The Press-Dispatch
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Katiedid Versus By Katiedid Langrock Dish fire Sweet's Column By Barb Sweet When I was a kid, my dad set our toilet seat on fire. This isn't an attempt at a scatological joke. Beans had nothing to do with it. The seat had once been a hip-to-the-late-'80s light blue color. A fter the infamous toi- let seat fire, it became a bub- bled orangish brown that drooped in hardened tear- drops of its previous baby blue like a Salvador Dali painting. I wanted to keep it, but with- in a week, we had a new toilet seat. White porcelain. Boring. I always wanted to keep the evidence of our fires when I was a kid. The melted toilet seat could have served as a great talking point. Conversa- tion lacking? Time for a tour of the house, starting with the bathroom! I believed that all household items that had burned, charred and melted told a story. And there were always plenty of stories to tell. My parents bonded over the realization that they had both sustained serious burns to their hands while roasting marshmallows in the sum- mer of '63. Their marriage followed this tradition. One of my earliest memories is of being in the kitchen when my dad pulled a hot pan from the oven using nothing but pa- per towels. Because his hands were not well protected from the extreme heat, he dropped the pan on our linoleum kitch- en floor; the steam rose and burned my cheeks. Some time later, my dad told me the steam was the reason my young cheeks were so rosy. For years, I believed him. The charred linoleum floor was not kept, despite my pleas. A fter a month or so, it was patched with bright new white linoleum tiles that stood out against the rest of our slightly-yellowed-from-wear tiles as a cover-up to our er- ror rather than a charred cel- ebration of it. From then on, I used my rosy cheeks as the evidence to tell the tale of the floor fire. There was the microwave explosion that knocked my dad's glasses off and shat- tered them. The deck fire. The Christmas tree fire. The grill fire. The back fence fire. (To be fair, the grill fire and the back fence fire were really the same fire.) And of course, there was the time hot oil in a frying pan caught fire and my dad ran past the perfect- ly good sink and attempted to drown the flames in our toilet but neglected to put the toi- let seat up before throwing the flaming pan into the toi- let water. No wonder my parents pan- icked when they found my se- cret lighter when I was 14. Knowing my genetics, they were probably less scared of my smoking cigarettes and more scared of my burning the house down. We seem to manage to light the oddest things on fire. So I guess I shouldn't be surprised that yesterday I set my dish drying rack on fire. Since moving in to the RV, I have set off the fire alarm about three times a day for non-fires. The RV has a very sensitive fire alarm, which I guess makes sense, seeing as we are sit- ting atop 55 gal- lons of gasoline and a 9.8 -gallon propane tank. Something as easy as frying an egg will set off the alarm. "Mama, can't we just un- plug this stupid thing? " my son always asks as he fans the screeching alarm. No way. If my childhood with a burnt toilet has taught me anything, it's that you nev- er know when and where you might have fire. Yesterday I was roasting vegetables for lunch. It usu- ally takes about a dozen at- tempts at sparking the pilot light for the oven to catch, but it was taking longer than usual. I was crouched down, watching the oven, so I didn't see that what I had actual- ly been turning on was the stovetop. The fire alarm went off. Our plastic dish rack, which sits atop the stove when we are not using it, was consumed in orange flames. I grabbed it and threw it out the door — the same move my dad did when he set the deck on fire. The dish rack landed on the grass. I stamped out the flames. My son looked at the dam- age — a huge black hole where the bottom had once been. Melted, col- lapsed sides. "Guess it's time for a new dish rack," I said. "No-o-o- ! " my son protested. "Can't we find a way to still use it? It makes a great sto- ry." It runs in the family. Katiedid Langrock is author of the book "Stop Farting in the Pyramids," available at http:// www.creators.com/books/stop- farting-in-the-pyramids. Fol- low Katiedid Langrock on In- stagram, at www.instagram. com/writeinthewild. SATURDAY, FEB. 13 • 10 EST at the Auction Barn – 2667 E. CR 400 S., Winslow Auction pick-up available! KALEB CLARIDGE AU11700062 Follow on Auctionzip.com • ID# 46613 • AUCTION FURNITURE, ANTIQUES & TOOL Featuring several pieces of quality furniture, all types of antiques and col- lectibles, Uhl collection, large amount of Dept. 56 Dickins Village, vintage Barbie dolls, large collec- tion of Indy 500 mem- orabilia, graniteware, glassware, all types of tools and much more! Call Today to schedule your auction! No Buyer's Premium. Pregnant... or think you are? Call:1-877-257-1084 or Locally Call: 1-812-354-2814 • Free pregnancy testing • Free counseling and info. on pregnancy options. • Confi dential counseling for women & men who are suff ering from post-abortion syndrome. • Residential Care • Health and assistance referrals. • Training and education. • Assistance in getting baby and maternity clothes washpcc@sbcglobal.net www.washingtonpregnancycenter.com It takes 3 mInutes to subscrIbe to 812-354-8500 The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, Feburar y 10, 2021 B-11 To enter the Birthday Club, email your name, ad- dress, phone number and birthdate to birthdayclub@ pressdispatch.net. Only the person's name, town and birth- day will appear in the paper. As an added bonus, one lucky person each month will re- ceive a free three month Press-Dispatch subscription. This month's birthdays have a chance to win a $25 gift certifi- cate from Silk Designs, in Petersburg. THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS Judah Eversoll ............................ Germany ............ 2/10 Janis Walden .............................. Princeton ............ 2/13 Doris Miller ................................. Otwell .............. 2/14 Kody Cannon ............................ Petersburg ........... 2/15 Lynda Kinnaman ....................... Petersburg ........... 2/15 Kody Cannon ............................ Petersburg .......... 2/15 Nancy Traylor ........................... Washington .......... 2/15 THIS MONTH'S SPONSOR 816 E. Main St., Petersburg 812-789-3046 INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST PHYSICIAN Bradly Vo, MD General Surgery Now accepting new patients! 520 S. Seventh Street Vincennes, IN 47591 812-885-3280 | gshvin.org Hi stars and welcome to the big stage all lit up in red and white bright colors and dec- orated to help celebrate with all our stars who will have a birthday or anniversary in the week of February 11-17. Come up onto this stage and take a bow. February 11-Elizabeth Anne Tisdale turns 55; Na- than Williams turns 22. February 12-Jason Mills turns 43; Dustin White turns 32; Mark Pride; Johnny John- son turns 67; Theodore and Teresa Nicholson celebrate 27 years. February 13-Rachael Mey- er turns 21; Ryan Meyer turns 21; Amanda Meyer Crane turns 43; Austin Bolin turns 25; Treven Maier turns 20 ; Henry Nelson turns 71; Don- na King turns 51. February 14-Zack Vick- ers turns 31; Tyler Hill turns 23; Nate Wineinger turns 42; Tom and Happy Vinnedge cel- ebrate 29 years; Jerry Rosella Hill celebrate 37 years. February 15 -Pamela Stur- geon Meyer turns 56; Mat- thew Raney turns 54; Jere- my Henderson turns 49; Ma- ci Kay Dunn; Jason and Anna Halfactor celebrate 10 years. February 17-Hannah Lom- bardo turns 27; Kenneth Hall turns 81. May all our stars have a really great day and may all your wishes come true. Keep in your heart and in your prayers all our stars who have COVID-19 or are recov- ering, those undergoing sur- geries and therapy after- wards, and those with a cold, flu, allergies or the aches and pains of everyday life: Tim, Janice, Annabel, Benny, Mar- gie and Katy. The Laura Meyer relatives are saddened to hear of the passing of Claudette Meyer from heart trouble on Janu- ary 31. To Tony, her husband, and Michael, their son, and the many family and friends, remember all the great times and share your memories, and more memories will be added. EVENTS February 12-Abraham Lin- coln's birthday. February 14-show your loved ones how much they are loved each and every day. Fix them a meal or take them out to a place of their choice. Al- ways tell them, "I love you." Our children give Valentine cards to their classmates and teachers. February 15 -Presidents Day. February 17-Ash Wednes- day. February 22-George Wash- ington's birthday. Winslow and Petersburg seniors will not meet again until Governor Holcomb gives the okay. Sweets Column, Winslow, IN 47598 received no post- cards or notes of interest this week. The Winslow Patoka Riv- er is full to the rim with the rain and snow we had to end the month of January, then the rain again on Thursday, February 4, with the run- off from the fields, we may have some overflow. Our first week of February started off with snow-covered grass and trees that stayed around until Wednesday, when the temps rose into the 40s, just in time to get more rain. Over the weekend, of the big game, the bottom dropped out and we had nighttime temps in the single digits and the teens on Sunday. So, when the ground- hog saw his shadow on Febru- ary 2, we are starting our six weeks more of winter. While we were out this week, we saw a doe in the woods at Log Town and on I-69, by a pond, there was another doe and they both looked healthy. Norm and I did something early this year and that was to make an appointment with H&R Block to have our tax- es done. We usually wait un- til April, but we got all our W-2s and did it Sat- urday, January 30. We were so early, that the IRS won't pro- cess them un- til February 12. Before we started back to Winslow, we ate at Arby's and they still had their five for $10, which we got with a sweet tea. We stopped in to see how Tim and Jeanette were doing and Jeanette has her new teeth. They look great as she smiles. Now, she has to get used to them. Lisa stopped by and got Jeanette to go shopping with her to an Amish store. That log split- ter we bought, Tim bought it back, and Norm's hand and wrist is getting some move- ment again from the back- lash when starting it. We were worried about Laura, so Norm went to see how she was. She is fine, but decided to stay away for our safety since she is around ma- ny patients and co-workers. I talked to Teresa Ann and found out she had been in the hospital from a stroke, but she is home now and feel- ing fine. She was out and got to talk to our cousins, Arlene and Darrell, who caught her up on what our other cousins have done and their health, since we have not seen each other in about a year and a half. Norm and I have been sav- ing up our money to acquire some lots next to our lots, and Monday, we met with Robert to sign the papers and pay for our new addition of land. Then to celebrate, we ate some cheeseburgers from White Castle as we head- ed back to Pike County on a beautify, sunshiny day. Now it's time to save up for a rider mower and to find the right one for our needs. I mentioned I would like some cold weath- er for more than a day or two and that is coming true. The weather peo- ple have said that all through this week, the temps will be dropping, especially at night, into the single dig- its. I hope this coldness kills the varmints for our spring and summer. Since we have had rain, our ground, and I guess your yard, is a muddy mess, and eventually, we will be able to enjoy the outside again. Stay as warm as you can and don't get too closed up while you are in the house. Do you have a hobby? I work puzzles and seek-n-find books to pass the time away. We passed by the Bones family and they are sitting around on the frozen lake, with their fishing poles, ice fishing, wearing their stock- ing caps. Slowly, the yards have tak- en down the holiday decora- tions, but if you are out and about, do what I do and see that flower pot lady with a flower in her hat or see big- foot, who was wearing deco- rations around his neck by a pond. You might see a home- made house and church that are like the size of big doll houses. See the many ani- mals doing odd things. These are just a few things that catch your eye as you also enjoy get- ting out of the house. It's time to dim the lights for this week. Keep an eye on family and friends, especial- ly through this cold winter weather. Slow down and see all the wonders in your ar- ea. Wear your mask for oth- ers' safety and keep your dis- tance. As always, smile, wave and say "hi" to everyone you see this week. REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Susan Sullivan PR, Chella Stenftenagel PR, Estate of Roger Willis, and Roger Willis, deceased, AK A Roger D. Willis, deceased, convey to Mary Willis, real estate as re- corded in Pike County. Timothy J. Meyer conveys to Dustin K. Beck, real es- tate as recorded in Pike County. Gregory K. Mann and Anna N. Mann convey to Gary D. West and Julie L. West, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Carole J. Davidson AK A Carol J. Davidson AK A Car- ole Jane Davidson conveys to Carole J. Davidson Irrevo- cable Trust DTD 12/14/2020, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Carole J. Davidson AK A Carol J. Davidson AK A Carole Jane Davidson conveys to Barry L. Davidson and Julie E. Bugher, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Joseph G. Henson and Debra L. Henson convey to Kel- ly Jan Williams, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Michael Stanley conveys to Brandon C. Willis, real es- tate as recorded in Pike County. Kenneth J. McAtee and Rita J. McAtee convey to Steve Perham, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Louis J. Russo and Glenna Russo convey to Adam R. Rudolph and Hilary D. Schroeder, real estate as record- ed in Pike County. Joshua J. McDonald and Kelli McDonald convey to Rob- ert L. Vannatta and Jerrianna L. Vannatta, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Stone Farms, Inc. quitclaims to Elisabeth B. Wood, re- al estate as recorded in Pike County. Elisabeth B. Wood quitclaims to Stone Farms, Inc., re- al estate as recorded in Pike County. Jane Ann Hoke conveys to The City of Petersburg, Indi- ana, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Cecily Jo Ashby N/K/A Cecily Jo Mabrey conveys to John K. Evans and Lisa K. Evans, real estate as record- ed in Pike County. Edward Norrington PR, Scott Norrington PR, John Wil- liam Norrington, deceased, and Estate of John William Norrington convey to Glenna Russo and Louis J. Russo, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Louis J. Russo and Glenna Russo convey to Adam R. Rudolph and Hilary D. Schroeder, real estate as record- ed in Pike County. Greg Louis Benjamin PR, Estate of Glen Alen Malott, Glen Alen Malott, deceased, Annetta Aileen Nelson and Sonja Kay Benjamin convey to Greg Louis Benjamin and Jody Lynn Benjamin Cummings real estate as recorded in Pike County. Leonard J. Mehringer conveys to Megan D'Lee Meh- ringer real estate as recorded in Pike County. Jack Branum, Jr. conveys to Georgia G. Branum real es- tate as recorded in Pike County.