summertime

I have been filled with nostalgia lately, mostly over my long, free and wild summers spent on the Idaho countryside with my grandparents. Growing up, it was the highlight of my year...grandma Coopers house. I know it might not mean much to the reader, but indulge me as I try to bring these memories to life. I remember the drive to Idaho, the heat, the random stops at Mcdonalds, the miles and miles of wire fencing and grazing cows. Back in those days, I don't know hwo we kept ourselves busy for those 10 hour drives, I just remember the anticipation was tangible. Over the yeras, I had the drive memorized and my heart nearly lept out of my chest when we made the final turn off the highway and I could see Grandmas house in the distance. Our legs were like jelly as we scrambled to get out of the car and the gravel under our bare feet stung like heck as we ran for the front door. Grandma and Grandpa would stumble out of the door with arms outstretched and huge smiles on their faces. I can almost smell the fried chicken baking and the mashed potatoes, thick and buttery and steaming with goodness on the table. It seemed like those summer days were like 20 hours long, with endless activities sponsored by our uninhibited imaginations, we would cover every inch of that farm from morning until night. The only thing that ever pushed our weary, scraped up little bodies back through the door for the night was the onslought of Goliath sized mosquitos that threatened to take our life...literally. I remember churning that homemade ice cream machine handle for hours just to have the joy of one small, delicious bowl before bed. I remember staying up until midnight (which was soooo cool and late when you are nine!) playing cards with Grandma. I remember my Grandpa playing old hymns on his organ while we played with old hand help video games on the shag carpet floor. And nothing tasted better than the terrible "sugary" cereal that flanked Grandmas pantry and begged to be eaten in giant, unnecessary portions, just because we could! I think it is the sunshine and my own children's growing summertime experiences that has caused me to reflect and feel the need to write down these memories.