Saturday, May 26
Roger and Reggie lead the way to the neighborhood mailboxes. We enjoy this late afternoon routine.
We stop here and there for a quick hello with those who live along the way.
I exchange a few words with other residents walking their dogs or opening their mailbox. If someone is in their yard, I’m sure to receive a smile and a wave.
Suddenly . . .
I hear something that I haven’t heard for many, many years.
Oh my gosh, that’s the jingle of an ice cream truck!
I don’t recognize the simple tune. It’s a cheerful melody that will play over and over in my head, I’m sure.
I think it’s coming this way . . .
Two boys and a girl come running down the street toward us. I hardly ever see kids in this neighborhood.
Obviously the power of an ice cream truck jingle to attract kids hasn’t been lost across the years. It still causes the most sedentary of children to burst out the door at full gallop, money in fist, squealing “Over here! Over here!”
After the kids leave with their treats, I ask the vendor if I may take pictures.
I bet my blog readers will get a kick out of this. Maybe it will spark the entrepreneurial spirit in someone. . . .
Cute rig!
I like that aerodynamic windshield and those snazzy wheels!
Away he goes, up and down the streets and around the neighborhood. When the jingle halts momentarily I know someone is buying an ice cream.
I insert the key in our mailbox, open the door, and find one piece of snail mail. I realize it’s also been a long, long time since I’ve had a mail box.
Oh, my first utility bill for the house! Hmm . . . from the water company.
Turning over the post card, I read: $16.23.
For one month’s supply of water. Not bad!
Of course, I haven’t had the washer long and I didn’t use the dishwasher at all and I’m only watering the grape vine . . . .
We stroll back to the house.
It’s been a lovely day.
Gee, I didn’t even think about locking the door. . . An ice cream truck . . . Walking to the mailbox . . . smiling neighbors . . . .
“You know what, boys? We’re living in Mayberry, USA!”
rvsue
I’m publishing this post on Sunday, May 27. Tomorrow is Memorial Day.
~ ~ ~
NOTE: Open comments to read memories of Mission Beach by blogorino AZ Jim. — Sue
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Hi!
YIPPEE FOR NANCY IN CALIFORNIA! FIRST TODAY!
I’m happy for you!
Never saw an ice cream truck on a golf cart before! My parents told us 4 kids that the ice cream truck sold bells. It worked for several years.
Hahaha!! That is pretty funny! Tricky parents!
I think i was first!! Now that i have read the post, Mayberry!! I have always wondered what it would have been like to grow up in a Mayberry, or a Hannibel, or even the little town in Nebraska that my father was born in. I think i would have thrived! I am city (well, suburb really) born and raised , with the soul of a small town gal. Love that your basecamp is in one now, and will enjoy tales of your home doings as well as future travels. Happy Memorial Day tomorrow to all, and to you veterans, thank you for your service and sacrifice to keep us free!
Mayberry, which is actually based on Mount Airy, North Carolina where Andy Griffith grew up, is only about 3 hrs north of where I live. My husband was born in Winston-Salem just a little south from there. I live in a really small town and grew up in a small town. There are ups and downs with that simple life style. Upside is, neighbors help neighbors and greet each other at stores, events etc. Downside is, at times everyone knows your business even if you don’t want it known and will gladly share it with others. But as with all things, you have to take the good with the not so good 😉
The writing below appeared at the end of comments under the previous post. Blogorino AZ Jim, in response to my suggestion, shared his memories of Mission Beach.
“An old guy remembers Mission Beach Amusement Center in San Diego.
“I first set eyes on the park in 1946. It was an Amusement Center that provided many years of fun for families and military personnel. It covered several blocks and was on the Pacific Ocean. My Dad had a background from years ago of his life as a concessionaire in the Carnivals so he was once again romanced into the idea by an ad about a concession for sale in the Amusement Center. He took me with him when he went to see it.
“It turned out to be a game called “knock Mabel out of bed” in which a young lady was perched on a bed behind a chain link cage and if the player threw a baseball and hit a target, she tumbled out of bed.
“Dad was still working at Convair (later General Dynamics/Convair) days but he bought the concession called a “joint” in Carny talk. He worked at Convair till 3:30, came home, ate and headed out to Mission Beach where he ran his joint until 10 or 11. I can hear him now, ‘hey mate step right up and knock Mabel out of bed, three balls for a dime, and nine for a quarter.’
“To a kid the park was magic, smells, sights, sounds all unheard previously by this 10 year old boy. Time went by, Dad bought another joint, then another and soon he became one of three partners in the ownership of “The Mission Beach Company”. That lasted a few years and Dad bought out his two partners and became sole owner operator of the Park.
“I ran a couple of concessions that Dad let me run for myself over the years and bought my first car (41 Chevy) by working all summer of my 17th year on the maintenance crew.
“We had a huge Ballroom, the biggest in San Diego and probably all of California, an Olympic pool, a long midway with concessions and a large Skating Rink. There was an underpass from the midway to the bay that went under both sides of Mission Blvd. and down there were huge steel doors that led into big concrete rooms in which all kinds of goodies were stored, most from the Twenties. Old canoes, hand crank girly picture shows, all kinds of props and things. I was allowed to go there when I wanted and explore. It was wonderful for a curious boy.
“The Roller Coaster, most probably don’t know there was a tunnel built into the structure and around 1953 the guy who leased it from Dad was trying to destroy some paperwork so the IRS couldn’t get it, and he tried to burn them in that tunnel. The fire got out of control and he was trapped, burned to death or overcome by smoke, I’m not sure.
“There was a huge Penny Arcade which Dad kept as his own concession and ran. Between 1951-2 we lived in a two level apartment in the back of the Arcade. It was so much fun.
“In the Ballroom where I met and watched from our private box on the balcony every big name band of the era had some secrets too. Built into the Balcony were three apartments that were for VIP parties during dances, thought we never used them they were used in the twenties and thirties. But in each room were boxes of publicity pics, newspaper mats used to advertise our dances, etc.
“We had one dance a week in summer, less frequent during winter. All the big names played there in our Ballroom. I was by this time in High school so I could go anywhere, do anything I wanted by just going and doing, all free of course. I would take dates through the park, the rides, and even an occasional dance.
“In 1956 the city would not renew the lease on the property and instead demolished the ballroom, most of the midway, most of the Oceanside concessions, and the mini golf course, and rides. What little was left was called Belmont Park. Not even a ghost of what had been there before.
“A note of interest, Dad, as I said worked at Convair a couple of years at the tail end of the war as an hourly in the wood mockup shop. He died the year before I went to work there and worked my way up from an hourly raw stock handler to a supervisor of all material procured for all programs with 25 analysts working directly for me spending millions of dollars. I’ve often thought he would have been proud of his son, who spent 30 years working at his old work place. I retired in 1991.
“There’s a million memories and as many stories but another time perhaps. The “new” stuff follows….
Well, here I am again with another memory of my young life at Mission Beach Amusement Center.
“Our midway was loaded with characters. People migrated from the dying or dead carnivals that once roamed America. Two of them were a married couple, Moxie and Babe Miller. Dad leased them a concession on the midway near the Penny Arcade. They had been on the road with a carnival and had settled in San Diego. They had a German Shephard named “King”.
“One night in the past Moxie had fallen asleep with a lighted cigarette and escaped the fire only because King had made so much noise it awakened them. Moxie taught King to stamp out a burning cigarette. It was a lesson the dog never forgot so when they were running their concession and anyone nearby threw down a cigarette, King immediately rushed to the downed butt and proceeded to rake his big paws across it to ensure it was out. I used to worry about it but it apparently didn’t bother King.
“Another character that stood out was “Bobbie”. She was an old woman (I have no idea of her actual age but she was old). Bobbie ran a booth that featured a basket hoop and she sold tosses for dimes with the reward being small prizes after so many successful throws. She worshipped my Mother and on all Saturdays she would stop in a bakery in downtown San Diego and buy her a small cupcake sized cake and bring it to Mom.
“Bobbie rode the Bus to the beach so it had to be problematic to lug that little cake on a bus, but she never failed in her mission.
“If I have bored you with my remembrances I apologize but the older I get, the more precious these memories become…..” — AZ Jim
AZ Jim, thank you for sharing your stories…you honor us All….
Jim, I loved reading your memories! Thank you for sharing with us! 😊
Jim this is amazing. Thank you for sharing these! I would love to read more!
One of my favorite places in the world is the Musee Mechanique which used to be located at the base of the Cliff House outside of San Francisco. It is now at Pier 45. There is a collection of 300 or so old fashioned games and exhibits. Back in the day, it was dark and dank and magical… like finding a treasure when going to the beach. I am glad they moved it (as the erosion was horrible at the Cliff House) but some of the magic poofed after that.
Your stories are wonderful. Keep sharing!
http://www.museemechanique.org/about.html
Oh Barb that was my favorite place too! I didn’t know it was moved to Pier 45. Thank you. I miss SF so much.
Wow Jim. Wonderful memories and I so enjoyed reading about your adventures growing up. It must have been awesome to have such an eclectic father. Sounds like he was very entrepreneurial and hard working. I hope you will share more memories. I look forward to reading them. Thanks again for an enjoyable story.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your memories with us, Jim. You are a treasure! I am sure your Dad was proud of you. 🙂
What fun to read. An interesting life. Thanks so much for taking the time to write all this out.
Thanks AZ Jim
Wow, thanks for that amusing, interesting story. My wife adores you AZ Jim. We are soon to be snowbirds, hanging out in Green Valley, As during Oregon’s rainy winters! Good day Sir, Ron
WOW thanks for sharing. reminds me of San Francisco’s beach boardwalk.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful childhood AZ Jim! Please share your “remembrances” anytime.
Wow, Jim. I can smell the popcorn and hear the music. What wonderful memories. Your dad sounds like a really special guy. Precious memories, indeed.
Thank you so much, AZ Jim!!
Such wonderful memories !! I really enjoyed reading them ! Thank you !!
WOW AZ JIM,, I remember Balboa Park and a Restaurant that a fellow named B. Evans, I’m thinking That they were connected in ownership, I know this through a Redhead Waitress I dated in the early 70s,,, memories that you brought back,, thanks AZ Jim,,,,, and it wouldn’t be possible without out Sue’s Blog and Blogeroose,,,,, Rusty
What a charming life & memories…thank you for sharing.
Awesome memories Jim. Thank you for sharing them with us.
AZ Jim, Your stories are fascinating! Thanks for sharing them.
Such wonderful and colorful memories, AZ Jim. Thank you for sharing!
Enjoyed the people stories you shared…tis fun to think of those we used to know years ago!
AZ Jim – no way are you “boring”us with your wonderful stories! The way you write evokes the sights and sounds of your subject matter. I really enjoy reading your stories – please don’t stop sharing them!!
We don’t have golf carts on the streets here, unfortunately. That one looks great!
As with most people, I wanted what I didn’t have. I grew up in a town of 1,000 people, where you’d run into people at the post office because mail was not delivered. It didn’t matter if you liked them or not because everybody showed up to get their mail. I like either remote places or the city today.
Hi Sue,
A mailbox, a new refrigerator, and an ice cream truck! Now that’s livin’ the dream…and in Mayberry no less.
So happy for you but I hope you’ll take us back out on the road from time to time.
Have a great Memorial Day in your new home.
I live in Mayberry now! I am so happy 😁 to see you so content in your neighborhood! Sounds wonderful!
💗 Now I will go back and read Jim’s story!
Ooh, Tropical Storm Alberto arrives at the Florida panhandle tomorrow morning (Monday).
So far Alberto has been gentle! A little bit of rain, the bird bath is now full and a little bit of wind. When the sun was going down,we had some pieces of blue skies with gauzy gray clouds riding with slow abandon! Tomorrow will probably be hell to pay! 😊
We had winds and rain but nothing else. It wasn’t nearly as bad as the weather channel would have you believe! Still sprinkling a bit of rain.
Hi, Geri and Chuck,
You all have been in my thoughts and prayers. I hope the brunt of the storm misses your little piece of paradise. Please be safe! *hugs*
Thank you Denise! Right now 7:30am, Alberto is still 40 miles south of us. It has moved a bit west, now expected to land at Destin instead of Apalachicola.. Still not much rain or wind. 💗 We know it’s coming!
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers Geri. Hope you, Chuck, Radar and Tater stay safe. Mys sister lives south of Tampa, She says they are having wind and a little rain as well.
Tuesday afternoon …Alberto is history for Florida panhandle area! 60_mph winds kicked up the bay pretty good, but no damages to our tiny town! Thank you all for your kind thoughts!💗
Wonderful news!! *happy hugs*
Oh my gosh, I love to hear that jingle the ice cream trucks play 🙂 . I haven’t heard it since last August, I did go buy a fudgesicle from him. Even as an adult with no little ones living with me I still get something every time I hear them coming. It wasn’t easy for my parents to afford a lot of extras while raising our big family, yet they always managed to have enough cash on hand to give us so we could all get those treats on hot summer days.
It’s good to know there are a few kids in your neighborhood, I like to have homes with people of all ages living in them nearby. Somehow that lends a more “everything is gonna be alright ” feeling to an area . I know there is the potential for anyone living in a home or neighborhood to have their problems, still I like to think they will be there for each other, young or old, through thick and thin.
This week my jeep wouldn’t start one morning so I popped the hood open to look at ??? Within a few minutes 6 other people were gathered around offering help and suggestions, nice! Someone had a portable jump pack, started the jeep and put the pack on my passenger seat in case I stalled on the seven minute drive to my mechanic’s shop. He ran a few tests, installed a new battery for less than I would pay at a parts store and had me back on the road in half an hour. Yep, Mayberry is still a good place to live.
I’m glad you have neighbors eager to help you out, weather.
If I’d had money in my pocket, I would’ve run after the ice cream truck, too, yelling “over here! over here!” 🙂
Hopefully the ice cream man will come around again and you’ll get to run and get something from him. Even if we could have good ice cream from our own freezer, it’s not as much fun as the old-fashioned thrill of having them stop so we can choose and buy a treat. That whole experience turns any ordinary summer’s day into a more special one.
When I first moved here most of my neighbors weren’t as eager to help me or each other. I have mentioned folks here helping me several times, and want to explain that. It’s not like I can’t take care of most things by myself. I just know the difference between being somewhere that feels unfriendly and one where neighbors feel a warmth with one another, so I invite people to involve themselves with me.
During my initial explorations of this grove and lakeshore often if anyone did talk to me it was to complain or gossip about someone living close by. It took a lot of prayer, several conversations with each one and my offering to help them with their needs to turn things around. During my first few walks through the neighborhood I could actually feel how much tension was in the air around here. The peaceful and sweet feelings we now share are especially precious because so many of us found a way to start over and appreciate each other.
Good morning, weather,
Not for a second have I ever thought you dependent upon others! Certain situations, like vehicle problems, are made less stressful with others around, willing to help, even if one can resolve the situation on one’s own. Strange about tension between people. It starts like a weed and then more sprouts, until negativity takes over, smothering all that is good. I saw it happen in a church. Gossip is a terrible thing. Good job battling it by praying, refusing to participate, and setting an example of caring, tolerance and warmth!
You’re right about the fun of scoring ice cream from the truck. It wouldn’t surprise me if the children running after the truck had ice cream in their freezers at home. 🙂
Loved your post Sue. Now I want ice cream and all I have are juice bars!
Oh! Fudgesicle! I want!
I enjoyed Jim’s memory. More, please.
Wow! Great story, AZ Jim! I would love to hear more, too. Sue, you are living the life! You now have a comfy home AND a home on wheels. What more could you ask for??
Happy Memorial Day, everyone! And thank you to all who served. Ann M
Hi, Sue,
Reggie and Roger look like they take their duty of surveying the neighborhood and the afternoon mail pickup very seriously. The picture looks like they are on a mission! 🙂 The water rates seem very reasonable. It is good to know that your neighborhood has an ice cream truck. May come in handy if you run out of Tillamook ice cream. You never know when you might get a hankering for a creamsicle! Using a golf cart is very creative. I wonder if it runs on electricity? I noticed the driver has a small Honda generator on the floor to his right…my guess to keep the freezer boxes cold. Very cool idea! 🙂
I am so happy that you found your little slice of Mayberry, Sue. It sounds like you (and Nancy) found a nice spot to call home. I know you had been looking for a while….it is so nice when things fall into place when they are supposed to, isn’t it?! 🙂
Sending you, Reggie, and Roger lots of love and hugs from me and Gracie pup! 🙂
Thank you to all who have served and sacrificed for us!
I loved your story AZ Jim and hope to hear more from you. My story about a Mayberry town was a long long time ago when my mom and I and my teenage daughter took a trip down to El Paso Texas and then the next day we drove across a lot of desert to get to Portales New Mexico where my aunt and uncle lived. We spent the night and got up the next morning when my uncle told us that our water pump had busted in the night and we lost all our water out on the ground. Of course it was on a Sunday and in little towns stores were not open on Sunday. My uncle happened to know the man who owned the parts store so he called him and asked him to come down to the store and sell him a water pump for my car, which he did and my uncle put the pump on and fixed everything up and we were as good as new. Nowadays we don’t even have a clue who owns the parts store. 🙂
Oh Sue,
I’ve called my Chandler, Az. neighborhood Mayberry for years. We have 59 homes and everybody knows everyone, worts and all. Our imperfections make us all human and lovable. I wouldn’t live anywhere else.
This is a great post. I love your Mayberry. Sounds like you have landed in the perfect place. So looking forward to all you mailbox and neighborhood goings on. I loved AZJims memories and Weathers memories. I grew up in small towns that did not have ice cream trucks, But I moved from Ogden, UT to Memphis, TN in 1979 with a 1 year old and a 3 year old. I don’t think that Ogden had ice cream trucks or maybe we just never paid attention, but a soon as we moved to Memphis my children where introduced to the ice cream truck by other neighborhood children and the race was on. I did not have extra money, so there were not a lot of treats bought, but my kids always had to go see anyway. Childhood is such a magical time, not matter what decade you grow up in. I love this community of blogerinos. Always something interesting going on.
I grew up in “Mayberry” sadly, the main street is practically non existent and the farm field are housing developments. There is still a bit of that small town feel, and we tried to make sure our sons had as much of it as we could provide for them. Thankfully there are still many wonderful villages strewn throughout the country. If you are blessed enough to live in one, I know you appreciate it and I hope that it lingers for generations to come.
I loved reading your memories, AZ Jim! Thank you so much! On the subject of Mayberry, my husband grew up in Heartland, WI. They still had a Dr. who made house calls!!
I remember ice cream trucks! Yum! I liked Dreamsickles! My Grandparents used to send me 100 pennies for my birthday. That was 10 ice creams!
Thanks for the blast from the past, Rv Sue!
In the early 90’s, for Easter and summer vacations, I’d take my daughter camping at Campland on the Bay. We found Belmont Park and we’d ride the roller coaster a couple of times. It was a wooden roller coaster and it was awesome! Then we’d walk around the area. There was a plunge and bath house, which we had never seen before. Then we’d go back and get another roller coaster ride. You could see how popular Mission Beach Amusement Park/Belmont Park must have been just by what remained.
Thank you. It was nice reading about what was there.
I found a potential privacy fence solution for your consideration. It is something you can easily install yourself. The cost is right about $1.00 per linear length of the existing chain link fence. It will work for Arizona. They are panels of a UV resistant windscreen/shade cloth material. I will let the wind go through it but does reduce some of the wind flow volume. It comes in different colors including green. There are brass grommets built into the panel and that allows to be secured to your existing chain link fence with some wire. You can purchase packages of precut wire made for installing chain link fencing onto the poles from places such as Home Depot and Lowes. The rolls of privacy panel can be purchased from Amazon. This will be as labor easy and low cost for getting privacy as you will find. You might want something rated for 85% opacity if privacy is the main issue.
Thank you, Suzy! I’ll check it out, although I admit I’m partial to a structural solution (of course..more $$$!)
AZ Jim, I loved ❤️ your stories. What a magical childhood. Please keep sharing these amazing stories. Sue, I still remember the magic and excitement of the ice cream 🍦 truck! The frantic rush to get money from your parents, then desperately running out the door, hoping that the truck hadn’t left yet! Good memories.
Oh yes, those were days that I wish all children had now. Our family always struggled so we never got to have ice cream when the ice cream man came around. That did taught us that you can’t always get what you want but we always had what we needed even if it was new cardboard in our shoes. My younger siblings had it much better but I don’t think it served them that well. My youngest sister who was born after I was married seems to feel pretty entitled. Maybe we need a depression or just cut off the welfare so we can know who is truly in need. It will put love back in our society.
I have often thought that this blog can be a true history of the times we live in as everything on the net seems to be here forever. Jim, I especially appreciate your experiences that were before most of us. Please continue to memorialize here.
WOW, your having a great time with the neighborhood,,, Ice Cream Rigs has come a long ways since my day of running out for a treat with money in hand, Good Gaulie MISS Maulie where has the Time gone, LOL,,,,,, Have a Pleasant Memorial day,,,, And Never Forget the Fallin that Served,,,,,,,,,,, 🐾,, 👣 👣
the ice cream truck drove by my place yesterday, playing Christmas songs oddly enough
Ah the ice cream wagon…my kids loved them. My granddaughter found out about the wagon when she was about four yrs old. Once she almost ran out the door naked after her bath to meet the wagon. My son caught her at the door. We don’t hear them anymore…don’t know what happened to them.
I lived in Topeka, KS, San Pedro, CA, and Cleveland, OH and boarding schools in Oregon & Utah & AZ in my young years. As a teenager in Topeka West high school, myself and another boy were the only minority students back in the early 60’s. I was on the pep squad team and often hung out with my team mates at a local drive in hamburger joint where kids gathered after a football/basket ball games. There I found out a football player lived right across the street from me & we became friends.
One snowy day, while out shoveling snow in our drive way, we had a snowball fight including some of my friends in the neighborhood. Apparently, his parents saw this. I didn’t see my friend at school or around his home anymore after that. Then, my girlfriends told me his parents sent him away to live with his aunt and uncle because they did not want their son getting too close to me….wow! what an eye opener that was.
My second experience came when my daughter was about a year old & living in Cleveland, OH. It was Christmas and I decided to take my daughter to see Santa Clause at Higbee’s (now Dillards). There was a long line and when we finally arrived to pay and meet Santa I was asked ‘Do you want a ‘white’ or ‘black’ Santa?’ Huh? I said it didn’t matter to me. We were sent to see the ‘white’ Santa. Pictures were taken and I sent some off to friends and relatives. While living in CA first being a nanny for a doctor and his family on 5 Crest Rd, a gated community, and later in San Pedro, CA as a college student…no one batted an eye to the color of my skin.
I share this because life is not always what it seems. I was ostracized while attending high school in Snowflake, AZ at the boarding school dormitory by native students because I was too ‘white.’ Huh? Again, I was very active while attending Snowflake high and a member of the pep squad team, in drama class (I thought to help me not to be so shy) Consequently, I never really dated in my teen years. My parents died before I graduated from high school and without guidance I made many mistakes in life. It’s amazing I’m still ticking. I have no regrets whatsoever. Isn’t life amazing?
Wow, Rita, you could write a book. I live in Montana where I grew up white. My mom owned a little Catholic book and gift store in Billings and the Native women came in often and spent time browsing and buying. My mom was good friends with the Jesuit priest from the mission. He invited us out often and we played with the res kids. As a child, I saw no difference.
My mom was also friends with the Benedictine priest who served the Mexican community in Billings. We participated in Fiestas and went over to friends homes whose food was delicious and different from ours. I am grateful for my experiences. Your story brings up sorrow. You are a good writer. You perhaps should, at least, write poetry about your experiences. God bless.
I didn’t mean to bring sorrow…I was happy as a lark most of the time until I get a rude awakening at times. It didn’t happen often but I was reminded occasionally of reality. I say I have no regrets and it’s true. I think my dad knew and made sure we would be okay. He harangued us at dinner table when we’d finally all sit together to eat and end of day i.e. do not do this and you must continue school and go as high as possible. We only had three months at home and then off to boarding school for 9 months. Dad knew education would save us and it did.
Thank you Rita for sharing your stories. You should start a blog.
Again so happy for you and the boys! We are loving the blog as much as ever.. being in s house hasn’t changed the fun and joy of your blog AT ALL! FYI, after reading your fridge arrival blog to Gary, his comment was “ .. isn’t she just becoming the little domesticated one now..!!”
good Thing about no ice maker hook up.. we spent $14k+ on mold remidiation when our NV home connection leaked inside wall!
And from Mother: June heat will be brutal until monsoons arrive 1st week of July then watch out! Build up in afternoons cause major flooding in low lying areas and creeks..
I really enjoyed the post, brought back many childhood memories. Like several of you, times were pretty lean in the financial department. We usually could only afford the ice truck every few weeks. It mad me sad to see my friends getting their ice cream while I stayed indoors. My parents struggled to give us what we needed, but did their best. Most of all they gave us a home and lots of love to go with it.
Your neighborhood sounds lovely. Friendly, but not overly so, small and quiet, peaceful.
Remembering the fallen and those who are currently serving on this Memorial Day.
Thank up Sue for keeping the blog going even though you have temporarily gotten off the road. Each time you post your blog you get the memory juices flowing. When I was growing up I had three brothers and two sisters. We loved the summer time. We rolled down hills on the grass, waded in leach infested streams, climbed big trees, played with fire works, road in the back of pick up trucks filled with grain left over from harvesters, played in chicken coops that had been totally cleaned out, plucked chicken feathers, raised the runt of a pig litter, road horse’s and of course chased the ice cream man.
Listen to the ice cream truck
Its music is divine
It calls the kids from down the street
With flying hair and thumping feet
They race my dog, but no such luck
He’s always first in line!
I wrote this many years ago about my collie dog. He was always first in line for his Mr. Softy. My mom said the driver gave it to him for free, but Mom had to pay for ours!
Love it.
Aren’t dogs interesting though!! Haha…thanks for sharing your story!!
Cute story! 🙂
Thanks all 🙂
Thank you to AZ Jim and all the blogorinos who shared memories of days long ago. It was a pleasure to read your stories!
Sue
Ohmygosh your water bill! If I don’t use a single drop of water for the month, my bill, just for the base charges, is almost $70 a month. For me, living alone in my house and using a normal amount of water, it is over $80 a month.
Hi, all!
I saw my first lightning bug tonight! It is now officially summer! 🙂
Hi, Denise and Gracie Pup,
You’re a sweet, little lightning bug yourself. You appear after dark and then you fly around shining your light. 🙂
xo 🙂
xo! 🙂
Sure looks like it’s been hot in your area today,Sue. I hope you and the boys have been in the house with the air conditioner and I also hope everything is going well with you.
Yes, it’s hot and we’re fine. I haven’t turned on the a/c since the one day shortly after we moved into the house. We’re comfortable with a couple windows open and a fan. This house is well designed for Arizona!
I’ve found out how difficult it is to write when living stationary and unable to post photos of our daily activities. Almost everything reveals where we are! Stalled out on an earlier attempt. Will try again in the morning.
I hope you and all the blogorinos are well.
Though it’s understandably hard to post in your situation I’m sure you’ll come up with something. You can make any little thing fun to read about with your talents to entertain and write. Have a relaxed and nice day evening.
You, too, weather. 🙂
Ahh, Mayberry! I spent my young childhood in Pullman,WA. A wonderful place to grow up in the 1950s. We had the freedom to roam but had to be home when the street lights came on or when my mother rang the bell.
The bell was from her mother’s time as a teacher in a one room school in central Iowa. I used it to call in my own daughter. I still have it!
Sweet memories.
Thanks to all who shared and triggered mine.
Sue, I hope these days are creating sweet memories for you too!
Kitt
Hi Sue,
I wondered about your finding opportunities to photograph. Perhaps just a small sample of your railing paint might have given you away. Do any of your neighbors know what a celebrity & crew they have living in their midst? I was going to post over the holiday and suggest trying to check out the local or nearby activities (parade, etc.) but then thought even that might give your location. Good vibes your way that you find inspiration.
Last night we finally had a sunset. Not great so went to look out front and was treated to a beautiful full rainbow. Almost a double, quite bright at the end closer to the sun. Today’s a sunny day for a change. More rain for later, they say.
It’s been rainy, soggy, humid here thanks to Alberto. Not much to get worried about, but Happy Hurricane Season. Starts officially today. They can make a season out of anything I guess. You get tax free on stuff this week, i.e. flashlights, tarps, Generators, etc.
Blogorinos: Any recommendations for quiet generators for after-storm power outages that won’t cost a fortune?
I’d like to plug in my fridge and hopefully a fan. Maybe one I could use later in an RV or trailer or a battery/solar set-up of some kind.
Uh-oh. The cat we’ve been seeing in the back-yard just led three kittens out of the ferns. They look about 6 weeks old – boinging, playing and sharpening their claws. Took mama a small bowl with a few pieces of wet dog food which she ate after I walked away. Kittens went back in the brush. Our yard is fenced, but a street behind us. I bet, at least, the kittens are feral. Oh dear.
Have a good day everybody. Gotta go.