Grandpa,
Years ago, when I was a teenager, I heard a song on the radio about a guy who worked in a bank. He loved one of the tellers, but she ran off with the bank president. I never did find out who the name of the song or who it was by. I went on Google and on YouTube and cannot find it. Can you help me?
Grandpa says; OMG! I haven’t heard that song in a coon’s age! That is Bobby Goldsboro’s “Trusty Little Herbert.” I actually had that song on vinyl. I had the 33 RPM of “Bobby Goldsboro’s Greatest Hits.” That song was the last one on the B side. I checked on YouTube and they do not have it. You might try calling some of the oldies stations. Someone has got to have it. If you find it, let me know. I would love to hear it again. The last line is perfect. “…he made just one mistake, and they gave him 20 years to get it straight.”
Grandpa,
My neighbor has a beautiful apple tree in her yard. Some of the branches hang over into my yard. I had read in your column about a flap when someone cut some branches of a neighbor’s tree. You jumped all over the writer about watching too much court TV. I do not want to cut the branches. I just want to know if I can pick the apples.
Grandpa says; Well, I tell you, don’t go quoting me in a court of law because all I know about the law is that I am not qualified to practice it. Here is what I would hazard to guess: If the apples fall off the tree into your yard, I would guess you could have them. Only if they fall off naturally; don’t be sending the grandkids over to shake the tree.
If you do pick up ground apples, be sure to wash them thoroughly. Use warm water and vinegar. Remember that apple juice that poisoned and killed several children a few years back? That came from E. Coli on apples that had fallen on the ground. Don’t risk it. Wash the fruit. It is a good idea to wash all of your fruit, even bought from the store.
As to picking the apples, don’t go by what you might see on court TV, or by what some old man might say in the newspaper. And before you go off to check with an attorney, take a stride over to your neighbor and ask permission. Whether you legally need it or not, it is the decent thing to do. And when she says yes, don’t get greedy and take all of her apples. From the first batch you pick, make a nice batch of apple fritters or an apple pie for your neighbor. She would appreciate that gesture. Then, if you still have more apples than you can use, Grandpa happens to be a fan of apple dumplings. Just, please, do not send them to me by E-mail.
Got something stuck in your craw? Ask Grandpa. Address your letters to Ask Grandpa c/o The Voice, 314 N. Lake Street, Suite 2, Aurora, IL 60506 or send an E-mail to askgrandpa@thevoice.us.