Wasteland of My Brain

 

My mind’s eye goes wacky and wild at times.

Today when I consider this bitter cold and

snowy day winter’s day, a silly memory from

my childhood fell into place. It was such a

day way back around December of 1959.

My brother Dave and I decided to brave

the severe weather, bundled up accordingly,

shovels in hand went out into wonderland

of white to plow our neighbor’s snow. Money

was our goal. We figured about 50-cents each

would be a fair price for our labor, driveway

and sidewalk included. Our first stop was

next door, Mrs. Webb’s home,, an average

place, two car-wide driveway and a short

run walkway from the front door connecting

the two, a piece of cake. Mrs. Web was pleased

with our effort, and gladly paid our fee smiling

as she said, “Thanks muchly, boys!” “Thanks

muchly?” Why even I at the naive age of eleven

thought that couldn’t be proper English. “Thanks

muchly?” Why, never before or after that in my

life have I ever heard that said. Well, no matter.

We did the job and got paid our due. More oddly

than Mrs. Webb’s phrase of gratitude was my

remembrance of it popping into my head on

a cold and snowy day some 64-years latter.

I have long since forgotten famous words in

history spoken by the likes of Jesus Christ,

Shakespeare and Abraham Lincoln which I

was compelled to learn in school. But Mrs.

Webb’s “Thanks muchly, boys” remains

a quote for the ages indelibly frozen in the

vast Wasteland of My Brain.

                              -30-

Chris Hanch 12-22-2022