I remember hanging out with Larry Hayes as a youngster !!! He was one of the best cartoonists, even as a youth !!! I struggled to get on his level in the art world !!! Although I did improve, I was never as good as he was !!! We were two intrepid boys, who would wander through the surrounding woods looking for adventure !!! One spring, a furious storm occurred and I stayed in the house for days after it was over !!! Larry dropped by my house and told me that he was going to show me something down at Clay Mountain!!! Clay Mountain was located in the area, where Westwood now stands !!! Anyway we were off to a new adventure !!! The storm had passed weeks ago and the sun was beaming down, mercilessly upon us as we walked !!! The birds in the trees chirped non stop; as we delved deeper into the wooded terrain !!! I noticed that the ground seemed a little moist, but not muddy or wet !!! Onward we traveled until we came upon a mighty oak tree that had been slightly uprooted by the aforementioned storm !!! The tree was no longer standing tall, but leaning over !!! Larry said we would walk up this massive oak !!! So I followed him up the tree !!! The circumference of the tree was almost as wide as a sidewalk !!! Finally, halfway up the tree, we reached our destination !!! Larry showed me a vine that he and the rest of the neighborhood had been swinging on for fun !!! I quickly gauged our height from the ground to be about 10 feet !!! Being a little unsure, I encouraged my friend to go first !!! Larry had no problem with that !!! He grabbed the vine and gingerly swung out into air !!! The vine carried him about 15 or 20 yards from the tree and brought him back !!! I could not back down from this challenge !!! The proverbial gauntlet had been flung down !!! I didnt show fear, but grabbed the vine and took my turn !!! To my amazement, I felt exhilarated !!! It was more fun than a ride at the Fairgrounds Amusement Park!!! It felt like it took 5 minutes for the new found, fun ride to end !!! As I returned to the tree safely, my confidence was raging !!! As I watched Larry take his corresponding turn, my mind raced !!! At that moment I wanted to be Spider-Man, Tarzan or Tony Curtis in the movie about the flying Wallendas (a family of trapeze artists)!!! Soon Larrys turn was over and I was ready to take this fun ride to another level entirely !!! I quickly grabbed the vine and pulled really hard on it, to assure myself that my next idea was feasible !!! The vine felt very secure, so it was on !!! I swung out and upwards furiously, like a mad man !!! As I felt the wind rush by my ears, I thought of becoming an aerialist or trapeze artist !!! As I reached the apex of my swing, I pulled my knees back, tightened my gluteus maximus muscles and coiled my back like a spring !!! I kicked out as hard as possible to give myself more leverage !!! Suddenly, I heard a loud and sickening crack !!! Yes, the vine snapped and I was at least 18 or 20 feet up in the air !!! I felt like Icarus in the ill-fated Greek mythology tale !!! But I refused to panic !!! I tried to get my body turned, as I plummeted through the air !!! I couldnt get turned and there was nothing to break my descent !!! And then everything went black !!! There was a haziness in my vision, as my conciousness returned !!! I couldnt hear anything at that moment, but I saw Larry leaning over me with tears streaming out of his eyes !!! The clay composition of our surroundings had kept the surface moist and soft enough to prevent me from coming to further harm !!! I also discovered that the fall had knocked the wind out of me !!! Breathing was extremely difficult and speech was temporarily impossible !!! Despite all that, I wanted to let my good friend know that I was going to be alright !!! My vision was becoming clearer and my hearing was returning !!! At that very split second, I saw that Larry wasnt crying out of concern !!! He was nearly doubled over with laughter at my foolish exploit !!! Though I could barely talk in an audible tone, some harsh curse words escaped from my mouth !!! I combined them with a promise of certain revenge, when I recovered my bearings !!! Realizing that I was okay, Larry walked off !!! His guffaws of laughter echoed through the trees and valleys of Clay Mountain, as I struggled to my feet and began the long walk home !!! My aspirations of being a trapeze artist had been cruelly quenched by the sudden turn of events that day !!!
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 03:22:31 +0000
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