Saturday, May 2, 2009

Toys for Tots


I stopped at the Alco the other day, Moab’s version of a big-box store, to pick up cleaning supplies for our nightly guest rental. A couple was in line ahead of me, their young daughter sitting in the grocery cart, squirming with impatience. She was probably 3 or 4 years old. She grew increasing agitated when they pulled one item from her grip so that the checker could scan the price. I didn’t pay too much attention until the father asked the checker if she could cut the packaging open so he could let his daughter have the item back. The empty package lay on the counter, and the blazing letters lured me in:

“Realistic Sounds! Moving Hammer! Turning Cylinder!"
"Try Me! Try Me! Try Me!”
And in the teeniest of letters: “Not for children under 3 years old”.
The little girl cooed as she pulled the trigger and waved the pistol around. The mother giggled and commented about the sounds it made. I couldn’t help but notice how the flaming orange tip seemed to light up.

After I completed my purchase and headed out to the parking lot, I saw the family again. The parents were loading up their purchases into the minivan. The girl was still in the grocery cart, pointing the gun across the parking lot, directly at me. KER-POW!!! KA-BOOM!!!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

And so the cycle continues....
Amy

Unknown said...

The NRA is having its annual convention in Phoenix this month. Projected attendance is more than 50,000. You may want to attend the NRA Celebration of American Values Weekend May 15-17.
I, for one, am glad the NRA is protecting my Second Amendment rights. I sincerely believe every American has the right to own a flintlock rifle so they may join up with the National Guard.
Most of the press coverage here centers on how much money the convention will bring to the Valley.

Anonymous said...

I'm just glad that my nephew's sons (3-1/2 and 1-1/2) are interested in dinosaurs rather than guns. I hope that continues!

Luke

Anonymous said...

I don't know if I should mention this or not but... you had, my dear brother, a great Roy Rogers cowboy shirt, scarf and hat to go with your gun and holster. I think the gun was a cap pistol, I am sure the cylinder turned. When my boys were little we refused to buy guns, they made them out of emptytoilet paper tubes, sticks, anything that they could point. We made a rule that guns could not be pointed at people, I can't remember what we said about animals but the other day I told the grand daughters that there was a rule that guns could not be pointed at people or animals. I'm not sure how it all turns out, but personally I think it has to do with how we are taught. We sure had fun with our guns when we were kids as I recall. Leslie