Living on the farm — lazy, hazy, carefree days of summer.

The stain is not on the well covering, so it hasn’t happened yet.

I was a kid full of ideas. A million of ‘em.

Mom and Dad went to town, which would likely entail several hours. My memory is that only my sister and I were at home.

I had an idea. She was powerless under my command.

We would visit the neighbors — about a quarter mile away — something we rarely did. But in order to go visiting, we’d need to put on good clothes. So we did.

Unfortunately our shoes were scuffed. Since it was a fine day, we’d polish them on the well cover.

One careless move and oxblood polish spilled all over, soaking into the concrete, a stain impossible to remove. Trust me, we tried.

Mom and Dad came home. The evidence spoke for itself. It probably took awhile to get the sordid story out, and I’m sure a spanking was involved for the ring leader.

It wasn’t the last of my ideas. See the little balcony? I also came up with a great idea for that when the adults were gone.

Blows that wound cleanse away evil, and strokes for correction reach to the innermost parts. Proverbs 20:30