Friends, it is definitely Summertime here in Florida and in most parts of this wonderful United States.
I know, I know…. things are a bit topsy-turvey these days, but this is still a wonderful country we live in.
Happy 4th and God Bless this United States of America, flawed though it may be.
Our country was based on great values and according to a recent commentary from our own FSU News:
“In our day and age, it is popular to believe that the United States was founded by secular, white men who were not religious. Not only is this untrue, but rather, it is a back-handed slap in the face of history. One would only need to get a glimpse into our nation’s past to realize that the US was founded on principles and beliefs that are directly from the Bible.”
In my opinion, we must get back to those values, which brings me to my topic today.
Summertime Memories.
I want to talk about Summertime in the good ole U.S. of A.
I have so many childhood memories of celebrating the 4th of July and just having a grand time of celebrating Summer.
School was “out” and we, as children had 3 whole months to enjoy “our freedom” so to speak, from the regimen of school and school related activities….AND I got to visit my grandmother for a week or two.
You know, sometimes I want to be a kid again. 🙂
I want to run with grass-stained feet through the sprinkler in my grandmother’s front yard.
I want to sit with her on her front porch as she fans herself with the folded newspaper while drinking a glass of sweet tea…. and I slurp on a red cherry popsicle, letting the sticky red juice drip down my arm.
I want to snuggle close to my grandma in her very, very small living room as together we watch her television AND her favorite pianist, “The Silver Ace” play the song, “I’ll Be Seeing You in all the old familiar places” …this was his ending theme of the 15 minute show. (Years later I found out that his name was Liberace, but his sprawling signature on the small television screen looked like ‘Silver Ace” to my grandmother)
As long as I am “wanting”…..I want to be at our family reunion in Sunset Park…with my cousins, exploring the many hidden trails behind the rows and rows of lilac bushes.
(Oakdale Park was much too large and spread out, although it had it’s own merits, like the little train that one could ride for 10 cents a ticket…if one had 10 cents. The conductor/operator of the train sat on top of the engine car and he wore OshKosh striped overalls and a matching striped conductor hat. But Sunset Park had a pond. A gold fish pond with no fence or enclosure.)
I want to precariously lean/teeter over the edge of the fish pond to catch a glimpse of the gold fish as they swim under the lily pads in search of shade, while my hand lazily skims the cool water.
I want to eat homemade ice cream and chocolate cake and potato salad and fried chicken and then lay on my back on Grandma’s quilt as I stare at the cloud formations.
Perhaps that is why, to this day, I love picnics in the park so much. (perhaps you remember this post in 2019. click on the link if you would. like to see another picnic)
Summertime memories are special for me.
And even though I am far from being a kid again…I love to do some of the same things I did as a kid.
I love to run…scratch that…walk barefoot through freshly mowed grass not caring if my feet get grass stains.
And even though I can’t sit with my grandma anymore, as she went to be with the Lord many years ago…I snuggle with my grandkids watching sports on TV.
I also go on picnics.
The Captain loves my spur of the moment picnics almost as much as he loves my planned picnics.
I had set a blue and white table for the 4th of July but the Captain is flying.
So when he comes home, I will gather up the blue and white dishes, pack them in a picnic basket (I believe I have 6 picnic baskets now) and we will go to a park here in the Cape.
No, there is no train or fish pond or lilac bushes, but we will make new memories where ever we are.
I hope you have a wonderful and safe 4th of July, and that you make Summertime memories of your own.
Blessings Always
Kari
Philippians 4:8
“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Beautiful post Kari. I adore your picnic. it does bring back memories of when I was a child. Family get togethers, watermelon and a barbecue. Loved your grandmother’s sweet story. Your decor is spot on. A lovely way to celebrate. i am happy to feature your sweet post at Love Your Creativity.
thank you so much for featuring me Linda…and yes, watermelon and BBQ were at many of our picnic too. Blessings my friend
I am late because I was traveling for the 4th. We have been at my daughter’s home in north Alabama.
Your childhood memories are similar to mine and such a sweet time. We shelled peas on the porch in the summer at my grandmother’s. I fondly remember my grandmother going through her large trunk on one of their porches and talking about it’s contents to all the cousins. I remember some homemade fabric dolls and wonder what became of them. My grandmother was a fan of western tv shows and they always watched Lawrence Welk .My parents did not miss Lawrence Welk either.
Yes, I agree we need to return to the Christian principles this country was founded on. We need to teach children to recite the pledge of allegiance again. It is sad how our values have been eroded.
I want to hear God Bless America more. We have even lost that.
Your picnic looks wonderful and such a pretty blue tablescape. Happy Fourth.
Ahhhh Lawrence Welk was always a favorite of my parents and grandparents…well, the female ones anyway! Speaking of dolls…did any of your family make apple dolls? The faces were made from shriveled up apples and aged on the counter. They would darken and get wrinkles and then she would use sticks for bodies and made little outfits for them to wear. I need to see what happened to them, too. thx for stopping by my friend…I hope your trip was lots of fun.
I bet you had a wonderful 4th, Kari with your Captain! And I remember doing a lot of the same as a kid… sweet memories! The Silver Ace story is too darn cute.
I had lots of cousins and we all had summertime fun on my grandparents farm.
Happy Tuesday dear one!
Thank you Nancy for stopping by…aren’t our memories wonderful? I hope my grands have fond memories one day too. Stay cool near your beautiful lake. Hugs
Kari, you are a fabulous writer and the photos are wonderful. Your summer memories brought back many memories of my wonderful childhood and grandmothers. I spent every Saturday night with my grandmother when she moved within walking distance. We watched her favorite show, Gunsmoke, and ate ice milk. Do you remember ice milk? For breakfast she made me pancakes…sweet memories. She passed away in 1969. I hope when your Captain gets home, you make wonderful memories sharing a picnic! You make me smile, my friend ♥️
Thank you Pam…I so appreciate you….I really miss both my grandmothers, I had great times with both but I believe my paternal grandmother was the most fun. I can remember her singing “the old rugged cross” with tears in her eyes, which made me tear up too. And we did eat ice milk! I had almost forgotten that. My maternal grandmother always made the best sugar cookies, and ironed her bed sheets and made us walk to church with her every Sunday over the root raised cement sidewalks. What wonderful memories and I cherish every one of them. Thanks for stopping by.
I love sweet memories of times past. Your story of the Silver Ace is funny! All those outdoor scenes come to life in my mind as you describe them. I hope this country can return to some semblance of unity and deep, faithful values, and none too soon. Our town has had a Sternwheel Regatta the past four days, and it’s been a wonderful thing. Our last one was in 2004, and so the city went all out to make this one memorable in a time when the city truly needed it. It’s been magical.
Oh Rita that sounds like fun….so glad for your city is making a comeback. Unfortunately we have seen so many businesses go under, especially Mom and Pops and it is so sad.
How is Peggy doing? She is always in my prayers and I hope she is able to take Creon…it will certainly help, I believe.
Have a great remainder of the 4th….and hug your little grand just a little bit closer….Memories are wonderful! Thanks for stopping by my friend. 🙂
Your grandmother’s “Silver Ace” story was a funny one. I can still picture that script and with a small TV screen can see how that happened. Loved hearing about your other summer memories which brought back some of my own. Growing up in Hershey, Pennsylvania, summer meant our school got to spend the day at Hershey Park picnicking and riding everything free. From the mild miniature railroad ride, to the Cuddle up which you were thrown against your riding mates, to the Mill Chute where you got wet from the down hill boat splash to the wild roller coaster all made for an exciting day. Our children were just reminiscing that their summers meant decorating their bikes and riding in the neighborhood parades. To me picnic always meant watermelon and homemade ice cream. Enjoy your picnic with the Captain.
Oh Jan you brought back more memories for me…We went to a place called Joyland in Wichita, Kansas….which for us was a long way away…89 miles! LOL but on the roller coaster ride, one of my “pop” beads broke and my “pearl” (read that plastic) necklace came apart and plummeted to the bottom of the ride. I was devastated! LOL I loved all the rides. And you are right, EVERY get together with family included home made ice cream…and watermelon and I love both to this day. Thanks for stopping by ….and enjoy your day with your family! Happy Summer! 🙂
Dear Kari,
I love this blog. It brought back so many great memories. It almost made me cry. I agree with you, Kari, our country is still great. If it weren’t there wouldn’t be so many wanting to come here.
Love you,
Sandy and Ron
P.S. Your last blog I wasn’t able to send my comment because I don’t have a blog or website anymore. I hope this one goes through.
I got this one Sandy…thanks so much. I. don’t know why, but I find myself thinking of my younger days as I get older. LOL Thanks for stopping by my sweet friend. Hugs always
Happy holiday honey. I hope you have a magical picnic when your Captain is home. Never give up the wonderment of new memories.
Affectionate hugs from across the pond xx
Thank you Ross….so good to hear from you…I think of you so often and wonder if you are dancing again after the pandemic! I know you are enjoying your grands. We are in the monsoon season here and I must admit I do love the rain, although I remember you saying the weather in England isn’t always wonderful. Still, you live in a beautiful country and as we celebrate our Independence today (from you…LOL), I still consider us kindred spirits. Hugs to you always my dear friend from across the pond.xxoo
Happy 4th Kari! Your post has me recalling childhood memories too, such a wonderful summer holiday! I hope you and your Captain have a wonderful picnic!
thanks Jenna….I;m sure you and your loved ones are enjoying the beach. You are so lucky to have a son who cooks…I taught mine to cook and they all three cook more than their wives…LOL Happy 4th Hugs my friend.