Porch-sitting at the farm with my niece.
In the cool of the evening my husband and I like to sit out on the back deck. In our last house, we didn’t have much of a porch and were relegated to sitting on the front steps. It’s a great time to chat lazily, watch Thistle poke around, and see what the neighbors are up to. Porch sitting is a very Appalachian-summer thing to do. Of course, if we were kids, we’d be up and off the steps taking advantage of what a fabulous playground the yard supplies.
Summers on the farm meant being outside. There were endless yard games with siblings and cousins–all kinds of tag, Simon Says, and made-up games with ever-changing rules. We generally played barefoot and would get all sweaty and breathless then there would be that prickling feeling as the sweat dried and the cool of the evening settled in. Mom sometimes only washed our filthy feet before bed. I think the prospect of bathing three tired children helped her prioritize.
Of course, we also caught lightning bugs and stowed them in Mason jars with holes punched in the lids. We were occasionally allowed to bring these in to flicker in our rooms as we drifted off to sleep. When the June bugs came, we’d tie a thread to a leg (a tricky job) and have a bug on a leash.
Then there were all the things you could do with what grew in the yard. Pinch a blade of grass between your thumbs and blow on it to make a wonderful, honking sound. Tie flowers together to make chains for your hair and neck. Chew on sweet clover.
It was easier in those days to be drawn outside. There were only two or three channels on TV, no video games or electronics, and even toys paled in comparison to the wide world of summer outside the door. I sometimes see neighbor children outside on summer days and it makes me glad. Maybe I’ll stop by and show them how to tie flowers together, how to blow on a blade of grass–skills worthy of being passed on.
I remember a special treat was when Daddy made ice cream in the hand turned maker. We would all have a turn deciding which flavor we wanted to help make. Then we would all take a turn cranking the handle and couldn’t wait till it was made. Some times we had store bought cones to dip the ice cream into, but it was usually just dipped into bowls. In June , Daddy’s birthday was on the 7th, and we always had strawberry’s out of the garden. Sometimes in the ice cream or with short cake Mom would make special for the birthday…….
Yum!! We fought over who got to lick the dasher.
Just finished two books about the Kentucky packhorse librarians during the Depression. Sounds like it would be a topic of interest for you!
Yeah–talk about a dream job! Books AND horses!
I remember= I was a “bookworm” and I just wanted a book to read – this was hard to find
as our county library as too far away to go borrow books. So, guess I was just bored!!!
Peggy
That’s terrible! I read a LOT in the summer.
This post just reminded me of all my childhood summers. Now, I want to go out in the evenings and let lightning bugs land on my hand and watch them light up the nighttime. Thank you for reminding me of those wonderful memories!
I’m so glad it brought back sweet memories!