Fond memories

Away Beyond The Blue

/ Susan A. Royal / 1 Comment

This is something I posted several years ago. Since then I’ve reposted it every years on Daylon’s birthday.

While channel surfing this weekend, I happened to catch the end of Close Encounters. Never see that movie that I don’t think of my husband. Especially now that he’s gone. It was one of his all-time favorites. I never really thought about it until today, but now I understand why.

In the movie, Richard Dreyfuss plays Roy Neary, an average middle-class guy who loves his family and works hard to provide for them. Only there’s another side to his character. He still believes in magic. In the movie, when Roy experiences a close encounter, he doubts his sanity. But he can’t let it go because deep down inside, he wants it to be true. So he makes up his mind to prove it.

My husband was that same kind of man. He worked hard, took care of his family, and lived a quiet life. But, like Roy, there was more to him than met the eye. The casual observer never saw his keen sense of adventure. He had a fascination for the mysterious, the unexplained. The idea of travelers from another world was intriguing to him.

He would have loved the chance to do what Roy did at the end of the movie. So it isn’t hard to visualize him on the runway at the end of the movie, all smiles. Reluctant to leave his life on earth, yet filled with nervous anticipation at the thought of going on an adventure beyond the stars.

I like to think that’s exactly what he’s doing right now. And I’m certain he’s enjoying every minute.

Someday, I’ll join him.

Be Calm and Winter On

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Despite the fact that the weather predictions called for a mild winter this year, it’s been cold. And snowy. There hasn’t been any in my neck of the woods yet, but there are places even further south that have.

I used to love it when it snowed. These days, though, I’m content to sit under a blanket with a cup of tea or coffee. Or at the window in a warm house, watching the Cardinals make a mad dash for the bird feeders.

But I have lots of memories.

I remember the year we moved to East Texas. It snowed so much that schools were closed for a week. The kids had never seen snow before. They had a ball making snow angels, snowmen, and snow ice cream. They played outside until their noses, cheeks, and fingers were rosy red and then came in for cocoa, soup, and grilled cheese sandwiches. I made a lot of stew and chili.

I walked two blocks to school in the snow to pick up the kids because I couldn’t get the car out of the driveway.

My husband would go to the grocery store and bring home grocery bags full of snacks. Pig Skins or a big bag of peanuts to roast in the oven. Marshmallows to make cocoa. Sometimes, I made a big pan of caramel popcorn.

One year, we spent all afternoon sliding down the hill at my sister’s house on old pieces of paneling. It was great fun until the kids ran into my sister and knocked her off her feet. Then we all went inside, removed our coats and shoes, and propped our feet on the hearth to warm up (and recuperate) Lots of memories. Right now, I think I need a nice hot cup of coffee.

A Starry, Starry Night

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I logged onto Facebook yesterday and found something I had shared on November 16, 2013. Stories about my grandchildren are always special.

Today, I’m making up for lost time. I intended to spend my entire Friday evening with my nose to the grindstone, writing and editing. Instead, my daughter invited us to sit around the fire pit with them, drink coffee, and visit. I danced under the stars with my seven-year-old grandson, Caleb. “Follow my lead!” he said when he grabbed my hand. What could be better? I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

How time flies. Today, that grandson is all grown up. He turned eighteen in June and will graduate from high school in a few months. But I’ll never forget those special times we spent hanging out together.

Comfort Food

/ Susan A. Royal / 2 Comments

Bologna browned on either side between two pieces of sourdough bread spread with lots of mayonnaise, potato chips, and a glass of milk.

I remember having it for lunch when I was growing up. Or maybe supper when my Daddy was out of town, and Mama didn’t feel like cooking.

Other favorites were peanut butter and banana sandwiches mixed with a spoonful of mayo, a grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of tomato soup, and chicken noodle soup with crackers on sick days.

After playing outside all morning, we came running the minute Mama called us for lunch. We might sit at the kitchen table with her while she drank iced coffee or eat at the picnic table or playhouse.

Afterward, we’d have cookies or ice cream from the truck that drove through the neighborhood in the afternoon. I’ll never forget hopping from one bare foot to another on the hot pavement while waiting in line to buy my treat and eat it before a drop melted.

As the years went by, my list of comfort foods expanded. Hamburgers. A bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, a bowl of pinto beans and cornbread. A Coke float on a hot afternoon. Nothing fancy. Nothing special. Nothing better.

Never fails to fill me up with nostalgia.

A PRIZED POSSESSION

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You’re probably wondering if I’ve lost my mind. Why I’d be gushing about a ratty looking Club Aluminum Dutch oven that’s seen better days. Especially when I have a fancy stainless steel set that cooks just as good or better. I bought it years ago at a garage sale for next to nothing. It was used, so all I had to do was keep the inside clean. The wear on the outside gave it character.

I can’t count the pot roasts it’s held. Or the cold winter days when it simmered on the back burner all day, filling the air with a heady fragrance of chili, stew, pinto beans or potato soup. It’s been used to make popcorn, caramel corn, fudge, cream pies, and mountains of mashed potatoes. Or potato salad.

When I moved to a smaller house, I thought about getting rid of it. I didn’t really need it anymore. But here’s the thing. I couldn’t let go. Too many memories. Nights when the family gathered around the table and ate together. Holiday meals, parties, barbecues and family get togethers.

Yeah, I think I’ll hang on to it.

~The Pyrex Bowls~

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I have a lot of keepsakes. Most of them aren’t antiques or collector’s items, but they’re special to me. Why? Because they come with memories attached. And what is more precious than a memory? These Pyrex bowls belonged to my mother. They may have been a wedding present. She used the largest one when she made potato salad. Every time I use one of them, I think about her.  

Christmas Memories

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My Christmas tree is an eclectic mix of ornaments. All different. All unique. Seeing this little Santa on the tree every year brings back a special memory. Some years my husband and I exchanged gifts and some years we didn’t. One year we celebrated with our kids early, so on Christmas eve we went to a local gift shop to get a little something for each other to wrap and put under the tree. This is what he got for me. Every time I look at it, I remember that day and the time we spent together.