Empty Days of Summer

  It is only July 24th and already the empty days of summer have arrived. The 4th of July cookouts are long over and vacations are coming to an end for many families. The town streets are empty. Garage sales are unattended. The annual family reunions are endured for another year. The anticipation of summer events is over. TV ads already sell school supplies and football practice has begun.
  I remember these days as a kid. Weather was hot and humid as July slipped into August. Our annual trip to Grandmothers home at Burning Fork, Kentucky was only a bittersweet memory of days playing with cousins and visiting great aunts and uncles that I now wish I had known better. Aunt Sula lived in  a gray weather worn home with a front porch draped with drying beans and blue morning glories. She said we were a pretty bunch of children. Aunt Lula came out to see us in the car. Back then, people were allowed to leave their kids in a hot car. I guess they weren't afraid 7 grouchy, sweaty kids would be kidnapped. Lulas home was in a town and she had a picket fence with a wire gate. Her husbands name was Green. Fascinating to a young girl. On the trips that I remember, Mother and Daddy took us on day trips to the old places dear to them. For Daddy, that was Bull Creek on KY Rt 7 past Gunlock post office. The Ford station wagon dragged bottom to travel the dry creek bed used as a road. All that was left of my Dads home was a black barn in an over grown field and the family house remodeled and occupied by Clarence Shepherd. My dad pointed to memories grown up in scrub and weeds.
  Those vacations were  also filled with family photos, plenty of balloons to play with (my mom and dad worked at Pioneer Rubber Co.) and trips to Salyersville to the Dollar Store. One summer we went to bible school with Kathy Marshall and made popsicle stick picture frames. Kathy lived farther up the road from Grandmother and Callie with her brother Ricky and parents, Carl and Ruby. Carl knew enough stories to compete with my dad. Ruby's name suited her persona. She wore rich red on lips that were full  and usually held a cigarette. Her vibrant nature was evident in her laughter and her actions. They came to visit often, especially at breakfast time. Grandmother put everything on  the table for breakfast and there was plenty for everyone. During the day while we played, Dad and Callie sat in the green metal lawn chairs under the giant shade trees passing the time and throwing up a hand to passers by. Occasionally someone stopped and set a spell. They talked of relations and the old days and people in common.
  As a teenager, I worked at the Celeryville muck farms and did not have much free time to worry about empty days but they still crept up in different ways. Friends at work had to return to college or the boys had to start football practice. Summer romances and friendships came to an aching end with promises of next year. Town streets were alone as families made the last trips to the lake. We woke up hot and sticky and often stayed that way during the night. At home on the family farm, it was time to can green beans by the bushel and husk endless ears of corn for the freezer. Our garden provided for us then. The wheat was combined off leaving straw to make the square bales  that had to be thrown on the wagon for the barn. THAT was always the hottest day of August and most of the straw went down my bra to scratch my dripping wet skin. We had a lot of chores to do even after working all day.
  The days passed slowly then suddenly it was time for school and new clothes and a perm. I would have benefitted from that short hair more throughout the summer days. Glad we now have hair bands for the long hair.
  Now , having learned to relax a little, Gary and I sit on the front porch listening to Merle and JT and Seven Bridges Road and the cicadas call and then a quick thunder storm. We hear thunder in the distance again as slight showers hit the hosta leaves along the front. We contemplate how to end the constant yapping of the neighbors lonely dog missing his owner. Sweet scent of the stargazers and sweet williams becomes overwhelming as the dampness stirs them up. Lots of drivers see us here and wave. We don't know anyone anymore. Used to be that we knew everyone up and down the road. Not even names on the mailboxes now. New neighbors come without children or memorable names or faces who stay private in their lives.
   We are comfortable together and realize that quiet and rest on a summers day is okay.

Friendship Journeys

 As we age, our old friends are dearer and acquaintances become closer. When we travel, strangers respond to our open smiles and share their lives for an hour at dinner on a riverboat. They tell their stories from wheel chairs in airports and waiting in doctors offices. Now we can surmise their life stories from facebook and through other social media.
 Recently at a sale, I ran into two girls/ladies/women that I knew from school. The two Cindys. And they are aging well. They were a year behind me in high school. We did not run in the same circles,  and my friends and I considered them rivals of a sort for the attention of the available males in town. Their group - Cindy, Cindy, Nora, Carolyn, Jan and Becky-cruised the "ave" in a Cindys station wagon. As we passed on Myrtle Avenue, they were always having a good time. We were jealous of their good time and that they belonged together to something. Now I know that "something" just turned out to be a long lasting friendship of girls.
 Over my years at Pepperidge Farm, I went to Cindy with my insurance problems. She was open and helpful to me, and I responded to her friendship. Then we worked a short time together in quality control, and we became better acquainted. I liked her and wondered at that jealousy of my younger years. I knew Carolyn from grade school at Steuben where we were buddies together with Ann and Kathy. Our daughters, Amy and Jennifer, were in school together and even in each others weddings . We crossed paths often and shared chatter about families. I never did get to know Nora. Jan worked at the hospital in registration where she occasionally had to help me. I think I offered friendly conversation, but she never accepted. That's okay. The same with Becky who also worked at Pepperidge. They did offer me respect though in the work positions we shared.
 The two Cindys spoke their enjoyment of the recent get together of the group. They are still mourning the recent loss of Jan to cancer. I could feel their sorrow. It made me think of what a blessing it is to be able to share our lives with others and to empathize with the ups and downs of their life's journey. Jan will always be with them-not forgotten.
 The second Cindy (now Cynthia) greeted me that day with a smile and received one of my never ending hugs. I cant help my hugging. Somehow, I sense that is what people need from me at certain times. Cindy told me she enjoyed seeing my pictures of children and grandchildren on facebook. I also follow hers and am able to show concern and attention to her family's trials and triumphs. Her joy in her grandchildren is evident. And concern for her aging parents is a path I know, and I feel in my heart what she faces. Cynthia also worked at Pioneer Rubber/ Sherwood/ Mapa when I did. She stayed on in a management position when Mapa made a move to Tennessee and still lives there. When my Mother passed, she was able to help me with a life insurance question. At that time, her kindness to me meant a lot. Even now, it makes me tear up. Cynthia also mentioned that she enjoyed reading my stories on my blog. Little did she know that she would be a character in one. And Cindy mentioned quickly my art and talent which is a recognition I appreciate. My goal here is to bring at least one smile.
 Friendships can begin and end and rest awhile. Some are lifelong with wet and dry spells. They can be antagonistic and forgiving. I once did not speak to my best friend for over a year because of her use of the word hillbilly which I find very offensive.  After a time, I was able to let it go, and she welcomed me back as if nothing happened. A lot did happen to me during that time and someday I will share with her. A high school friend moved away for nearly 20 years, but has returned and our relationship is better because of separation and experience.
 People often say "I wish I knew then what I know now" and life would be different. Who can say different is better?  We are led by God who sees every move and thought we make. And lets us learn and develop into loving beings to shine His light out to others in friendship.