Sawdust Memories

All true greatness runs as level a course, and is as unaspiring, as the plow in the furrow. It wears the homeliest dress and speaks the homeliest language. - Thoreau

in grammar school

whenever one of the kids threw up

the janitor, my cuddy, would come and spread saw dust over it

he'd wait a little while 'til it was all absorbed,

then come back and clean up the concocted mess

now in adulthood, i long for those days

and those simple ways

not to mention the lunch trays

thank you mr. cuddy

you're worthy of tidy accolades and praise

Author's Note

"A lady once offered me a mat, but as I had no room to spare within the house, nor time to spare within or without to shake it, I declined it, preferring to wipe my feet on the sod before my door. It is best to avoid the beginnings of evil." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

I remember that sawdust, too. Dolphus McCreary's general store was next Dad's watch and clock repair shop. Often, the 5 or 6 year-old me would go over to but a 16 oz "Pop Cola" for just a nickel. Old Dolphus would put a kind of red sawdust on the floor and sweep it around. It also gave his shop a nice smell. At the elementary school, they used the same stuff.
I love that Allman bros album! I first purchased it on 8-track and played the heck out of it. Not one stinker on the whole album. Whipping Post is classic, of course, and another favorite is "In Memory of Elisabeth Reed". Probably the best southern rock album of all time, I'd say. Dumb me, they played in Jacksonville fla when I was stationed there in '69, but I didn't know them then and never went to see them.

[Pete]

it's funny how remember such things. i too will never forget the smell. you're just full of nostalgia. that's a great memory you've shared. the allman bros are top notch classic. thank you for sharing samuel.

[John the Baptist]

As I recall, my grammar school janitor was an alcoholic. Probably from cleaning up the messes you mention.

[Pete]

sounds like he needed some saw dust for himself.

[Vol]

Wouldn't have worked on my, anybody else pukes, I puke, or even worse when some dork tracked dog poo into the bus...

[Pete]

that's tough cookies. ugh, that's one bus ride i could do without.

[Vol]

When I was growing up, there must have been a lot of doggie spoor 'cause it would be at least once a week...