All of that equipment cost money though, and since I had little of it at that age I turned found items into adventure accessories whenever I could. I remember the day at my grandparents' house when I discovered that the flowers she called "four o'clocks" provided me with something that Joe could really make use of.
This year I grew Mirabilis for the first time, probably for nostalgic value only -- I wanted to grow the flowers that my grandmother did. There were some differences between the plants I had in my garden and what I remember from that Chicago garden of decades ago, enough so that I doubted that my "four o'clocks" were the same "four o'clocks" that she grew.
But then the seeds formed.
I remember my amazement when as a toy soldier-loving boy I discovered that there was a plant that grew hand grenades!
The seeds turn over when they're ripe, ready for easy harvest.
A little small for Joe's hands (even with the kung fu grip), but easily explained: these were ultra-grenades. Smaller than regular hand grenades but twice as powerful.
And I had dozens of them!
As you can tell by the look on his face, Joe was pleased with my discovery, as it meant almost unlimited ammo, and lots of firepower!
I know now that the cultivar of Mirabilis I grew this year was not the same one that my grandmother had -- mine was much too small, I didn't really like the colors, and it didn't really impress -- but this is definitely the plant that helped equip the imagination of my youth.
And that makes it worth having in the garden next year.
I just have to find the right variety.
.
That.is.Awesome!
ReplyDeleteHilarious! Great post
ReplyDeleteAs kids we use to throw dogberries at each other. lol
The really do look like little grenades, fabulous, and I love that you still have your GI Joe!
ReplyDeleteMy dad always grew Four O'clocks in the garden when I was a kid. I grew some once, but like you, found they simply weren't the same as the ones I knew when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteStill, they do make a nice memory from childhood.
Loree: This one was actually my brother's. I'd never let my G.I. Joe get that dirty! :-)
ReplyDeleteThat was so cool to read. We (my 3 sisters and me) had to invite boys over to play with us because we had Barbie Dolls and we needed GI Joes for boyfriends - Ken was not cool enough. I remember making hats from flowers. Those days we created our own fantasy. Thanks for the memories.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother's boxwood shrub leaves made fine cups for my Barbies :)
ReplyDeleteI have four o'clocks that bloom magenta and yellow....on the same flower. They come up everywhere, but are so gorgeous I hate to pull them up.
My grandmother's boxwood shrub leaves made fine cups for my Barbies :)
ReplyDeleteI have four o'clocks that bloom magenta and yellow....on the same flower. They come up everywhere, but are so gorgeous I hate to pull them up.