Summer in October It was 90 degrees today, so I reverted to my childhood with pool time. I had toys... bubbles and a floatie. Shadows and Clouds I didn't know how to swim when I was 6. The few times I was near a pool at that age, I had to have a blow up ring to give me courage. So today, I floated in the pool. The adult side of me wanted to read a book, but I blew bubbles, like a 6 year old. That lead to shadow watching... it's odd that a bubble can make a shadow.
Best of all was cloud watching! Oh how I still love finding animals and faces in the clouds!
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Santa Rosa, California When I was 6, I had two favorite comic strips. Family Circle reminded me of my own family of 6, but Peanuts was my most favorite. What child could resist the images of Snoopy and the rest? Two weeks ago, Don and I visited Santa Rosa, the sweet town where Charles Schulz lived the last few decades of his life. I had some fun celebrating with my favorite Peanuts characters. Railroad Square Don and I wandered from our hotel in Santa Rosa's historic Railroad Square. We came upon a few memorable characters in the park and along the downtown sidewalks. Ice Arena Before leaving town, Don and I made a stop at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena. We remembered coming to the ice rink nearly 35 years ago, hoping to catch a glimpse of Charles Schulz, ice skating. Warm Puppy Cafe Although the famous cartoon artist skated at the rink regularly, we didn't see him on our visit years ago. This time, there was no hope of a sneak peek, but we saw lots of Snoopys ... in the Warm Puppy Cafe, with views of hockey players on ice! Hot Cocoa It was 10 am and chilly when we visited. I could have used a cup of coffee, but I chose hot chocolate in honor of my 6-year-old self. Abbey Road We left the cafe and noticed the "Abbey Road" image painted on the walkway. A gracious employee noticed us studying the flat, painted images and insisted we pose for a photo. What a playful way to end our Peanuts adventure. Sad Update 5 days after writing this post, I woke to the news of wildfires in California. The friends we had stayed with earlier, in the hills of northeastern Santa Rosa, lost their home. Charles Schulz's widow was evacuated and lost the home she and Charles once shared. It's been almost a week and 2 dozen fires are still destroying homes and habitats. Now, I look at this whimsical photo that I've been using as a Facebook profile pic for 2 weeks and I feel extra sad. So many, many people have lost homes, pets, heirlooms and even loved ones.There are a lot of people out there who are in need of mental health support, these days. And certainly all of us could use the comfort of a warm puppy!
California Trees! I don't remember the last time I tried to climb a tree. I do know that I used to be very good at it, though. Recently, when visiting Jack London State Park, I decided I should revisit my childhood hobby. I found a number of trees that seemed to be calling my name. Bear Style My first attempt failed. I picked a tree with branches that were a little too high. My friend linked her hands to give me a boost up, but I don't weigh 50 pounds anymore. I found a different tree with a palm-like trunk, growing at a nifty slant. I just crawled up like a bear cub, without using branches. I didn't go dangerously high, but I felt as proud as I remember feeling... at age 6!
Learning to Read I absolutely adored reading my Dick, Jane and Sally books in first grade. It seemed like they held a super magic, that allowed me to suddenly know how to do what my older siblings had done for years! Those books somehow gave me the ability to read! Sharing Fine Literature! For a little back to school themed fun, I decided to introduce my favorite characters to some of the kiddos I volunteer with at the Women's Shelter. I read my book with the same amount of enthusiasm that I possessed at age 6. I read every word. "Come, Dick. Come and see. Come, come. Come and see. Come and see Spot." "Look! Look!" I tried to explain to the kids that these stories used to thrill me. I pointed out Sally's teddy bear, the yellow bus and the red wagon. My facial expressions didn't help. My excited voice didn't help. Those kids squirmed and yawned and begged to see Pickles the Puppet, instead. I had fun reading those words and remembering how proud I once felt. Too bad my little friends had to suffer a bit, in order for me to enjoy my 27th Celebration!
Before I was Six I was three in 1960, when I played dress-up with my sister and second cousins. I am the one looking towards the camera, with the least enthusiasm. Was I bored, or overwhelmed by all the possibilities? Who knows, but I'm sure by age 6, I was eagerly participating in the joys of wearing my grandmother's old furs and hats. Dressing Up as a Flapper I was recently inspired by a shopping trip, when hunting for a Mother-of-the-Groom dress. I had no luck, but I left with a shopping bag. I drove home with two dresses, one lacy and the other sparkly. I did not intend to keep them. For months I've been amused watching my hair grow out from chemo treatments. The finger waves appeared overnight and I swore I would at some point make use of that flapper style. But the waves have been turning to curls lately, so I knew time was running out. I showed the dresses to my always-a-good-sport-hubby, Don. He grabbed the camera as I grabbed some props. The candy cig fit nicely into my 3-dollar cigarette holder from Ebay. I pulled the rose from a vase and we headed to the guest room, which holds vintage furniture. After some posing and clowning, I put the dresses back in the bag... along with the receipt. I returned them to the store in the evening.
Is that bad? Well, it worked for me. My 6-year-old celebration budget is limited. I Love Umbrellas Around the age of 6, I loved walking with umbrellas... playing with them and even drawing them. Maybe it was the Morton Salt Girl that inspired me. Rainy Days in Houston We've been having a rainy week. This morning instead of going for a run, I grabbed an umbrella and headed for Pecan Park. The rain had stopped by the time I got there, but I walked with my umbrella anyway. That would have made total sense to me, at age 6. Puddles I thought I would be alone in the park on a rainy day. But, many dog walkers suddenly appeared and probably thought I was nuts when they spotted me wading through puddles. But I just hid under my umbrella and felt very brave. A Worm I'm pretty glad I spotted no mud, or I might have been tempted to make pies. However I did pause to help a worm, struggling in a sidewalk puddle. By the time I got home, my legs were splattered with wet grass and dotted with a few mosquito bites. Sometimes you have to pay, for 6-year-old-celebration!
Lakes and Rocks Rock Creek Lake in Iowa, was the largest body of water I'd ever seen, when I turned 6. I'm pretty sure that was where I first attempted skipping a rock. At that age, I was better at collecting rocks than skipping them. I felt like I was 6 again, on a recent trip to Lake Michigan. I'd forgotten the fun of filling hands and pockets and bags with rocks. Every rock I spotted, was my new favorite. Playing with Rocks Before narrowing down the number that I planned to pack in my suitcase, I had a little fun on a picnic table, beside a willow tree. (Willows have been my favorite since age 6!) I attempted some rock art, keeping the rocks shiny with splashes of water. My rock art was not impressive, but I did amuse myself with my little Petosky Man. His body was made with a fossilized coral stone, called a Petosky! I kind of love him.
The Staten Island Ferry I can remember the sounds and smells of the "Fairie Boat", when I was 6. They were building the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge that very year, when we lived in Staten Island, so we rode it often. I remember hot dogs and sauerkraut and fumes from the cars. I loved eating popcorn and feeding the seagulls. A Ferry in Michigan Last week we took the ferry to Mackinac Island. I was determined to enjoy with my 6-year-old spirit. I let the wind whip at my hair, I grinned down at the foamy spray and I tossed a little popcorn out for the seagulls. I'll need to go to NYC to really conjure up those old memories, though. This ferry held no cars and there was no Statue of Liberty for me to wave to. But it was a good mini celebration, just the same.
My 6-Year-Old Idol! When I was 6, I "simply adored" Eloise! Eloise was also 6, (in the Eloise books) but she never spoke like one. I was living in an apartment in Staten Island and my fictional hero lived in NYC's Plaza Hotel. She was spunky and gutsy and a little untidy and I loved her. I had to wait about 40 years till I finally stepped inside The Plaza, where I could imagine her nutty antics. That short visit only allowed for a brief photo op with her portrait. My Stay at The Plaza Last month I got to spend the night at The Plaza Hotel. Only, I wasn't in New York. This hotel was in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas in New Mexico. Celebrating With Eloise! I knew I needed to perform one of Eloise's many stunts, for one of my 60-Celebrations! I guess I kind of wimped out by doing a headstand. Eloise did much crazier things at The Plaza. I was glad to find out I could still do a headstand. However, I refused to cross my arms. I can be a little stubborn, just like Eloise!
In Iowa and Wyoming The drawing below, is an illustration from my autobiography. Since I wrote my life-story at age 11, my memories of playing cowboy with Diane, were still quite vivid. When Diane and I were 6, we spent many of our days in cowboy garb. Our costumes were basically snow boots and bandanas. I think we borrowed holster sets from our little brothers.
Playing Cowboys at The Virginian At least now, I own some real leather boots and a couple of western shirts. Diane lives too far away to come play, but Don is always game to dress up. We recently put on a little western gear, when staying staying at The Virginian Hotel in Medicine Bow, Wyoming. Beer drinking wasn't part of our cowboy play back in Iowa, but I needed to merge my 6 year old celebration with my 60 year old self. The Virginian Hotel required a little something to soothe the nerves. Our overnight stay was a tiny bit creepy! |
Sixty
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