"covered in mercury, emptying it out of his shirt pocket, pulling it out of his hair."

[Frustratedlady]

3. Back in the 50s, I was in the science lab and someone broke a thermometer.

There were beads of mercury and we were trying to chase them around the sink. I had on a class ring (we used to trade class rings as a sign of friendship, in those days) which was quite expensive and belonged to my best friend. All of a sudden, her ring was covered with mercury.

I spent the rest of the day hiding the ring whenever anyone was near for fear they would tell my friend. Finally, it was time for the school bus and the safety of home.

With a sick feeling in the gut, I told my parents what I had done, fully expecting a tongue lashing about how foolish I had been. Instead, my father said, "Heat up the oven and put your ring on a napkin. The mercury will come off." Voila! He was right. Talk about a feeling of relief flooding over you. Phew!

I never did tell my friend what happened, but did return the ring with the excuse that it was too expensive and I'd "just die" if anything happened to it.