Bud Grossmann’s Words of the Week for the Week of December 23, 2012 Previously unpublished fiction. © 2012 by Bud Grossmann. All Rights Reserved.   Blue Church, 2012 © 2012 by Bud Grossmann A CATHOLIC UPBRAIDING In the cafeteria line at Fjord (Wisc.) High School, at noon on a December day in 1964, freshman David C. Fischer made a jovial and frivolous remark to a fellow student in the line. The remark is now lost to time. What Fischer has never forgotten, however, was the quiet comment of the home ec teacher on duty as cafeteria monitor that day. Overhearing whatever it was young Fischer may have said, she leaned into his face and softly sneered, “You just think you are Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, all rolled into one, don’t you, Mr. David Fischer!” The boy, a Lutheran, was stunned. He was certain in that moment he had been wrongly judged. “No, ma’am, I do not!” he blushingly replied. The teacher pursed her lips, shook her head, and walked away. Sometimes in public places Fischer still blurts out jovial and frivolous commentary. The enduring sting of the teacher’s Christmas imagery, he is sure, helps him a little to tone it down. ♦         ARCHIVES         Click for a list of other Words of the Week I would welcome your thoughts on this page (or any of my others).  Write to me at the following address.  Please be sure to spell Grossmann with two n’s and mention what page you are writing about. Thanks!  BUD GROSSMANN Top of this page | HOME | Fine Photography | Picture of the Day | Writings | | Words of the Week | Mom & Pop Prop. Mgt. | FAQ |

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