Growing up in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles in the 1960's was magical.There was nothing like the valley nights. The air stayed warm and still until it was time to be safely tucked into bed.
I remember the first year we lived in the valley, we had no air conditioning. We all slept downstairs just to stay cool.
We didn't have a pool, so finding ways to stay cool was the the ultimate goal each and every day of those childhood summers.
We ran through the sprinklers any chance we could.
The sprinklers were our ocean...the slip n slide, our lazy river.
I can still remember the song of the ice cream truck and the dripping rainbow popsicles.
A nice long walk to Van Nuys Blvd. ended with a double feature of Elvis for 65 cents.
Cupid's Hot dogs were the way to go. If you had some extra money, Bob's Big Boy was the way to spend it.
Outside for hours (no computers, or cell phones, or dvd's to buy) playing anything we could think of.
Statue, tag, hide and seek, cowboy and Indians, Barbie's, Mystery Date, Twister, roller skates with keys...
If you're a baby boomer, some of this might sound familiar.
Each generation holds memories that burn an unending pathway to the heart, soul and mind.
It was 101 here today. Maybe the heat is getting to me.
Or maybe it's just the memories of summers gone by.
13 comments:
It sounds all so wonderful... those were simpler times, weren't they? Thanks for reminding me about them, cruisin'-mom!
The Valley nights are awesome. I still love them.
Believe or not, I remember having rollers skates with a key. I was around 3 or 4 yrs old. We played many of the same games you mentioned, plus Planets and the Apes. We would also, all sit outside until dark talking about UFOs and BigFoot.
I am all for the older kids to have daycamp and some activities, but just good ole free play is what I think is most important for kids, and what will probably stick in their memories.
101 is hot, but hey it's Dry Heat! : )
I love all of these reminiscing posts... :)
Beautiful post, Randi. These are the kinds of posts that should be featured in the last page of Oprah magazine or McCall's or even the NYT Weekend magazine.
And you always find THE PERFECT image to accompany your posts!
Thanks for this feel-good, warm and fuzzy post.
Really nice recalling of the magical events. Makes me want to get on a plane now.
tell me more, tell me more... ;)
Oh those summer ni-ights....
I remember those...
Way over here on the other coast, we played the same games! I loved Mystery Date! Also Chinese Jump Rope, King of the Hill, Kick the Can, Whiffle Ball, Jacks.... Ahhh, summertime!
Thanks CM, StepIma and Kassamba - now I can't get that song out of my head.
(hey that helped, now I am humming I'm going wash that man right out of my hair - ah, me and my tangents!)
RCJ: yes, much simpler!
Jack: they are the best.
S.T.: I agree, free play is the best. We used to sit around in the dark and talk about Charlie Manson when I was 14...we knew he lived in the valley, and it was scary and creepy.
Ezzie: I love that you love these posts:)
T.P.: Awww...you are just prejudice!
SWFM: hop on over!
Stepima: I'm a beauty school dropout.
Kasamba: thanks for adding to Stepima's singing of the song...now I REALLY can't get it out of my head!
Wendy: I could do a whole post about Mystery Date...I loved that game.
S.T.: and send him on his way....
Those were the days, wouldn't it be nice if kids could play outside like that these days and be safe?
Thanks for sharing your beautiful memories!
Warm Regards Danielle
P.S Thanks for stopping past my blog, your comment was very much appreciated.
Baleboosteh: Seems parents have to worry so much more today.
Thanks for stopping by here too...love your sreen name!
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