Some Things Poppa Larry Learned About Girls

This old fire truck rests at the beginning of Tug Fork Road, where Larry took the girls to look for the ghost dog.


Last night Larry regaled me with stories of his time with the girls.

Some of the things he learned about teenage girls:

1. They eat--a lot. He made 12 eggs, a pan of biscuits, a pound of bacon and a pound of sausage, along with sliced tomatoes, for breakfast. They ate it all.


2. They like pickles. The ate a pint of my dills as soon as they arrived. He offered them a jar to take home and they ate the whole jar before they left.

3. They like salsa too. Two jars went home with them.

4. The 6-foot black snake in our root cellar held a horrid fascination. They were terrified of it, but couldn't stop looking at its slithery length.

5. They love to scare each other. One in the shower, another outside banging on the bathroom window equals screaming bedlam.

6. They want to know all about his ex-wife, who, he tells them, was a boohag. They are fascinated by the idea. Of course, they have learned to believe few of his stories.

7. They will go for a walk up on the ridge at 3 am to look at the stars. They will hear coyotes. One (who lives near me) will tell the others that what they hear is actually a werewolf. More screaming bedlam. I was told that one of the girls traveled the entire 1/4 mile of our driveway in three bounds to reach the porch. I believe it.

8. They will help with dishes without being asked. Amazing.

9. The mountain of towels to be washed on their departure reminded him of his Marine Corps days when there were many men in a barracks. But we're talking four girls here.

10. He had no idea how much he would enjoy spending time with them. He was astounded at their chatter, imagination and appetites. And he is very glad to be their Poppa Larry.