Daily Prompt: Our House

From the Daily Prompt:

What are the earliest memories of the place you lived in as a child? Describe your house. What did it look like? How did it smell? What did it sound like? Was it quiet like a library, or full of the noise of life? Tell us all about it, in as much detail as you can recall.

I lived in this English Tudor from about 3 until I was 6.  That house has, I believe, formed my entire taste in homes and furnishing styles.  Course, I guess they do say those are the “formative” years!!  I still have so many memories from those few years in that house.

I remember Dad’s strawberry patch in the back yard. I can still remember him complaining about the birds getting his strawberries. So, he took some chicken wire and made a frame to cover the patch. He said it worked perfectly to keep the birds out; if he could only find something to keep the little fingers out!

There was Mom’s flower garden and rose bushes. She had every color rose and tulip and I can still smell that beautiful strong floral scent. I don’t know all the different kinds of flowers she had. But I remember the beauty. I’m just sad that I have no pictures. I have great memories of that backyard. That’s where my mother would sunbathe on her quilt while teaching me the alphabet and to count to 100.

I remember my Dad stopping the car at the end of the driveway when he was getting home from work, putting me on his lap and letting me “drive” the car up the driveway!

This is Mom and me in the living room. I’m all dressed up because I was a flower girl in a wedding. I have no clue whose wedding!

Our house backed up to the high school football stadium. My Dad and brother would go up on top of the garage after each high school football game to gather up the lost items/money from the overzealous patrons!  Having the stadium there also gave us the PERFECT view of the fireworks each 4th of July.  I remember picking and eating the wild rhubard that grew behind the neighbor’s garage; climbing trees — including the neighbor’s cherry tree and eating the good ones at the top; learning to ride my bike; my best friend Dodi.  As a side note, after 60 years, I have reconnected with Dodi via Facebook and email! Amazing.

One time when my aunt (my mom’s twin sister) was visiting, she and the rest of the family were outside.  I was probably no older than four. I went up to the attic, which had been converted into my brother’s private sanctuary (he’s 11 years older than me), where I had no business. But, for whatever reason, I decided to look out the open, screened window at everyone. Lo and behold, next thing I know is that the screen starts to fall. Well, since I didn’t want to get into trouble, I held onto that screen while hanging half in and half out of the window. I remember screaming my head off. Next thing, my aunt just happens to hear/see me and she starts screaming and running. Needless to say, they got to me in time! So much hugs and yelling. Imagine nearly falling out of the third floor attic window because I wouldn’t let go of the screen when it fell out. You can almost make out the window at the very top on the side of the house. 

I had my Boston Terrier, Happy, then. My constant and faithful companion. Bostons do have bull dog traits — no wait, that’s bull headed traits! I was upstairs on the second floor getting ready to take Happy for a walk in the neighborhood. He had his leash on him and we started down the stairs. We were about halfway down the stairs and something excited him. He took off and dragged me down the remainder of the stairs. At least they were carpeted and I was just scared and not hurt. My dad caught me at the bottom and tried to console me by telling me I should have just let go of the leash. Hmm, I see a pattern developing.

I remember the playroom off my bedroom entered through my closet; my Mom decorating my bedroom in pink and white, stenciling and handpainting a big “L” on my bed’s footboard.

So many more memories of that time and place. But please don’t ask me what all I did yesterday! I can’t remember!

Backyard Memories

It’s a beautiful mornin’ ahhh
I think I’ll go outside a while
An jus’ smile
Just take in some clean fresh air boy
Ain’t no sense in stayin’ inside
If the weather’s fine an’ you got the time
It’s your chance to wake up and plan another brand new day
Either way
It’s a beautiful mornin’

The Rascals

It truly is a beautiful morning. The sun is streaming through my window, the air is crisp with a very slight breeze and the temperature is 63 degrees F. I’m just kicking back listening to the chirping of the birds in the neighborhood. It sounds so sweet. It smells so clean. It’s the perfect combination that’s making childhood feelings and memories spring to life. I’m transported to another place and time. Has it really been so long since I noticed? Just listen to those birds. And the squirrels chattering. It’s not just chirping, it’s music. Ah, early morning. Time to get up and go out to play!

Here I am with Happy, my best friend and faithful companion of ten years in the backyard of my childhood home. Great memories of that backyard. That’s where my mother would sunbathe on her quilt while teaching me the alphabet and to count to 100. My mother kept a beautiful flower and rose garden. She had every color rose and I can still smell that beautiful strong rose scent. I don’t know all the different kinds of flowers she had. But I remember the beauty. I’m just sad that I have no pictures of her garden.

Dad had a big strawberry patch. I remember he built a frame with chicken wire to set over the patch. He said it was it was to keep the birds from eating the strawberries and to keep a little girls hands out of the patch. Hmmm. I suppose he meant me but it didn’t work! It’s amazing what tiny little fingers can reach through. I can remember a time I was in the kitchen with my Mom. She was standing at the sink cleaning and preparing fresh-picked strawberries for dinner. She had me seated on the kitchen counter next to her. As she cleaned each strawberry and I ate it, I told her, “Mom, you’re the best cook!” I guess she liked that because I can still hear her laughter after all these years.

I’m sure my Dad and my brother would have different memories of the back yard. Since it backed up to the wall of the Upper Arlington High School football stadium, they were always having to clean up the back yard and the garage roof following every activity held in the stadium!

The only picture I have of my childhood home was taken in the winter. I’m posting it here even though it doesn’t fit with my spring theme! What an influence this house has had on me and my taste. I adore English Tudor. If I could have this house in a warm climate, I’d jump in a heartbeat!!