Monkey Hands ...

Monkey Hands ...
In 1994-1995, we lived on Dickey Prairie Road, out of Molalla Oregon. We lived in a small mountain cabin that sat on a point of land where Trout Creek flowed into the Molalla River. Surrounded by a forest of trees.
I think it had to be the most beautiful place we ever were blessed to live in our life together.
The cabin had one bedroom downstairs, a loft up a simple ladder that the kids shared, a living room, and a kitchen. The bathroom was a small room that had a bathtub in it. We did buy a camping port a potty to put in there for night times. The outhouse sat 75 steps up into the trees, 35 if you were in a hurry.
Our water came out of the Molalla River - grandfathered in from many years before. I had an electric cook stove, it sat on the side porch - I used it in the summer time. The kitchen stove was a 1929 wood cook stove. We had 3 wood boxes, because depending on what you were cooking - it required different sizes and kinds of wood.
Our bedroom had the most awesome view! 3 sides of the room was windows - and it overlooked the Molalla River. Thru one window you could see Trout Creek as it dropped off into the Molalla. We decided against covering our windows - just too beautiful to cover up.
It was a house filled with love and with joy and with laughter.

And one time in particular is on my mind this morning -- the time of the Monkey Hands.

Rick got home early from work one day, while the kids were still at school. He walked up the driveway - I asked him where the car was. He giggled and said he had parked it across the road up in the woods. Why on earth would you do that? He just giggled.
He sat down at the table, took pen and paper, and began to write --
"Mandy & Joshua - Daddy and Momma have had to go to town. When you get home, just come in and start your homework. STAY OUT of our bedroom!!! There was a circus came thru today, and a gorilla escaped. He got in the house, and Momma penned him in the bedroom. We shut the door, and have gone to town to get the Sheriff. STAY OUT of our bedroom!!! Just do your homework, we will be back in a little while."

Mandy was about 11, and Joshua was almost 10. Just the right age to decide that they knew better than Daddy and Momma. *giggling*
Rick had a pair of gloves that he had picked up somewhere - black leather type palms, and fuzzy on the back. Actually did look like monkey hands.

When we heard the bus coming down the mountain, we went into the bedroom, shut the door, and just got quiet. Rick put the gloves on, and sat down at the door - because there was about an inch of space between the door and the floor.
The kids came in the house, calling for Momma. We heard them walk thru the kitchen, and then Mandy said - "Here's a note." She read it out loud ... and then there was quiet.
Then a loud whisper from her - "I gotta see." Joshua said, "Sissy! Daddy said not to go in the bedroom!" "I just want to see the gorilla."
Soft steps from the kitchen to the bedroom.
Rick reached up and held the door knob with one hand, and stuck his other hand under the door. We heard the kids' breath catch!
"Oh look! There IS a gorilla in there! See his hand!"
Mandy reached down and touched the monkey hand. "I want to see him!", she said. "NO! Sissy, don't open that door!"
Rick leaned on the door so that they couldn't open it. And with his other hand he began to scratch on the door, while making grunting and moaning sounds. By this time, I have my hand over my mouth making myself just be quiet. Oh my - priceless.
Mandy is concerned that the gorilla may be hurt - because he is moaning and groaning. She tries to open the door, it won't budge. She talks to the gorilla telling him to move away from the door.
All this time, Joshua is begging and pleading with her to leave him alone!
Rick got up out of the floor, still leaning on the door. Then he took the door knob, rattled it, like he was trying to open it.
Mandy still talking to this monkey. LOL
Rick looked at me, quietly telling me to get ready ...
We stood to the side of the door ... and he jerked the door open -
As he jerked the door open, Rick lunged out with a gorilla type yell, and I screamed!
Our poor kids! They probably still need therapy! Oh my!!!
Joshua's eyes got big ... and he began to run backwards - but there was a wall there, he could go no farther! Except climbing the wall! Gave new meaning to those words!
Mandy screamed and began to run in place. Then when she realized there was NO real gorilla, she got upset!

Oh Rick -- you were something else.
That was one of your shining moments!!!
Oh so good!!!
Thank you for the laughter that day ... you and I both were sick from laughing, and had sore tummies the next day.
Thank you today for the memories, for the laughter.
I love you Sweetheart.
​I miss you, in all of your craziness - I miss you.