Saturday, February 14, 2015

~A MEMORY FROM LONG AGO~

Tonight, as I lay warm beneath the covers of my bed.. Neptune (our latest blizzard) is baring down... the wind blows... the snow swirls ...prompting my thoughts to travel back in time..a simpler time...one of a young girl...living on an island....a time when blizzards were a common winter occurrence...there was no weather hype...no mad dash to the grocery store or gas station...living a somewhat isolated island existence...one where the last ferry departed the island at 7pm and would not return till 7 the next morning...  you were prepared...or if by rare chance you were not your neighbor was... with a winter population of perhaps thirty families...the island was a tight knit community... one where neighbors helped neighbors...gratitude came in the way of a baked good...a jar of jam or perhaps a jar of pickles "put up" the previous summer...A blizzard was exciting, weather forecaster's never really knew how much snow we could expect or how hard the wind would gust, but as children, we remained outside constructing snow forts, igloos and snowmen for as long as our parents would allow...boredom was not in our vocabulary... One of my fondest memories as a child is not really a memory at all, but a feeling...with the last ferry long gone...cut off from the outside world...I felt safe... secure..across the water far off in the distance the faint sound of a foghorn...such a calming sound ...a road  crew of three... George, John and Uncle Ronnie... keepers of the night ...plowing roads...keeping us safe as we slept...I can still recall the sound of the old plow truck as it rumbled up the hill  outside my bedroom window...a window which most winter nights  frosted over with the most delightful icy patterns...It was a different time... a simpler time...but one which I will hold in my heart forever...

19 comments:

Julia said...

I remember simpler days like that when a storm was just a storm with no hype and no one ran to the grocery store.

I also remember the frosted single pane windows, the heavy blankets on the bed to keep us warm on cold nights and the little belly stove that would get real hot.

Happy Valentine.
Hugs,
JB

Gail said...

What a wonderful feeling, safety with family.

I miss the good neighbors and visiting.

Stay safe.

Pondside said...

Beautifully written. I have similar memories of a similar time. The hype is just that - hype, whether about the weather or anything else today. It is always the 'worst' or the 'biggest'. Have we lost our ability to just hunker down and get on with getting on?

WoolenSails said...

What a wonderful memory and a simpler time, life is so hectic now, a good snowstorm reminds us to slow down.

Debbie

annie said...

Bless you, Julie!
A lovely memory for a cold blizzard night, praying for you all.

Mary said...

What beautiful memories!!! Oh for a simpler time... Hope you stay safe and warm with your latest snow!

Susan said...

Truly the good of' days! Lovely comforting memories.

bettyj said...

Loved this post

Jacque. said...

Beautiful words telling the story of your memories. Thank you for sharing that. xo

Farm Girl said...

I love when you tell stories of the island. I love how you describe the simplicity of it and the safety you felt.
I also love the pictures of the home you grew up in.
I do think the weathermen go so over board with storms and in a way cause fear. I am so glad you are safe and snug in your home tonight.

ctlogcabin said...

Lovely ... Thanks for sharing.
Sweet Childhood Memories.
Those of us who were raised in a much
Simpler time are Blessed with
Wonderful Memories of Days Gone By.
Keep Warm & Cozy.
Blessings & Hugs ~ Connie xox

Mugwump Woolies said...

Lovely words...and the memories that inspired them....the very definition of "home".
Be safe and warm...spring is coming.
Robyn

Ginny said...

Beauti.ful Julie, as I comment on this, the wind is howling outside, icy windows as I look out on to the Mud Porch. Our bedroom window (north side) frosts over and many wool blankets on the bed, I was even awake as the plow rumbled thru early this morning.

Rugs and Pugs said...

What a sweet post! I loved reading your remembrances.
There is so much hype about an upcoming storm you'd think it never snowed before.
I hope this storm wasn't as bad as predicted.
Stay warm and safe.
Hugs :)
Lauren

Shuttle, Hook and Needle said...

Heartfelt memories. Thanks for sharing them with us. I would like to go back to the simple times of childhood on the farm. Snow storms just meant an extra blanket on the bed, plenty of wood stacked on the porch, a pot of soup and snow cream.
We didn't worry about power going out or the roads being cleared.

Anonymous said...

Sweet memories Julie!

Primitive Stars said...

Awww Julie, wonderful memories along with pictures of such a sweet home. I do enjoy your posts so, comforting like a old worn quilt. Blessings Francine.

Prims By The Water said...

Wonderful memory. What was the name of your island? Janice

Eve said...

I love this place!!