The first house I lived in had a beautiful, brick wall running along one side of the back garden, and I have wanted a garden wall of my own ever since.
The story of Peter Rabbit’s narrow escape from Mr McGregor’s walled garden, barely avoiding being flattened with a sieve and forcing him to leave behind his little blue jacket, fascinated me.
Mr McGregor would have liked this garden as would Peter Rabbit, with plenty to nibble.
Barrington Court June 2014
(c) Sherri Matthews
I was also fascinated by the door in the wall to The Secret Garden,
another one of my favourite stories.
Whenever I visit historical places, walled gardens draw me the most.
Door to the Secret Garden? Perhaps.
Barrington Court Easter 2014
(c) Sherri Matthews
Ancient walls beckon too, now crumbled and worn after centuries of erosion and damage, yet still clinging on to the last vestiges of their glory days long ago,
when they belonged to buildings, homes, palaces even.
Ruins of Spinalonga, overlooking the sea.
Crete 2012
(c) Sherri Matthews
I wonder which part of the ancient palace at Knossos, in Crete,
these ruined walls once belonged to?
Ruined Walls of Knossos, Crete, 2012
(c) Sherri Matthews
What secrets were revealed in countless letters pushed through this old, French post box affixed to the original wall of this still-working family farm,
handed down from generation to generation?
French Post Box
(c) Sherri Matthews
But there is one wall that for me, holds a very different kind of memory:
one of a young girl’s rebellion.
The house next door to us in the small village in Surrey where I spent the first ten years of my life, was a corner shop, above which the owners lived.
By the time I was seven or eight, my mother often sent me over to buy a loaf of bread. I enjoyed the independence this errand gave me; I also loved to look at all the sweets lined up on the shop counter.
Sometimes I raided my plastic money-box to buy a packet of Spangles or Rolos but I didn’t have a lot of spare change and I did like my sweets, so one day, I hatched a plan: I would steal them.
The next time I went to the shop to buy bread, I waited for the owner, Mr Reed, to disappear out of the back of the shop to get the bread as he always did. As soon as he left the room, I grabbed as many packets of sweets as I could, cramming them into the little shoulder bag I had worn for the purposes of hiding my stolen goods.
As soon as I returned home, I handed my mother the bread and then scarpered upstairs as fast as I could to admire my loot. I felt not a pang of conscience.
I knew it was very wrong to steal, but I did it anyway. In fact, I had wanted to do it and not only that, I had got away with it. So I did it again.
And again.
My walls were about to come crumbling down. West Bay, after the storms of February 2014
(c) Sherri Matthews
My crimes escalated to the point that I became brazen.
In the grip of my strange, dark plottings, I got the bizarre idea to walk over to elderly Mrs Curtley’s house which was opposite the shop on the other side of the lane, whereupon I would sit on her wall in front of her house, eat my sweets one after the other, and toss the wrappers into her front garden, throwing them, and all caution, into the wind.
Again, I knew littering was wrong, but I did it anyway. What possessed me to do these things? I wish I knew.
I also thought nobody was watching, but of course, they were. Hidden eyes, from behind net curtains, twitching, quietly observing my every move.
And then, one day, I went too far. As usual, I waited for Mr Reed to get the bread and as I reached for a packet of sweets, to my horror, he reappeared.
“Are you going to pay for those?” he boomed. I almost dropped the sweets in shock.
“Oh, yes, of course…here…” I shook as I frantically reached into my little bag but of course I didn’t have any money. I left the shop without any sweets that day and after that, my life of crime came to an abrupt end.
The most I could hope for, was that Mr Reed wouldn’t tell my mother.
But it wasn’t Mr Reed I had to worry about.
Sitting on this wall, happily eating an ice cream with Eldest Son last summer at West Bay in Dorset, I had no intentions of throwing any wrappers anywhere. Be sure that I am fully reformed and abhor littering. Stealing too, naturally. Keeping this photo in colour to end on a cheerful note, in the hopes that you don’t think too badly of me!
(c) Sherri Matthews 2015
Not long after my humiliation, the dreaded knock announcing Mrs Curtley’s arrival at our front door arrived. When Mum returned to the living room clutching a handful of screwed up sweet wrappers in her hands, I didn’t need to look up at her face to know she was steaming.
At the time, my dad was between jobs and worked temporarily on the night shift at, of all things, an Opal Sweet factory (now called Starburst, one of my favourites, wouldn’t you know) in the nearby town of ‘Leatherhead’.
He was upstairs asleep at the time of Mrs Curtley’s arrival, but it was the only time I ever heard my mother say she was going to tell Dad what I had done as soon as he woke up later that day. Gulp.
So yes, I took my punishment and we’ll leave it at that. Made to apologise face to face to Mrs Curtley and Mr & Mrs Reed (oh the burning shame of it!), I never stole or littered again. I hope they forgave me.
I still don’t understand why I did it. Perhaps I just wanted some attention. And I certainly got that.
Strangely though, when I think of that time in my life, I remember being obsessed with this place called ‘Leatherhead’, imagining that everyone who lived there literally had heads of leather, sort of football shaped.
My daughter thinks this is hilarious, reminding her as it does of one certain ‘Leatherface’, the nasty character from the movie, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
To this day, I have never been to Leatherhead, but I seriously doubt that the people who live there wear boiler suits and leather masks while welding massive chainsaws.
Then again, in today’s world, nothing would surprise me.
*******
This then sees the end of my challenge posts, and also includes my entry for ‘Wall’, the Weekly Photo Challenge prompt.
I would like to tag blogging friend lbeth at Nutsrok who is writing her memoir, to tell some delicious secrets for the Tell 5 Secrets Blog Hop and my friend Ste J at Book to the Future for the Black & White 5 Day Photo Challenge, because I just know he will come up with some great photos and stories in his uniquely creative fashion.
Many thanks once more to the lovely Lilka, Jude and Sarah for tagging me for these two challenges, I’ve really enjoyed it and thanks to the push of these challenges, I finally learnt how to use the special effects of the photo editing programme that came with my new laptop.
And last, but not at all least, thank you again so much to all of you for your loyal visits throughout these challenges. More than anything, I’m thrilled that you’ve enjoyed them.
After all, that’s what it’s all about!
A View From My Summerhouse 
Yikes! I reckon most children swipe something at some point in their lives. My friends and I swiped a watermelon – unfortunately from the bottom of the pile, so we were instantly found out. Ow that was and never did it again either. I love your photos as always gorgeous Sherri, but that walled secret garden makes me itch to look inside. Such beautiful places to see where you live. HUGS! ❤ XXXXX
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Oh dear, no wonder you got found out, the mind boggles! I have no idea why I did what I did, two or three times I’m guessing. Maybe it was the thrill of thinking I could outdo the adults, who knows! Glad you enjoyed the photos, thanks so much Jo, and yes, don’t you just want to walk through that door? I love exploring, will have to get visiting some more places and get some more photos! Have a great day Jo, and huge hugs back to you too 🙂 ❤ xxxxxxxx
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I could never think badly of you, Sherri…although you were quite the little thief. 🙂 I so enjoyed reading this little tidbit from your childhood. Great job with this challenge! Your photos, along with the story were excellent. xoxo
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Ahh…I’m so glad Jill, I really appreciate that! I was only 7 or 8 but then I knew better. Can’t believe I did it though…Glad you enjoyed the story and the photos, thanks so much for reading along as you always do. And now you know my grand finale secret, haha 😀 Have a great day Jill, almost the weekend 🙂 xoxo
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Oh, Sherri. I must say I’m shocked to discover you were once a thief and a good one by the sounds of it. Until you got caught that is.
The garden wall from your first house is indeed beautiful. Are those runner beans in the garden?
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Oh I hope not too shocked Rachel…true confessions of my childhood! I knew it was so wrong yet I did it anyway. I think I wanted to get caught…
That wall is actually from Barrington Court, a National Trust place not far from us. I love to go at different times of the year to see how the gardens change. And yes, these are runner beans. They have a restaurant and use all their own veggies, fruit and herbs 🙂
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No, I’m not too shocked. It was quite funny actually 🙂
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Good 😀
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Fantastic B&W photos, Sherri! I particularly love the one at Barrington Court, and also the old French farmhouse one with the postbox. Your account of your brief shop lifting and littering escapades, made me both smile and wince. The humiliation you suffered must have really acted as a sure-fire deterrent. 🙂 That’s a lovely happy pic of you and your son eating ice cream. xx
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Oh yes, nothing like a good dose of humiliation as a deterrent 😉 Some of the photos you might recognise from previous posts but I thought I would experiment with the B&W. It’s a lot of fun isn’t it, trying different effects, and I like how it gave these photos an ‘olde-worlde’ look. Happy memories of a day by the sea with my son…thanks so much Sylvia 🙂 xx
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Great story! Nice to know your life of crime ended early. 🙂
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Haha…yes, and just as well! Thanks so much Amy 🙂
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I guess that Mrs Curtley and Mr Reed gave you enough rope to hang yourself with — almost — and by doing so, saved you from a life of crime 😉 Children do all sorts of naughty things, stretching the limit and dying for an adult to cap that limit.
Talking of spangles, I nearly choked to death on one while attempting to do headstands on the sofa. It got totally wedged in my throat. Before that, I nearly choked on a chocolate biscuit and my mother had to turn me upside down and hook it out of my throat with her finger. The things we put our parents through!
What a handsome son you have, Sherri 🙂
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Haha…no kidding! I don’t know what went through my head at the time. I know I was pushing the boundaries big time and looking for that reaction…which of course I got 😀
Sarah…your stories are wonderful, although not the thought of you choking I might add. I remember choking on a spangle at school and thought I was going to die…in the end I managed to cough it up. Terrifying feeling. As for attempting headstands on the sofa, you are a girl after my own heart…oh to have that energy now 😀 Ahh…thanks so much Sarah, he is a lovely boy (sorry, man!) 🙂 xxx
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Those spangles were lethal, with their pointed corners. No wonder they stopped selling them.
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Quite 😉
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Oh Sherri, I love the honesty of your posts. We’ve all done things in our childhood that would make us shake our heads as adults. Me included 🙂 Thank goodness you did get caught that one day! Sometimes I think it’s the little interventions along the way in life that end up shaping who we become. I’ve enjoyed your black and white challenge, sad to see it come to and end.
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Oh that’s so kind of you Heather, thank you so much…glad you don’t think badly of me after my ‘true confession’ 🙂 I knew I would get caught yet I kept doing it…although, when Mr Reed caught me, I stopped and hoped that would be it…then Mrs Curtly showed up with the sweet wrappers, yikes
I’m thrilled that you’ve enjoyed this challenge, It’s been great sharing it with you 🙂
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Sherri, you were a thief, who knew?! Ah but now you live a live of beautiful blogging 🙂 I had forgotten all about Peter Rabbit, how dare I?!!!
Oh and I nominated you for a writing challenge, if you choose to accept: http://poeticparfait.com/2015/03/19/poem-about-flames-and-love/
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Who knew indeed? Well, after my true confessions, quite a few do now, haha 😀 Glad to remind you of Peter Rabbit…! Thanks so much Christy, so kind of you to say that…I am indeed reformed 🙂 And I will come over to read about the challenge, thanks so much for nominating of me 🙂
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What a memory jogger Sherri. I really can’t remember the details but about the same age as you I took change from mum’s purse; I had become obsessed with ten shilling notes, those reddy coloured ones. She found out and had a serious word. No threats of dad (I think we both knew that was a hollow threat) but I certainly stopped. I too knew it was wrong but did it anyway. Odd. Lovely photos too – mum loved the idea of a walled garden but never had one. Every time we went anywhere with one she would sigh and make dad feel inadequate that he wouldn’t try and build her one. Given his DIY skills probably just as well.
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Oh I remember those ten shilling notes, I was given one once by my Uncle for my 9th birthday, I was thrilled, and remember spending most of it on Juicy Fruit chewing gum (which Mum didn’t allow me to have as I kept getting it in my hair…). I was far more afraid of Mum than Dad. This was the only time he ever punished me. Ha, well, yes, probably just as well with the wall…and I know how your mum felt…and great insight into how your dad felt too…thanks for sharing this little snippet of your family life Geoff, glad this jogged a few of those memories… 😉
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I always think when little children steal, they are stealing love and security. I know that was why I filched sweets – and other things – when little. Then there is puberty when it’s the thrill of being BAD and it is always good when they get caught and have to face consequences. In all the years I was teaching there was only one exception to the little kleptomaniacs coming from dysfunctional situations and there was so many hilarious accounts of teens nicking stuff, getting caught and, white-faced with fear, fronting up that I could write a book. I share your love for and fascination with walled gardens and doors in walls – magic! 🙂 Nice to see a photo of you and your son on that sea wall with ice-creams – kind of ties the post together nicely 🙂 xoxo
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Ha…you got the measure of it all Pauline. ‘…stealing love and security…’. I was aware of my parent’s problems at that time, although I also desperately wanted those sweets that were so near, yet so far 😉 Your experiences would make for a fascinating book! So glad you enjoyed the pics, lovely to know we share the same fascination with walled gardens and doors in walls…they truly are magical. Ahh, yes, I have very fond memories of that day by the sea with my lovely son. Thank you so much Pauline 🙂 xoxo
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What a vividly remembered childhood snippet, with all its feelings, of exhilaration and panic! It’s true that your writing is so honest and so vivid for it – I’m sure I would be too embarrassed to write about my childhood in the same way.
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Thank you so much Denise…I had a slight doubt at first, but then felt okay with it. Anyway, too late now!
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Lovely way to end the challenge, Sherri, full of innocent sharing of childhood secrets and getting into trouble by testing the waters. No doubt, I think we all have thought of, at the very least, if we haven’t done something. It’s the consequences that’s the hard part but is something we remember, for sure.
For me, mine was when I came home riding a tricycle up to the front porch. I guess I saw it on the sidewalk up the street and rode it home. I was too young to remember many details only that I was marched back to where I got it from and had to go up to the house and apologize. Whew! What we children do? Don’t we just love us all?
Great photos of you and your son and all the walls. Does make me want to see what’s on the other side. 🙂
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Thanks so much Pat, and yes, it is always good to reflect on those times in our lives and the lessons learned, even when they were painful ones 😮 Great story of you and the tricycle…I know how you felt about having to apologise! The best way to teach a child right from wrong, definitely. So glad you enjoyed the pics…walls are so mysterious aren’t they? That day by the sea with my lovely son was a very happy day and I thought it would be nice way to end the post with a photo in colour by way of illustrating my reformed ways 🙂
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It was the best challenge so far, Sherri, thoroughly enjoyed it. I can see you growing in leaps and bounds as a writer, author and photographer. So much fun to watch, my friend. 🙂
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Wow, that’s so lovely of you to say, thank you so much my friend! I’m truly thrilled you enjoyed this challenge so much. Have a wonderful weekend, look forward to catching up with you soon…hugs & blessings to you 🙂
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The intrigue of a garden wall could lead us all to do sneaky things. And like you, I simply loved The Secret Garden. I still adore a walled outdoor space! Love this post!
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Haha…yes, very sneaky things indeed 🙂 Wouldn’t it be wonderful to find a real Secret Garden? Thanks so much Renee 🙂
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I think I’m going to make one and tell nobody! Shhh!
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Your secret’s safe with me Renee 😉
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Shame on you, Sherri! Such a life of crime you’ve led. 😉
Your ability to weave full flavor with the details is so much fun. And like you, I’ve always been drawn to stone walls. Fences of any kind, too, always capture my attention. I wonder if they’re built to keep something in…or out.
I love the mother and son picture.
This was was delightful post.
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I know, I know…what a terrible child I was 😉 Yes, old stone walls are so intriguing. And I have happy memories of my day by the sea with my lovely son…not to mention the delicious ice cream 🙂 Thanks so much Marylin, so glad you enjoyed this post and that you still like me 🙂
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Lovely Sherri, you criminal you!!! I liked the photo of you and your son. You look so happy.
Love,
E
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Haha…yes, criminal me!!! Thanks so much Elizabeth, and yes, a lovely day with my son that day… 🙂 xo
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I enjoyed that very much Sherri. I have an insatiable sweet tooth. I am pretty confident you made a terrible “criminal.” Oh, but the lessons we learn in our youth 🙂
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Phew, so glad Lilka! Oh you and me both…still love those sweets. My downfall, in more ways than one, haha 😀 Thankfully, I am truly reformed 😉 Thanks again so much for inviting me to join in with the B&W Challenge, it’s been a lot of fun 🙂
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Have a wonderful weekend Sherri! 🙂
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Thanks Lilka, you too 🙂
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Well I can’t believe it – the sheer brazen cheek of it, sitting on that wall chucking wrappings into the garden after nicking goodness knows how much of Mr Reed’s stock! What a great memoir. I’m intrigued to know you lived near Leatherhead – my eccentric uncle used to think the name was hilarious.
Also loved your secret garden doorways, I’ve always been fascinated with those too.
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Haha..I know Jenny, can you believe it? Butter wouldn’t melt 😀 Glad you enjoyed this little snippet, thanks so much, I’ve loved your comments as always…and even gladder that you still like me after my criminal confession!
And yes, I’m not sure how far Leatherhead was from us (we lived in a little hamlet ,nearest town Horley). I love the sound of your eccentric uncle 🙂
You will probably remember some of these photos from previous posts, but thought I would try them with the B&W…seems to add to the mystery of those secret doors and gardens doesn’t it?
Wouldn’t it be great to find a real secret garden…
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enjoyed the B & W pics – and ending with color was cheery – and it fit the whole part 2. 🙂 my fav of the B & W’s is the french postal box – but of course mon amie – even though all are tres bien, tres bien. 🙂
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Thanks so much mon amie, thrilled you thought it tres bien 😀 Yes, I was hoping someone would enjoy the French post box, thought it looked very ‘olde-worlde’ in the old B&W. Thought the colour shot of my lovely son would bring it all to a happy conclusion…on the back of my punishment and reformed ways! Have a great day Y 🙂 xoxo
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well even the ice cream colors seemed to pop – and you both had different flavors – so it really was nice…
have a great weekend
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Haha…yes, different flavours, me vanilla and caramel and son mint and chip…yum 🙂 Thanks mon amie, had a lovely weekend but yesterday rallied against me with so many other things to take care of and so am now waaaaaay behind here – again, ha! – so manically catching up. Geeze…I must sound like a broken record. Hope you had a lovely weekend too, and look forward to catching up with you as the week progresses… 🙂 ⭐ 😉
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Oh, no! I still have horribly guilty feelings from standing at the counter of our icecream shop, Biancos, and my hand straying. (goes very pink!) I hope nobody from the shop reads your blog, Sherri 🙂
I really like the letter box- don’t know why. And the story telling. 🙂 Another tick in the challenges box, but I see you just acquired another! 😦 Hugs, darlin’. Have a happy weekend!
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Haha..let’s hope not! Ahh…thanks so much Jo, glad you like the letter box (and the story!) I like how it looks with the B&W and had a lot of fun with this. A breather now whatever happens… You too lovely lady, have a super weekend…feeling those hugs, hope you feel mine too 🙂
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I’ve read that almost everyone, during their childhood steals something. I stole a package of double mint gum from a grocery story. Most children who steal, grow up and never steal again and become outstanding citizens, but a few remain life long thieves. You and I are two that gave up the life of crime.
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So relieved to know this! Makes me feel not so guilty about my crimes now 😉 Oh and double mint gum…I remember it so well! I knew a few friends (as teenagers) who stole gum (what is about gum?) but I had learned my lesson by then. Great to know that you and I went on to live crime-free lives 🙂 Always lovely to hear from you. Have a great weekend Donna 🙂
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Hi Sherri! Your story is beautiful because of its honesty. And no, I don’t think badly of you. The wrongs we do and the mistakes we make are all part of what makes us human. Flawed, yes, but still good and imperfectly perfect.
The photos complemented your storytelling so wonderfully. I love architecture, and abandoned places. Ruins, too. They have such a story to tell, if we stop to listen. Oh, and I LOVE The Secret Garden, both the book and film adaptation.
Thanks for showing my blog some love. 🙂
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Hi Nadine! Thanks so much for reading and leaving your wonderful comment! I’m so glad you enjoyed this post and I so appreciate all you say about not thinking badly of me! The crazy things we do…as you say, it’s what makes us who we are, faults and all 😉 I will be back to read your wonderful blog very shortly. Meanwhile, have a lovely weekend and it’s great to meet you 🙂
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It’s lovely meeting you as well, Sherri. Thank you for the compliments. So great to connect with another writer. I look forward to reading more of your posts. Enjoy your weekend, too. 🙂
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Thanks so much Nadiine 🙂
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Never bad thoughts of you at all, Sherri! I think almost all kids steal something during their childhoods at least once. I did. I stole some candy from the concession stand at the ballpark where my mom worked during the summer! I felt terribly guilty, though, and never did it again. However, I recently just saw the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s where Audrey Hepburn’s character steals some crazy Halloween masks from a store, and I have to say it looked so FUN! Isn’t that crazy? I would love to do it just once and get away with it. 😉
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Ahh…thanks so much Patsy, I’m very relieved to hear that! I feel much better now knowing that stealing sweets/candy as a kid seems to be quite common and I wasn’t quite the criminal I thought I was 😉 Haha…yes, that does sound fun! I need to watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s again, it’s been ages. Great film, thanks for the reminder! Have a great weekend Patsy 🙂
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I love all the photos of walls and the thoughts you share about them, Sherri. How could we ever think bad about you? You are reformed! I think most young children nick something once or twice. Or maybe I’m just saying that because I did. Not too much, and not over a lengthy time. I got found out pretty quickly. Mum always seemed to know. It wasn’t worth the effort! Thank you for sharing this part of your life. Now I know I wasn’t alone in my errant ways.
PS I love the photo of you and your son eating ice cream. You both look very happy in each others’ company.
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Hi Norah! Ahh…so glad you enjoyed this and I’m so glad you like the reformed me, phew 😀 I love what you share because I thought I was getting away with my sweet-stealing but the whole time everyone knew!!! Perhaps they were waiting for me to stop on my own accord. Still, the main thing is I did stop…and just as well!! Mums certainly do know far more than we realise, that’s for sure 😉 Haha…yes, good to know we have shared it all! And thanks so much about the photo of me and my son, what a lovely thing to say and it brings such joy to my heart 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend, I’m catching up today and so very behind, so I look forward to heading your way as soon as I can!
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Thanks Sherri. The weekend was good. The working week is busy. I guess it’s always busy – not enough time to be otherwise! It takes me a while to get around to all the people I want to visit, but I always enjoy visiting your summerhouse. See you over there again soon. Enjoy the rest of the week. 🙂
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Oh I’m so glad to hear that Norah 🙂 And yes, another busy working week ahead. I always enjoy your visits to my summerhouse very much, when you can. It takes me ages too to visit everyone, but at least we are in the same boat! Thanks again, and you too, I hope your week is a good one. See you soon Norah 🙂
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Well I never had you down as a tea leaf! I think it is something all kids do at some point, just because they can, although sitting on the wall and leaving evidence wasn’t the best idea haha. As ever your photos are wonderful and full of so many wonderful stories waiting to be imagined, it is amazing how photos do that. Once again apologies for not being able to take part, time is not my friend, I’m convinced he’s the one tying my shoelaces together as well.
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Haha…well Ste, I did title this ‘True Confessions’! Although I did think that perhaps my actual confession might be a tad disappointing with what people expect these days. But yes, I still can’t believe I did that with the sweet wrappers. I obviously wanted to get caught doing that, haha!! Anyway, so glad you enjoyed the pics and again, no worries, absolutely understand about the challenge. Time will do that to you…I just hope he doesn’t get you in too many knots my friend 😉
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Interesting pictures in black and white
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Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed them 🙂
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I loved your photos, especially the secret garden door and your confession was very brave. I must have been a strange child because I never did anything like that, although I admired the bravery of friends who did. I was way too scars of Mother to even think about it.
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Haha…and there I was thinking I was the strange one! I think I must have been stupid to do that as I definitely feared my mother’s wrath too…yet still I forged ahead in my errant ways 😉 Thanks Marie, thriled you like the pics and yes…the secret door is wondeful isn’t it? I wish it was in my garden… 🙂
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What a delightful post, Sherri! And I loved your confessional. I think children need to push boundaries, see what they can get away with. I did some similar things when I was younger: stealing candy, skipping school. We don’t really know what the consequences will be and maybe our recklessness (as you with littering Mrs. Curtley’s yard) is a way of forcing the issue. We know we’ve done something wrong, and it feels even more wrong if we get away with it. For me, it was learning that I was a terrible liar. The time I skipped school, I lied and said I had an appointment and needed to meet my mother. I wasn’t questioned. I wasn’t made to wait for her. I was allowed to leave and so I walked all the way home. But my father came home early and my teacher called and so I was found out. I was sent to the Principal’s Office. I was scared until the principal said my name wrong. He called me Mary Ann. My name is Marie. I didn’t correct him, but I remember feeling so disappointed. And so it wasn’t the last time I skipped school 😉
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Oh Marie, thank you so much and also for sharing your ‘true confesssion’ with me! I love how insightful you are about forcing the issue with our recklessness to push the boundaries as far as we can. Although we know what we did was wrong, we still want to know what those consequences will be; when we understand what they are and what they mean, then we are deterred from doing it again. Hopefully! And the point you make about the Principal getting your name wrong is so poignant. I can picture you now, up to that point. quaking in your shoes a little and then, oh the lack of respect you would have had for him and his authority and there and then deciding that you had no intention of stopping skipping school. I can just feel your indignation. I would have felt just the same 😉 A great lesson in psycology this Marie!
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Thanks, Sherri! You summed up my experience with the Principal very well. I was so scared and, oh, how anticlimactic when he misspoke my name. Amazing what will get a 10-year-old’s dander up 😉
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It really is isn’t it? I love your gumption Marie 🙂
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Well I would never have thought it of you, Sherri, stealing sweets from the corner shop, but you took me back to when I performed ‘price swapping’ when I was a child. It was performed by switching prices (which in those days were tiny stickers stuck on to goods with a pricing gun) from one item to another. I would do it in Woolworths, thus getting my can of fizzy pop and chocolate for a far cheaper price and come away with far more change out of my pocket money. I never did get caught, so I guess I was very lucky?
You have posted some wonderful photographs again and I do love the one of the door to the secret garden. Just looking at it brings me out in goose-bumps thinking what is behind that door. Oh the stories we could write about that.
I hope you are well and had a great weekend.
See you soon.
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Haha…well, now you know the real me Hugh…but remember, I am truly reformed 🙂 Glad I brought back your own memories of price swapping! Good old Woolies. I think just every one I knew stole sweets from there at some time or another, but I never did because I had already learnt my lesson from my earlier errant ways 😉 I never thought of price-swapping though…and you were very lucky!
So glad you enjoyed the photos, thanks so much. I’ve really enjoyed this challenge and glad it worked with bringing in a few ‘secrets’ too. Now you know what my grand finale was, even though at the time I had no idea what I was going to do, and then I saw the WP photo challenge of ‘Walls’ and thought, ‘ahah’!
Have a lovely weekend, thanks Hugh, but yesterday saw me distracted with numerous other tasks off-blog so needless to say, I am once again horribly behind. I hope your blogging party was a hit, sure it was, and again, so sorry I missed the fun. But I’ll be over to you asap to catch up with the latest. Meanwhile, happy Tuesday 🙂
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Yes, I was over whelmed with how the blog hop party went, Sherri. I’ve just written a post about it which is being published tomorrow. It was hard work but very well worth it. I’ve discovered some fantastic new blogs, and people are already asking me if I am going to host another one.
I’m always playing catch up on here, but I’m also ensuring I get plenty of time to write and take photographs as well.
Have a great day and see you soon.
P.S I’d have gone for the choc mint ice cream as well.
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Oh that sounds wonderful, I look forward to reading your post, and your others I’ve missed, asap. I hope definitely to make the next one if you do it! Great that you find time to do all you want to…I have been getting my writing done too, so that makes me feel better 🙂 Thanks Hugh, you too, and haha, yes, a good choice, that’ll be mine next time 😉
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Oh forget to say I just found you on Google+, which is fast becoming my second favourite social media site. I’ve added you to my circle on there. 🙂
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Oh that’s great, thanks so much Hugh! I need to set up my circles over there, I’ve had my account for a while but haven’t done much with it. Time to fix that… 🙂
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Thanks for taking part in this blog hop. I’m so glad you did.
I don’t know what to say about that stealing phase you went through! I am shocked and appalled! 😉 Okay, it’s not funny but, after all these years…
I LOVE the photos! I have a thing for ruins (the are endlessly fascinating to me) and he door! I love door photos! Also, The Secret Garden is one of my favorite stories, too. I loved that wall and hidden door. OH! And what waited inside? Glorious.
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Um “they” are fascinating and “the” door. My typos are driving me crazy lately!
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Oh I know that feel 😉
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Haha…well, now you know the real me 😉
Ahh Sarah, I’ve had a great time with it, thanks so much once again for tagging me. I’m so glad it worked out tying in with the photo challenge, so glad you enjoyed the photos too. Yes, I agree, never can get enough of a good ruin or two…love them…and old doors and walls and windows and benches too. We like the same things! Wouldn’t be it wonderful to have our very own Secret Garden? What a wonderful thing that would be…
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had to come and find you as this didn’t appear in the Reader 😦 Really, Sherri, I had you down as a ‘sweet’ child where butter wouldn’t melt in your mouth (wonder where that saying comes from?) and I find out you were a SWEET stealing child, shock, horror 😉
I never stole from a shop, but I do remember stealing sixpences from a big salt tub that my mother used to save them in (you had to get them just right to poke them out) to buy sweets with, and I also stole jellies from the pantry to eat. Oh, we were such naughty little things! And such a lovely funny post.
And, as you know, I adore walled gardens and would LOVE to have one of my own ❤
Jude xx
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Hi Jude! Oh I’m so glad you came to look for me, I wonder why I’m not appearing in your Reader again? I think this is happening with a few others too. Maybe I should contact WP about it…
Haha…yes, butter wouldn’t melt indeed…thought it was time to burst the bubble with my true confession 😉 And yes, I would like to know about that saying too…
Ooooh…naughty you 😉 I’m curious – were the sixpencies kept in actual salt then? We had a tin in which my mother kept pennies – the old, big ones – which we were allowed to take to buy sweets with. Fruit Salads and Black Jacks were the favourites I seem to remember! Oh yes, and those jellies, I remember doing that too! Loved jellies 🙂
Ahh…yes, and one day I truly hope you find the garden of your dreams, complete with a wall and a summerhouse, and I’m so glad you enjoyed this post as I did think especially of you when I posted these pics 🙂
Thanks again Jude for tagging me for the B&W challenge, I’ve had a lot of fun with it. Hope you had a lovely weekend and caught some of that gorgeous sun (althought is so cold again). I’m catching up once more, missed yesterday – too much off-blog stuff to take care of – but will be over to you very shortly for the latest .. 🙂 ❤ xx
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Empty tin Sherri 🙂 but it did turn some of them green! I loved Fruit Salads and Black Jacks too – remember the black tongue you ended up with? OH, happy, innocent days.
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Ahh…well, I thought so, but wasn’t sure so thought I’d ask 🙂 Oh yes, the black tongue, remember it well…happy memories indeed 😀
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Love all the photos, but you must guess which one is my favorite (besides the ice cream one since I also love ice cream and my son very much!!!)
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Hmmm…now let me see. Could it be the one of the French post box by any chance… ? 🙂 Thanks so much Evelyne, so glad you enjoyed the photos…and you obviously know which is my favourite 😀
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I have wanted a walled garden since the Secret Garden also. Loved your photos. These wonderful lessons that we learn due to the fear we feel when we test the water by doing what we know we shouldn’t. If it weren’t for that we’d probably all be kleptomaniacs still. Enjoyed reading more of your growing up days. ❤ 🙂
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Oh wouldn’t it be wonderful to have our very own Secret Garden? I’ve dreamed of one ever since I read the beautiful story 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the photos and the read, thanks Irene, and yes, so much to be learnt by pushing the boundaries. And just as well! I hope you had a lovely weekend my friend. I got a few walks in…about time we did ours isn’t it? Get your shoes one, I’m heading your way… 🙂 ❤
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Can’t wait – both for the secret garden and the walk. Have a great week with lots of writing.
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Me too, thanks Irene and a great week for you too 🙂
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These are wonderful choices for the wall challenge. These photos in B&W look very classic! Great images, Sherri!
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Thanks so much Amy, I’m thrilled you enjoyed them so much 😀
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Sherri sometimes there are no clear answers to why we do these things and i bet we all have a story like this one. I know I do…..its all one big learning curve isn’t it?
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Oh yes, and it’s a good job that we do learn! Thanks for reading Kath 🙂
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Lovely pic of you and son 🙂 God bless, my friend.
The French Post Box pic is haunting. Do the people living there see silhouettes and images of souls-unknown, who wander the space, hoping for answers to their unanswered questions?
Great post!
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Ahh…thanks so much dear Mahesh, I do love spending time with my big kids 🙂
Yes, I wonder the very same as you…that French Post Box does that to you doesn’t it? So glad you found it as haunting as I did. God bless you too my friend 🙂
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Did I see the words brick wall in this post? As in a brick house? Ha,ha. I perked up immediately. Beautiful black and whites you have here, Sherri. As to your criminal past, you are forgiven. It sounds like the shame and humiliation was punishment enough. The story is very sweet and funny and makes me wish I had neighbors with those kinds of benefits! YUM! 🙂
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Haha…yes, how about that, lots of lovely brick walls and brick houses for you Maria, a post after your own heart, LOL 😀 Glad I’m forgiven from my errant ways…and as for those kind of benefits, yes, I certainly made the most of them while I had the chance, haha 😉 Wonder what kind of sweets Farrah Fawcett man likes? Best we don’t know…
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Sherri, I love your picture of the door to the walled garden. It does intrigue me. I wish I could go inside. And I also love that photo of you eating ice cream. You look so beautiful. I am sorry I haven’t had a lot of time lately. I have been a very bad blogger. I wish I could say I have been creating away…..Are your Tibetan flags hung for feng shui purposes? I read recently that those flags bring a peacefulness to the home. so nice for your summerhouse.
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Hello dear Hollis, I do enjoy your visits so very much and I miss you, but I know how hard it is to keep blogging when the constraints of life prevent us from doing so. Ahh…you are so kind, thrilled you enjoyed these photos, that was a lovely day with my boy (well, he is 32, so hardly a boy, but you know what I mean!!). The flags are just cotton bunting I hung up, no meaning, just thought they looked pretty 😉 They’re fabric so easy to wash. I like a vintage look of things, but knowing that they bring peacefulness, well, even better! Long may it reign! Thank you for your lovely message…hope to see you again very soon dear Hollis 🙂 ❤
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Hi, Sherri. I read this post some weeks back but failed to comment as usual. I had been ever pressed for time in the last months or so.
Your escapades reminded me of my own naughty ways then which cause me so much regret. I am glad so glad for both of us to have found the straighter and narrower path. 🙂
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Ahh…so kind of you to come back and comment Imelda, that really means a lot to me 🙂 It’s great that we can keep in touch here and there. And also that we are both now fully reformed! Have a lovely day my friend 🙂
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