The
warmth of summer has yet to settle here. Seems like as soon as we
develop a little heat, a system moves through and we’re cool again. I’m still
wearing my winter robe of an evening while Mike covers up with a fleece throw.
And in the middle of the night, we pulled on a second warm blanket.
But
– it’s a lovely day, really, and I’m reminiscing
over picnics past, those of my childhood, and they were
delightful. I’m talking about backyard picnics where everyone contributed
something to the meal. Sister Harriet said they happened frequently back in the
day, and she would know. By the time I came along, these impromptu picnics barely had ten years to go, though no one thought of it that way, I'm sure.
The backyard picnic wasn’t too hard on the hostess. A lot of preparation
wasn’t necessary. Well, okay – we had to carry out tables and chairs, lawn
blankets, and perhaps a chaise or two, but that wasn’t so hard, was it?
As
for the food, very little coordination went into it. No one worried about a
balanced meal, or even if two pots of baked beans appeared on the table. We knew
we could count on Psyche to bring her fruit salad and on Lolita for great fried
chicken. And everyone contributed from his garden. I remember sliced tomatoes,
cucumbers, and green onions. There was plenty of food. And we always had potato
chips. My favorite! In fact, the only time we had potato chips was at a summer
picnic. Remember Nalley’s Potato Chips? (Remember Nalley’s?) Was there soda pop,
you ask. No, just ice water, iced tea, and a pitcher of lemonade. (Keep refilling
those ice cube trays!)
Of
course, it isn’t a picnic without a chocolate cake, so yesterday I made one in
memory of those old-time gatherings.
And
then there was lots of great visiting – even until the sun went down. I remember
the time that one of those outdoor chairs dumped Ebba over backwards.
Thankfully she wasn’t hurt, and she was the first to burst out laughing. The men gathered round and set
her and the chair to rights.
Well,
that was the ‘50s. So, what happened? You can blame television if you want, but
change is just inevitable. The old people got older and began to disappear. The
young people got married and also disappeared, in a way. You can only depend on
a group dynamic to last so long. And then you just can’t get it back the way it
was.
But
– the memories are priceless. KW
4 comments:
Those are great memories, and I remember them well. Sometimes in Orofino and sometimes on the farm. Wherever, we all had a good time. Except for the occasional chair upset, I don't remember anyone getting hurt at those outings. Have a Happy Fourth of July 2019.
It was never too much trouble to eat outside, it seems, and I don't remember flies and yellowjackets and the things I find prohibitive today. But then, I was a kid and happily unaware of the downside, if there was one.
Hmm, I'm trying to remember if we had 4th of July picnics, and I can't remember any in town. At Canyon it was often just a regular work day for Dad and I'm guessing we just had a regular dinner. Actually, I don't remember many picnics growing up. Yours sound fun. And yummy.
I think this was a tradition that began with my Portfors grandparents and their friends. My folks came in on it, and then as the group grew older, they took over the hosting. I don't remember a picnic in anyone else's yard, but Harriet said she did.
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