When I was about seven or eight I remember this conversation that my Grandfather was having with a neighbor.

We were in Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle when my Grandfather points up to some windows and tells his friend that there’s this really stupid City Ordinance that’s still on the books and it involves Flower Pots.

” What’s that? “

“You can’t have them in this area, it’s illegal.” my Grandpa says.

” No kidding, why is that? “

” Well, you know back in the Gold Rush days the Prost-” and my Grandpa looks down at me and I could see see how bad he wanted to tell this story,  but I thought he forgot the important part because his face got red.

” Uh. “

” What about the Flower Pots? ” me and his friend asked at the same time.

” Well the- you know- the ladies- dancing ladies,  used to wait for their- well, Gentlemen Friends to leave the building and after they did the dancing ladies would drop the flower pots on their heads from the windows above the street.  After they  were sure they’d knocked them out cold  they’d rob them.”

” No kidding. ” his friend says.

” Dancing Ladies used to throw flower pots on people’s heads ? ” I asked while hoping against hope that the answer would be yes.

I could see it clear as day- women in fancy dresses leaning out of their windows and dropping clay flower pots right on top of someone’s head.

 It sounded like a great way to spend the afternoon to me.

My Grandfather takes a deep breath and  says, ” Yes.”

It sounded to good to be true.

The funny thing is:

It was true.

Really.