Ethel's Remedies

Her name was Ethel....(yes, like the gasoline)
She smelled of menthol...(much like Vick's Vaseline)
A long time neighbor, from down the lane
She was married twice...(or was it thrice?)...
A widowed lady, we knew her well

A bit disgruntled, and a bit dismantled
A bit unusual.....a bit disturbed
and most the time, seemed quite perturbed!!
And as a kid....of her, I feared!

So scared of her that when she came  .....Holy Moly, off I'd run!
And hide away..........'til she was gone!

She was a mix of ice.....a tad of nice....
But my mother trusted her sage advice
She had a cure for most everything....some seemed rather sensible
Some quite extreme!!!

The worst indeed..............(Please excuse my dilemma!)
She believed in the (OMG!!)   THE ENEMA!!
(Well....now you can see .....just why I hid!!)
And castor oil..............gahhhhhh.......how disgusting!!
Should only be used when parts are rusting!!!!!!

And an old rag wrapped and rubbed on your wart
Then into a hole.....dug out by the fort....
Yep!!  Now, why would a dishrag buried in the yard
Could have such power to rid.................................A WART??

Ridiculous notions....all of her potions......but...
Golly, Gee Whiz!    , I'll have to say...
That I've been wart free.........since buried rag days!!
Oh, Miss Ethel..............perhaps you were weird....
but you would fix a mother's fears...
Could you still fix-up all my own....
all of my fears....after all these years?
Just NO MORE ENEMAS!!! Please Miss Ethel..... 
                             Oh !! my dear !!
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Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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White Avatar
September 29, 2010 at 12:07 AM
Quite scary indeed- Congrats to you Carrie
K. Avatar
September 17, 2010 at 8:05 AM
hahaha oh my goodness! the things we would do for warts-- I wonder where Miss Ethel is now? Super congrats on your first place win with this funny piece Carrie :)-- hugs, nikko :)
Brown Avatar
September 17, 2010 at 6:59 AM
Congratulations Carrie on your 1st Place win in Deborah Guzzi's contest "The Road to Well Ville" Love, Carol
Mannan Avatar
September 17, 2010 at 5:42 AM
many Many Congratulations on your first place win. I could really picture your Miss Ethel.
Crisci Avatar
September 16, 2010 at 10:54 PM
Big congratulations on your first win in Debbie's contest, " Road to Well-Ville. " I love the humor with which you describe this weird woman called, Miss Ethel, who was kind of gross, but she was able to fix your mother's fears...wishing she could fix yours, too. Enjoy your deserved victory and smile. Thanks for your kind comments. Have a wonderful weekend. Love, Andrew.
Dietrich Avatar
September 16, 2010 at 8:08 PM
CArrie, was there really such a woman Very cute stuff. Congrats to you! Luv, Andrea
Freeman Avatar
September 16, 2010 at 5:34 PM
Congratulations Carrie, on your #1 ethel cure. Smile. Agape, Moses
Sweetheart Avatar
September 16, 2010 at 5:28 PM
Congrats Carrie on your first place win in Deb's contest.. a lovely entry.. enjoy your win tonight with luv..
Johnson Avatar
September 16, 2010 at 3:21 PM
Congratulations on your well deserved first place win. I remember those remedies, but we survived. Love, Joyce
Gorelick Avatar
September 16, 2010 at 3:12 PM
Oh Carrie, this is hysterical...Deserving of the highest placement.. i remember the wart and buried rags tx..just to funny. BG
Devonshire Avatar
September 16, 2010 at 2:54 PM
Congratulations on taking first place in the contest, Carrie! Awesome. This was sooo funny. Love, Carolyn
Guzzi Avatar
September 2, 2010 at 5:46 PM
see talk about enema's and no one wants to comment LOL (so I did ya another comment!)
Culverhouse Avatar
August 27, 2010 at 7:36 PM
funny...there use to be healers and you don't see that anymore. Now we have MD's who just make money.
Guzzi Avatar
August 26, 2010 at 10:25 AM
absolutely love it YET! I have a few things to say LOL (naaahhhh? YUP really LOL go figure!) 1) It was Vicks Vaporub...mighta been Vap o Rub...not sure 2) I'd list the form as Verse or Rhyme although I don't know which is the bigger category I hear & see lots of internal & external rhyme...I had so many warts I wish I new Ethel!!!! Light & Love (fav)(7)
Neels Avatar
August 26, 2010 at 4:12 AM
hehe, Carrie, could not help but chuckle while reading Ethel and her remedies.. I know a Ethel, but thank goodness its not the same person.. All the best for the contest ;)
Mehta Avatar
August 25, 2010 at 7:02 PM
What a wonderful pen picture you have created, Carrie. Good luck in the contest
Devonshire Avatar
August 25, 2010 at 2:36 PM
What a character you created, Carrie! And her remedies...rubbing warts with dishrags and burying the rangs in a yard...Eeek! You gave us a great laugh, dear. Best wishes to you in the contest. Love, Carolyn
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