Autumn

Autumn

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Bits & Pieces

Beautiful Spring day here...bright and sunny with temperatures in the high 70's. Awful weather.

Still hard at work on my taxes.

My good friend, Duke, just left the shop. He came and we chewed the fat on many subjects from farm stands to AR part kits. I made a comment I wanted a stripped lower receiver which brought a half hour discussion about lowers. I want forged, paperless, private sale if possible. Might take in the gunshow this weekend and try and find one.  Lord knows I've enough parts to build another ten or so AR's. Just lack a good lower. Yes, I could sign a few papers and purchase one, but why...

I would like to apologize to all of you nice folks that have left comments over the last two or three days, and the time its taken me to answer. This isn't my normal routine. I leave here each night, drive home and basically pass out. I just haven't the strength and stamina of only a few months ago...anyhow, please rest assured I will answer comments as quickly as possible. I didn't even open my laptop last evening...in bed by 2100...dead to the world at 2102. Sorry. I must admit I feel better.

Now, to all those that have requested a Little Bit update....

This morning at the McDonald's breakfast table.

Little Bit is busy eating her meal and at play with the game consul. This cute little girl (I guess about three years old) walks in with her grandmother. We always say hello, good morning. Like that.

This cute little girl's name is, Elizabeth. She's as pretty as a Spring flower. For some unknown reason Elizabeth walks over to me, and without hesitation or by your leave, climbs up and into my lap and wraps her arms around me, places her head on my chest and clings.

I heard a gasp, glanced to find Little Bit's mouth wide open her eyes big enough to drive a Mack trunk into and park, and her face just this side of red. Then, all hell breaks loose.

"Papa, what are you doing holding her? You're my Papa."

Now the tears flow fast and furious. I'm caught totally by surprise. This little bundle in my lap, with her arms wrapped tightly about me hasn't moved. I look over to see her grandmother is all smiles.

"Little Bit, please, she's just a little girl."

"So am I, and you're my Papa, not hers." In a VERY loud voice...the old farts at the next table, morning regulars, are tinkling in their pants with the fun of it. I feel a warm red glow begin to flush my face. Little Bit has gone from leaking tears to a nice heavy flow.

Elizabeth purrs and states to all within earshot that I'm warm and smell good.

Little Bit leaves her seat. She screams at the little girl, "Leave my Papa alone, now."  Guest of the establishment stand and watch...many look towards me as if I'd just made some awful rape attempt on the children's person. I'm truly at a loss for words.

This, has gotten way out of control. I'd never seen Little Bit act this way before in her life. She's gasping for air, and her cries are so hard and came on so quickly I truly hadn't had the time to react or even speak on my behalf. Little Bit is now screaming, "Put her down, Papa. Put her down."

Grandmother comes to my rescue. Thank God. She gently reaches and takes the child from my lap. Pried the little girls arms from around me and carries her to their table. Now, Little Bit climbs into my lap. I hold her, take a few paper napkins and as tenderly as I can, wipe her runny nose and dry her tears....she sobs. It hurts.

I look at Elizabeth's grandmother and mouth, sorry. She nods and right back at me, it's okay.

We leave. Back in the truck it takes me a good long ten minutes to help Little Bit compose herself. I held her. After she's back to normal we drive away and I park on the campus of her school. After a few minutes of reassurance that I indeed love her and she's the only little girl in my life we proceed to the drop-off point.

Just before she steps from the truck she turned and said, "Papa, don't ever do that again." She smiles at me, throws a wave and yelled back, "You do smell good."

Some days are like that...sad, and sweet.

Stephen

15 comments:

  1. That Little Bit----possessive little thing isn't she! so cute! Well she means what she says and says what she means! That little girl she doesn't want around. How is she with Sport Model? Maybe it is part of that also, he gets a little more attention perhaps because he's a little older. She is just acting out. . .She will always be the oldest. And the Little Bit!! Could just hug her--she is so sweet! She is growing up more and more. I don't think you have to worry about someone bullying her!

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    1. I guess so on the possessive thing, kinda jealous. Yes, she's the same with Sport Model. She doesn't receive the attention at home as she does when she's with us. Thanks, Pretty Girl.

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  2. Which part, upper or lower has the serial number on it?

    I'm with you on the paperless private business, I have one here now (model 19-7, I love my wheel guns) that I'm about to buy once I can get it to the range to try it out.

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    1. Matt, the lower is the 'rifle' according to the rules of the BATFE. It's the part that is papered. Go figure.

      Agree on the private sale. Thanks, my friend.

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  3. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." Or, a Little Bit.

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    1. You've hit the nail on the head, Hillbilly. She flipped out for sure...

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  4. No, but thanks, Bubba. You would need to take it to an FFL and pay them and it isn't worth the hassle. I'll pick one up this weekend for sure. I'm just funny and set in my ways when it comes to the government 'telling' me how to play by their silly assed rules. Nice of you to ask...

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  5. dear sweet one - first off - i looove her pretty ring! and dress! and her hair is sooo gorgeous!

    question now: does she have cousins or other kids around when you spend time with her? based on her reaction, it seems that she may need to be gently exposed to you interacting with other children - especially girls.

    i'm glad that you smell nice. i was worried after all the tales of The Boar's Nest - bahahahah!

    your friend,
    kymber

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    1. Thanks, kymber. Her hair, that day, was done by her Nana. On most school mornings, when she's administered to by her step-mother, if at all, it looks like a rats nest. I keep a brush in the truck and between the two of us we get it fairly presentable before she reaches school. She doesn't do well when we're around other children...it kinda bothers me. She has little cousins about her age and I'm never around her when she visits. Sweet Wife said she's just jealous of my giving affection to other children, even her baby brother. If Sport Model climbs into my lap she takes her place on my other leg...no matter what she's doing, she'll drop it and run to make sure she's in my lap with him.
      Didn't know I smelled good but its nice to know I don't stink...Old Spice during the Fall and Winter and Aqua Velva Spring and Summer. Perfume isn't manly and reserved for butt bumpers.

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  6. LB is over protective. She is the oldest grandchild ?? Take it from another oldest (son/grandchild) She will be OK. In time.

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    1. Yes, she will, my friend. Yes, she's the oldest.

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  7. Jeepers, overreact much?! Spontaneous affection from a toddler in a public place, under the watchful eye of her own grandmother, is not a moral issue. (Sounds like the smaller girl lacks appropriate male attention in her little world.) But there's no need for a public banshee temper tantrum, either. Surely your precious granddaughter knows by now that no child outranks her in your heart.
    Christy

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    1. Christy, thank you for the comment. My precious grandchild has some serious issues with abandonment and we're in the process of healing a bruised little soul.

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  8. I see by your reply to Christy that you have a handle on the exact reason for the reaction. There is truly a reason for that. LB is a fantastic girl and she does know better. She also doesn't know why she has those feelings. When all is calm, it might be worth talking about it and letting her open up to you. Tell her we adore her, too.

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    1. Lord knows I've tried to seek the reason behind such behavior...she's resistant to speak of it, or doesn't know how to confide in me her reasons. She just keeps stating, "Because you're my Papa." We know why, and it goes right back to the abandonment issue, the lack of affection. We're hard at work on the problem. Thanks, my good friend.

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