I'm listening to a bonfire. It's a dandy replication of the sounds of a bonfire. I've always loved burning wood...the whole experience...the sight, smell, sounds, warmth...the taste of marshmallow burnt just right gooey inside crisp outside like a good crème brûlée, it just now occurs to me.
One of the most fun things our mother did was take us on a winter picnic. Chicken pot pies in thermoses, and hot chocolate. We'd go to NayAug park and be practically the only people there--my brother Joe, our Mom, and me. It was a summer park, not a winter park.
My mother was creative that way. We made it a winter park.
We had a blast in the snow-covered park, doing what all I can't remember. I wonder if the animals were there in the zoo--I don't remember. research that.
I do remember the wonderful warmth and tantalizing smell emanating from the thermoses. How hungry we were after romping in the snow... how good the hot chocolate tasted.
We didn't light a fire. Didn't need it. All our warmth was imported from home.
But somehow this memory got tumbled in with the memories of bonfires past.
There were bonfires at weiner roasts at summer camp at Spojnia Farm. How to pronounce it? the "j" is a soft "y" sound in polish...there's not an exact English equivalant... Somewhere between an "o" and a "u"...spooo-nyah
My parents weren't campers. They didn't do fire for fun. I learned that later...what fun could be had round a bonfire. or any wood fire. The substitutes like gas fireplaces that look like wood fire are anemic -- a fire is not a fire without GREAT SNAPS crackles pops...falling wood...wafts of smoke burning your eyes and seasoning your clothes. Yes it's messy.
But like great sex, it's worth the mess.
Oh damn my grandmother was some wicked efficient housekeeper. She did it for a living in Philadelphia when she first came over from Poland as a girl so maybe it was ingrained. Babci would have a meltdown if she saw the state I keep my trailer in. But her house was clean. Always. Not pristine, no, our grandfather smoked hand-rolled cigarettes and spat bits of tobacco here and there. It was comfortable. You could make a mess but you'd better clean it up.
Odd memories...I stayed overnight and had some 24 hour stomach flu...I couldn't make it to the toilet and she scolded me--hold it until you get to the toilet. I was 7 maybe sick as a dog...I had to throw up it was beyond my control. I did make a mad dash for the bathroom. A MEMOEY later
there was the fire i fell into, drunk. Backwards down right into the middle of the fire. I leapt back out...no damage done. I didn't get why my friends were making such a fuss.
I've had my run-ins with fire.
I like the Mockingjay series. I love the girl on fire. I have the trilogy on my Kindle. I like the movies too. Katniss...Katniss...I was planning to name a cat Katniss...haven't gotten around to it. Maybe next cat.
I have 5 now. Four my own and a foster kitten. I never had children. I knew I'd screw them up so I decided very young I would not have them. I have cats.
well, this was supposed to be a lighthearted memory of winter picnics with our mommy. I hope I captured that. I can do light I just can't stay there very long. Not yet, anyway
Working on it.
Meow
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