself to your grandmother--- after all it's just like horseradish after all.