Childhood Memories

First there was the death of Captain Windy a few weeks ago. For those of you who are under 4o and/or not native Charlotteans, Captain Windy (aka Jerry Winchester) was a lovely, kind man who dressed as a pirate and greeted folks who came to Riverview Inn ,a local fish camp. He always had a kind word, a smile and a piece of candy for the kids. I've been thinking a lot about the Captain and other icons of my childhood lately, Fred Kirby, Joey the Clown, Connie Cottontop, and others. They were local celebrities in the 50's and 60's here in Charlotte who quietly showed a gentleness of spirit and humility that is sadly missing today. They speak of a time when people cared and respected each other, and as Joey said " All we have in this old world is each other." Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Eminem and think SouthPark is brilliant, but I miss those figures of my childhood and am sad that today's children will grow up without similar role models.

Summer

This is the hottest summer I remember. I read in the paper this morning that it's the third hottest on record. I do remembrer the summer of 1986 when it was too hot to even go to the pool! I am going to try getting up earlier( I stay up very late and sleep in during the summer) so I can run errands before the heat sets in. TodayI need to fill the gas tank and run by Target for a new CD/Ipod player. Mine was hit by lightening Saturday night, and I can't work in the quiet. For some reason we can't get any radio reception in our house so I can't listen to WDAV and have to rely on my Ipod. Then lesson plans for my class tonight, homework for my online class, and continued work on my syllabi. I am determined to have them all complete before Aug. 1st. Three down and two to go!

lemonade

Ah! Slightly tart or sickeningly sweet, nothing hits the spot like a cup of homemade lemonade from a bunch of eager kids trying to earn some extra cash. Squishy cups, spitting out seeds, sticky quarters are a part of childhood with more appeal than any computer game. Lately most of the stands around our neighborhood have donated most of their proceeds to charity or local libraries. A fantastic idea! When Iwas a kid we donated all of our proceeds to Providence Road Sundries ( it was a drug store before it became a bar). Our hard earned profits tranferred into deliciously dripping banana, grape or cherry popsicles, Archie comics and cherry cokes. The perfect treat on a hot summer day!

July 4th

Frineds and neighbors, kids in the wading pool, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, iced tea with lemon vodka and fireworks in the cul de sac. Happy Birthday America!

Sleep

Sleep or rather lack of sleep drove me downstairs tonight. Still no air night number 6 and I can't breather upstairs. Playing around on the computer - googling myself ( oh come on you know you've done it) I found myself on Rate My Professor. Haven't been on a about a year and was pleasantly surprised ,although my students are misinformed. Yes, I am sweet and nice, but I do adhere to deadlines, we used the textbook in almost every class, when I let them out early it usuaully at 12:13 instead of 12:15 and I never guaranteed an A if you came to class as some students suggested. Overall though feedback was positive so that's a good thing. Now if I could only sleep or breathe before the air guys come tomorrow.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Today was the hottest day of summer so far, and still no air. Need a part which won't be here until Monday. Igrew up without air conditioning ,and I don't remember being this miserable. We did have a lot of trees in our yard, a screen porch, and a big attic fan that my dad was in charge of. I guess I am spoiled. I do remember sitting on the rocks behind the garage where it was cool, going down in the basement to play in the heat of the day, catching fire flies, playing Red Light and Mother May Ion the front steps, kick ball and Hide and Seek in the Sharman's back yard, and I'm sure it was as hot as it is now.I guess we just didn't feel it as kids because we were busy, didn't know any different. Ido remember being kind of sad when my Dad put a window unit in the kitchen. No more long nights lingering on the screen porch listening to the birds and bugs, dad in his chair reading under the yellow glow of one of the ugliest lamps on the earth ( green with horses on the shade) .I wonder what my Momwas thinking? Now we were inside locked away under the spell of cold , frigid air enveloping us in it's fake chill. I do think we have lost something by moving in doors, a sense of time, of nature, the slowing down and listening to the night. Now we stay in side and there is no difference between night and day, winter and summer in our technologically advanced, climate controlled lives. Don't get me wrong. I love technology and climate control. i guess I'm waxing nostalgic in self defense trying to spin a major inconvenience into somethiong positive.
Hope the air is fixed by Monday. If not Im spending my beach money on a hotel with a pool!

End of Semester

Grades are in at Queens, 15 more journals to read at UNCC, then blessed freedom or at least the illusion of freedom. I have one week to prep for three summer school classes before summer workshop begins, but at least I can sleep late for a few weeks. Going to be a busy summer, really need to finish the novel. I put it away until summer but it is calling with increasing vigor, I'm at a crucial junction with Carol's character. Stay tuned

last time

Wow! It has been a long time since my last post. Well, I do have a pretty good excuse. Last December I came home after the last day of classes for the semester with a long to do list. Make soup, vacuum, bake a pie, work on the Christmas cards, maybe grade.. but first, in spite of 60 mph plus winds I decided to walk the dog. As soon as I got out the door I knew it was a mistake ,but I didn't want to disappoint ;after all what harm could a quick walk to the corner do... just then the wind picked up, a tree branch fell and my 80 pound dog spooked and bolted taking me with her. I hit the street , landed on my face, and ended up with a bloody nose, two black eyes, a broken right hand and numerous cuts and bruises. Needless to say I did not have a fun break!