Tuesday, October 07, 2008

You can't pick your family, but you can pick Hedge Apples.

I took my parents and my sister on a little walk to pick hedge apples when they came to visit last weekend.
Before we went out into the vast wilderness to hunt for a hedge apple tree we employed a couple of super heroes. But, when they heard the word hedge and apple....
They fell down, dead. Poor, poor batmen. I guess this job calls for a bigger, heathier, braver, older and blonder superhero.
Dun-duh-dah-dah! April the strange muscle neck to the rescue!!! I'm able to leap over my tiny parents in a single bound. They really do look up to me! It's not easy being with all the little people. Uh, okay, moving on.

This is my mother. She is a gigantic goofball that has created her own language. It's a good thing I can understand her or on Saturday when she was insisting that we go see the Appalachias we would have been packing for a long journey across many states. Instead I suggested that we stay right here in Kansas and go visit the Alpaca Farm. Mom, repeat after me Al-pack-uh.Okay, Alpa-lay-shuh.
Alpaca, Alpalacia, Appalacia...it's all the same. Right?


This little guy is my dad. He's tiny. Like 5'9" tiny. He hates it when I say how little he is, because despite his small stature he's a big man. I mean look at how he man handles that wagon. He's a brute!
He was very determined to get every hedge apple off the tree. So he shook it. And that's when I wanted to start singing "Shake it like a Polaroid picture...shake it....shake it...." Note: the Country Doctor's wife came along to document the whole thing.
Here she is documenting me documenting her documenting me documenting her.....somebody stop the madness, please.


Back to Dad. Check out that shirt! I know he's tiny, but he's quite hip. He's hip Harry the hedge apple picking man.

When you ask "Why April, WHY?!" These people, they are why. I had to live with them. I can't seem to shake 'em . They keep coming back.
But, that's okay. Everybody needs to be loved by somebody. Right? But, I do wonder sometimes if I was switched at birth.The end.
For more information about hedge apples click here, apparently there is a market for these things.

21 comments:

Rosemary Q said...

I'm showing my city roots. What's a hedge apple? I'm sure if I went to the local "hoity toity" market they would have them in the exotic fruits section for the price of a small car.

Your parents look like so much fun. Love your dad's shirt and your mom skipping down the lane. The apple doesn't seem to fall far from the tree...and I mean that as a compliment. I'm all for goofing around with my family.

Rhea said...

We call them horse apples...or bois d'arc balls. And they are SO cool looking. What are you going to do with them? Just decoration, right? Don't they start to stink after a while?

Your parents are goof balls, but totally awesome! I can see where you and your sister get your craziness now. hehe

I love the photo of you documenting Rechelle documenting you...and so forth.

Anonymous said...

Love the new header!

Lori R said...

Looks like you all had a lot of fun! Your parents seem really sweet--you can definitely see the love in your family :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, no! You're right in the middle of the craziness where you belong! (Isn't it great?!) ;)

Sharon said...

So are you spreading these "apples" around the house to keep away the spiders? I think your dad's shirt may be a spider web in disguise. ;)

Anonymous said...

So much fun. Keep it up. Great memories in the making. Glad you and your sister are documenting each other. :) Margie

Anonymous said...

If your dad was in my family, he would be considered tall. I'm 5'2" and my husband is 5'8". My MIL is only 4'9". :-)
RetroHousewife

Angie said...

I also love your new header. And I'm showing my ignorance....I've never heard of hedge apples. They look weird.

jean said...

I love your parents. It is so nice to see a family that actually gets along. I was beginning to think that mine was the only one. Some families don't call each other let alone visit and pick hedge apples! Great photos.

I love the Batmans!

Stephanie in Idaho said...

I am NOT a city girl, but apparently we do not have hedge apples in Idaho. Praytell, what are they? Are they edible?

Funny post! You weren't switched at birth, you and your family is WAAAAY too much alike... And you know that, don't you? LOL!

Anonymous said...

Wou.......I thought my computer had taken me to the wrong site (nice new header) and then I saw your smiling face!

Kathy b
I'm 4ft. 11 I would hate to hear what you would call me!

Anonymous said...

I've never seen a hedge apple... are they like real apples that people or animals... like eat? They're kind of ugly for eating but look cool as decorations I guess... Weird.

Have you seen that new show called "Fringe"??? The main character reminds me of you... the way she looks anyway.

Nathansma said...

My mom's sister has her own language too. She says "manugram" for mammogram, "apricada" green for avocado green, and "canthedral" for cathedral ceilings. Those are just a few.

Carla
www.nathansma.blogspot.com

Far Side of Fifty said...

Very nice blog entry, I enjoyed it! Your parents do seem to love you and your sister too! You captured a close family having fun..fantastic! :)

Sandra in Phx said...

This post just reminds me that the hedge apple doesn't fall far from the tree...oh my, that was my lame attempt at humor...need more coffee apparently.

I love that your parents will ham it up. They look like fun people:)

Patty said...

Umm- Okay, you REALLY need to answer our question!! Just what is a hedge apple?!? I'm quite sure we don't have them in Northern MN.
Also, you have your mother's nose! Very pretty, I must say. I'm pretty sure I have my father's Irish (big) nose.
ALSO, my husband is 5'6". Your dad is TALL, man, TALL!

Dana said...

Now what are you going to do with them all?

Anonymous said...

Loved this post! And do they really repel insects? Will have to try it out on some guys at work then...

Labyrinth's Muse said...

You have a wonderful family. It is nice of you to share your pictures and memories with the rest of us.
Thank you

Anonymous said...

When I was a kid, they were cool looking, but we were told they are poisonious. I have seen them used as center pieces in bowls in fancy magazine. Paint them perhaps, but don't eat them :! How r the hens? what happened to the pasty bottomed one ?