When I was a little girl, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents. They were always doing something fun...snowmobiling in the winter, fishing and camping in the summer. I loved their house in the country, surrounded with trees and an expansive yard full of birds and squirrels and other critters. I loved the huge family room, with the folding doors and brown and orange carpet, the old-school brick fireplace. I would curl up in Grandpa's recliner, snuggled into his lap and asking for the candy in his pockets. (I called him Pockets because of this! Even then, he knew the way to my heart!) We would watch Love Boat and Fantasy Island (you know..."De plane, de plane!) I loved the speckled counter-covered breakfast nook where Grandma would serve strawberries with sugar...and sometimes whipped cream. Loved the seventies green carpet in the front room. I was heart broken when they sold that house and moved to town.
Sigh...everything always changes.
Grandma and Grandpa had a camper at the lake. There was Chet's, where we went to the restroom in a place Grandma unaffectionately called "The Pits". That's exactly what they were...and you prayed you would not fall in. Shuddering at this memory...
O.K....moving on...
We would load up the blue and white boat, with all of our gear and snacks. I don't remember worrying about sunscreen or any of that. One thing was certain, once you went out on the boat, you were gone for the day. Grandma and Grandpa were serious about fishing and didn't come in until reaching their limit. What I remember the most about those hours on the boat is the taste of Doritos and Red Pop. My mother rarely purchased junk food...whether because of the expense or because she was very weight conscious. Probably a little of both. But, when we went on the boat, I relished the Doritos and Red Pop. I can remember the rocking back and forth rhythm as the boat floated along, I remember the wind and splashes of water as we crashed down over the waves speeding along to another fishing spot. I remember the triumph when I caught a Walleye. You wanted a Walleye or perch...never Sheephead. Grandma had another name for those, but I won't share it here! I would fish a little, play a little, nap a little, and would munch on Doritos and Red Pop. I'm sure there was other food, too. But, those are the two that felt like a special treat to me, and they still taste like summer.
Although, if you read this blog, you already know about my love affair with Doritos (I never met a Dorito I didn't like!), the sweet carbonated goodness of Red Pop hasn't graced my taste buds in years. But, this week, I bought some. I hesitated, wondering if my grown up taste buds (and digestive system) could handle it. Would it still be as good as I remember? I closed my eyes and washed down a few Doritos with a gulp of Red Pop. I smiled and nodded with satisfaction...it still tasted like summer. For a few minutes, I was seven and rocking along on Grandma and Grandpa's boat with the faint smell of lake and fish in the air and the sun on my face.
Sometimes, I long for simple times like that when all of life seemed filled with possibilities and everything was still ahead of me. There was nothing more required of me than to fish off the side of the boat and curl up in the lap of my Grandpa. Perhaps that is why the bible encourages us to have faith like a child. Nothing more is required of us than to follow our heavenly Father where He leads. And, to curl up into His lap when we are tired. Maybe it really is still that simple.
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18 comments:
Mine is the smell of my grandma's deep fryer... I can not get my fry daddy to smell like her's did when I was 5, but once and a while I will catch a wiff of it, then its gone! She used to make me french fried in her fry daddy, and pickles every time I went over!
Love this post!
Orange carpet?! How old are you......just kidding. lol I remember something orange too, but it was like a puke orange. I guess that would put me in the same time frame. lol
The Red pop had to be Faygo! That's the best.
I have so many wonderful memories with my grandparents too. I only hope that I will be as great a grandparent as mine have been to me.
Have a great day Kelly!!
What a great memory! I love how certain foods/smells can transport you right back to a certain time. It's funny how that works. This post just made me wonder what kind of memories my girls will have when they are grown. :)
What a great memory !! I was just thinking the other day I could always awake to the smell of Grandma cooking me one sausage patty for breakfast.
I still like Red Pop too and I love Doritos. They make so many different kinds now.
Great post !!
Have a great Wednesday !!
Caroline
Sweet, sweet memory! Both of my grandfathers (sadly) left my grandmothers (after many, many kids...so rough life for both of my parents) but I can think of very few people who are sweeter and closer to my heart than my grandmothers!
Orange slice candy in birthday packages (with the obligatory pair of underwear, of course) and sausage gravy over biscuits.
I do miss simpler days!!!
Mmmm! I LOVE red pop! I haven't had it in a long time so I might have to give these grown up taste buds a shot too! :) wonderful memory and yes, I agree... to be like a child in our faith. beautiful picture!
First of all, YUM :)
And I love that you called him "Pockets"...that is TOO cute!
Joshi is gone.
Orange and green carpets--lovin' it! These are the best memories! My fave memories from Grandma's were her homemade pickles! MMMMM...they were good!
I enjoyed reading your story. Isn't it amazing what we associate things and smells and sounds with?
Visiting via Wednesday's Walk from http://staceyplaisance.blogspot.com
I can't stomach red pop OR Doritos, but I still LOVE this post! What wonderful memories of your grandparents. Bet I know what your Grandma said for that fish name... LOL!
Thank you for sharing your grandparents with us!
Red pop...ahhh the memories! I loved that stuff. It was like liquid candy. I have NEVER seen a bottle or can of the stuff here in California. It may be against the law out here.
Orange, brown, gold, green...they were so off to me. I just did not like the decor of the 70's. I think you are the first person that I have ever heard of that enjoyed those colors. Are you sure that it was a love for the color or just the affection you had for your grandparents?
Oh Kelly, I just love this story. It reminds me a lot of the memories I have at my grandparents' home--the countertops, the carpet (theirs had avocado green and a bright red in a 2nd bedroom!), the countertops, and grandpa's candy. Thanks for sharing this great memory and reminding me of my own.
and I loved the connection you made to the relationship God calls us into with Him.
Blessings!
No doritos that you don't like? Have you tried the hamburger flavored ones? They really do taste like a hamburger..."Different" is all I can say about them
Is that how your love affair with Doritos started? :) I haven't had red pop for so long!! It's nice to be able to associate memories with stuff like that. :)
There is something special about grandparents. I hope when my grandkids are old with grandchildren of their own that they will think the same of my husband and me.
Kelly these were such great memories! I could picture it all in my head as I read along. (You are a good story teller) (:>)
I never knew my grandparents, but I have a zillion childhood memories and I treasure them. My mom was such a wonderful momma.
I love how sights, sounds and smells can take us back to a favorite memory!
God is so amazing...I love how he made us able to recall happy times like these.
Luv ya,
Linda @ Truthful Tidbist
Sweet memories! I've been wondering "why doritos"? and now I know!! :) Love your stories!
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