Monday, April 5, 2010

THE BIGGEST BLIZZARD...PART FIVE



 I  looked out the window at the frozen corn stalks in the empty fields.  The old red barns.  The white clapboard farmhouses.   The grey silos.   All of the things that formed the images of my youth.  The cows in the fields, marching like soldiers in a line to the feeding troughs.   The long, lonely country roads, in the summer filled with wildflowers and birds and bees.   These are the things I will think of.  What will California be like.  Will there be fields, wildlife, blue skys... or will be it smoggy and busy and crowded.  I was used to the soft, gentle ways of the country... the smells of the new mown hay...clover...Lake Michigan always dominating the landscape for as far as the eye could see.  And the smell of that Lake always in the air.   That slight fishy smell.  not unpleasant.  not overbearing.  just enough to let you know that it was there, will always be there..... and in the summer its gentle waves and soft sandy beaches welcoming you and its chilly water cooling you down in the hot, humid midwestern summer... And what about the autumn?  The big elms and chestnut trees turning from green to bright orange, blazing in the sun.  Alive with color.  everywhere you looked.  The entire rolling hills of the countryside...Blazingly Beautiful. And the smell  of those leaves as they layed on the ground mingling with the soft rain, the gentle decaying of those leaves to feed the very ground that they layed upon.  Running through thoses leaves, shuffling them with your feet as you walked to school..Jumping, throwing, playing in those leaves....massive  piles of them that people burned.  the smell of that burning in the autumn...Your senses were alive in these seasons.  Always changing never remaining the same... and oh, the buds, the tiny green orbs protruding from those trees in Spring... the bursting from the ground tiny green shoots...Lily of the Valley...Lilacs...Peonies...and the smell of those flowers.  Burying your face in those lilacs bushes that grew by the swing that dad built for us..oh and those tiny wild strawberrries that grew wild in the fields near grandma's house.  And we'd go and pick those in the field behind her house...be careful of the old wells!!  little children fell into those old abandoned farm wells...grab the little girls hand and don't let her out of your sight... and then bringing those berries back to grandma as she was already baking those shortbreads, surrounded by dozens of screaming, happy cousins. The more the merrier!  She never seemed to mind, never shouted at as, never seemed cross...always cooking for a mob of aunts and uncles and cousins...Surrounded by family.  My dad's family...Grandma being the rock of that family and one of the women in my childhood who let me know that somewhere , someone was normal.   That normal was rosebushes, and amazing cooking and laughter...and love...And that Grandma who lived in the northern woods of Wisconsin farmland had that love and gave that love away and didn't hold it back.   and showed the little girl that it could exsist...its just too bad she lived so far away.  Maybe if that love and stability were closer to the little girl things might have been different.  And I thought of her and those memories of happier childhood days and I wondered would I ever see her again?
Would I get a hug in her ample apron covered bosom ever again...and that car that I was in that was driven by a stranger  was taking me farther and farther away from all those things that I knew.  Taking me to things unknown.  For better or worse...

27 comments:

Mise said...

The soundtrack to this story would make fine listening. You left a good place at the right time, right?

jeanette from everton terrace said...

I grew up here in the southwest but now I can imagine what it was like there. I like the idea of shuffling through leaves as I walk. I really like this one..."the smell of those leaves as they layed on the ground mingling with the soft rain", I can almost smell it. Nice post Cynthia. Happy Monday.

Fire Byrd said...

What fantastic descriptive writing. I was transported from a cold Monday in northern England to the shore of thelake and a quick peek at the seasons... lovely
xx

Chris said...

Beautiful description of the midwest...my Mom grew up in Indiana. She mourns that none of us five children got to experience a "real" fall growing up in California~~Thanks for sharing.

debra@dustjacket said...

Bought back memories of growing up on a farm, I love the smell of autumn leaves in the rain. Loved the descriptions of the area and your grandma.
xoxo

Just Be Real said...

Beatnheart, powerful words put down. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.

Paula said...

Thanks to you I get a glimpse of the MidWest of the USA. Love and peace

Riki Schumacher said...

What a beautifully written story, love the descriptions! I can smell those lilacs. I grew up in Kansas, so know these visuals well. Thanks for the info on my sewing machine endeavor. Bought one, got a kind of fancy one, and love it. Now I just need to get a pile of goodies and pieces to sew. Fun, fun, fun. Take care, keep playing that uke! Hugs, Riki

Ange said...

Hey there Beatin' Heart!

Sounds like a beautiful place you left there. Grandmas are great aren't they? You know, you have me hanging on the edge of my seat to find out the rest...

If you ever have time to go see the website - go back and click on the door in my post. It's a portal to another world ;-)
I have looked forever myself and can't find an email address for you
Hugs
A
xx

Anne Lorys said...

The word pictures you are creating are so remarkably vivid. Just wonderful and a pleasure to read!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Anne

Riki Schumacher said...

I know what you mean about those little critters all bound up, they don't look too panicked, but still, I wouldn't do that to them! Thanks for the kind words about my article. It was fun to get published. Take care, Riki

Pooch Purple Reign said...

hi cynthia
sounds like ontario seasons!...
great memories
~laura

Anonymous said...

Good grandmas rock! Mine was the best and saw me though troubled times. Love your writing.

Rosemary said...

Being in California my whole life, I have no idea.
Thanks for your visit! I'm thinking Rose Bowl too!
Rosemary

Elaine Prunty said...

cynthia, i feel terrible i haven't been to visit you in ages, truth is i haven't had the time to set aside to have a good auld read and i'm a bit ocd about reading in chronilogical order and i'm already an episode or two behind
....as arnie says ..... i'll be back.... ....

Paula said...

Passign by to show some love. Keep you in my thoughts.

Just Be Real said...

Dropping by once again. Blessings.

jeanette from everton terrace said...

I already commented once but I just re-read your post this morning (came by to say welcome back to blog I had missed you) and it's such a descriptive piece of writing. I'm going to be in Wisconsin/Chicago at the end of the month and I believe I will be thinking of you as we drive through the countryside...

Riki Schumacher said...

No, the class is not full this weekend. We had three cancellations earlier, so that leaves some spots open. There are a couple coming from S. Cal to the class. If you're interested, would LOVE to have you. Thanks Cynthia. Let me know and maybe we can put you guys together for future classes? Take care, hugs, Riki

nostalgia*gal said...

Huge hug along with a bigger thank you for your kinds words about my Airstream.
BUT...I cannot hold a candle to your haunting writing. You really have a gift!

Now you might have a huge sigh of exasperation at me. I keep asking for your personal email address and you have sent it to me...my too fast delete fingers in cleaning my emails out must of deleted it. Huge unhappy face here.
I looked 4 times today through hundreds of emails and could not find the one you sent. Please forgive this old hippy.
As I want to email you about your question:
What are my chances of getting the address of the guy who makes those letters

Plus I must help you with setting up your email address (the where) so others can just email you as I see someone else looking also.

Weekend sales to hit this weekend..out by 4am might take me a tid to get back to you.
Cheers, hugs and blessings!
cindykay

koralee said...

Your writing is amazing...I so love coming over to visit you.

Thank you so so much for your caring comments concerning my daughter's migraines...your words were comforting..and yes I did get so much wonderful advice..what a blessing. Hugs to you my friend. xo

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Transported to another place and time and it feels familiar.

Laura said...

I seem to have developed tendonitis or some kind of over use injury in my left wrist and hand...making typing painful for me...so I might not be blogging as much for a while... this includes commenting on your amazingly inspiring blog. (this is kind of a form message I've typed and am copying and pasting at all my customary blog hangouts. But I can still read your posts- I will be present to you in a quiet way-reading and viewing your words and images, and leaving a simple ☺
to let you know I have dropped by and am thinking about you.

Gentle steps,
Laura

Midwest to Midlands said...

Hi again. To answer your question from a while ago (oops, sorry) I live near Birmingham. So your husband is from Coventry, I have a meeting there on Thursday. And you from the Midwest yet you both improved your weather conditions in sunny CA. Talk to ya later!

Beatnheart said...

I'm taking a writers sabbatical till Monday...Thank you all for your wonderful comments...What a bunch of pals!! I have never in my life received so much support and love .. You guys are my dream posse and I luv ya to bits... from the bottom of my beatnheart...CynthIa

Cindy Kay!! from Nostagia Gal...Wow many thanks for all your help... Go visit her amazing blog with the best stuff...wait till you see her airstream trailer.....cw

Julie@beingRUBY said...

another wonderful instalment
sorry i haven't been over much.. not been anywhere much... got to get back in the swing of it.... glad to see others enjoying your blog.. xx Julie

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Thanks so much for your sweet birthday wishes! I had a lovely one this year.

I'm so enjoying your story!!

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