"Great things happen to good people." Those were the parting words I received from the CEO of a company I left over ten years ago. Sometimes great things happen when you least expect it. This was the case for a group of friends on Christmas Eve last year, 2021. Issue #4 (Winter 2022) of The Picketwire holds a special Possum Nook story told by Everest Bear, and this is the true story behind it, as told by myself. A helmet for Corrs December 23rd, 2021 - two days before Christmas. Hedgie had given me some change that morning and asked me to leave early and find a present for Corrs. Not just any present, a helmet. That was a tall order to put in two days before Christmas but I would try. Heading out before my usual time, I pointed the truck in the direction of a place that might hold just the treasure I needed. I drove to a barn I knew that was filled with all sorts of things for sale, from trinkets to tools. I pulled into the lot and shut the truck off. Silence... I was the only customer there. I let myself in and walked across the chilly wood planked floor, slowly browsing the immense selection of goods while the shop keeper arrived from down at the farm house. I was glad to hear her turn the little propane heater on and continued my search. Keeping in mind the possibility of any last minute items for other gift recipients, I made sure to eye up every nook and cranny, but as I made my last round past the beautiful quilts and blankets, nothing stood out as 'just right'. I couldn't leave with nothing, I'd spent too long there for a dead end. I walked to the back of the barn where I'd spent the least amount of time, as there were mostly hand made children's clothing and other baby items. Then I saw it - a small bomber hat complete with built in goggles. It was being worn by a bear. A bear with a jacket, and a scarf. He was sitting in a wooden baby crib with three other bears. I picked him up - he stared back at me, almost sternly. He was a reasonably priced bear and most importantly, his entire outfit was removable including that little helmet. I walked over to the the counter and pulled out my money - finally. He rode home in the front seat of the truck. Since he did not tell me his name I decided that he looked like a Frederick, inspired by the name of the road he previously lived on and the once renowned Fredericksville Hotel a few miles down the road from the barn. "...were there others?" When Frederick came home, the first order of business was to get this clothes in the wash and give him a dry bath. While his tiny jacket and scarf tumbled gently in the washing machine, he was cleaned up and given a fresh sweater to wear. (I also set him up with some milk and cookies) He didn't seem to notice - or care - that I had taken his hat... in fact, he looked much better without it. I don't think Frederick was really a fighter pilot, he didn't seem the type. More likely just a disguise to protect his true identity while in bear jail (remember, he came from a wooden crib aka bear jail). As Frederick sat on the rocking chair immersed in Christmas tree lights, paw shoved into a tin of cookies, I told the whole story of his rescue. At the end, the question that I was hesitantly asked was, "...were there others?" Feeling slightly guilty, I replied, "...yes." There was no need for further conversation. I made sure to have all the chores done promptly the next morning, as I knew I would be leaving early again. I drove back to the barn with a few dollars and change in my jacket pocket. The truck growled its usual diesel rumble as it idled momentarily in the dirt lot next to the barn before I shut it off. I hopped out, walked in, and by the time the shop keeper came up from the house I was holding three bears and heading for the counter to meet her. I set down my exact change and walked out with the rest of Frederick's friends. They were all so different from each other. I placed them neatly in the backseat and we drove off, leaving the bear jail behind. Arriving home later that day, I proudly opened the backdoor of the truck to reveal the accomplishment of my good deed. And that's how Frederick and his gang came to live with us and the rest of the Adventure crew... You can find the 'Barn Bears' Best Christmas' story in The Picketwire - Issue #4; Winter 2022. If you don't have a copy you can read it right here - just click "preview" and turn to page 2! www.blurb.com/b/11358990-the-picketwire-winter-2022
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Tales of Douglas Furr (and his friends)narrated by Crissy Clossin Archives
February 2024
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