Looks like my little girl in the seventies. She was raised a country gal. I taught her a rainy day was a beautiful day. She and I would be out in the pouring rain soaked to the gills making dams and canals in the very long dirt driveway. Or just taking a nice long walk and smelling the great air. If there was no lightening we would hit the swimming hole. Aint nothing like swimming in the rain. Never wore a rain slicker or anything like that. Once wet yer warm. As a result rarely did she get sick when all her friends were what seemed sick all the time.
When she was about that same age, I taught my little girl how to play "stomp-the-puddle". As you're walking through a parking lot after a rain, you run and stomp right into the middle of any puddle. You don't get wet, but everyone nearby does. It's great fun, but momma was not pleased.
I also taught her that a really good lightning storm was a great show. We wouldn't stand out in it, but anytime a good thunderstorm blew in, we would both go onto the back porch and enjoy it. A loud "Crack-Boom!" always brought a laugh and "...that was a good one, Daddy!" (I also taught her how to gauge the distance by counting the seconds between the lightning and the thunder.)
When she was about 7, the two of us built a backyard shed out of an old packing crate. (...it was a big crate.) She helped mostly by being the go-fer. However, when it was all done, I told momma to put some old clothes on her that she didn't mind throwing away afterwords. She did, and my daughter and I painted that shed together. One of the best photographs I have is of my daughter standing next to that shed with a paint brush in her hand. She's looking straight at the camera with a twinkle in her eye, paint all over her - even in her hair braids - and the biggest gap-toothed grin you ever did see.
Good times. She's 36 now with two young daughters of her own. And yeah. I spoil them both rotten every chance I get.
You and I were so similar raising our daughters. The lightning shows on the front porch, the counting of seconds. We built a tree fort and used to use it as a sailing ship. Had a broom for a rudder. We sailed all over the world and even to the stars. Geography and Astrology lessons and lots of Blimey hard rudder to the port! She was Da Deuce and I was Da Ace. She is now fifty a licensed professional and we still use those nicknames. I'd give anything to live those days once again.
We were visiting my older daughter and her family. The conversation turned to the current health scare and I mentioned that children who played in the rain and mud, ate dirt, and in general had lots of "fun in the sun" had much healthier immune systems than those that grew up in almost sterile environments. My daughter turned to her sons, both strapping young men, and simply said "Your Welcome".
1951, near Maud, Texas -- 5 years old, my 7 YO sister and same age cousin went sliding down clay banks after a rain. Slick. In our drawers, so not to get clothes clay-dirty. We got back to the house, my mother gave us a switching on bare legs, all the time saying, "You just wait 'til your daddy gets home!"
Just what a kid needs,some nice mud, a good dog and adventures are made, Mom not so happy.
ReplyDeleteLooks like my little girl in the seventies. She was raised a country gal. I taught her a rainy day was a beautiful day. She and I would be out in the pouring rain soaked to the gills making dams and canals in the very long dirt driveway. Or just taking a nice long walk and smelling the great air. If there was no lightening we would hit the swimming hole. Aint nothing like swimming in the rain. Never wore a rain slicker or anything like that. Once wet yer warm. As a result rarely did she get sick when all her friends were what seemed sick all the time.
ReplyDeleteThat must be a really old photo -- I don't think kids play outside anymore.
ReplyDeleteMud and children go together like peanut butter and jelly
ReplyDeleteJD
I got one of those! (GD) She's getting too big for mud, though. (9)
ReplyDeleteGood memories.
ReplyDeleteStill, in small pockets of traditional America, that's how we're still growin em up. Thank God for country living. Ohio Guy
ReplyDeletePhotos like this always bring a smile to my face.
ReplyDeleteWhen she was about that same age, I taught my little girl how to play "stomp-the-puddle". As you're walking through a parking lot after a rain, you run and stomp right into the middle of any puddle. You don't get wet, but everyone nearby does. It's great fun, but momma was not pleased.
I also taught her that a really good lightning storm was a great show. We wouldn't stand out in it, but anytime a good thunderstorm blew in, we would both go onto the back porch and enjoy it. A loud "Crack-Boom!" always brought a laugh and "...that was a good one, Daddy!" (I also taught her how to gauge the distance by counting the seconds between the lightning and the thunder.)
When she was about 7, the two of us built a backyard shed out of an old packing crate. (...it was a big crate.) She helped mostly by being the go-fer. However, when it was all done, I told momma to put some old clothes on her that she didn't mind throwing away afterwords. She did, and my daughter and I painted that shed together. One of the best photographs I have is of my daughter standing next to that shed with a paint brush in her hand. She's looking straight at the camera with a twinkle in her eye, paint all over her - even in her hair braids - and the biggest gap-toothed grin you ever did see.
Good times. She's 36 now with two young daughters of her own. And yeah. I spoil them both rotten every chance I get.
You and I were so similar raising our daughters. The lightning shows on the front porch, the counting of seconds. We built a tree fort and used to use it as a sailing ship. Had a broom for a rudder. We sailed all over the world and even to the stars. Geography and Astrology lessons and lots of Blimey hard rudder to the port! She was Da Deuce and I was Da Ace. She is now fifty a licensed professional and we still use those nicknames. I'd give anything to live those days once again.
DeleteThose two notes brought a tear to this old man's eye.
DeleteThat's what daddies are for.
Thanks.
We were visiting my older daughter and her family. The conversation turned to the current health scare and I mentioned that children who played in the rain and mud, ate dirt, and in general had lots of "fun in the sun" had much healthier immune systems than those that grew up in almost sterile environments. My daughter turned to her sons, both strapping young men, and simply said "Your Welcome".
ReplyDelete1951, near Maud, Texas -- 5 years old, my 7 YO sister and same age cousin went sliding down clay banks after a rain. Slick. In our drawers, so not to get clothes clay-dirty. We got back to the house, my mother gave us a switching on bare legs, all the time saying, "You just wait 'til your daddy gets home!"
ReplyDelete