More Keith

I warned you there would be volumes! I may even have enough stories and details to cut a movie deal. Maybe you remember a few mishaps happened at Uncle Sam and Aunt Kris' house? They would have a few annual parties that friends and family were invited to. The two that stick in my mind are, the fourth of July parties, and the lasagna feed parties. I believe on each on of these occasions, but probably in different years, two separate incidents occurred in which you either hurt yourself, broke something, or both. The first that comes to mind was on the fourth of July. You and I are out in front of their house, in the street, playing frisbee. I threw the frisbee to you, but it was sailing over your head. You were back pedaling to catch the throw, when, I believe you hit a deflection in the concrete, tripped falling backwards, became airborne and parallel with the ground, and landed on your back and head, knocking yourself out cold. You were a teenager at the time, and amazingly enough, you had never received a concussion until that moment. You may have helped others experience their first concussion, but never one of your own. Another time, all of us grandkids were in the back yard playing, and you and I were the only ones old enough, the adults entrusted us with some fireworks. I think they were just black cats. Nothing powerful enough to maim, but definitely loud enough to adversely affect your hearing while blowing up in your hand, or right next to your ear as you're throwing. Now if you remember, they had a dog named Mack. A St. Bernard who was very lovable, but the equivalent of two and a half dogs. So we're out back goofing around on the swing set, kids are running and screaming, just what a dog loves out of children. You happened to be sitting on the swing at the time, and the dog, after running around the swing set several times, gaining momentum, for no apparent reason, decides to hop on your lap. Keep in mind the location of the swing set. There was really only one spot for it. The yard, after entering, immediately sloped downward, at the halfway point, leveled off for a few feet, then finished sloping to the back fence, and finally into the golf course. So the level section of yard was the only choice for a swing set. Well the dogs momentum, coupled with his weight, sent you, him, and the swing set, rolling down the yard. I remember the slide slamming to the ground, and breaking in half. Fortunately, nobody else was on the swing set at the time, and you and the dog were tangled in the chains of the swing. No one was hurt, but the swing set was history! This would have won money on America's Funniest Videos. Some other momentous events that involved broken bones, were your foot getting rolled over by the big wheel, and your broken arm after being bet that you couldn't jump over the creek in the golf course. After the 'big wheel' incident, Grandpa made you a homemade cast for your foot. As a teenager, you broke your arm a second time, during football practice. That break seemed a little more severe. I don't think there's been any broken bones (yours or anyone else's) since that last break as a teenager. I think it's finally safe to stand next to you now.