Remembering Summer

Remembering Summer

I recall playing kickball where first base was the fire hydrant, second base was a pinecone, third base was a stop sign and home plate was a sewage cap.  The day wasn't done until we kicked a homerun.

I recall playing German dodge ball.  We laid down sand with our hands to define the lines.  We went up in cheers when mom brought us the ball from Sears.  We bristled with the ability of great agility.  Often when hit, it stung and your bell was rung.  It was our way to play all day.

I recall playing cards hard right in the middle of the yard even if it were nothing  more than declaring war.  When the queen came upon the scene the joker would choke her.  The king ruled until he faced an ace.  The loser always had a loathsome look only to gleefully come back with a jack attack.  For us it wasn't a game of chance.  It was a chance to dance.

I recall playing baseball.  Dad would take us all the way to the college campus to find out who had the right stuff in playing on this diamond in the rough.  Crack went the bat and the ball seemed to scream as it came for you.  Sometimes we didn't know what to do but we yearned to learn and knew that we had been properly taught when the ball was unexpectedly caught.  It was when we drank down the heat and it was when nobody went home in defeat.

I remember being smitten with playing bad mitten.  Every Fourth we battled back and forth and I'm proud to say that my mom could really play.  There were strategic serves, tactical slams right along with quick breaks when someone came out yellin' that there was watermelon!  We beamed in believing we were the dream team!  The day wasn't done until all of us won.

I recall the summer where all of us refused to slumber.  We played all day and on into the night because we were never done having fun.  Our faces glistened like the sun.  We rocked jack rocks!  We made an art out of playing darts and you just had to be there to see us play foursquare!  Electricity was in the air.  It's a time and a place that I yearn to return to and I'm more than happy to invite you.  It's like a pyramid where I remember opening the hatch to the plum patch!

Orrin K. Loftin, Explorer

Copyright?  When we ran to greet the summer heat as we danced down Dancy Street.

July 6^th, 2014