Tag Archives: stories

Campfire Memories

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Back when my kids were young, we used to pack up hot dogs and marshmallows and go down to our pond to build a big fire and make some memories. We talked and laughed. Dad would tell my kids some stories about when he was a kid; some of the same stories he told me as I was growing up. It’s always funny to hear about the shenanigans of your parents’ and grandparents’ youth, don’t you think?

This particular summer, I had my sister’s kids for a visit. It was after dark. We were roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, telling stories…you know, typical campfire stuff minus the singing. My niece, who was probably only 6 or 7 at the time, had to go to the bathroom and she wouldn’t go in the woods, not even if I went with her. I don’t blame her. It was scary out there in the dark! So, I walked her back to the house so she could go potty.

We didn’t even make it back to the pond. The boys were now back at the house. I don’t remember where my dad was; seems like he was back at the house. My oldest nephew, JC, had to….poop. It came on him all of a sudden. He didn’t have the sense God gave a goose back then and he dropped his pants right next to the campfire!!! I mean, right next to it! He was so close to the fire, I’m surprised he didn’t burn his butt.

The kid made such a nasty mess! He stunk to high hell and had poop all over him and his clothes. We kept asking him, why the heck didn’t you at least move out into the weeds a bit instead of going right next to the fire where we were sitting and eating? He said, “I didn’t have time!”

I have many campfire memories; including those of when I was a youngster backpacking with Dad. So, maybe I’ll have to write a series of Campfire Memories. In the meantime, here’s a post you may have missed: That Tangled Line

The Good Guys

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Earlier today I was going through some old papers of mine. I ran across a folder of what contained my writings of many years ago. (Most of which I’d probably never share here because I cringed reading them!) I did, however, find a story my daughter made up when she was very small. I say ‘made up’ because I actually took pen to paper for her as she told me her story. I believe she was just 5 or 6 years old at the time.

It brought a tear to my eye as I read it, but not because it was a sad story. In fact, it wasn’t the story at all. It was the memory of hearing her tell me the story. I absolutely loved being a mom and I did my very best to be a better mom to my kids than my mom was to my sisters and me. She wasn’t a horrid person or anything, but I really have no fond memories of bedtime stories, games, playtime, etc., with her. Most of my memories of those things (and more) were with my Dad. I just think some people were not meant to be parents and I think Mom may have been one of those people.

My mom’s mother was a single mom and she worked in a bar/restaurant. She spent much of her free time at that bar instead of spending time with her children. My mom didn’t have a good role model to teach her how to be a mom. Simple as that. I, on the other hand, had aunts, moms of my friends, and teachers who were great role models. I watched them as they played their roles and I wanted to be like them. I’d like to think they played a huge roll in the kind of parent I turned out to be.

I miss the days when my kids and I had our fun times together. Alas, kids grow up and moms grow older. I’m glad I have my memories! On to my daughter’s story….. I wonder if she remembers this!

The Good Guys

Once upon a time, there was an alligator and an elephant. The alligator’s name was Princess and the elephant’s name was Big El. Princess and Big El have a friend called Mingro Fish. Mingro Fish is the shark’s best friend. The shark’s name is Tiger and he is 7 years old. The momma shark’s name is Three. There is a baby seal and her name is Four. All these animals are good friends and they are nice to each other.

The Cowboys and Indians must be nice because they don’t have guns. The Cowboys and Indians ride horses and they are friends with Princess, Big El, Tiger, Three, and Four. The friends eat sandwiches with meat and cheese and bread with no mayonnaise when it’s dinner time and they stay out of the kitchen. They have to stay out of the kitchen until Three says it’s time to eat.

After dinner, they brush their teeth and their hair. Then they put their pajamas on and they change their panties. They put their dirty clothes in the hamper because that’s where they belong. And then they go off to bed. They don’t cry and they don’t argue because they’re not supposed to.

The End