Well, school is out and all I've heard so far is, "This is the worst summer ever!" Rain, rain, and more rain, which means no swimming. Betcha "Island Oasis" is wanting the rain to end, too!
Speaking of swimming, and rain, there is actually WATER in the Platte River right now. I did not think that would ever happen again. I remember swimming at the old Hamilton County bridge as a kid. The current was strong, the water was deep, and I would ride on Dad's back under the bridge. Once, when I was about 8, Dad picked me up to set me on the ledge of a piling, and when he lifted me out of the water I had leeches all over my legs. To a small kid they were frightening. I never forgot that and to this day I am very leery of swimming in a river. It is a nice site to see the Platte River flowing again.
My brother, whom we lost in 2006, was an avid outdoorsman. He loved the Platte and would spend a lot of time there...especially in the spring when the wild asparagus would sprout. Morels were another wild goody he would find and we had a "feast" on them one year at his place. Something tells me he would get a kick out of the water in the Platte right now.
Nebraska is known for its wild spring weather, so I hope we are spared this year. May your summer be happy, relaxing, long, and memorable. I will be "watching" three grandkids who are out of school for the summer, so mine will definately be busy.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
The End of Another School Year
2 1/2 days left of this school year! I won't have to get up early to take one grandchild to school, or pick three grandchildren up and 3 :00 and 3:30. But...I will have three here all day most every day.
I remember the last few days of school when I was a kid. Especially the last day. Why did the clock all of a sudden stop working? One minute it was 2:45 and five minutes later it was 2:46. Every kid in every seat was eyeing the clock, waiting, waiting....then FREEDOM! I suppose the teachers were saying stuff like, "Have a nice summer, remember to take everything with you, blah, blah, blah." We were gone in an instant and heard nothing, nada, zilch. Ah...no more pencils, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks. 6 weeks later we were all bored out of our gourds.
Both of my parents worked so it fell to us kids to find stuff to do and stay out of trouble. Well....sometimes the two went hand in hand. Like the day I came home from the pool and found my brother and my nephew, (who happens to be older than me,) and some of their friends on top of our house. They had dragged Dad's ladder from the shed and climbed up on the roof. It looked like fun to me and I asked if I could climb up. They refused so I did what all good little girls do....I threatened to tell Dad if they didn't let me up there. (There was probably some tears, too, but I don't remember that.) They finally consented to let me up on the roof and what a sight. Everything looked different from way up there, even though it was a one-storey house. My brother said he was going to get something to drink and climbed down. Same with my nephew. The other boys left too, so it was just me, up on the roof, all by myself. It didn't take long to realize the ladder was not leaning up against the house; I was stuck up there. The boys had moved the ladder and left me stranded.
I'm sure the neighbors could hear me screaming at my brother and nephew. Finally my screams turned to tears and pleas. Nothing. I waited for what seemed like hours. I would switch from crying to yelling, from pleading to threats. Finally, they put the ladder back and I climbed down. They gave me some candy and pop, and then threatened me. ME!! Like it was MY fault. I never did tell Dad. I learned my lessons well...I had five older brothers!
Walnut Middle School is losing one of their greatest this year. Mrs. Deuel is retiring after decades of giving to the students of Grand Island. Walnut had their band concerts last night so I was able to get a photo of her and my granddaughter. She will be missed and I wish her the very best in her "retirement." I wish the best for Dan too (grin).
Happy Summer, all.
Namárië
I remember the last few days of school when I was a kid. Especially the last day. Why did the clock all of a sudden stop working? One minute it was 2:45 and five minutes later it was 2:46. Every kid in every seat was eyeing the clock, waiting, waiting....then FREEDOM! I suppose the teachers were saying stuff like, "Have a nice summer, remember to take everything with you, blah, blah, blah." We were gone in an instant and heard nothing, nada, zilch. Ah...no more pencils, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks. 6 weeks later we were all bored out of our gourds.
Both of my parents worked so it fell to us kids to find stuff to do and stay out of trouble. Well....sometimes the two went hand in hand. Like the day I came home from the pool and found my brother and my nephew, (who happens to be older than me,) and some of their friends on top of our house. They had dragged Dad's ladder from the shed and climbed up on the roof. It looked like fun to me and I asked if I could climb up. They refused so I did what all good little girls do....I threatened to tell Dad if they didn't let me up there. (There was probably some tears, too, but I don't remember that.) They finally consented to let me up on the roof and what a sight. Everything looked different from way up there, even though it was a one-storey house. My brother said he was going to get something to drink and climbed down. Same with my nephew. The other boys left too, so it was just me, up on the roof, all by myself. It didn't take long to realize the ladder was not leaning up against the house; I was stuck up there. The boys had moved the ladder and left me stranded.
I'm sure the neighbors could hear me screaming at my brother and nephew. Finally my screams turned to tears and pleas. Nothing. I waited for what seemed like hours. I would switch from crying to yelling, from pleading to threats. Finally, they put the ladder back and I climbed down. They gave me some candy and pop, and then threatened me. ME!! Like it was MY fault. I never did tell Dad. I learned my lessons well...I had five older brothers!
Walnut Middle School is losing one of their greatest this year. Mrs. Deuel is retiring after decades of giving to the students of Grand Island. Walnut had their band concerts last night so I was able to get a photo of her and my granddaughter. She will be missed and I wish her the very best in her "retirement." I wish the best for Dan too (grin).
Happy Summer, all.
Namárië
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
The kids are being secretive, whispering amongst themselves, planning something I'm sure. Whatever it is I know I'll love it! I enjoy Mother's Day, but it always comes with just a tinge of sadness. My own Mom passed away in 2003. To all who have their mother's this day.....give them a hug, tell them you love them, and just cherish them.
One thing about today, Grand Island is having many graduation ceremonies. I'm sure there are plenty of Moms who will remember this day forever because their child has finally made it through their school days. That is a perfect Mother's Day present!
We have three in our family this year. Kay, Jeremy, and Samantha. Good Luck to all of you!
Love,
Auntie
Namárië
One thing about today, Grand Island is having many graduation ceremonies. I'm sure there are plenty of Moms who will remember this day forever because their child has finally made it through their school days. That is a perfect Mother's Day present!
We have three in our family this year. Kay, Jeremy, and Samantha. Good Luck to all of you!
Love,
Auntie
Namárië
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Grandma Berry
When I went to Howard Elementary in the early 60's, my friend Carol and I would walk by "Grandma Berry's" house to and from school every day. Over time we got to know her and we would look forward to our (almost) daily visits after school. Grandma would have brownies or cookies most of the time, and we would go in her house to enjoy them. Grandma was an older woman, not much taller than us, with hair neatly wrapped in a bun or braids. I remember she laughed a lot.
Sometimes Grandma would wash her hair and sit on the back steps to comb and dry it. And sometimes she would let us comb it for her. She would sit on a metal chair, the kind with the curved legs that would sort of rock, and we would comb her hair that went down past the seat of the chair. I remember how amazed I was the first time I saw Grandma with her hair down, it was so long! Her hair was almost white at the top, but it got darker towards the ends. We would give Grandma Berry flowers that we picked along the way...mostly out of other folks gardens which I'm sure they would not have approved.
One day after school, Grandma Berry had a surprise for Carol and I. She had made us little slippers out of washclothes. I wore mine until they fell apart. I wish now I could remember how she made them. I also wish I could remember what she looked like, or what we talked about during our visits. But what I do remember is she always seemed happy to see us.
Our family moved to the "east side" and I transferred to Lincoln Elementary. Carol and I stopped by Grandma Berry's on the way home and I remember crying. I did not want to leave Howard and all my friends. My visits with Grandma Berry came to an end, I made new friends, and Carol and I drifted apart. I did see her a bit when we went to Walnut Jr. High.
One day, years later, Mom showed me the paper, and in it was a notice that Grandma Berry had died. I remember thinking I wished I had stopped by to see her before she died.
My own grandmother got me interested in genealogy and over the years I've been able to trace several lines of my family back many generations. One day, while looking through the Social Security Index, I did a quick search for Grandma Berry. Using other resources I was able to find where and when she was born, who she married, her children's name, when she was widowed. It was interesting to find out these facts about Grandma Berry, but my own personal memories of her are what matters most. Vital records can't tell you she made the best brownies and cookies, or that she could make slippers out of washcloths, or her hair was way down past her waist, or she laughed a lot, or she was so happy to see two little girls come to visit her after school.
I miss you Grandma Berry. Thanks for the memories!
Namárië
Sometimes Grandma would wash her hair and sit on the back steps to comb and dry it. And sometimes she would let us comb it for her. She would sit on a metal chair, the kind with the curved legs that would sort of rock, and we would comb her hair that went down past the seat of the chair. I remember how amazed I was the first time I saw Grandma with her hair down, it was so long! Her hair was almost white at the top, but it got darker towards the ends. We would give Grandma Berry flowers that we picked along the way...mostly out of other folks gardens which I'm sure they would not have approved.
One day after school, Grandma Berry had a surprise for Carol and I. She had made us little slippers out of washclothes. I wore mine until they fell apart. I wish now I could remember how she made them. I also wish I could remember what she looked like, or what we talked about during our visits. But what I do remember is she always seemed happy to see us.
Our family moved to the "east side" and I transferred to Lincoln Elementary. Carol and I stopped by Grandma Berry's on the way home and I remember crying. I did not want to leave Howard and all my friends. My visits with Grandma Berry came to an end, I made new friends, and Carol and I drifted apart. I did see her a bit when we went to Walnut Jr. High.
One day, years later, Mom showed me the paper, and in it was a notice that Grandma Berry had died. I remember thinking I wished I had stopped by to see her before she died.
My own grandmother got me interested in genealogy and over the years I've been able to trace several lines of my family back many generations. One day, while looking through the Social Security Index, I did a quick search for Grandma Berry. Using other resources I was able to find where and when she was born, who she married, her children's name, when she was widowed. It was interesting to find out these facts about Grandma Berry, but my own personal memories of her are what matters most. Vital records can't tell you she made the best brownies and cookies, or that she could make slippers out of washcloths, or her hair was way down past her waist, or she laughed a lot, or she was so happy to see two little girls come to visit her after school.
I miss you Grandma Berry. Thanks for the memories!
Namárië
Monday, May 5, 2008
The Municipal Swimming Pool
I was going through my old postcards and saw the one of the municipal swimming pool. That brings back some memories. I learned to swim there, very early on summer mornings, and the water was never very warm at that time. The pool was built in the '30's or close to that time. When it opened there were two viewing areas where folks could look through glass at the swimmers. Unfortunately, both glass windows leaked and were immediately removed. 'Course, this was long before my time! I think, but am not sure, there were no diving boards at first. If that is the case, I don't know when the boards were added. In my postcard there are no boards.
The girls locker room was on the south, the boys on the north. We'd pay our fee at the window, or show our pass, then go into the locker room. Sometimes we'd get a locker and would be given a large safety type pin with a number on it. We had to wear it on our suits. I don't know about the boy's locker area, but on the girls side there was a long, fat rope hanging down....it was used to open up the skylight. Some of us would swing on it. I did, until one of my friends fell on the wet cement and had stitches put in her head. I learned her lesson.
During the "rest" periods, which happened every hour (I think), we'd hit the concession stand. There we'd get one of our favorites...a licorice rope, snow cone, popcorn or maybe a drink.
The lifeguards there were the no nonsense type. In fact, they scared us to death. Maybe because we respected them, or they were just mean. But if they blew a whistle and told us to stop running, that's what we did. Many of us had to "set out" a period or two of swimming because of some infraction. Some even had to leave if they couldn't obey the rules. I was never kicked out, but did have to "set out" a couple of times. If you had no money for concessions, it could be a very long 50 minutes or so. Still, I had dreams of becoming a lifeguard myself one day.
Up until I was 12 or 13, I was way too scared to go off the "high" board. I could handle the low one. I'd get a running start, jump, and with absolutely no grace at all, hit the water with legs and arms flying in all directions. I finally got up the nerve to climb up the ladder to the high board. I was really scared. And...climb up the high was all I did that day. I had to swallow my pride and climb back down. With a lot of coaching from my cousin, Linda, and a lot of teasing from others, I gave it another shot. I stood at the end of the board and looked down at the pool. It looked a mile away. I could hear Linda cheering me on so, with grim determination, I stepped off. My stomach immediately climbed into my throat and for a second or two, I was more scared than I'd ever been in my life. But I did it! I survived the high board.
During swimming lessons we had learned to dive, and not too gracefully, by sitting on the edge of the pool, head down, arms out in front, and diving in. I tried it on the low board and it seemed to work fairly well. So, just a few days after my high "jump," I got the courage to drive diving off the high board. I sat, put my arms over my head, head down, and scooted off the board. There's a lot more distance off the high board and when you have no idea what you're doing, chances are you're not going to go in head first. I didn't. Linda said I went into the water kicking and screaming. It was an amazing belly-flop that knocked the breath right out of me. I never tried diving off the high board again. Ever!
The kids and I stopped by one day during the demolition of the "muni." A little bit of history and a little bit of my childhood was lost.
My grandchildren go to Island Oasis, which is great for the kids. There is so much to do there. Still, nothing compares to a big old swimming pool with diving boards.
Namárië
The girls locker room was on the south, the boys on the north. We'd pay our fee at the window, or show our pass, then go into the locker room. Sometimes we'd get a locker and would be given a large safety type pin with a number on it. We had to wear it on our suits. I don't know about the boy's locker area, but on the girls side there was a long, fat rope hanging down....it was used to open up the skylight. Some of us would swing on it. I did, until one of my friends fell on the wet cement and had stitches put in her head. I learned her lesson.
During the "rest" periods, which happened every hour (I think), we'd hit the concession stand. There we'd get one of our favorites...a licorice rope, snow cone, popcorn or maybe a drink.
The lifeguards there were the no nonsense type. In fact, they scared us to death. Maybe because we respected them, or they were just mean. But if they blew a whistle and told us to stop running, that's what we did. Many of us had to "set out" a period or two of swimming because of some infraction. Some even had to leave if they couldn't obey the rules. I was never kicked out, but did have to "set out" a couple of times. If you had no money for concessions, it could be a very long 50 minutes or so. Still, I had dreams of becoming a lifeguard myself one day.
Up until I was 12 or 13, I was way too scared to go off the "high" board. I could handle the low one. I'd get a running start, jump, and with absolutely no grace at all, hit the water with legs and arms flying in all directions. I finally got up the nerve to climb up the ladder to the high board. I was really scared. And...climb up the high was all I did that day. I had to swallow my pride and climb back down. With a lot of coaching from my cousin, Linda, and a lot of teasing from others, I gave it another shot. I stood at the end of the board and looked down at the pool. It looked a mile away. I could hear Linda cheering me on so, with grim determination, I stepped off. My stomach immediately climbed into my throat and for a second or two, I was more scared than I'd ever been in my life. But I did it! I survived the high board.
During swimming lessons we had learned to dive, and not too gracefully, by sitting on the edge of the pool, head down, arms out in front, and diving in. I tried it on the low board and it seemed to work fairly well. So, just a few days after my high "jump," I got the courage to drive diving off the high board. I sat, put my arms over my head, head down, and scooted off the board. There's a lot more distance off the high board and when you have no idea what you're doing, chances are you're not going to go in head first. I didn't. Linda said I went into the water kicking and screaming. It was an amazing belly-flop that knocked the breath right out of me. I never tried diving off the high board again. Ever!
The kids and I stopped by one day during the demolition of the "muni." A little bit of history and a little bit of my childhood was lost.
My grandchildren go to Island Oasis, which is great for the kids. There is so much to do there. Still, nothing compares to a big old swimming pool with diving boards.
Namárië
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