As this stuff wears on, I am drawn more and more to my porch, where you don’t have to wear a mask, where there is fresh air, and peace. I have been thinking a lot about my grandparents and how they lived. They lived through the depression and WWII. They had ration books, and a victory garden. At one point, they had no running water or electricity; talk about living off-grid! I wish I had their gardening skills. I remember gathering the cucumbers, tomatoes and okra from the garden with Grandad, and making homemade ice-cream.
When we went to visit my family in Oklahoma, we spent all day outdoors, barefoot, climbing trees and chasing frogs and butterflies. It’s strange what you remember. I remember the feeling of the dry grass crunching beneath my feet as I walked. The bowl I pictured above belonged to my Grandmother. The government sent them cheese in that bowl during the depression.
I have such fond memories of my summers in rural Oklahoma.
Oh, My…
As I read your story I was transported back to my summers in Oklahoma! I was born in Muskogee but the family lived near Lake Eufaula. My parents had a garden with okra, tomatoes, corn, strawberries and much more! What great meals with all the vegetables and cornbread! Oh, sweet tea! I eventually took my children for their summers in Oklahoma. We eat the fish they caught for dinner along with the vegetables we picked from the garden, eating tomatoes as we picked okra which Mom fried along with fried green tomatoes. Thank you for the memories! I have always enjoyed your blog as I too have a leaning toward French decor. Thank you again for brightening my day.
Oh wow Kay, that sounds wonderful. It also sounds so similar to my experiences.
Hi Anita,
The porch is my happy place too. Just the simplicity of it and the memories that come to mind while sitting in the swing. Thank you for sharing the link and such a lovely story of your childhood.
I love a porch swing Denise. Thank you.
Hi Anita,
I love your article about your childhood in Oklahoma and the porch tips. Thanks for sharing. The porch is a special place and I remember well both of my grandma’s porches in the Houston heights. Each of them moved to Houston from the country, one from Plantersville and the other from Chappell Hill. We spent a lot of time on their city porches, but we always enjoyed stories from their days in the country. In particular, my grandma from Chappell Hill would share fond memories of her and her sons (one of which was my Dad) and their antics in the cotton fields. Good times!
Enjoy your weekend!
Michele
Michele, wow, those are wonderful memories!!!
What a beautiful story full of family love and memories to share Anita . I too have been thinking often of the simple childhood memories and stories of long ago and how simple life was . I look at the , “old things “ from my mum and grandparents , that are in my home that bring those “stories “with them . Perhaps we can all live a little differently during and after these awful times . Even though , we are once more locked down in the state of Victoria in Australia , I am happy and content in my home with the way it is and with all of my memories that help make it a home .
I am so glad you are enjoying your home Angie.