5130 Thompson Cr. Rd. - Scorpion Bite

The morning I started 5th grade Granny and Papa Odom were visiting. I was sleeping on the floor and when I got up to get dressed I remember being so excited because I had a new store bought pair of pants. I was excited because I didn’t usually get new store bought clothes. Being the middle child from a large family, I often had hand me down clothes, and my mom was an excellent seamstress. She sewed most of my clothing. This particular morning I woke up and put on my new outfit I had laid out the night before. As soon as I pulled up the pants I started crying.

“Julie, what are you crying about now? Stop crying!” my mother called out. (I guess I cried a lot.) I told her something bit me. She told me to show her. I had to take off the pants to show her, and it looked like a bee sting. She shook out my pants and out fell a scorpion. I remember it being about 4 inches long from tail to pinchers if it was stretched out.
I was certain I was going to die. The sight of the scorpion increased my pain 10 fold. The whimpering I started with turned in to wailing. Papa Odom got up and came to me. He brought his remedy for every ailment. As Windex was in the Movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, Vicks Vapor Salve was to my papa. He rubbed some on, and told me it would help take the poison out. My mom told me I needed to get ready for school so I wouldn’t be late. I was upset by her lack of concern for my trauma I had suffered. I limped off to school. I was excited to tell everyone of my near death experience.

I don’t remember the walk to the bus stop. It usually took about 30 minutes because it was 1 ½ miles away. I guess I could have gotten a ride. At any rate, after my 30 minute bus ride I was on the playground at school waiting for the bell. I was telling Lynda, my best friend,(and anyone else who would listen,) about the 6 inch scorpion that had stung me. None of my friends had been stung by a scorpion before, so I got a lot of sympathy. When Mrs. Bottero, My 5th grade teacher, and the principal of Selma Elementary school called us in to class I was telling her about it and went to show her the evidence. Much to my dismay, I couldn’t remember which leg had been bitten, and there was no evidence at all.

A New Project - 5130 Thompson Cr. Rd.

I have been encouraged by many friends to write down my childhood memories of growing up in Selma, Oregon. I will post some of the stories as I write them, not necessarily in chronological order.
Thank you for indulging me.
Julianna