Pragmatist
Pragmatist

Amazing
Wed Jul 28 2010

I've never seen so many children on the loose without parental supervision.

The ice cream truck jingles along the street, and all of a sudden there's a gaggle of kids running the street to intercept. In particular, there's a group of 5 headed by a girl maybe five years old followed by children ranging down to a toddler still in diapers. No parent in sight. The girl has the money, but I've never stopped to watch the transaction, but for that number of kids, I imagine she has a $10 bill.

Then at the playground at the other end of the block is an assortment of all sizes. A bunch of rugrats on the whirly-go-round waiting to be pushed by a bigger kid. And bigger kids taking their turn on the whirly.

Then there's the desultory tennis players ranging in age from 8 or 10 to young adults.

Way over on the other side of the playground are Frisbee tossers. And even a dog that's very adept at catching a Frisbee.  And, of course the girl or girlfriend watchers and cheerleaders.

In the middle distance are the swings, which may be occupied by toddlers or teen agers. I watched two girls last evening pumping higher and higher until I thought they might swing right over the top bar. But, no. They stopped before that happened. I was remembering a boy cousin who used to do that. I'd hold my breath, sure he was going to fall off the swing seat. But he never did.

All this with maybe one or two mothers around. Or, depending on the time of day, no adults, mothers or otherwise. I'd forgotten how free kids are in a small town like this.

Also, I renewed the acquaintance of a lady I'd met last year when I was visiting here, She thought she recognized me, and when she saw my Star of David, she knew she remembered me. We had a nice chat. I invited her to come visit me.  Gets lonesome what with Megan asleep and Porsha off with her friends. Rena is due home tomorrow afternoon, but she and Porsha will be so happy to see each other again, I'll probably go off to the playground again.

Some beautiful places for walking to around here. The trees are enormous and all over the place. There's even a forest across the street from the playground. Well, not a very extensive forest, but a forest nonetheless. It's dark and gloomy in there. There's a house on the edge of the forest, and even though it's painted a bright yellow with bright green trim, the windows are dark and gloomy, and there's moss on the roof. Spooky.

Been having a little problem sleeping. I'm used to a mattress warmer, and Megan has no such thing on her bed. She dug around in a closet and found an electric blanket that I'd given her before she moved up here. She generates a lot of heat, so has no need for such as additional heat. While I am in great need. Especially for my feet. They're like a couple ice cubes, and they don't warm up. Every time I turn over, I hit a cold spot, and that wakes me. Maybe tonight will be different. I'll letya know.    

Bless                        .

 

          

6 Comments
  • From:
    404Error (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jul 29 2010
    Really small towns like that one (and this one) are great for little kids but kinda hard on the preteen and young teen set because there isn't really anything for them to do except get in trouble with alcohol or drugs. It's so hard to keep kids out of trouble these days. *sigh*
  • From:
    Yetzirah (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jul 29 2010
    Sounds like the town I grew up in.

    Makes me nostalgic.

    I'm glad you are getting to visit there. Sounds good for the soul.
  • From:
    Mamallama (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jul 29 2010
    Once again it sounds like the town I live in, which is the town Yetzirah grew up in. :o)
    Gotta love small towns.
    I sure do.
    Have fun at the park.
    Hugs, Tiggs
  • From:
    Dreamerbooks2003 (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Jul 30 2010
    The part about all the kids sounds like the complex where I live!!!!
    Such a beautiful place you are exploring..
    ;~D
  • From:
    CovertOps (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Jul 30 2010
    Nothing's lovelier than a neighborhood full of free-range kids and dogs. We used to cycle, skate, walk or bike everywhere with no adult supervision, and we grew up to love memories of childhood. I trust you are enjoying yourself. I know an old-timey way of warming a mattress. Heat up a clean old frying pan over the stove and then smooth the back of the pan over the sheets. There! Nice and toasty! Not that we need such a thing over here. It's so hot and humid all the time.
  • From:
    Welshamethyst (Legacy)
    On:
    Mon Aug 02 2010
    The town I grew up in was very much the same but in this day and age I wonder about the lack of parental supervision.

    RYC: Pollyanna lives in a wooded area on a dead end street and someone dumped Franklyn down there a few weeks ago. She can't take him into her house because she has rabbits so it looks like he'll be coming our way. Hope my two don't stroke out, lol.