Summertime Memories

Summer has us in her spell. Our grass is suffering as well as the garden plants and flowers. Even the birds and animals are feeling the heat, same as us.

We are seeing an abundance of bugs, flies, mosquitoes and ants, fortunately, for the most part; they are on the outside looking in, ready to take off, in case I declare war on them. After all they can always dumpster dip at the school and construction sites, here and thereabouts.

Some say they have never seen a summer so hot as this year, 2022. I chuckle when I think about it, because summers come and go, extra wet, dry or blazing hot. Some times the mercury drops to below normal temperatures. Complaints are heard and cool colored sweaters are called out to light duty.

I received my Duke Energy bill yesterday. It was no surprise to me the cost of our usage for the month was the most we have ever paid, whenever, wherever we have ever lived. The air conditioner and ceiling fans keep us cool and comfortable and we use quite a bit electricity in the home, or else. We manage wisely, though a hot house does not treat anyone well, counting the elderly…

When I was growing up in the ’40s and early ’50s We saw some very hot summers. We kids did not worry about near boiling heat, sun damage to our skin and over all well being, like stroke and or heat exhaustion. We worked hard and played hard, without complaints, no matter the weather.

The grown-ups made us lie down on the mission couch in the living room or sit under a shade tree until any bad feelings ceased and or patchy red skin faded to normal. May be small bowls of ice cream, a glass of cow or goat’s milk suited their fancy for us. The cow milk from Casassa’s Dairy was my favorite. The goat’s milk was easy to pass under the table, on to a thirsty beagle or two exhausted by a run in the field. Yes, my friends, it was right there with a bone-in pork chop.

Mother’s kitchen was very hot most of the summer’s then. She took the heat without breaking a sweat. She canned fruit and vegetables all summer as the bounty came to her attention - rows of winter store .The range never rested nor she …

Time came at the end of the day we sat on the front porch , the five of us and counted the blisters, scrapes and bruises. Sometimes we sang songs and listened to cicadas, wondering what rattled their chains. Other times our chains got rattled or his did and dad sent us to bed early in that hot house to face the night sleepless or perhaps those bad dreams.

Our house was like a bake oven but nary a complaint was heard. We had one bedroom with two small windows over my bed.

I slept with my little sister ,my side by the wall. Sometimes, I caught a gentle breeze sweep across my face as it made its way through the branches of the native apple tree outside, not far from the windows . Fresh air was a blessing sent to those close quarters, for sure!

One time we were lying awake talking about this and that and laughing a lot. My brother who slept in the living room, on a rollaway bed heard me remark, “I think I smell the old cellar beneath this bedroom floor through these old creaky floor boards!” I was not amused by his funny remark concerning me, but I took it with a gapped tooth grin and muted giggles to say my prayers.

Truth is, that remark lit up a dark old, coal oil lamp lit house on a hot night, same as a lullaby.

Many years have passed by since my tiny family made those precious memories of good times

we once knew together-the pleasures and treasures of youth pure and simple.

And, that new inflated light bill will be paid on time as usual, as all others.

After all, it paved the way to look back down that long-long road again!

Reach me by phone at 317-286-7352.