I have just read one of the funniest blog posts ever. Today Paperpuff had a post titled “A different kind of Olympics”. I read it to my husband and we both laughed…..a lot. It would be so worth your time to venture over to her blog and read this post …..and don’t forget to read the comments.
Reading her blog today reminded me of some of the rather odd activities our family has done that may or may not qualify as an Olympic worthy event. I came across the picture above of my husband and our oldest son participating in one of those events.
A little background here: Years ago a neighbor gave us this little motorcycle. His three boys were grown and he decided that we needed one of these for our three boys. It was not running at the time so it was hauled off to a nearby business that fixed motorcycles. They did get it running and our boys enjoyed many hours of fun with this set of wheels.
Our youngest probably had the most fun with it. He would ride it so often he finally had a track worn around our place. Eventually the boys outgrew it and it was parked in the back of a shed.
Two years ago when the kids were all home they decided they should haul it out again to relive their youth. After pouring seafoam in the gas tank, then kicking and kicking on the starter they finally gave up.
My husband was a little more determined and climbed on. He then instructed our oldest to be the human power source to try start it. (The eldest was chosen as he is the one who runs marathons- if nothing else it was great training?) The kid did go put on his running shoes…..I am sure this makes it qualify for an Olympic event.
I am not sure how many times they pushed that thing up the driveway; to try and start it by pushing it back down the driveway. They did eventually get it running……sort of. (lots of sputtering on the part of the motorcycle and muttering on the part of the driver and pusher).
After that afternoon it was once again pushed in the back of the shed. It is still sitting there. I am wondering how long it will be before they decide that the green Kawasaki needs to ride again. I hope that when it has been decided that the “time is right” the guys are rested up and have trained adequately for this particular event.
I am pretty sure we are not totally unique in weird family entertainment. I am wondering what would your family choose for their Olympic event?
“When I lived there that bike ran like a gem”
Joseph K.
I think you son get the gold and you hubby gets a silver. Our olympic event- How far can you make a tank of gas go. Extra points if you coast into a gas station uphill.
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LOL!!! That would definitely take a gold!! For the stress level alone when training for it….knowing just how fast to get moving before the tank runs dry and yet make it all the way. I salute you.
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It’s my Dad. He would make my Mom a nervous wreck. LOL.
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That made me smile! I am thinking that might be the husband’s job?
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Well on that he get a Gold every time.
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LOL!!!
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I have some experience in hog chasing over the years if that was an olympic sport 😉
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I am certain that should be an Olympic sport! That one has a huge degree of difficulty so the scoring should be adjusted accordingly. You also have to add in the fact the hog can turn on you and chase you.
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Love the photo and this very entertaining story. We have pushed several small motorcycles like this in our day. Certainly is a good way to get exercise. Ha Nice post. The picture gave me a good laugh, the exhaust fumes should have made your son pass out. Ha
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My boys always tell my husband he kind of looks like a circus bear on a bicycle when he is driving this motorcycle. I am just grateful my son does the pushing! I am in the cheerleading event I think…..the cheerleading variety where you stand on the porch and holler encouragement.
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I am a porch cheerleader too. Got a good laugh about your husband looking like a circus bear.
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Absolutely excellent! I think I’m going to lobby for a backwoods Ozarks Olympics. I am going for gold in weed-whackin and tick pickin!
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Definitely an Olympic quality event….two of them. Sounds like you are ready for a biathlon! After seeing your pictures you are definitely training for weed-whackin!
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Amen to that…I am going for gold! I finally earned at east a silver in jungle fire starting–short-lived victory when I realized it was under the electrical lines! I moved that massive mess fast, but kept it burning!
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I think you get the gold for the one event. Think about the degree of difficulty in fire moving? Extra points for execution?
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Just delightful! You tell a good story. Made me laugh. Thank ou for a sweet and funny read!
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Thank you so much. I am glad it made you laugh. It is always so good to find humor in life. For some reason there does seem to be a generous supply of events around here that make me smile. I am really grateful for that!
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What a GREAT read this has been. I was actually puffing as if I were pushing that bike! LOL. Aww such wonderful memories, and obviously the boys have great memories because they wanted to re-live them by dragging the bike out again. Fantastic. A truly magical day.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s made me smile big time.
Sending squidges ~ Cobs. x
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I am glad you liked it! And I am so glad you stopped by. I do have a question, being from the middle of the USA, what is a squidge? LOL
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[lauging gently to self here] . . . A ‘squidge’ is kind of like a hug, but with a gentle squeeze added in there which sort of shows the love with which the hug is being given.
I don’t think it’s just me who uses it, I’m pretty sure that I’ve heard one or two others use it.
Give it a try CG… you’ll see the difference between a mere hug and a squidge. It’s kinda friendlier and oh so much more!
Squidges ~ C ❤ bs. x
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Aaaahhhh…..I have been squidged and given a squidge! My sister in law might be one of the best squidgers around.
And yes they are way better than a mere hug!
I am thinking you will have to be my go to person when I am not understanding the lingo. :).
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I’m chuckling. We had Volkswagens through the years and many of them we would end up running behind and pushing to jump start. Always found the top of the hill to park. Loved your post.
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I am picturing you running behind a VW! LOL.
We have had a couple tractors like this also. Maybe that is why my boys were never startled when pressed into service as human power sources.
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Now I’m picturing you behind a tractor!?!? 👍
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Nope I was driving the car that the tractor was chained to so I could drag it around the yard till it started. It was best if I sloooowwwwly drove ahead till the chain was tightened……that, of course, did not always happen bwhahahaha I can laugh now.
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Ha!
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We also parked those tractors on the top of the hill :).
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Hi Faye! I love your blog! It’s beautiful. As for an Olympic event we don’t have one, but your blog has inspired me. Maybe a mini obstacle course? I will have to think about this for our next family event. 🙂
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Let me know what your family comes up with. I am always looking for ideas for mine!
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