I am from lanyard bracelets and friendship pins, from Pitfall and tins of Kraft mac-and-cheese.
I am from doo wop on the record player, Johnny Mathis crooning while the tinsel twinkled on the Christmas tree.
I am from the buzzing of cicadas during after-supper kickball games in the street, the lightning bugs at dusk while we hop fences playing Ring-a-levio.
I am from Easter brunch golf cart rides and squishy locker room floors at the pool, from dad’s plaid pants in the Corvette going to Saturday soccer games, and mom’s curly lamb chops hidden in napkins under the lip of our plates.
I am from thighs sticking to Nana’s vinyl car seats on the way to get Fribbles at Friendly’s on a hot summer day, from shag carpets and wood panelling while watching the Dark Crystal.
I am from Sunday School hymns, dried palms and unopened Bibles.
From stockinged feet in patent leather shoes in the backseat of a brown station wagon, eating Charleston Chews and sprinkled cookies while returning from church.
I’m from Long Island beaches and heaping piles of pastrami.
From tickets, golden rings and carousels at Nunley’s, and afternoon bike-riding adventures.
I’m from boat shoes with curly laces at field hockey games on blue-skied, crisp, autumn days. From soccer balls and trophies and freshly shorn fields.
I’m from sparklers and Barbies and sticker books and Keds.
I’m from home.
*******************
This was a writing meme that was inspired by other bloggers this past summer, and the original source can be found here.
Nunley’s! Hey Stoop – where, besides Pastrami Hills, did you grow up? I’m from Bellmore – Gogo
Not only did I grow up in Baldwin, but my parents did also! I had the same 4th grade teacher as my dad, and my folks were high school sweethearts. Even more lame? I married someone from Baldwin, also. From elementary school. *hork*
Nunley’s was the greatest place ever. Besides growing up there, I worked there for 3 summers or so in hs/college: running all the rides (except the coaster and carousel- those were boys only for some stupid reason), the ticket booth and the golf shack. Most fun summer job EVER, especially when you’re one of the only 3 or 4 girls to work at the whole place.
I have some awesome (and a bit blurry) memories of Nunley’s. Def some great birthday parties until it was all about roller skating. Do you have pics of Nunley’s? So it looks like your daughter’s future mate is lurking somewhere around Baldwin – can’t break the chain!
5th page of photos, 2nd row. I’m running the boat ride wearing an AMAZING Looney Tunes shirt and a ton of hair. Also, not paying a speck of attention to the children on the ride.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2209441964&v=photos
Thanks for sharing the pics – and awesome LI hair!
Holy shit! Nunley’s was my jam! Amongst my friends, I was the only one who was not totally afraid of the roller coaster, so that was my claim to fame for awhile. I can’t believe you worked there!? Amazing.
I love this. Who you are is so lovely.
You’re so sweet. Thank you! OOX
I think I love you even more. Beautiful and reminded me of childhood.
“boat shoes with curly laces” this this this. Were yours Bass?
Of COURSE they were Bass!! …and your laces had to be curled just right. 🙂
They turned all of my slouch socks (and bare feet) orange! Took forever to get the shoes the right tightness and the curls even ;D
This is lovely. My Husband is from LI and I was a Keds girl. 6 degrees of separation…
Love this!
I had to laugh at your “self indulgence” tag though. That’s most of blogging, isn’t it? 😉
This paint such a lovely and vivid picture. I can see it in my head!
Beautiful! It really gives the reader a great picture of you without revealing too much!
This is gorgeous.