A Florida Summer Day from Long Ago

Here I am about 1957 at age 8 or 9 with my cousin, John, and my brother, Rick.
We were visiting my Aunt Nellie in Tampa, Florida very near to where I live now.

 Inside Aunt Nellie's house with my baby cousin, Denny

Rick on Aunt Nellie's porch

 Me, Mom and my baby cousin in Aunt Nellie's front yard.

Mom's hair was in pin curls, but check out what a tiny waist she had.

In 1956 or 1957 my family drove from Oklahoma to Tampa, Florida for a summer vacation. Tampa was a very exotic location to me with the tropical rainstorms, palm trees, and beaches. Aunt Nellie's kitchen was a converted Florida room with slatted glass jalousie windows. There was a banana tree by the kitchen window. I told my granddaughter, Jill, that I had pictures of myself when I was her age. So here they are.

The Help - Childhood memories

My mother didn't like this portrait of my brother and me because Mrs. Patilla fixed our hair in such an old fashioned way.

My sister-in-law and I went to see the movie The Help the other day. I loved it. I haven't read the book yet but Mary said it was great. We go to the movies together sometimes and occasionally we take my granddaughter, Jill, too, on a girls' outing to the mall. Seeing the movie brought back some of my earliest memories.

My mother was a working mom way back in the 50's. We had an older lady who came to our house to watch my brother and me. She cooked and cleaned and ironed for us as well as baby sitting. I know my mother didn't pay her very much. She was such a great help to my mom. I think it was when we lived in Russellville, Arkansas before we moved to Oklahoma when I was 7 years old.

She used to take us to her church which was across the street from our little rental house. I have a few old pictures of us when she took us to her house one time to meet her grandchildren. Her granddaughter's name was Naomi. Once she took my brother and me to a photograher appointment because my mother had to work. Mom was upset because she fixed our hair in such an old fashioned way.

I have two very clear memories of her cooking. One was a pecan pie and the other was rice pudding. She made it in the oven with a thick layer of cinnamon on top. My first experience with cinnamon. I remembering it bubbling in the oven and the aroma that filled the kitchen was amazing. I have never tasted rice pudding like that since and have never been able to duplicate the recipe. I loved you Mrs. Patilla!

Later on we had a teenage baby sitter in Oklahoma. Her name was Twila. She watched us in the summer. I don't think my mother knew that Twila's boyfriend used to come to the house sometimes. I remember bologna sandwiches or beanie weinies and Kool Aid for lunch. Twila was kind of mean. She made me watch American Bandstand every afternoon instead of cartoons. Thank you, Twila!

Fourth of July, 2011

We had a wonderful July 4 weekend. On Sunday, we had dinner with Rick and Darlene at their new apartment. Rick cooked on the grill and we enjoyed their beautiful view. On Monday we went to a water ski show and barbeque at the beach near our friend's house. In the evening, Jaime and Aaron had a cookout for family and friends. There were four dogs, a pot bellied pig, 2 babies and Mia. Jonah is visiting his Dad in Tennessee. It seemed strange for him to not be there. After we got home, Roger and I pulled lawn chairs into the front yard and watched the fireworks over the golf course. A thoughful neighbor aimed some beautiful fireworks just in the right place over the trees. Then we watched the Boston Pops fireworks on the TV in our bedroom. What a great day! I am so grateful for all the blessings in my life.

Karin's Birthday - Cody's

Another happy occasion at Cody's on the patio. Karin's birthday celebration. Good music, pretty good food, fans blowing a mist around that left everyone and everything cool but slightly damp. Besides Karin and Alan, there was me and Roger, Peggy, Joyce, Cory, Rick and Darlene, Jaime, Aaron and Mia who somehow didn't get her picture taken for once. Mia enjoyed the free peanuts and asked her mother in a very grown up way, "Could you show me where the bathroom is?" Good girl! Fun!

Rick's 60th Birthday video

I apologize for the poor video. Still playing with the Flip camera. I didn't mention Joyce, Darlene and Karin. I post this anyway for posterity. We were all inside because it was 95 degrees outside! Can't wait for Fall weather! Jaime was very sick so she couldn't come over and grill steak and shrimp as planned. We had Publix fried chicken and I made potato salad, cole slaw, deviled eggs, baked beans, corn on the cob, and rum cake. We also baked an apple pie for Joyce and Karin. Had to run out and buy a fan because the ceiling fan on the porch has died. Got a little stressed out trying to peel the eggs. The peels would not come off those darn things! Oh, well, it was fun and I loved having my friends and family around. It was Stephanie's birthday, too, but she was at work. She and Cory went out to Carrabas later and her mother came over on Sunday. We were also celebrating Cory's birthday on the 14th. Jill was visiting Courtney.

Rick in India

Here is a picture of my brother in India. He is finishing up his second 6-week tour. I'm not sure if he is going back since this has been a rough trip including a bout of food poisoning. Rick is a registered surveyor and is working on something involving oil production in India. I would explain more if I knew myself. Anyway, here is a little poem he sent.

Sung to the tune of Living on Tulsa Time
Livin' on Delhi time
Livin' on Delhi time
I can't stay in the Ramada
Cause I'm stuck in Kakinada
And I'm livin' on Delhi time

Chorus
Livin' on Delhi time
Livin' on Delhi time
The women are so scary
I don't want inside their sari
And I'm livin' on Delhi time

Chorus
Livin' on Delhi time
Livin' on Delhi time
I'm so tired of eatin' curry
Want to come home in a hurry
And I'm livin' on Delhi time

Love to all,
Rick