Show & Tell Friday ~ Old Fashioned Bubblegum Machine

For Show and Tell Friday today, I've decided to show you my super cool bubble gum machine. I bought it a few years ago at a 2nd hand shop. It reminded me of the bubble gum machines from my childhood. The first day I spotted it at the store, I couldn't find a price on it, so I asked the store clerk how much it was. She made up a price on the spot which I didn't like. So, reluctantly, I decided to pass on it. The next time I was in the shop, I saw it still sitting on the shelf. I noticed that a price had been put on it, so out of curiosity, I checked the price. I was excited when I saw that someone had priced it at $3. I scooped it up, purchased it and happily brought it home. I bought gumballs to fill the bubble gum machine, but my two sons made the gum disappear in a only a couple of days. I gave up buying gum balls, but decided that if I put glass marbles in their place, the gum enthusiasts would leave my toy alone.

Speaking of gum ~ I have a fun story to share with you. When I was young, my parents had some friends who owned a gas station/general store/restaurant. I would often go visit these folks with my dad. One day when we stopped in to see our friends, my father gave me a penny to buy a bubble gum. Hoping I would get a favourite coloured bubblegum, I turned the dial. For some odd reason, the machine started spewing bubblegum after bubblegum at me. I put out my hands to try to stop the onslaught to no avail. Soon there were gumballs rolling down onto the floor. Seeing my awkward dilemma, the owner finally stepped in and was able to make the bubblegum machine behave itself. I looked up at the adults. I must have had an I-didn't-mean-to-break-the-bubblegum-machine look on my face because they all burst out laughing. What happened next could only be called a child's dream come true. I was told that I could have each and every gum that had covered the floor. I had gum for a week!