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nannabug
06-12-2003, 08:58 PM
A conversation between a grandmother and her grandson while pulling weeds in the strawberry garden.

GRANDSON – “Nanna, is this a weed?”
GRANDMOTHER – “Yes, honey. That’s a weed. The strawberry plants look like this.” (pointing out the plant)
GRANDSON – “Look Nanna! A ladybug!”
GRANDMOTHER – “You’re right, darling. That is a ladybug.”
GRANDSON – “Ladybugs are good bugs, aren’t they Nanna.”
GRANDMOTHER – “They sure are. They eat the aphids off the plants.”
GRANDSON – “What are aphids, Nanna?”
GRANDMOTHER – “Well, they are a tiny little bug that suck the juices out of plants and hurt them.”
GRANDSON – “Can you show me an aphid, Nanna?”
GRANDMOTHER – (laughing) “I don’t think so, honey. They are pretty tiny. But I’m sure the ladybugs will find them.”
GRANDSON – “Are all the ladybugs girl bugs, Nanna?”
GRANDMOTHER – “No, there are boy ladybugs too, honey.”
GRANDSON – “Then why do they call them all ladybugs?”
GRANDMOTHER – “I’m not really sure, honey. They just do.”
GRANDSON – (startled) “Oh! A black widow spider! I saw a black widow spider!.”
GRANDMOTHER – “Are you sure, darling? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a black widow around here before.” (searching)
GRANDSON – “Yes, I’m sure.”
GRANDMOTHER – “Do you even know what a black widow spider looks like, honey?”
GRANDSON – “Yes, they are black with red marks on their tummy.”
GRANDMOTHER – “You’re right. That’s what they look like. But I don’t see any here, honey.” (continues pulling weeds)
GRANDSON – “Darn! I didn’t get the root with this one, Nanna. Now it will just grow back, huh.”
GRANDMOTHER – “Probably so. I’ll just get it next time, darling. Don’t worry. Wow! Look at this big weed Nanna found!” (pulling weed up by the roots and tossing it aside)
GRANDSON – (picking up large weed just tossed aside and sticking it back in the dirt… thinks Nanna is not watching) “Look at the big one I found, Nanna.”
GRANDMOTHER – “Oh, yes. That’s a big one for sure. Are you trying to fool me, honey?” (smiling)
GRANDSON – “No, Nanna. I’m not fooling you.”
GRANDMOTHER – “No, you’re not fooling me, honey. You sure aren’t.”
GRANDSON – “This net keeps the birds out, huh Nanna.”
GRANDMOTHER – “Yes it does. If I don’t put the net over the strawberries the robins and chickens would get them all.”
GRANDSON – “But look, Nanna. A bird could just lift up this end like this and get a strawberry.”
GRANDMOTHER – “Hmmm.. you may be right. I may have to put something on the ends to keep the birds and small critters out.”
GRANDSON – “That’s a good idea, Nanna. Good thing I thought of that, huh.”
GRANDMOTHER – “Yes, that is a good idea, darling. I’m glad you figured that out for me.” (she then notices that pulling weeds has torn a scab off a sore on the index finger and it is bleeding) “Uh-oh. My finger is bleeding.” (blood is running down the soiled finger) “Better go wash it off and put a band-aid on it.”
GRANDSON – “Oh, does it hurt Nanna?”
GRANDMOTHER – “A little, honey. Not too bad though.”
GRANDSON – “You’re not crying, Nanna.”
GRANDMOTHER – “No, I’m not crying, honey.” (smiling)
GRANDSON – “I would be crying, Nanna. But then, I’m only seven. That’s why I would be crying.”
GRANDMOTHER – (laughing) “Oh, my sweet darling. Come… help Nanna wash up and bandage this finger, okay.” (both walking towards the house, side-by-side)

beththepoet
06-12-2003, 09:11 PM
oh nanna, this is so sweet and lovely. thank you for sharing.:)

bethany*wave*

tony schofield
06-13-2003, 03:25 PM
I started reading this looking for a punch line, and ended up fearing that I'd find one. Warm domestic scene, beautifully portrayed. Thanks for sharing it Nanna

tony

nannabug
06-13-2003, 11:34 PM
Thank you, beth. I suppose this is more of a journal entry than a story, since this was an actual conversation with my grandson just a week ago.

Thank you, Tony. It is very special to me, but I wasn't sure how it would be received by others. This little slice of life just begged me to put it in writing. ;)

luvleerenee
06-19-2003, 09:18 AM
Oh Nanna, this is precious! All those charming little things that kids say that we think we will never forget but inevitably do. I am so glad you wrote this down, then it will not be forgotten. :)
The part about your grandson trying to fool you by pulling the big weed just tickled me. I could just see that happening! :D
Thanks for sharing this!

Reneé

nannabug
06-20-2003, 06:06 AM
Thank you, Reneé. :) You are SO right. There were so many cute things my kids said when they were little that I wish I had written down. At the time I thought I'd never forget those special moments. But, alas, the years have erased many of them from my memory. Or at least buried them so deep that I can't find them! ;)

topaztwin
06-25-2004, 11:08 AM
What a wonderful way to capture a memory! I would guess you have many such memories, Nanna. I wish I had done the same with alot of my childrens' and grandchildrens' interactions with me. I would find a lovely strawberry graphic and frame it, or at least save it on paper for him to see later in life. Warmth fills me. :)

Nadja the Weird
06-25-2004, 05:38 PM
So sweet and simple and smile-inducing. :)

LoneScribe
06-26-2004, 06:23 PM
That was nice :)

nannabug
06-26-2004, 10:32 PM
You must have dug this one from the back pages, Pat. I love your suggestion of placing a graphic beside it and framing it. I just may do that and present it to him when he is a grown young man. :) Thanks, Pat.

And thank you Nadja and LoneScribe, for reading and commenting. It also brought a smile to my face as the memory of weeding the strawberry bed with my grandson resurfaced. I now remember it anew.

Barbriat
06-27-2004, 06:37 PM
Nice! As I was reading this timeless piece I could see it as a scene in a fine film... shot in brown tones, through gauze. Classic moments shared in spite of, or maybe because of, the space between the generations.

My eleven year old Steven will be with me next week. I love time spent with him and he enjoys time with his Nanna on the farm. Your dialogue makes me all the more excited about my expected company! Thanks.

Meta
06-29-2004, 08:12 PM
I am glad someone dug this one up...

amazing... and precious.

Meta

nannabug
06-30-2004, 02:00 AM
Thank you, Barb. Grandchildren sure are grand, aren't they. I'm sure you'll be making new memories with your Steven.

Thank you, Meta. Very sweet of you.