A conversation I had this morning with my step-daughter, Bethany, regarding Spring Break activities (or lack thereof) made me think back to what our family used to do on breaks from school.
Mostly we would go camping, beginning in May lasting all summer. We had a camper and a motor boat and we would take one of three spots with my parents 2 sets of best friends. One parent would take turns staying out with us kids during the day while the other parents worked and we would swim and ride bikes and explore the campground. It was bliss.
However, on occasion we would go on a "real" vacation - you know one that required crossing state lines! Maybe go to a theme park, or see the ocean. The first one that I can remember going on was to Orlando, Florida - Disney World. I think I was somewhere around 6 years old, but I'm not sure. My Mom can probably clear that up.
I'm pretty dadgum sure my little brother was there because I have a couple of vague memories of him that, in my brain anyway, are from this trip. One, I seem to remember him getting lost at some point and I remember being seriously concerned about a "sicko" taking him into the bathroom and cutting his "pee-pee" off. Apparently at some point in my life I had heard this was the fate of little boys that left their parents sight... I also seem to remember him peeing somewhere that caused a scene, like maybe in one of the rides (It's a Small World or Pirates of the Caribbean, something like that).
Anyway, I do know for sure that we took our camper and camped at a KOA and my parents friends Lonnie and Patsy went with us. They had a little girl, but she was closer to Jason's age.
So, now you know that we drove to Orlando, pulling a trailer. My parents were obviously very patient, being that there were two young kids in the car. I don't remember much at all about the drive, other than they kept in touch with the other couple through CB radio and you had to be really quiet when going through big cities.
As for the attractions and what we did while in Florida, here's what I remember the most (at least I think these things happened):
1) Cape Canaveral - I remember this because in the mid-70's the Space Program and NASA was big stuff. Also, I Dream of Jeannie was the coolest thing on TV.
2) The boat ride that had fake elephants and other animals.
3) The Pirates of the Caribbean ride. I loved that ride, I remember wishing that I could live in the ride, or at least sneek in and explore when no one else was around. I think I thought the coins were real, too.
4) The same feeling went for the Peter Pan ride. I so wanted to fly off to Neverland with Peter and Wendy!
However, the single biggest impression on me, the coolest thing we did (in my young mind) was ride an elephant! This wasn't even at Disney, it might not even been in Orlando. I just know that when we walked up there was this gigantic black elephant with a huge red and white striped awning draped over it. It also had a red and white canopy fixed over the seat to keep the sun off the riders. As we walked up, all that red and white on the huge black mastadon combined in my head as "Peppermint Elephant"!
This should be a lesson for parents. I have no idea what it cost my mom and dad to put me and my brother on that Peppermint Elephant, but as we lumbered around that ring I was as happy as I was at any time on that vacation. I still remember the feel of the trunk when Peppermint reached back and touched my leg once, and my hand another time - the bristles and the tough, thick hide. I definitely remember the smell of the hay and the animal smell as well.
When we climbed back down and went down the wooden scaffolding to our parents, I was really excited about the experience and filled with loved for my parents who had just given me such a unique, fun time.
As we walked away, I was holding my Daddy's hand and I looked back at the Peppermint Elephant and there were two more kids loaded up and ready to go. That image is what stuck with me for years and what comes to mind, still.
So, while most people think of Mouse ears when they think of Orlando, I think of Peppermint Elephants!
In His Blessings,
Tracy
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Too Young for Deja Vu?
This is a memory that came to me recently because I was a) in the library and b) discovered my niece Emma is very advanced in her reading levels.
This happened to me in the 2nd grade. I know for sure it was that year, because we had just moved to Callahan street and I was in a new school - Eastside Elementary. My teacher's name was Mrs. Hollingsworth and she was a really good teacher. She was kind and patient and completely different that Mrs. Angel, my first grade teacher, who took my advanced level of learning as some sort of affront. Mrs. Hollingsworth saw it, embraced it, and recommended me for a relatively new program called REACH.
My favorite days were library days because reading was my absolute most beloved activity. REACH kids got special library time, during which the REACH teacher and librarian would help us select appropriate books for our reading level.
It was during one of these days that I can remember experiencing my first encounter with the phenomena called Deja Vu:
I was walking along the shelves of books, looking at the spines and reading titles. There was a youngish woman, one of the library staff, walking with me and answering questions when I asked about any of the titles, or recommending when she saw me stop. Suddenly I saw a book spine that I recognized. I took it off the shelf and looked at it and was immediately overcome with the creepy, eerie, goose-pimply feeling that I had held it and read it before. The cover was dark gray and their was a mountain, a half moon, and a whole moon in outline on the upper cover.
The young woman asked me "Is this a book you would like to read?"
"No", I shook my head, "I've already read it... at least I think I have."
"You mean you looked at it, or started to read it?" Clearly she was confused, but then I was too. I remember searching for the right way to explain it too, when I remembered reading about a thing called deja vu.
So I told her what I was experiencing and that, while I had not physically read the book, I could describe it and tell her about it as if I had. I mostly remember her being shocked by the fact that I knew what deja vu was and then, I clearly remember her saying "Dear, you are too young to have deja vu!"
In the end, she quizzed me on the book, asking details about Bilbo Baggins and his adventures and eventual battle vs. Smaug. I believe she and the REACH teacher chalked it up to the fact that I had read the book before and didn't remember, or had it read to me at some point. But I knew, and still know the truth - we never owned a copy of There and Back Again (The Hobbit), until I was in the 6th grade and got a paperback copy with a cute little Bilbo on the cover; not the spooky dark gray version with the mountain, half and full moon...
Since then, I have had many other instances of Deja Vu, but never that intense and never with that much detail. I'm glad, because that was pretty creepy. Those women were a little weird around me for a few months after that, not that the adult me could blame them. Every time I got one of those logic puzzles right after that, I felt them staring at me after I started working on my papers.
So, how about you guys? Anyone out there have a crazy Deja Vu story? What do you think it is? I don't believe in past lives or any of that nonsense, but maybe it has to do with our spirit being in touch with the holy spirit and knowing what lies ahead. After all, in 6th grade I did become a little obsessed with the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings for a time... maybe it's a tiny glimpse, like a shadow out of the corner of your eye. Something to ponder...
In His Blessings,
Tracy
This happened to me in the 2nd grade. I know for sure it was that year, because we had just moved to Callahan street and I was in a new school - Eastside Elementary. My teacher's name was Mrs. Hollingsworth and she was a really good teacher. She was kind and patient and completely different that Mrs. Angel, my first grade teacher, who took my advanced level of learning as some sort of affront. Mrs. Hollingsworth saw it, embraced it, and recommended me for a relatively new program called REACH.
My favorite days were library days because reading was my absolute most beloved activity. REACH kids got special library time, during which the REACH teacher and librarian would help us select appropriate books for our reading level.
It was during one of these days that I can remember experiencing my first encounter with the phenomena called Deja Vu:
I was walking along the shelves of books, looking at the spines and reading titles. There was a youngish woman, one of the library staff, walking with me and answering questions when I asked about any of the titles, or recommending when she saw me stop. Suddenly I saw a book spine that I recognized. I took it off the shelf and looked at it and was immediately overcome with the creepy, eerie, goose-pimply feeling that I had held it and read it before. The cover was dark gray and their was a mountain, a half moon, and a whole moon in outline on the upper cover.
The young woman asked me "Is this a book you would like to read?"
"No", I shook my head, "I've already read it... at least I think I have."
"You mean you looked at it, or started to read it?" Clearly she was confused, but then I was too. I remember searching for the right way to explain it too, when I remembered reading about a thing called deja vu.
So I told her what I was experiencing and that, while I had not physically read the book, I could describe it and tell her about it as if I had. I mostly remember her being shocked by the fact that I knew what deja vu was and then, I clearly remember her saying "Dear, you are too young to have deja vu!"
In the end, she quizzed me on the book, asking details about Bilbo Baggins and his adventures and eventual battle vs. Smaug. I believe she and the REACH teacher chalked it up to the fact that I had read the book before and didn't remember, or had it read to me at some point. But I knew, and still know the truth - we never owned a copy of There and Back Again (The Hobbit), until I was in the 6th grade and got a paperback copy with a cute little Bilbo on the cover; not the spooky dark gray version with the mountain, half and full moon...
Since then, I have had many other instances of Deja Vu, but never that intense and never with that much detail. I'm glad, because that was pretty creepy. Those women were a little weird around me for a few months after that, not that the adult me could blame them. Every time I got one of those logic puzzles right after that, I felt them staring at me after I started working on my papers.
So, how about you guys? Anyone out there have a crazy Deja Vu story? What do you think it is? I don't believe in past lives or any of that nonsense, but maybe it has to do with our spirit being in touch with the holy spirit and knowing what lies ahead. After all, in 6th grade I did become a little obsessed with the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings for a time... maybe it's a tiny glimpse, like a shadow out of the corner of your eye. Something to ponder...
In His Blessings,
Tracy
Memory Makers - Family (Cast of Characters, Ch. 2)
Here's a rundown of the family members that will make an appearance frequently in the memory stories. Not everyone will be listed here, because some are super self explanatory. Unlike some other folks near and dear to my heart, my family tree has yet to close in on itself, so Mom is just mom and Dad is just Dad and none of their people mix... :)
Grammy and Poppy - these are my Mom's parents and I spent oodles of time with them growing up.
Mama and Papa - these are my Dad's parents. I spent a lot of time in the summer at their house, where there were tons of acres to explore.
Erika - my daughter
Jason - my brother (he comes with his wife, Tracy, and "riglets" Alex, Madison, and Emma)
Aunt Wanda - Mom's sister and cousin Tammy and Steve's mom. Tammy was my first best girl friend.
Uncle Dale - Mom's brother and cousin Amy's dad. He also belonged to Aunt Joy who I will no doubt talk about.
Uncle Robert - Dad's brother and cousins Bobby, Jamia, Jenna, and Jordan's dad.
Dennis - my stepdad.
Patty - my stepmom (she comes with my step-brother James and step-sister Angie).
That should be enough to get us going. There will be others, because there are kids, spouses, and others that will show up depending on the memory!
I am Blessed,
Tracy
Grammy and Poppy - these are my Mom's parents and I spent oodles of time with them growing up.
Mama and Papa - these are my Dad's parents. I spent a lot of time in the summer at their house, where there were tons of acres to explore.
Erika - my daughter
Jason - my brother (he comes with his wife, Tracy, and "riglets" Alex, Madison, and Emma)
Aunt Wanda - Mom's sister and cousin Tammy and Steve's mom. Tammy was my first best girl friend.
Uncle Dale - Mom's brother and cousin Amy's dad. He also belonged to Aunt Joy who I will no doubt talk about.
Uncle Robert - Dad's brother and cousins Bobby, Jamia, Jenna, and Jordan's dad.
Dennis - my stepdad.
Patty - my stepmom (she comes with my step-brother James and step-sister Angie).
That should be enough to get us going. There will be others, because there are kids, spouses, and others that will show up depending on the memory!
I am Blessed,
Tracy
Monday, March 28, 2011
Memory Makers - Friends (Cast of Characters, Ch 1)
Friends come in all forms, don't they? Some are relatives and some were strangers. Some are big, some are small, some are short, and some are tall (I know, I'm a poet and didn't know it). Some are just friends, some are good friends, some are best friends, and some are your bestest friend in the whole wide world!!
I have been blessed to have lots of friends in my life. Many were school friends and many were work friends, but at every stage in my life I can remember a few "life changing" friends. You know the ones, they were there in really important stages of your life, someone you relate momentous occasions or changes to. Or someone that was just so incredibly important or influential on you that something inside you fundamentally shifted forever.
I want to give some brief introductions to some friends you are going to see here in this blog. Their names will, no doubt, come up often because they are big parts of my memories. And rather than take the time out during a story to explain who these people are, I thought I'd give the Reader's Digest version.
Michael B - He was my very first best friend that wasn't a family member. The time frame for Mikey was 1-3rd grade. We were like Forrest and Jenny - peas and carrots.
My next pivotal friend didn't come until 6th grade. Her name was Vicky. She was smarter than me, funny, had much older siblings which made her cool, and she was a good girl. Here are a couple things I learned from Vicky; sometimes friendships between girls can be toxic and good families are sometimes only good on the surface.
Angie - She was my first "running buddy". I experienced a lot of firsts in my life with Angie, all of them memorable (if somewhat hazy).
Dawan - I spent much of my Senior year with Dawan. She "lived out loud" if any one ever did, and she taught me a lot about being a tough-ass southern broad.
Raigon - Another running buddy. We met at our job and I introduced her to a guy who would be her 100 year boyfriend. She was with me a lot of my senior year.
Jeana - She taught me what it means to be a class act, to have grace under pressure, and that being a square peg is the most beautiful thing in the whole world. She also helped expand my taste in music.
Jeanie - She was my first "neighbor friend". Jeanie lived across the street from me, she worked for my Mom, and our daughters were in the same Brownie troop. It was destined.
Alan - He is a friend that I made at work, but our friendship survived us not working together. Alan is pivotal because he is the first young man I ever met that loves his wife, already, the way my Poppy loved my Grammy - with his whole soul.
Darlene - Darlene was my second "neighbor friend". She moved in next door to me and her house had the perfect little porch. Soon enough, her, me, and Jeanie became the Porch Monkeys. You will hear that term again. And Darlene's name frequently as she remains the best friend in my life.
Ann - Darlene's daughter-in-law. She is another treasure that came from 33rd street!
Family will be Chapter 2.
I have been blessed to have lots of friends in my life. Many were school friends and many were work friends, but at every stage in my life I can remember a few "life changing" friends. You know the ones, they were there in really important stages of your life, someone you relate momentous occasions or changes to. Or someone that was just so incredibly important or influential on you that something inside you fundamentally shifted forever.
I want to give some brief introductions to some friends you are going to see here in this blog. Their names will, no doubt, come up often because they are big parts of my memories. And rather than take the time out during a story to explain who these people are, I thought I'd give the Reader's Digest version.
Michael B - He was my very first best friend that wasn't a family member. The time frame for Mikey was 1-3rd grade. We were like Forrest and Jenny - peas and carrots.
My next pivotal friend didn't come until 6th grade. Her name was Vicky. She was smarter than me, funny, had much older siblings which made her cool, and she was a good girl. Here are a couple things I learned from Vicky; sometimes friendships between girls can be toxic and good families are sometimes only good on the surface.
Angie - She was my first "running buddy". I experienced a lot of firsts in my life with Angie, all of them memorable (if somewhat hazy).
Dawan - I spent much of my Senior year with Dawan. She "lived out loud" if any one ever did, and she taught me a lot about being a tough-ass southern broad.
Raigon - Another running buddy. We met at our job and I introduced her to a guy who would be her 100 year boyfriend. She was with me a lot of my senior year.
Jeana - She taught me what it means to be a class act, to have grace under pressure, and that being a square peg is the most beautiful thing in the whole world. She also helped expand my taste in music.
Jeanie - She was my first "neighbor friend". Jeanie lived across the street from me, she worked for my Mom, and our daughters were in the same Brownie troop. It was destined.
Alan - He is a friend that I made at work, but our friendship survived us not working together. Alan is pivotal because he is the first young man I ever met that loves his wife, already, the way my Poppy loved my Grammy - with his whole soul.
Darlene - Darlene was my second "neighbor friend". She moved in next door to me and her house had the perfect little porch. Soon enough, her, me, and Jeanie became the Porch Monkeys. You will hear that term again. And Darlene's name frequently as she remains the best friend in my life.
Ann - Darlene's daughter-in-law. She is another treasure that came from 33rd street!
Family will be Chapter 2.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Lost Memories
I have been thinking of making a new blog for awhile. My last blog was alot about politics and idiots and took me to negative places mostly. I did write about a lot of heros, however and that made me feel good, very good.
I love reading blogs and my favorites are the funny, anecdotal stories about families and friends, traditions and cultures. It makes me think a lot about my upbring and the fact that I have lots of good memories of a family full of characters, but I am very scared of losing those memories for good!
So, I am going to use this blog space to write down memories as they come to me, or as I can collect them from family members. I am blessed to have 2 grandmothers still alive (one whose family moved here in a covered wagon and had a murder in the fam), and they both have lots of stories in them. I know that we will all be blessed with those.
One thing - I do not promise that I will get every detail correct. If you read something here and you were part of the story and think something was different, please feel free to comment on the error or email me. Remember, these will be memories from my point of view, from in my brain. Unless it is given to me from someone else, and then you can take it up with them... :)
I can't wait to start! The posts won't be in chronological order, and there may be two per day, may be weeks between. I just hope that anyone that bothers to look will enjoy and remember "truth is stranger than fiction"!!!
I am Blessed,
Tracy
I love reading blogs and my favorites are the funny, anecdotal stories about families and friends, traditions and cultures. It makes me think a lot about my upbring and the fact that I have lots of good memories of a family full of characters, but I am very scared of losing those memories for good!
So, I am going to use this blog space to write down memories as they come to me, or as I can collect them from family members. I am blessed to have 2 grandmothers still alive (one whose family moved here in a covered wagon and had a murder in the fam), and they both have lots of stories in them. I know that we will all be blessed with those.
One thing - I do not promise that I will get every detail correct. If you read something here and you were part of the story and think something was different, please feel free to comment on the error or email me. Remember, these will be memories from my point of view, from in my brain. Unless it is given to me from someone else, and then you can take it up with them... :)
I can't wait to start! The posts won't be in chronological order, and there may be two per day, may be weeks between. I just hope that anyone that bothers to look will enjoy and remember "truth is stranger than fiction"!!!
I am Blessed,
Tracy
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