Coolin' off

There were a variety of ways to cool off when I was a child. The simplest being to lay under the big maple tree in our backyard. It was fun to lay on my back and look up through the myriad of branches to see small patches of the deep blue sky. Or I rolled onto my stomach and watched the ants march through the grass forest in front of me. I would put obstacles such as sticks and stones in their path and try to guess which way they would go. I would pick dandelions, pull the flower tops off, then use my fingernail to split the stem in half lengthwise. When I put these into a small container of cold well water, they would curl up into the prettiest curly-Qs! Ah, the small delights of a child!

Of course, climbing the tree was always delightful too! Many was the time I climbed that tree and just sat high up in the tree so that even with my feet dangling, nobody would see me there. I would giggle to myself as my mother came out and called for me--perhaps even stood right under me! This was one time that I wouldn't have to do whatever she wanted me to do. And it was so breezy and cool to be up so high--there with the birds as they flew in for a landing on the end of the branch.

Another cool place to be on a hot summer day was our living room. This was an original log structure and heat did not penetrate into this room. But what made it even cooler was closing the huge, long wooden shutters that hung on the outside of the windows. The slats would be adjusted too, so that any breeze could come through, filter through the wood-framed screens, and so make this a wonderful, dark, cool haven on any hot humid dog-day of summer.

One electric fan swung back and forth on the floor of the dining room. This room had a wonderful multi-paned window which overlooked the back yard. Outside, there was a green canvas awning the width of the window. It was rolled up and held in position by sturdy ropes which would be untied when we wanted to cover the window. It was a privilege to unfurl the awning on a hot day. It was heavy and not a job for a wimpy little girl. One had to have muscles! Window blinds were down, but doors were open at the front and back of the house to let in any breezes. To lay on the cool wooden hallway floor between these open doors and in the path of the air stream from the fan, was one of the prime places to be on a hot day.

The very BEST way (and FASTEST!) to cool off on a blistering hot afternoon was to drag out one of Mother's galvanized wash tubs, grab the hose, and fill the tub with well water. Now THAT was COLD water!!! Just curling up into a ball and squeezing myself into that tub and soaking for just 5 minutes would soon have me shivering. Then, teeth chattering, I would jump out, lay in the sun to warm up again, then jump back into the tub. What fun!

Cold lemonade or homemade ice tea in a tall glass with plenty of ice cubes was a good "cooler" then and still is. But I think I'll let those memories, especially of the cold tub of well water, just remain memories, even though we have well water now. Maybe the grandkids can try it though!
Not! They have real swimming pools at their homes! It's not the '50's any more.

Here comes the parade!

Great anticipation & excitement beyond words! That's what I felt on Decoration Day, knowing there would be a parade that afternoon. That morning my sister and my neighborhood friends had decorated our bikes with streamers. They were squeaky clean and wrapped in beautiful red, white and blue crepe paper ribbons and bows. Streamers were woven between spokes and tied onto the back seat of the bikes.

The high school band had been practicing all morning. Now, short bursts from the trumpets and slides from the trombones sounded sporadically. Flutes twittered and clarinets tweeted. Now the drums could be heard loudly banging out a strong rhythm, just a half block up the alleyway.

"Are they coming yet?" was the only question in my mind. I worried that my family would miss seeing the marchers when they started down our street. I ran inside to see where my family was and why they were not standing on the sidewalk with me.

I had put on my majorette costume and my tall plumed hat. I had cleaned my baton so that it flashed brightly when I twirled it in the sunlight. I was ready for the marching band.

I was back on the front brick-paved sidewalk looking up the street to where the band would appear. The drums sounded softer now, which meant they parade had started. Soon they would be here! Then, I saw the tops of the flags, then the flag bearers who carried them.

I yelled through the screen door to my family, "Here comes the parade! You're gonna miss it if you don't get out here NOW!"

Then I was back to the edge of the sidewalk. Now I could see all the flags and behind them came the drum major and the majorettes in their blue and white short-skirted uniforms, throwing their batons in the air, around their bodies, between their legs and into the air again.

The band marched by playing loudly. Every step they took was in perfect time to the music.

Next came the veterans in their crisp uniforms. First a color guard with state and national flags, then the men and women who had served our country.

Local Girl Scouts and Boy Scout troops followed the vets. In later years, my brother, my sister and I would each participated in this event.

Then came the town's children on their decorated bikes. Everyone along the parade route cheered and clapped. They were clearly loved by everyone in town!

Small town. Small parade. Big hearts. Lots of love.

Don't you just LOVE a parade???