Summertime

SUMMERTIME LONG AGO

Long ago and far away in the land of Camden AL, there lived a family named Polk.  There was Ottis, Tootsie, Frances, Arvin and Sam and always a dog or 2 living on a farm, and by today's standards, a rather simple life.  Life was simpler in the 50's and 60's and we thought it was great, especially in the summer months.  

Our daddy, Ottis Polk, was the Soil Conservationist of Wilcox County AL from 8-5 during the week but a master farmer the rest of the time.  His garden, a huge one, was the envy of all who knew him for he always grew more, larger and better tasting vegetables than most.  He took delight in sharing his produce with those who didn't have a garden or whose garden was not producing like his.  He carried baskets of peas, beans, tomatoes, corn, and a host of other vegetables to all who needed them especially those who were widows.  He would quote a scripture about caring for them and load up his truck and take freshly picked vegetables to all he knew needed them.  It was one of his great joys to share his bounty,

Mama encouraged him to give away all he wanted to for that was less she had to can, freeze, pickle, or preserve.  The joke at our home was don't stand still or mama will put you in a jar or the freezer.  She preserved the bounty of  Daddy's gardens for many, many years and when she died we found boxes of jellies and preserves we didn't know were there.  We also found several bottles of mama's grape wine she made each year to soak her fruitcakes and maybe sipping a little here and there.  

In fact, I still have a couple of bottles of that wine which I use to cook my deer meat in when I can find some.  It is pretty strong now but still has that sweet grape flavor and will knock your socks off.  Mama didn't always measure the juice and sugar the same each year so sometimes it was "hold your hat" strong or pretty mellow.  Our family did not drink any alcoholic beverages but mama had to have the wine for her famous dark, rich fruitcake.  She would soak the cakes in her wine before storing them in a large canner for Christmas.  They were so rich and moist and I am sure it was due to her homemade wine and fig preserves she put in them.  

Canner for fruitcake 

Back to summertime.  Bare feet, few clothes, and all day to play outside.  As soon as we ate our breakfast, it was outside until we were hungry or dark.  We didn't have a swimming pool but we had a creek running through the back pasture where we would play for hours in the shallow portions.  There was one section which was sandy and shallow which made for perfect swimming, splashing and just sitting in to cool off.  Mama would make peanut butter and homemade jelly sandwiches, iced tea or cold milk in a mason jar, homemade cookies, put them in a brown paper sack and we would have our picnic.  Of course this was to tide us over until we went back to the house for dinner or supper for we always ate 3 meals a day together around the kitchen table.  

Summertime rain showers also provided "swimming" fun for us.  Our yard was carpeted in zoysia grass which is so closely matted it would hold water for awhile.  We would put on our bathing suits or shorts and run, fall down and slide as far as we could.  It was out natural water slide!  Mama would let us play until we were muddy from top to bottom, throw us a bar of soap and the shampoo, and tell us to rinse off in the rain.  May seem crude to you, but to us it was summer fun. 

There was a city pool we would go to occasionally but not often.  That was in town and we were 5 miles away in the country.  For a long time, we had only 1 car which made it little difficult for us to go to town,  for daddy had to have it to drive to work every day.  No big deal, for we would work it out sometimes and enjoy the pool.  We didn't miss is it when we couldn't for we loved our country home. 

Our days were full from breakfast until bedtime with riding bicycles, playing with our toys, softball games in the front yard, and helping mama preserve everything that grew on the place.  There were all the garden vegetables, corn, melons, peaches, figs, pears and apples.  We made pickles from the watermelon rinds and they are delicious.  Not sure anyone does this anymore.  We had bountiful meals everyday and most of it was grown on that 40 acres by our daddy.  

The Old Road Where We Road Our Bikes 

I am sure young people of today would shudder and say how boring but we were far from bored.  We had no TV, electronic devices, cell phones, air conditioning, or cars for each of us.  What we did have was plenty of books to read, a creek to play in, toys which made us use our imagination, fantastic food, loving parents, chores to help our parents and learning basic skills for living successfully in today's world.  We learned that hard work was necessary and taking care of yourself was important and not to depend on  the government or other people to take care of us.  Our parents taught us how to work hard, play, and enjoy each other.  Family was important and we depended on each other but not the government to give us anything we wanted. 

Maybe that is one of the problems in our world today.  I see pictures of young teens rioting, looting, and complaining because the government is not giving them free food, place to live, higher education, and anything else their little hearts desire.  I hear them speaking disrespectfully to adults, including their parents and teachers.  It is fine for them to be passionate about protecting the rights of all people, but not to destroy property and people.  That is another day's speech. 

I would not give anything for the blessing of growing up in a small, Southern town, on a farm with parents who loved us and taught us how to work hard, earn what you need, and don't expect someone else to provide your wants, especially the government.  

Hoping that you are having a good summer and it is as good as it can get. I loved our summers and believe it or not I would not trade it for a single day in the current year. 

Nuff said,