Love and laughed at this story. Raised three children all the while had a fourth... Ida.
“ Ida Know”. She lived with us for years and was responsible for MANY occurrences.
Gotta love Ida.
Also had Guinea Pigs (along with dogs, cats, fish, eels, lizards, birds, frogs, hamsters, turtles, and snakes). Five appeared good morning. Chunky Monkey, Mini Me, Whirlybird, Shirley and Stan. Best pet alongside the dogs. I can go on and on, but this is your Substack.
Thanks for sharing your adventures, children, and writing.
The only tall tale I remember telling was to my 2nd grade teacher. We had just moved there and I really wanted to be called by my middle name as I always disliked my real full first name. So this was a prime time to make the switch. I just told her that no, I went by middle name and rambled on why that was the case. I still resent the fact that she never called me that, ever.
I think a child with a vivid imagination can be a hoot. I loved listening to my daughter talk with her Barbies - funny and silly yet sometimes painfully truthful discussions took place.
I must say I went "eek" when I read your sentence about mama gerbil eating her newborns. Ugh. But I would guess she knew they wouldn't survive so, well, be gone with them. I watch an eagle videocam and the siblings are the ones making the kills by pecking them to death. Nature seems so cruel at times but it has its way of making sure the strong ones survive.
I had a friend in college who, when the professor asked what he wanted to go by on the first day of class, said, "Call me Spencer." His name was not in any way, shape, or form Spencer. He went by Spencer in the that class for the rest of the year.
Well, James… your lies and stretches of the truth skills keep me very entertained. I wonder if the newborn guinean pig could get eaten by the mythical cobra of the story you told us today. That way all the loose ends get tied in a wonderful ribbon of half truths, misconceptions and deceit…
When I was 14 I wanted a hamster more than anything. My dad told me I couldn't buy one. So, my boyfriend said he'd buy me one (loophole). We went to the pet store and he bought me the fattest, cutest little hamster I'd ever seen. I had her cage hidden in the house so my dad wouldn't know about her. Woke up for school a week later and realized why she was so cute and fat - there were now 7 hamsters in the cage! Thank goodness she didn't eat any of them.
When I was little I used to lie to my friends that I had Pokémon robot toys that functioned like real Pokémon. I still cringe myself to sleep when I remember this.
When I was a kid we had a cat who had her litter in the garage. I don't remember how many there were but there was one less the next day. Unlike your pet she didn't eat the whole thing. She missed one of the kitten's paws.
My oldest had all of his class convinced he had an alien stepmother (he was 5) my youngest can not lie to save himself. Wish I would have had a 3rd kid to see if I got a mix of the two LOL
I have totally opposite rodents-related memories. Years ago, when we had pet rats, they were in such poor health, that we needed to take them to the vet very frequently and eventually they died rather quickly. This is why at the clinic they had quickly discovered and registered we had two female.
Nowadays, for about four years, we have a female cat. When nobody admits being guilty of doing (or not) something (chores, messing up etc.) then someone from us follows up with a running joke "You know who did this? It had to be the cat!".
My youngest sister was famous for her off the wall stories at a very young age.. Every day, my mom dreaded seeing her preschool teacher - "so, your daughter says you are going to Germany for a week," "so, your daughter says you own a horse farm..." and my mom would be like "none of this is true..."
Because of this, when my sister's oldest daughter was born I didn't pay attention to some of her stories when they sounded off only to find out she was the opposite and I needed to believe her by default. When she said she wanted to hear the "Don't Be Stupid " song at the age of 3, imagine how stupid I felt to find out Shania Twain absolutely had a hit song that my niece loved beyond reason.
I still blush recalling telling my second grade teacher that my mom was going to have a baby. That new baby sister was born in spring of third grade, so depending on when I made that declaration to Mrs. Silver, the gestation was somewhere between at least 11 - 18 months. And my mom was as unforthcoming as a Maine Yankee could be, so trust me, she didn’t reveal her pregnancy by actually telling us.
One time my fourth grade teacher was five minutes late for school and all my classmates asked her if she was pregnant. I didn't get the connection until the next year when we finally had that talk in school.
A long time ago in a place far away (not really, about 20 miles). I acquired a long-haired guinea pig from a co-worker. Named it Tribble, because, you know, geek. Anyway on Halloween that year said guinea pig started making funny grunting noises. Just as I was starting to worry about having to take g'pig to a vet, lo and behold, a second g'pig appeared in the cage. Tribble was preggos when I got her. Did not know this. The miracle of birth had appeared before me. Baby was named Pumpkin, because, you know, Halloween.
Fun fact, the only male in the cage at my co-worker's house was the dad. Ew. 🤣
First of all, that pic is of a Roborovski hamster, the tiniest and cutest of all hamster species. I know because I’ve had them (as well as gerbils on and off since 7th grade and other types of dwarf hamsters). You need to fix your Google search.😉
Next, I believe the kid cos that has happened to soooooooooo many people, because pet stores don’t train their people to identify sex (gee golly wilackers!) Even with over 40 years of experience I have trouble sometimes! Supposedly, all the pet stores in Northern Indiana carry “males only” cos of this difficulty. If you get a female it’s cos they’ve got incompetent people sexing their stock!
Oh, and the eating of babies happens All The Time in small mammals. If the mom can’t take care of it—too young, poor living conditions etc…—they will eat babies. Or, as with yours, whittle the brood down to what she can handle.
Love and laughed at this story. Raised three children all the while had a fourth... Ida.
“ Ida Know”. She lived with us for years and was responsible for MANY occurrences.
Gotta love Ida.
Also had Guinea Pigs (along with dogs, cats, fish, eels, lizards, birds, frogs, hamsters, turtles, and snakes). Five appeared good morning. Chunky Monkey, Mini Me, Whirlybird, Shirley and Stan. Best pet alongside the dogs. I can go on and on, but this is your Substack.
Thanks for sharing your adventures, children, and writing.
Those are some solid guinea pig names. You have a gift for monikers.
The only tall tale I remember telling was to my 2nd grade teacher. We had just moved there and I really wanted to be called by my middle name as I always disliked my real full first name. So this was a prime time to make the switch. I just told her that no, I went by middle name and rambled on why that was the case. I still resent the fact that she never called me that, ever.
I think a child with a vivid imagination can be a hoot. I loved listening to my daughter talk with her Barbies - funny and silly yet sometimes painfully truthful discussions took place.
I must say I went "eek" when I read your sentence about mama gerbil eating her newborns. Ugh. But I would guess she knew they wouldn't survive so, well, be gone with them. I watch an eagle videocam and the siblings are the ones making the kills by pecking them to death. Nature seems so cruel at times but it has its way of making sure the strong ones survive.
I had a friend in college who, when the professor asked what he wanted to go by on the first day of class, said, "Call me Spencer." His name was not in any way, shape, or form Spencer. He went by Spencer in the that class for the rest of the year.
Well, James… your lies and stretches of the truth skills keep me very entertained. I wonder if the newborn guinean pig could get eaten by the mythical cobra of the story you told us today. That way all the loose ends get tied in a wonderful ribbon of half truths, misconceptions and deceit…
The perfect ending!
When I was 14 I wanted a hamster more than anything. My dad told me I couldn't buy one. So, my boyfriend said he'd buy me one (loophole). We went to the pet store and he bought me the fattest, cutest little hamster I'd ever seen. I had her cage hidden in the house so my dad wouldn't know about her. Woke up for school a week later and realized why she was so cute and fat - there were now 7 hamsters in the cage! Thank goodness she didn't eat any of them.
When I was little I used to lie to my friends that I had Pokémon robot toys that functioned like real Pokémon. I still cringe myself to sleep when I remember this.
It's amazing how those memories can haunt us years later. For the record, I would have been your friend just to listen to those stories.
Wonderful stories today! I was always telling my teachers that my mom was pregnant!!! I got in trouble every time but that didn’t stop me!!!!
Lol. I can imagine those stories led to some colorful conversations with your mom.
When I was a kid we had a cat who had her litter in the garage. I don't remember how many there were but there was one less the next day. Unlike your pet she didn't eat the whole thing. She missed one of the kitten's paws.
My oldest had all of his class convinced he had an alien stepmother (he was 5) my youngest can not lie to save himself. Wish I would have had a 3rd kid to see if I got a mix of the two LOL
Hrumpf. And here I thought guinea pigs were sold by the pound. 😉
Live and learn. And bring a volumetric flask.
I have totally opposite rodents-related memories. Years ago, when we had pet rats, they were in such poor health, that we needed to take them to the vet very frequently and eventually they died rather quickly. This is why at the clinic they had quickly discovered and registered we had two female.
Nowadays, for about four years, we have a female cat. When nobody admits being guilty of doing (or not) something (chores, messing up etc.) then someone from us follows up with a running joke "You know who did this? It had to be the cat!".
Blame the cat at your own risk. They always get revenge when they're framed.
My youngest sister was famous for her off the wall stories at a very young age.. Every day, my mom dreaded seeing her preschool teacher - "so, your daughter says you are going to Germany for a week," "so, your daughter says you own a horse farm..." and my mom would be like "none of this is true..."
Because of this, when my sister's oldest daughter was born I didn't pay attention to some of her stories when they sounded off only to find out she was the opposite and I needed to believe her by default. When she said she wanted to hear the "Don't Be Stupid " song at the age of 3, imagine how stupid I felt to find out Shania Twain absolutely had a hit song that my niece loved beyond reason.
Your youngest sister's story telling phase sounds amazing. She must have kept her preschool teachers on their toes.
I still blush recalling telling my second grade teacher that my mom was going to have a baby. That new baby sister was born in spring of third grade, so depending on when I made that declaration to Mrs. Silver, the gestation was somewhere between at least 11 - 18 months. And my mom was as unforthcoming as a Maine Yankee could be, so trust me, she didn’t reveal her pregnancy by actually telling us.
One time my fourth grade teacher was five minutes late for school and all my classmates asked her if she was pregnant. I didn't get the connection until the next year when we finally had that talk in school.
I can imagine homes where you learn about such clues earlier, but mine wasn’t one either.
Richard Gere is interested in saving the gerbil babies, although I'm not certain as to his reasoning to the cause-
My guinea pig story:
A long time ago in a place far away (not really, about 20 miles). I acquired a long-haired guinea pig from a co-worker. Named it Tribble, because, you know, geek. Anyway on Halloween that year said guinea pig started making funny grunting noises. Just as I was starting to worry about having to take g'pig to a vet, lo and behold, a second g'pig appeared in the cage. Tribble was preggos when I got her. Did not know this. The miracle of birth had appeared before me. Baby was named Pumpkin, because, you know, Halloween.
Fun fact, the only male in the cage at my co-worker's house was the dad. Ew. 🤣
First of all, that pic is of a Roborovski hamster, the tiniest and cutest of all hamster species. I know because I’ve had them (as well as gerbils on and off since 7th grade and other types of dwarf hamsters). You need to fix your Google search.😉
Next, I believe the kid cos that has happened to soooooooooo many people, because pet stores don’t train their people to identify sex (gee golly wilackers!) Even with over 40 years of experience I have trouble sometimes! Supposedly, all the pet stores in Northern Indiana carry “males only” cos of this difficulty. If you get a female it’s cos they’ve got incompetent people sexing their stock!
Oh, and the eating of babies happens All The Time in small mammals. If the mom can’t take care of it—too young, poor living conditions etc…—they will eat babies. Or, as with yours, whittle the brood down to what she can handle.