WHEN I WAS YOUNG 3

My dad was a farmer, consequently when I was growing up we had a huge garden in the back yard. I spent a good part of my summers weeding, picking beans, peas, carrots, lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, raspberries and digging for potatoes. As I weeded and picked I was visited by the spiders and worms living among the leaves and stems of these various plants. This was not a welcome visit and sometimes sent me screaming and running from the rows of vegetables.

Let me also insert here that I am not a big fan of dirt. Even to this day if I get a spot on my shirt I will almost instantly change the outfit. So picking up the potaotes as dad turned the dirt wasn't exactly a bonding moment for me...

Now that I have matured and have the memories to dwell on I can honestly say that being raised in the garden was very good for me.

Lessons Learned
::fresh is best::
::my dad is brilliant::
::spiders are really not that bad::
::worms are::
::dirt is still not good under my fingernails::
::raspberries are worth it::
::daydreams in the garden are enlightening::
::gardening is a fulfilling activity and well worth the labor::

REVERSED ROLES

Friday September 5 was mom's birthday. She is 82. I expect not to be around next year when she reaches 83 so I thought I would drive up and spend the weekend with her. Since this was opening weekend for soccer season I went on my own and enjoyed a quiet weekend with my parents. Friday afternoon I sat listening as dad spoke of his aging aches and pains. A flood of memories filled my mind.

I was home again, a child to my parents and I rememebered...

snowball fights

hide and go seek

late nights on the front porch

climbing the tree

picking raspberries

weeding the garden

Raymond

Cardston

Medicine Hat

reading scriptures

driving the car

grocery shopping

going to church

cowboys at the Calgary Stampede

As I sat there watching my parents in their old age a tear moistened my cheek and I realized how much they now rely on their children to care for them - reversed roles.

In celebration of mom's birthday we watched a DVD then went to dinner. My brother Mark was by earlier in the day. We sat and watched video of his most recent trip to the Canadian Rockies.

I miss my home...and my childhood.

STAMPEDE FEVER

It's that time of year again, the Calgary Stampede, and I'm not there. My most fun summer job. But the best part was hangin' with my dad and the cowboys...so much fun!

Every year I worked the grandstand and on the fourth of July the announcer would have everyone stand and the Americans would sing The Star Spangled Banner before the show could begin. I thought it was cool being as I sang O Canada every day of my life all the way through my school years.

This Friday is not just July 4. It's the first Friday in July which means the Calgary Stampede Parade...the best ever memories, and they'll be singing The Star Spangled Banner in Canada.

Other stampede memories
::late night concerts::
::cowboys::
::carnival rides::

::parade watchin'::

::cherry pit spittin' contests::

::building bleachers::
::red pants::
::white hats::
::supertramp::
::cowboys::

::stampede breakfast::
::fleetwood mac::
::indian pow wows::
::tom thumb donuts::
::cowboys::
::midnight fireworks::

This year Sugarland performs on July 11. If only wishes were dreams come true..

WHEN I WAS YOUNG

Crissy the Beautiful Doll was on my Christmas list.  There was a button in the middle of her back and when you pushed it her hair would grow.  Then I combed and styled it.  When I wanted a change I would push the button again and her hair would go short.  This entertained me.  I am sad that I didn't save her.  

SIMPLER TIMES

When we are YOUNG we think LIFE IS HARD.

If you knew then what you know now,

Would you have LIVED DIFFERENTLY?