My Gumball Machine

We bought this old thing when we lived in Overland Park - got it at a garage sale in our neighborhood. Instead of gumballs, I put M & M with peanuts in it and for a nickle you probably can get 75 cents worth. The small wooden box beside it held nickles but, anymore, we don't mess with the nickles. There is a key in the top and I just leave it there, so all you have to do is take the top off and dig in! The granddaughters all love it and Ann, Bill's wife, is a great fan of the M&M's, too. I have not had candy in it for quite a long while since I am another big fan and really don't need it. When Hannah was here a couple of weeks ago, she brought up the fact that there weren't any M & Ms. So I bought some the next trip out and had it maybe half full. As you can see, it's down - and even further down since I took the photo. If you come by my house, dip into the gumball machine and have a treat on me! The old cowboy guarding it is a carving Ray did. He took up carving after we moved here and he made some very neat things. This fellow is my favorite with his cigarette and gun and pot belly. It never was painted or finished off in any way, but I love it the way it is. (Click to enlarge)