Lately Ive been wishing I could return to my childhood and go to one of the happy places in my memory. It might be one of those experiences that at the time I didnt fully appreciate, or maybe I did. But now that Im grown it seems so much more sweet. Its that of the time I spent in Hurricane Utah at my Grandparents house. I dont think I ever anticipated the 5 hour drive there and back, but during those trips is when I could always get my best writing done. In the long, hot car ride with just me and my imagination in the back seat. Sometimes the thoughts would turn into chapters.
Once we arrived, I would get to go down to the basement room, where I could enjoy more of my own space. It was dark, and damp and smelled the way an old dark and damp storage room filled with canned goods should smell; and Im pretty sure it was full of spiders, but it didnt matter. It was the only bedroom in the basement...I think. There was also a little family room down there, with a couch, a bookshelf full of old books, and chinese checkers. Sometimes I would take the checkers upstairs and play with Dad. When he would win, I would go back downstairs to the basement that smelled funny and play alone.
Grandma and Grandpa lived up on a hill above the Virgin River, and below Zion National Park. They had a big tractor, a huge orchard of fruit trees and at one point or another, a flock of sheep. I dont think the tractor ran most of the time, but the kids all loved to climb up and sit on it. When we arrived, we always came through the back door. No one used the front, unless you were'nt related and unless you were a salesmen or the teachers bringing the sacrament to my grandparents, you were probably related. Upon entering you would see a huge white freezer filled with preserves and always 2 or more gallons of assorted ice-cream. They loved ice-cream, and that meant we always got some. Must be in the genes. After going through another door, you would enter the kitchen and then the dining room. I ate lots of good food in that dining room. Grandma was a great cook. The things I remember eating most was the creamed wheat and toast for breakfast, and the homemade tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches. I crave those tastes. I dont know how she did it, but it always tasted better at Grandmas house. I cant re-create it.
Just outside the dinning room was the back porch. There was a bug zapper hanging and a few cats. I dont know if they actually belonged to them, but Grandpa fed them like they did. I also remember there being some tomato plants where I could always find a few tomato worms. Bugs didnt gross me out as much then...wonder why? Maybe those tomato plants were what made the soup taste so good. They also had the tastiest fruit from their trees. Apricots. I remember apricots.
The next room you would enter was the family room. There was a huge fireplace surrounded in the red rock you would see at Zions canyon. I loved to sit on the ledge of that fireplace. In the evenings, the little folding card table would come out, and we would sit and play Grandma and Grandpas favorite card game-Rook. Most of the time it was just them, my parents and I. Sometimes an aunt and uncle would be there too, but I was usually the only kid. My siblings were all 9 or more years older than me, and my Dad was the youngest in his family, so most of my cousins were grown too. I didnt mind though. I loved playing rook while eating a bowl of ice-cream. That tasted better there too.
Grandma and Grandpa on their 60th Anniversary, in front of the big red rock fireplace.
There was also a curio cabinet in that room. It held grandmas dolls, mostly of which she hand made. I loved to look at them. She gave me a couple. There was also a pair of stuffed animal sheep next to the couch, with bells around their neck. She gave me one of those too. Then there was the piano. Grandma taught Dad how to play, and I imagined them both sitting at that piano while I pictured my dad once like me...complaining about having to learn it and just wanting to go play. Grandma would love to listen to Dad play when he came. It must have been rewarding for her. He was as good as a concert pianist now.
When my second cousins, who were more my age would come; we would spend a lot of time outdoors. We would walk down the dirt path that led to the sheep, walk through the pasture, and stand at the top of the huge cliff overlooking the river. It was always important how high the water was that season, but we didnt really understand why. We would throw rocks over the cliff to see if we could hit the water. I faintly remember a honey bee cabinet/box? Maybe I'm wrong. Our favorite though, was walking down the path that led to the river. I cant remember what game we would play, but I know it was fascinating. I think we actually got in the river at times for a quick refresher from the hot sun. I remember one instance when the irrigation would come through and flood the yard, my second cousins and I got in our swimsuits and ran through the water. Then there were the times we would walk down to the gas station on the corner, and buy a treat.
Me and my 2nd cousin running through the irrigation.
The only time I remember the TV being on was during conference. Im sure we must have watched it more, but it doesnt stand out. We would all gather in the small room where the TV was kept and listen to the prophet. Sometimes one of my aunts would bring me something to do or teach me a craft to keep me busy. My dad had 7 siblings. One of them was usually there with us. I remember going to Ben Franklins craft store and buying materials with Aunt Roma. She was my favorite. She was an author too.
On a few occasions we would spend Easter there. We would go to the sand dunes and roll eggs down the hill, or have an egg hunt around Grandma and Grandpas house. I remember once waking up to discover the Easter bunny filling our baskets. He ran outside and I followed. I ran all the way around the house looking for him, but he was gone. It was likely someone dressed in a bunny costume, or more likely just my imagination, but at the time, I knew it was for real.
looking for the Easter bunny
I wish my kids could go back and experience these things with me. I fear they would be too caught up in a video game, movie or a toy to enjoy the simple things around them. I feel old when I say this, but the kids today are so wrapped up in technology that the idea of leaving things to the imagination is dying. Sometimes I want to throw the TV out the window. Maybe just cancelling cable would be a better alternative...but no, there would still be DVD's. Honestly, my sanity might go with it after I have to find other ways to entertain my children, since they dont know how to do it themselves. And I do enjoy our DVR, when after the kids go to sleep I can watch all my shows after a day of Bubble Guppies, Dora and Umi-Zoomy. Maybe we could just go for a TV free week, and see how it goes. But Im getting off track here. The point is, I hope my kids will have something like this to remember when they are older. I havent a clue what it would be, but maybe just a nostalgic smell like a damp dark basement full of preserves, or homeade tomato soup will take them back, like it does me. Or the warmth of the Southern Utah sun on their faces. And then they'll remember the good ol days.
(Sometimes I hate blogger. No matter how hard I try to format things how I want, it just does it its way. Sorry for the inconsistent font.)
