You Had to Be There! My Goofiest Moments! You might wish you had been! Incidentally, I’m sure you have plenty of hysterical moments in your past that should be recorded somewhere. I remember as a little girl absolutely loving to hear my Grandma tell me stories of when she was a girl or some of those embarrassing moments. By the way, you may not be aware of how precious those stories are to your family. Therefore, get busy; start writing!
What’s weird is that I don’t recall any goofy moments until I went to college! I was just very busy on our farm and with school. Life was serious. Not until I was out on my own did things begin to get crazy. Perhaps it’s because I was very isolated as a child and terribly naive when I did leave. Some people just knew I’d do something goofy or react in a goofy manner; I was fair game! I seemed to always have that “deer in the headlights” look.
Goofiest Moments in Science Class
After working at several jobs after high school at the Little Traverse Hospital, in Petoskey, MI I found that I have a genuine love for science, especially Medical Technology. In 1970, I headed off to Bethel College in Mishawaka, IN. to study that. It was to be a three-year course with one-years internship in an accredited hospital. Therefore, that was the plan. Besides, my classes, I was a lab assistant while I was there. I loved both Biology and Chemistry so decided to go for my B.A., with a double Major, first and then do the internship. I was having too much fun to stop! Moreover, Bethel offered Entomology, the study of bugs!
Mac, as we called our beloved Entomology professor had a farm just north of Mishawaka and it had grassy areas and a fairly good-sized pond. That being said, it was perfect for trips to collect bug samples. Consequently, our little class was chasing various bugs around out there on a beautiful autumn day. The ground was thick with all kinds of grasshoppers. Every footstep sent more jumping out at us! Only Science majors could find that so appealing! We were excited; especially since we needed a good assortment of bugs for our collections!
What You Got There?
Suddenly, I spotted something small and dark in the dry grass. Naturally, I let out an excited yell, “I’ve found some Praying Mantis egg cases!” These would be an important addition to my collection. However, Roger, one of my classmates came over to see them. He doubled over in laughter and managed to get his words out, “Rosemary, those are rabbit droppings!” So much for my wonderful discovery. Moreover, it was a long time before I was allowed to forget that moment! Needless to say, I made many more wonderful memories those four years; possibly my best years! Especially those “Goofiest Moments!”
Incidentally, if you are now curious about the Praying Mantis, here’s a link so you can read about them. You can actually purchase them, as well as the egg cases! Yes, they are that beneficial! And fascinating! Praying Mantis
My Goofiest Moments as a Horse; You must do it!
Bethel College always had “Parent’s Weekend,” and one year I was on the committee to plan it! Howard Brenneman was the field representative and went around the tri-state area meeting potential students. He was a great fun man and everyone adored him. We also knew he wouldn’t mind being pranked. One afternoon, he was to meet with the visiting parents in the Octorium. Several of us had been up to no good, as they say. We’d decided to rent a horse costume from a shop in South Bend. I had my car so Bob, my co-conspirator, and I went to pick up the suit. Well, you cannot waste time when you have a precious horse suit! Therefore, Bob, wore the head as we drove back to campus. It was rush hour so he nodded at a lot of people on the way. It still makes me laugh; it remains hilarious!
Meanwhile, we practiced our gait, etc. Bob was the head end and I brought up the tail-end! I couldn’t see anything but I held on to his belt-loops for dear life. For all practical purposes, we looked just like a real horse! Kaye helped co-ordinate us until we looked really smooth. She lead us around campus and then we headed over to surprise Mr. Brenneman.
A Horse is a Horse, Of Course!
Howard was on the stage addressing the guest parents. He knew we were coming to the presentation, if I remember correctly. However, he had no idea we were now a horse! So much for his hard-working and helpful committee. We came in from the back door and gave Howard some trouble and then wandered around the audience. Howard was totally amazing because he interacted with us. I don’t think anyone else on the staff could have handled our skit as well as he did. Thank you, Howard. Incidentally, he’s responsible for me ending up at Bethel. He’d stopped by the lab where I was working in August of 1966 and told me there was a room for me if I wanted to go there! Yep, Room 306 Oakwood Hall!
By the way, if you have never dressed up as an animal, you absolutely must try it. Just let yourself go. I’ve been a rabbit, a horse, a cat and a dog! Looking back, I think being a horse was the most fun; probably because it was so much fun working as a team.
Goofiest Moments in Church
I was blessed to be a church organist for almost forty years. Moreover, I got to study classical organ with Professor August Huybrechts, from Belgium. Those lessons and his mentoring are a highlight of my life. We sometimes laughed about crazy things that happen during services. He told me about the wedding where the bride and her attendants somehow all got locked in the basement bathroom while trying to get ready. He kept playing the processional over and over and finally someone let the girls out! The service proceeded as if nothing had gone awry!
My shining moment happened at the Methodist Church in Cheboygan one quiet Sunday. The front of the sanctuary came to a point. Both sides were all glass and we were able to look into the woods. The organ was on one side and the piano on the other. They were directly opposite each other. After struggling with my choir robe every week, I’d learned to clip it up with clothespins so it wouldn’t fall down around my ankles and feet. The problem was easily solved. Usually!
Silence is Golden! Huh??
However, that particular Sunday, I was to accompany the choir with the piano, on the other side. We always had a “greeting” shortly into the service and that was my chance to cross the sanctuary. Pastor Ed announced the greeting, but said that we would do it silently, just to be different. Things were all going according to plan when one of the ladies in the congregation, (Mrs. Thompson?) shouted, “Look at Rosemary!” Consequently, the entire congregation burst out in laughter when they saw what she was referring to! I was wearing my clothespins and my choir robe was a pitiful sight! All bunched up! Hey, a good laugh is important; even in church.
I can’t feel too bad. There was a story about one choir member leaving the restroom with the back of her robe safely tucked into her girdle! Fortunately, someone caught it, before she got too far.
Another Goofiest Moments
We broadcast the Easter Service live several times over the radio while I served there. One year, I’d just finished my postlude after the service when Jerry, from the choir said, “Rosemary, you did good!” No one had turned off the recording equipment! His remark was broadcast out all over Cheboygan County. Meanwhile, I’d been worrying about my cough!
Goofiest Moments as a Rabbit!
One Halloween I decided I wanted to be a rabbit; although I don’t recall why I chose to be a rabbit. Incidentally, with huge pink ears, I was about eight feet tall. My suit was otherwise white but had a cute little pink tail. And I made a three-foot carrot to carry around with me. I’d planned to wear it to our monthly organ club meeting. Those were always so much fun and one of the things I miss most. However, I don’t know if anyone is left besides me. We usually had a pot-luck dinner at a members home and they took turns playing. Others brought guitars and they sang quite a lot. I loved that bunch of people so much!
“I Think I Saw a Bunny Wabbit!”
Back to the rabbit: Pastor Ed’s wife, Julie was a teacher and found out about my rabbit suit and wanted to take me around to her school. She had a “hunter” outfit. I pretty much jumped at the chance to be goofy, upon one condition! Could we wander around downtown and a couple of other places? Oh, Please! Therefore, we hit downtown and got our picture in the Tribune! People honked at us and laughed. They didn’t know what to think. Obviously, we were adults; I think they were probably jealous that they weren’t dressed up with us! Needless to say, we had a fantastic afternoon.
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Thank you for visiting my website. I hope you got a couple of good laughs out of this. I need to write another post just on funny things that happened at the Veterinarian clinic! Soon. That could easiloy become a book! Thanks again. #TheEssentialCatLady #CatSafety #ChildSafety #Brainfood
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