You are currently browsing the monthly archive for March, 2007.
tell how, when, where you learned to drive and any memorable experiences…
(on today’s slip of paper drawn from the jar)
I learned to drive on the old dirt road that we lived on at the time in the rural north Georgia mountains.
My best friend, Wilma, and I were 14 and would practice driving whenever my mom would let us. We went for our drivers’ licences at the same time, learner’s license at 15 and regular license at 16.
I remember taking driver’s education in high school, learning the 3-point turn, how to pass, stopping on a dime.
I think my folks were glad when I was able to drive, no more carting me around to every ballgame and school function. I did not have my own car – just the family car to drive.
The car radio would be tuned in to the songs of the times – Crimson and Clover by Tommy James, Dizzy by Tommy Roe, One by Three Dog Night, Bad Moon Rising by CCR.
After ballgames and before heading home we made the necessary stop at the Dairy Queen or Tastee Freeze, where we would see friends and maybe even get a bite to eat.
And no daily driving to school, it was the big yellow bus for me until high school graduation!
did you have a bicycle and what was it like?
(on today’s slip of paper drawn from the jar)
of course I had a bike!
it was blue and fast
and I could ride with no hands
it provided escape from the house and chores and mom
it would race with my friends
or make clickety-clack sounds
from the playing cards on bike spokes
pure freedom flying down the street or sidewalk
the wind in my face, not a care in the world
write your testimony of life – marriage – the gospel.
(on today’s slip of paper drawn from the jar)
if life gives you lemons, make lemonade, kind of like just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, laughter is the best medicine
slow down, take time to smell the flowers, take the path less traveled
do unto others, do the right thing, if you are going to do something - do it right, just do it
sit and watch a campfire under the stars, feel the coldness of a clear mountain stream, climb a mountain just because it’s there
take a walk in the woods, walk barefoot on the beach, walk it off
pay attention, pay your debts, pay respects
kiss the booboos, kiss and make up, don’t kiss and tell
be a good friend, be kind to animals, be on time, don’t worry be happy, just be
keep it simple, keep your promises, keep up
dream big, keep your dreams alive, follow your dreams
give a smile, give compliments, give time, give a hug
listen, learn, laugh, love, live
Have fun playing the game of life!
reach for the heavens and hope for the future, all that we can be and not what we are ~ John Denver
what lessons did you take as a child – did you carry any over into adulthood?
(on today’s slip of paper drawn from the jar)
No lessons for me!
No sports, no music, dance, singing, swimming lessons for me!
So now I can’t sing – but I do – along with the radio in the car, if no one is around…
And I can’t dance – but I do – along with the radio in the kitchen, if no one is around…
I don’t play a musical instrument – except for the radio
I don’t swim
Maybe that is why I encouraged my kids to take lessons in dance and music and gymnastics and swimming…
We had the other kind of lessons to learn when I was younger – school lessons, manners, household chores, respecting elders, staying out of mama’s way!
Let that be a lesson to you!
what were the favorite places to go with your family when you were young?
(on today’s slip of paper drawn from the jar)
I was 9 years old when we moved to southern Alabama. The gulf beaches were just 90 minutes away. On Saturdays we would load up the old blue station wagon and head south, taking the usual beach stuff- blanket to lay on, towels, food, drinks. There were no convenience stores or fast food places there then, just miles of white sand beach and blue water as far as we could see. We would just pull off the road anywhere and walk over to the beach, carrying a day’s worth of stuff with us.
There was always a float to blow up for me to ride the waves, which I would do for hours. I don’t remember beach chairs or suntan lotion or sunsets or what we had to eat. I do remember the anticipation on the trip down and the happy slumber on the trip home.
The beach is still one of my favorite places to visit. The sand between the toes, the calming motion of the waves, the constant splashing sounds, the bright sunlight, the relaxing heating pad effect of the warm sand. A free therapy session to escape the everyday life.
Definitely a no worries kind of place, when are we leaving?
Tell about family reunions.
(on today’s slip of paper drawn from the jar)
lots of pies
My how you have grown!
pound cake from scratch
I remember when you were just this high!
crispy fried chicken
So what do you want to be when you grow up?
fresh creamed corn
Do you have any boyfriends?
cornbread
Smile for the camera
sweet tea
You remember your cousins?
squash casserole – ugh!
old maid aunts
hand-cranked ice cream
black sheep
chocolate chip cookies
Remember back when…
old home place
Wish grandpa was here…
More often than not, family gatherings were at funerals, so in addition to catching up on family happenings and eating a lot of food, we also remembered the loved one gone, told stories of their life, were reminded of the bonds of family.
