As a child, the last day of school was the true first day of summer. From there we spiked up to the Fourth of July….summer at its finest. As out-of-school-emotions settled, the rest of summer fell into routine. Back then (in the dark ages!) life was SO much simpler. The daily routine was to go to the playground. That was pretty much the daily plan. Simple.
Our town had many playgrounds spread out throughout the neighborhoods. They consisted of the usual fare of industrial playground equipment: swing set, slide, jungle gym, monkey bars, merry-go-round, teeter-totter, sand boxes, several water fountains, picnic tables, bicycle racks and a baseball field. Each playground had baseball games with tournaments against each other at the end of the summer. Fieldtrips to various local ponds were anxiously awaited.
On a day-to-day basis, my local playground, just 2 blocks from home, was the center of my world. By 9 AM, I had my fluffernutter in my brown bag, & was heading off for my daily adventure with an unleashed dog meandering behind. A nickel in your pocket would get you a Popsicle from the ice cream truck for an afternoon snack! Along route, the rest of the neighborhood kids were collected as we passed their homes. This consisted of ‘Fairies’ & PSKs too! Lots of kids in my neighborhood!
Creative projects were taught by our ‘Leaders’. They seemed so much older & wiser than us. I’m sure they were high school volunteers, but I never did question the source of those I was entrusted to. Daily activities included drawing, checkers, pick-up-sticks, potholder weaving & gimp! I’m sure if you search high & low in your house, you’ll find a hand-woven potholder of unique coloring in the classic plaid technique, stuck in the back of a drawer or closet. Also in the far reaches of a closet you will find an ancient wire coat hanger covered with gimp or a lanyard for your house key. Oh, don’t you say ‘no’. I know you have them tucked away somewhere for sentimental reasons! :-0
At the end of the day, about three-thirtyish, having helped the ‘Leaders’ pack up the gear & crafts, we would wander home through the woods of about a dozen or so trees as if it was Sherwood Forest. More adventures awaited us in this shady glade: rocks to step on, logs to jump over and a blade of grass between your teeth. Like Robin’s merry men, we filed through the trees. Again, a dog in tow on a lazy summer afternoon. Two blocks to return home & it was suppertime.
I’m sure the neighborhood troop always made a grand entrance as each entered their home at the end of the day. A grinning ear-to-ear smile on each smudged face, overlooking t-shirts with ground-in dirt and Popsicle drippings in our favorite flavors. Knees were skinned for assorted reasons. Occasional splinters made their way home too. Sneakers were emptied on kitchen floors with enough sand to fill our own sandboxes by weeks end.
“So, what did you do today?”
We proudly turned over our day’s hand-made treasures of potholders & gimp.
“Lovely!”
A successful day!
Cathy
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