Finally he called to me to come over to where he was sitting.  By this time I was nearly frozen.  Are we leaving?  Of course not, said dad.  But you can stay here for a while and I will get those crossarms.  Let me help you, said I.  You can help by staying here, said dad, it will be safer for both of us.  Not sure what he meant by that.  He seemed to be walking rather slowly.  It’s good thick ice, I called out to him.  He turned around and shouted, what did you say?  The ice is good and thick, I called back.  Dad looked around.  I don’t see a stick, he said.  That’s right, said I, just keep going.  Dad looked down at his feet.  They’re fine, he called back.  I don’t know the time, I didn’t bring my watch, said I.  Good, just keep watching from over there, he said.

Off he continued and arrived at the crossarms.  Oh, he forgot to take the axe with him, better take it out there, he might need it. Dad was pushing on the crossarms as I arrived with the axe.  You forgot the axe, I yelled.  AAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!! said dad and he fell quickly to the ice and there was a very loud CRACK!  It broke, I said.  Dad got to his feet amazingly fast.  Why did you yell?, asked dad.  Because you were not able to hear me very well, said I.  Bonehead, you are only 6 feet away now, he said.  Minor detail, said I.  At least the water isn’t coming up this time, said dad.

Toss me the axe, he said.  Well, that is what he said, toss.  So I did.  The look on dad’s face was priceless again. I didn’t throw it high or hard, just tossed it and if dad hadn’t jumped it would have missed him completely.  But, he jumped, right into the path of the axe, which then connected with his leg.  Just below the knee.  Dad started his little pain dance again, groaning rather loudly.  At least it was the flat side of the axe head that hit him.  Then he leaned on one of the crossarms that was sticking out of the ice.  Which then broke free since the ice had cracked substantially when dad fell.  Down he went again and hit his head on one of the insulators.  That caused him to groan some more while holding his head.

Why did you sit down on the ice?, I asked.  That must be cold.  Dad just looked, then said, bonehead!  Dad enjoys strange things sometimes.  I helped dad get up.  It’s a good thing I’m around when you hurt yourself, just think what might happen if I wasn’t here, I said.  Nothing, said dad.   Odd thing to say.  And also odd wanting to go look for insulators in the winter.  Sigh.  And we haven’t even had our coffee yet…dad just mumbled something about wanting to get home while he was still in one piece.  So we decided to head back.  Didn’t even find anything interesting, I said.  Dad didn’t say anything.  I think you’re ear is getting bigger, I added.  Dad just said “bonehead” and kept walking back to the car.  At least he enjoyed himself.

And I hope you have enjoyed this true story with my dad and I.  He passed away some years ago but there are a lot of memories of times we had together.  I hope you have a wonderful day and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

© 2020 Steve McLeod.