Fireflies
Every few years my family would travel to Pennsylvania, to visit my grandparents farm and spend time with our relatives. My sisters and I always looked forward to catching fireflies, because they did not exist where we lived in Alberta. |
| My twin sister and I on a tractor ride at my grandparents farm. |
Electrocuted!
One evening, when I was about ten, my cousins, sisters and I were catching fireflies and playing hide-and-seek outside at dusk. It had rained that afternoon and although the grass was very wet, I was barefoot. We had been warned repeatedly about the current of the electric fence line that corralled the cows, but in the excitement of the game I forgot all about it. Running quickly, I did not see the fence in the dim lighting, and ran right into it. I felt a sensation of being grabbed and shaken, then was thrown to the ground. Awareness of what had happened dawned slowly. I checked myself all over to be sure I was alive - had I just been electrocuted?Guilt
Slowly, I made my way back to the house and into the bathroom. Under the light above the sink, I discovered some abrasions (burns?) on my arms and face. I felt guilty about not heeding the warnings about the fence, so never told anyone what happened. I was always very careful of the fence after that!
Guest Post
I have been asked by Lana, the blogger at Two Teens and Their Mama, to write a guest post for her blog. She plans to publish it tomorrow and I hope you will visit her blog to see it. While you are there, be sure to read her firefly article and spend some time browsing Lana's wonderful blog. I think you will enjoy it every bit as much as I do - and Lana's writing may even trigger a few memories of your own!
Have you ever felt guilty about getting hurt, because you did something you were warned not to do?
This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!
I love watching our kids catching fireflies the giggles and the squeals... your story reminds me of our kids basically if they hurt themselves (especially in the beginning ) they wouldn't tell us thinking they would get in trouble because of a warning...we tried to explain to them at best you get an I told you so but then mom or dad will fix it - they got that - I hope someone (an adult) helped you and that it wasn't top painful :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Marisa - I was more scared than hurt - and remember feeling grateful that I wasn't dead!
DeleteWe had some electric fences where I grew up, too and they always scared me. I know I would have thought I'd been electrocuted in that situation, too! I can't wait to read your guest post. I love both your blogs!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie! I love yours too!
DeleteThanks so much for the link to my blog today! I'm really excited for your guest post tomorrow. I'm so glad you didn't get hurt worse when you ran into the fence. It makes me wonder what my boys have done and not told me about!
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wonder what my kids don't tell me too!
DeleteScary memory Susan! I can remember my little brother ah relieving himself at my Uncle's farm one time when we little. Can't to read your guest post tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteYour memory sounds pretty ”scary” too!
DeleteFireflies? I have read so many books over the years in which they featured - I would love to see them. Looking forward to your guest post tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I can remember feeling very guilty. We were playing vigaro at school. It was a very hot day and the teacher told us to take off our shoes. And then (silly, silly woman) she found some glass in the outfield and put it up by the wicket where it would be out of the way. I hit the ball, and made a run for it - landing on the neck of the bottle. Eleven stitches.
Yes, on some levels it was the teachers fault by my father INSISTED on us wearing shoes at all times. I dreaded telling him...
I hadn't thought about fireflies for years, until I read about them on Lana's blog. They are wonderful to see in the dark, winking on and off.
DeleteEleven stitches ! Ouch! I can't believe she didn't tell you all to put your shoes back on after she found the glass. I bet your dad was mad - but not at you!
Is vigaro like cricket? or baseball? Sadly - I never was able to hit a ball with a stick ... of any kind!
Its a bit like cricket - with a bat shaped like a paddle. And I am a complete klutz and ball sports are NOT my thing - and never were. And my father was peeved at both of us. Dsylexic fingers at work - it is vigoro - and still not a fun game.
DeleteThanks for the explanation EC!
DeleteIt was a challenge amongst my boy cousins to grab the electric fence on my grandparents farm in central Minnesota. :-) I was never -- ahem -- that foolish.
ReplyDeleteI got hurt ice skating -- when I had been told there wouldn't be time -- in a crack-the-whip situation that left me bruised and breathless. It's been a very long time since I've had the wind knocked out of me, but I still remember the pain. Worst of all was not being able to tell my mother, who only noticed and commented on the fact that I was quiet that evening...
Pearl
Crack the whip can be dangerous! Especially if you are near the end. I remember flying off some times, but never was as hurt as it sounded like you were. It is amazing we survive our childhoods!
DeleteWow, how scary! Can't wait to read your post over at Lana's!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it!
DeleteWhat a scary experience! Gosh my memory is so hazy from when I was younger, but I was always getting into trouble, so I am sure there is something...
ReplyDeleteBlogging has helped my memory. Bits and pieces come back while I am writing - but huge segments of past years are long forgotten!
DeleteYikes! Electric fences and I had a history, too!
ReplyDeleteThere have been so many times when I've gotten hurt doing something my parents told me not to do. Sigh.
I had a feeling you might have encountered an electric fence or two on the ranch Diane! I think perhaps doing the things parents say not to do is how children learn ... the hard way!
DeleteWhat a shocking situation that was for you. Bet you only did that once.
ReplyDeleteShocking indeed! And yes, I'm happy to say, just once!
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