by Dorothy H.
Member since:
October 10, 2007

Summers of My Youth

July 03, 2010 12:06 PM UTC
views: 0 | 8 people recommend this | comments: 20
 

Sitting alone with nothing much to do on a semi-rainy day, but think, my mind often wonders off, and away from daily worries, and back to some of my fond memories of my youth.

During my youth, we very often did one of two things. We either went to visit Grandma and Grandpa's farm,or we'd live in our summer house, which was also way out in the country.

It was a large enough house, 3 bedrroms, one bath, kitchen, living room, etc...the usual. But one difference was, no electricity. We'd spend our days without radio, television, or lights, in general. It wasn't quite camping out, but not quite in more modern times.

It was very fun, as we played in the barn, and the chicken house, and roamed the woods with our BB guns, and slingshots, and hunted bugs, and birds, or just took turns target shooting. We all bnecame pretty good shots. We could also walk down to a small creek and catch frogs, and crawdads, and fish for catsfish. All great fun, and at night, we'd run around chasing lightening bugs, as we called them. When I grew up and heard them referred to as,"FIRE FLYS", I could kinda see it, but,....?.... no. They were much more like lightening flashing in the night. Only momentarily visible in the darkness. Hence, "LIGHTENING BUGS".

Sometimes we lay out sheets in back of the house, out in the yard, and lay on our backs, just yakking kid talk, making jokes, giggling and laughing, telling spook stories, or staring at the moon, and the stars. One year, we watched an eclipse from this country living summer house yard. I think it was my first.

So great was my fondness for this place of wonder, and definite line between the night and the day, with it's more primitive look, feel, smell, and peaceful solitude, I once ran away, from home seeking to take up perminant residence, where I thought I'd never have to leave. But, no. Parents and the cops don't think it's a good idea for a seven year old to try to live by herself, so home I had to go. Me, and my baby duck, whom I refused to leave behind.

I am now, living way out in the middle of nowhere, with all the solitude I could hope to have, and I love it. Out in the country with my dogs, and cats, chickens and goats, and baby ducks, and I'm finding my mind going back to that summer house, with my family. Mom, daddy, gone for years now,my siblings, two of them gone to be with our parents, also years ago, and the others scattered to the 4 winds, and I want to be with them, and they,...want to be with,........me.

Comments: 20

John Knight Jul 3, 2010, 12:51pm UTC
This was very well done, Dorothy. And yes, you took me along, back to the woods, crawdads, lightning bugs . . . and the other kids . .
Dorothy H. Jul 3, 2010, 6:26pm UTC
Thanks so much, John. It was my (late) big sisters birthday that day. She was such a great sister to have as an older sibling. Made the world a great place to be, and made every day a great day, when we were all kids, wherever we were.
Kevin E. Jul 3, 2010, 1:01pm UTC
Dorothy I very much enjoyed reading your post. I am looking for a home to purchase right now much like the one you live in. Holidays always make me think of those who I have loved who have gone on. Hoping your memories are sweet.
Dorothy H. Jul 3, 2010, 6:28pm UTC
Thanks, Kevin, and your right. The holidays do just that. Bring sharpely into focus, our lived ones and the affect of them on our lives.

Hope you have great luck in finding that place you're looking for, Kevin. It'll be great!
Kevin E. Jul 3, 2010, 6:33pm UTC
With you supporting my hunt I know we will thank you for your good wishes.
Dexter S. Jul 3, 2010, 8:20pm UTC
We were never rich enough to own two places... summer winter all the same. But that was how we lived when I was kid (when we weren't working)
DIANE D. Jul 17, 2010, 5:58pm UTC
What a wionderful post, thanks for sharing.
Muhammad Nurman Jul 20, 2010, 9:32am UTC
Dorothy, your youth reminds me of my big family's village in Pariaman, West Sumatera, Indonesia.
There used to have no electrity and no toilet, either, for us to "wash our hand" or to have a bath. But the river was clear and clean.
As I grew up in another province, I only went there once in my life when I was 15 with my parents and my siblings.
Now all grandparents of mine have already passed away. You know, it is one of the large provinces with beautiful panorama around, but unfortunately, it was the hardest hit by a recent earthquake afterTsunami's disaster in its neighboring province, Aceh.
Thanks God, my aunt, her family and other relatives survived there, and my then granny's house only got minor damage.
Dorothy H. Jul 20, 2010, 10:31pm UTC
That's so good that your family faured so well, during such a tragedy. I'm happy to hear that.

I'll bet that it is a beautiful area to see.

I have an outhouse, here at my ranch. We have indoor plumbing complete with plubming, but we had a great time building our outhouse for use in emergancies.

It's a really nice one, with solar powered lighting, fan, for hot days, and heating for cold days.
Muhammad Nurman Jul 27, 2010, 9:23pm UTC
If only I had enough money, I'd like to pay a visit, do you mind?
Donald Pennington Sep 6, 2010, 10:15pm UTC
Great read.
Jean R B. Sep 15, 2010, 8:40pm UTC
Yes, we too called them lightening bugs.
Elaine B. Oct 19, 2010, 1:11pm UTC
Thanks for posting Dorothy!
Fran S. Nov 7, 2010, 6:25am UTC
a great stroll down memory lane from you! I enjoyed reading this
Dorothy H. Nov 14, 2010, 7:30pm UTC
Thank you, Fran!
G.M. Jackson Nov 10, 2010, 8:12pm UTC
Oh that made smile and tear up at the same time.
Dorothy H. Nov 14, 2010, 7:32pm UTC
You're such a good, and noble person, G.M. Thank you for expressing the feeling reading my article gave you. Writing it, did the same for me.
Donna S. Nov 17, 2010, 6:49am UTC
I enjoyed reading this. Your right they are lighting bugs. My brother and I once spent days collecting lighting bugs in an old mayonnaise jar with holes poked through the lid. We thought that if we caught enough of them we could release them into our darkened bedroom and have light enough to read by. Boy was my mother surprised! Your family may live far away but they are always visiting your mind.
Dorothy H. Jan 13, 2011, 5:47am UTC
Sorry it's been so long responding to your comment, for which I thank you.

My email notices just started working again, after a couple years.
Heather - child of God, C. Feb 9, 2013, 6:02am UTC
Good write..I enjoyed it... and I remember those bugs too.. and putting them in jars. :) There is a great gift sometimes in having silence. Seems there is always a tv or stereo going.
Funny today I was listening to music on my computer through my lap top... and my daughter came in the room and put on the stereo... and it almost made me laugh.. because I am not sure she saw me.... but all of a sudden I was hearing two very different kinds of music. (She is 18, I am 58)

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