I spent my childhood in a VERY small town in Illinois. We would be outside all the time. Playing in the creek. Roller skating. Riding bikes was THE way to get around. The streets in town had tar laid down with pebbles smashed into it for the cars to drive on. When it got REALLY hot outside, the tar would bubble up between the pebbles, sometimes in long patches. THAT is the tar we would be trying to leave skid marks in with our bike tires. If we messed up, we could end up with hot tar on our skin. Which was NO fun at all.
Once, when I was five, I road my bike from Stillman Valley, to Weld's Park, just so I could go swimming in the creek. That was several miles outside of town, on a somewhat busy road. Particularly for a 5 year old. There is no way The Lad would have gotten away with half the stuff I did. AND...I was the good kid. But ... this is my story, and I get to tell it how I want to.
We had three TV stations (or something like that) and we spent a little time watching cartoons, but we didn't sit still much. We entertained ourselves.
We used to play tag on our bikes. I remember being chased by my older brother (he was 'IT') when I cut across a corner in someone's yard (McNally's). There was a big hole where a tree or something had been removed, because the ground wasn't even, and the grass had been mowed to all one level. When I rode my bike into this hole, it swallowed my whole front tire. This caused my bike to stop short, and flip the back end over front, smashing me full force onto the ground. As I lay in a crumpled heap, my Brother got off his bike, slapped me, said "You're it!", and rode off. I guess no harm, no foul.
These are just a few fond memories of my Summers as a kid. I don't ever remember saying "I'm bored". If I said that, my Mom would have found some work for me to do. There was plenty of that to go around. I don't even get bored now. I think that is a symptom from being entertained too much. Makes it hard to 'imagine' something to do.
For me...I have so many things that interest me, I have trouble getting it all done. So I just keep plugging away at whatever catches my attention first.
For some time...I have just been watering the gardens...mostly. Now I am starting to pull weeds, rake up the 'moats' around the garden beds (to keep the water in) and thin out the sprouts. This morning I moved some Bok Choi that were too close together. Hopefully, most of them will make it. But...for now...I need to get back at the watering.
Here's wishing you all a Great first day of Summer!
Once, when I was five, I road my bike from Stillman Valley, to Weld's Park, just so I could go swimming in the creek. That was several miles outside of town, on a somewhat busy road. Particularly for a 5 year old. There is no way The Lad would have gotten away with half the stuff I did. AND...I was the good kid. But ... this is my story, and I get to tell it how I want to.
We had three TV stations (or something like that) and we spent a little time watching cartoons, but we didn't sit still much. We entertained ourselves.
We used to play tag on our bikes. I remember being chased by my older brother (he was 'IT') when I cut across a corner in someone's yard (McNally's). There was a big hole where a tree or something had been removed, because the ground wasn't even, and the grass had been mowed to all one level. When I rode my bike into this hole, it swallowed my whole front tire. This caused my bike to stop short, and flip the back end over front, smashing me full force onto the ground. As I lay in a crumpled heap, my Brother got off his bike, slapped me, said "You're it!", and rode off. I guess no harm, no foul.
These are just a few fond memories of my Summers as a kid. I don't ever remember saying "I'm bored". If I said that, my Mom would have found some work for me to do. There was plenty of that to go around. I don't even get bored now. I think that is a symptom from being entertained too much. Makes it hard to 'imagine' something to do.
For me...I have so many things that interest me, I have trouble getting it all done. So I just keep plugging away at whatever catches my attention first.
For some time...I have just been watering the gardens...mostly. Now I am starting to pull weeds, rake up the 'moats' around the garden beds (to keep the water in) and thin out the sprouts. This morning I moved some Bok Choi that were too close together. Hopefully, most of them will make it. But...for now...I need to get back at the watering.
Here's wishing you all a Great first day of Summer!
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