Summer!

Sadly, I don't have a pic of Mom in swimsuit, holding a clipboard teaching kids to swim

After a very loooong cold spring, summer heat is finally upon us. I have so many fond memories of this time of year. As a child growing up in a small SW Iowa town, I feel so lucky. I grew up in the 1960s when families were big, and parents didn't pay super close attention to what we were up to - as long as we made it home for meals and bedtime. 

My hometown, Atlantic (population just under 7,000 in 1960 - to a peak of 7,700 in 1980) had everything a kid could want for childhood adventures. My family lived in a house at the top of a hill (I've heard people call it Bullock's Hill) that overlooked a neighborhood called Fairlawns. That area was full of many post-WWII ranch homes, and giant families - ready-made kids to hang out with. 

Next door a big family, the Reinertsons, moved in. We played with the Reinterson girls a lot - especially Katherine (a year younger than Cindy), Laurie (a year older than me), and Annie (a year younger than Betsy). Susi is the oldest in our family - sandwiched in between Reinertson's eldest, Bonnie, and the only boy, Donnie, a year or two younger. 

Backyard fun

I remember treating their backyard (in fact everyone's in the neighborhood) like it was an extension of ours. Reinertsons had a basketball hoop on a pole by the patio in the backyard. And a cool jungle gym-style swingset - monkey bars! Our yard featured a basic triangle-type swingset, and a fabulous playhouse built by my Grandfather Pop's contracting business. We also had a hill leading up to our back porch - fun for sledding and sliding down on giant cardboard pieces. 

There was a narrow forested property to the east of our house that was never developed while we lived there. Of course, we made that our own too - climbing the trees, making forts, and carving out a path to the north side of the block. The woods seemed so large like many things remembered, but adult Leslie saw how narrow it really was. 

Juddy dog with Mom and me

Our doggo, Jud, a full-sized dachshund who we got when I was 1 year old, was part of our posse - he followed us wherever we went. Sadly, he was hit by a car and broke his hip. Mom took him to a vet clinic in Red Oak to have a pin put in the break. He had a big cast on his rear end and we had to carry him outside to go potty. The pin stuck through the skin - a stainless steel rod. Later, he always had that scar, and his legs kicked off to the side when he ran. Jud lived to be 15 years old - I was a freshman in high school. I credit Jud - who slept with me each night - for my love of animals. We called him our brother and he was named after our dad David Judson. Our son Judson is named after Dad and our dog. 😀 

I got a new Western Flyer "spider" bike with a banana seat one year. It was aqua in step-through girl style and had a big white basket on the front. As a not so girlie-girl, I took the plastic flowers off of the basket right away! I did need the basket for my piano lessons at Mrs. Sandhorst's house a few blocks southwest of our place. Everyone had bikes (no helmets) and it wasn't uncommon to see a big mess of bikes parked at any house or play area on summer days. I rode it to school sometimes too. I got in trouble once because I turned into our driveway in front of Sheila Savory in her Karmann Ghia. She called Mom, who read me the riot act on bike safety. 

The best thing was when the "big kids" would include us in their outdoor activities - like Ghost Tag, Kick the Can, and Sardines. Look those games up - basically the are tag and hide n seek. Donnie Reinertson hid in the attic above his family's garage. That place was set up like a fort, but it sure was hot up there. Lucky, we had an app for that. Not really - just one of those twirling sprinklers we'd run through. 

Speaking of water, swimming is part of my family identity. Mom was a Red Cross water safety instructor those summers - along with her friend Betty Lou Pellett. Mom dragged us along for lessons held at the former Boy Scout camp near Griswold. Of course, we took all of the lessons - from beginner to Water Safety Instructor. Good memories of listening to "I'm Henry the 8th" in the car, and going to a root beer place after a whole morning of swimming and running around a park near a cave Jesse James hid in. 

As if we didn't get enough swimming those mornings, we'd go to the pool at the Golf and Country Club in the afternoons. There I'd play with friends I still hold dear. In between dips in the baby and big pool, we'd make forts by putting out towels over a tipped pool chair. Swimming games included swim tag, Nibbles (hiding a twig in the pool for others to find), Jump or Dive off of the diving board, handstands, reading each other's lips underwater, Cannonballs, and more. And that snack room was awesome - with frozen treats like Cap'n Crunch Bars and Drumstix. Plus the regular fare - candy bars, soda, and chips. There was a big table, perfect for card games like Spoons and War. 

Celebrating swim team

Atlantic had a great summer Swim Team, managed by who else - the Pellett family. Practice was at Sunnyside - the full-sized public pool with 3 different diving boards - low, medium, and the scary high board. We'd swim laps under the diving boards - 20 yards across. Parents drove us to SWISA (Southwest Iowa Swim Association) Swim Meets across SW Iowa - places like Council Bluffs (Town and Country Pool), Shenendoah, Clarinda, Creston, Missouri Valley, Manning, Villisca. A couple of times we even went to AAU meets - big time! We went to Fremont, NE, Omaha, and Jefferson, Iowa. I was a good breast stroke specialist and had great support in relays with my pals Sally, Robyn, Merricks and Hutchinsons, Sue, Jennifer, and more. 

I got to know people like the Allens - Mike, Pat, Sherri. Bill Thede was fun to hang with. So many more I can't think of. Swim Team members spent a lot of time together - riding to meets, reading Mad Magazine, and playing cards under the tent in between races. Sue Tyler always brought boxes of Jello - basically flavored sugar for energy. Today I think they use products made for that purpose - we were just ahead of the game! Sally and I spent many hours in her family pool practicing flip turns. 

When I was older, no longer participating on Swim Team, I became a Water Safety Instructor, and Life Guard at both Sunnyside and the Country Club. I even helped with swim meets by being a timer. It's no wonder my skin suffered lots of damage - before the age of sunscreen. We did have Zinc Oxide for burned noses and cheeks. And Baby Oil with iodine - huh? 

The outdoor pool at my gym just opened, so it's time for me to get back in the water. The sounds of kids swimming and playing and the smell of chlorine bring on nostalgia. Another reminder can be hearing songs played over and over on the only station we could get at the pool - was it WOW AM? 

Summer is my favorite season. I tried to believe it was Autumn like it is for many. But it isn't. Bring on the sun (with 50 sunscreen). 

I hope you have a good summer filled with past memories and future ones. 

Sum sum summatime

It's official. Sorry autumn. Summer is my new favorite season.

Ever since I grew up, fall has traditionally been my fave season - November birthday, the beautiful leaves, football, back to school. The clothes are fabulous.

Biking is a swell summer activity - 2013

Just today Paul and I were discussing it - and I've decided. Move over Fall - now I pick summer. I like warm weather and the activities that go along with the summer months. The Farmer's Market, deck weather, flowers, bike riding, the 4th of July is my second fave holiday - a close 2nd to Christmas Eve at Lefebvres/Christmas dinner at Pottorffs.

summer makes Pablo and me smile!

The summer months whiz by very quickly, while last year the winter months seem to stretch out like an endless black asphalt highway. And there were no exits. This year spring was winter's ugly little sister - she'd pretend to be nice and would then pull the rug out from under us. Snow stretched into May. Bitch!


My sissies came in June

I don't like having to wear sweaters all summer - especially at work. You'd think the 5th floor at the Wallace Building would be hot. Heat rises - but not in my cubicle. I wore a jacket this week. I know - I should get some circulation! Drat all you hot bodies and your need for over cooling.

Next up this summer? The Iowa State Fair. Yes you can look forward to this year's picture of me with my corn dog. I'll try to keep it G rated. I will work in the DNR Trailer (near the Grandstand - beside DNR's building) handing out prizes to smart people.

2012 - Lake

After that - Lake of the Ozarks. What happens at the Lake...will probably be on Facebook...I think there is a bloody mary with my name on it.

I also have a special trip planned to Lake Tahoe with a couple high school friends. Summer fun still in the works.

Summa time

Memorial Day kicks off summer. Finally! It's been a long time coming in Iowa. If you read this blog or are my "friend" on Facebook then you've seen a litany of complaints by me. Someone who of her own free will lives in Iowa - land of four seasons.

Winter was quite brutal this year. I've grown soft. And old. Why...back in the day, winters didn't bother me as much as this one. As a kid I enjoyed torturing my mother by going outside to play in the snow and coming in all snowy and wet. Several times a day. How fun for her - dealing with the soggy woolen gear. No dri-Fit back then!

I learned this year (weather people are such Encyclopedias) that my time at college in Ames, Iowa were terrible weather years. But..to quote one of my least fave sayings, to us, "it was what it was." We didn't let Mother Nature stop us. (except from going to class a couple times). We stood outside That Place in sub-zero temps to get into the popular bar featuring free peanuts in the shell and warmish beer. My roomies and I carried a grocery cart through the HyVee lot when the snow was too deep. We'd gathered the makings for Vic's Pasta in Pot recipe. And beer. We then hunkered down at 230 Campus Avenue for a Royal Rummy card game festival.

This year winter wore me out. There was no sledding, nor Rummy. There might have been some rum. Pablo and I have been eagerly awaiting summer. It's been staggering towards us like it's been drinking rum. Now it's hot! I love it - except for the overly air-conditioned establishments.  Deck time. Farmer's Market - for real with tomatoes, corn - all the good stuff!

There are the outdoor activities - walking, biking and my favorite - reading on the deck. Paul manages to find yard work to do - even in our town home situation. Potted plants and some landscaping he received permission from the yard gods to do. Our neighbor Vicki (not my former college roommate) planted coneflowers of all colors in the newly landscaped area. Oops - Paul forgot to get the god's approval. Mea Culpa.

no mowing..kinda nice

I can't wait for my sisters to visit DSM and to go to Oregon for the fam reunion. I just signed up to work at the State Fair - corndog anyone? Is the Lake in our future? Lazy summer weekends? Goldsmith Golf. A trip to Tahoe? A visit from Aunt Jean and Uncle Bruce will finish up our summer. It will be perfect.

I decided to get my summer do. Hair, that is. This time of year the humidity takes its toll on my person - in some good ways and bad. Plus it was time for a full color. Sarah wanted to go all Miley Cyrus on me - shaving the sides. I don't think it would look quite as nice on a 56-year old...I went a little darker, but still have the blond highlights. What can I say? We all need a little spice in our lives.
teeth - check
skin - check
hair - check
hmmm my toenails are looking a bit ragged again.
It's hell being a girl!

Bits and pieces

Ach! The hot, dry summer in Iowa is something else. It does remind me of 1988, back when I worked at First National Bank in Creston. That was the last time it was this dry and hot in the area. I would help stuff bank statements with Sandy Hysell, Cathy Lacina, Pam Grey and others. Cathy, whose former farmed, would talk about hauling water for livestock. We didn't even have Jud then! Seems so long ago.

The yards in Waukee are torched...this is Joan's

I had breakfast with my homegirls this a.m. It was nice to see everyone, though Diana and Bobbie were not there. Nancy, that stud muffin, rode her motorcycle (a Harley) with the Hells Angels (her husband Jim) to bike night in Winterset. She was very proud of herself - her longest ride yet, as she just got the two-wheeled cycle of death (as my mother called them) a few weeks ago. Paul has to report to me each time she drives by on it. It reminds me of his father George Goldsmith, how he used to enjoy keeping up on the neighbor girl's love life.  Nancy got coaching from Chuck, our waiter, on how to waive when one rides a Harley. Two fingers, ya'll.

My physical therapist took pity on me today and went easy. Oh I had to use the instrument of torture - otherwise known as "The Pulleys". When I bought it last week, I joked with Lori the receptionist that I had read 50 Shades of Grey and the contraption would be very useful...HA! Like I feel amorous with this shoulder pain.

My arm is bruised from the manipulation

I took a stroll - not a Deb Peterson power walk around the neighborhood tonight.

This was after I replaced the front right headlight in my car. That's right. I'm a motorhead. As I drove out of my garage this a.m. Charlene Dunphy flagged me down and told me I had a headlight out. Dang...not another one! I love my car, but it goes through lights like nothing else. Anyway after work I cruised to NAPA, thinking...well they'll put it in. Wrong! So I got out the instructions at Joan's. I had to take the air intake out. Holy Snikes! Good thing Joan came home to help me put it back in! But it works - let's hope it points in the right direction.

Joan and I just watched the end of Uncle Buck one of my all time fave movies. John Candy you left us too soon!

Saturday was a Chillaxin' day

Saturday Paul and Jud were off shopping for a new car. So I slept in until 9:30 a.m. woohoo (after being awakened by the guys before they took off around 8 a.m.) Kara, Jud's girlfriend was heading to Denison for a family gathering, so she slept in too - a bit more successful than I - she got up around 11ish.

I had a little breakfast, my usual bowl of cereal - Raisin Bran today. I headed out to the deck with my laptop to read the paper and sip my java. The heat wasn't oppressive - yet, and a light breeze wafted over Paul's beautiful flowers. I recorded the sight as I saw it - it's something that keeps me going through the winter!

After Kara got up, we chatted before she took off north. She's just completed her training at Cerner Corporation in Kansas City. They make software for hospitals. It sounds like she and our baby boy are enjoying learning their way around KC.

Once alone, I did a little laundry and called daughter #1 to get caught up on her life. We chatted a bit when the boys drove up in a brand new Mazda - breaking up our conversation.

Later that afternoon, Jud, full of parently love after getting a bit of $ help with his new car, decided to go to church with us. I liked showing him off to our church family! Linda Hartsock patted his back and Cheri Finken said hello. I introduced Jud to Fr. Pins. That night we dined on New York strips and hash browns. It was nice to speak to Jud person to person - not by phone. A wonderful summer day!