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| Mom |
Usually, the first thing we kids in the Stringam home heard
in the morning was the kitchen radio.
On a country channel.
This was followed almost immediately by the sound of pots
and pans.
And . . . cooking.
We instantly knew that Mom was awake and had taken up her
front-line position before the stove.
Good food was imminent.
Even now, fifty-some years later, the sound of a radio in
the early morning means good food.
Though I may have to be the one making it.
But I digress . . .
Mom’s radio played throughout much of the day. If it got
switched off, her country records would take up our air waves.
I loved it.
Have you ever noticed that much of the old-time country
music has a certain . . . beat?
A slow, bomp-ba-dum-dum,
bomp-ba-dum-dum beat?
Well it did.
And whenever it came on, I would pretend I was riding a
horse.
Across the ‘lone prairie’ of the living room.
The beat was perfect.
I could keep this up for hours.
Or as long as the song lasted.
My favourite was Dale Evans’ song ‘Happy Trails’, sung by
Roy Rogers.
I would ride my horse and sing at the top of my voice, “Happy
trails to you! Until we meet again. Happy trails to you! Keep smiling until
then.”
And, somehow, that song and my Mom became synonymous with
each other.
Moving forward many, many years . . .
My Husby and I were in Jasper National Park here in Alberta.
He was attending a conference.
I was . . . doing
other stuff.
Part of my day included a long, lovely swim in the huge
pool.
I know, life is tough.
I had finished my laps and was simply lying back in the
water, looking up at the perfect eggshell-blue sky and smelling the scent of
pine in the fresh air.
A group of men were doing some work on the roof of the great
main building next to me.
The sound of saws and hammering quit for an instant.
And an exquisite (can I use that word here?) male voice
floated down to me. “Happy Trails to you! Until we meet again.”
He was simply singing while he worked.
I wonder if he noticed the woman in the pool below him.
Crying.
Oh, Diane ... I am sniffling along with you ... music can take you there in a heartbeat ...
ReplyDeleteSuch sweet memories . . .
DeleteInteresting how Roy Rogers has stayed with so many of us through the years. I still occaisionaly watch some episodes on Netflix.
ReplyDeleteI regards to the beat of music, back when I lived in a house at the head of a T. I used to hear the pop-poppa, pop-poppa sound growing closer until I was sure it was on my front lawn. I'd look out to see another kid with a $5K sound system with a $200 rust bucket wrapped around it, turning the corner.
That always astounds me! I can't believe they can still hear!
DeleteA little perfect moment. They happen sometimes.
ReplyDeleteAnd must be treasured!
DeleteRemember Tumblin Tumbleweeds? The old stuff did have a clip clop type of beat didn't it?
ReplyDeleteOh, I do remember that song! "Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds."
DeleteWhat a beautiful experience! How moving!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Christina!
DeleteMy first time here from the Twisted Mixtape hop and I love your blog! Very nice. Such great memories and you know, I play the radio or some sort of music around the house all the time and I've always hoped that it would make an impression on my kids and that someday they'd remember it fondly. My mom used to listen to her records on a big old record player/radio. It was a piece of furniture and the radio crackled as Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass bursted forth from its speakers.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom also love Herb Albert!! Tijuana Taxi?! Oh, the memories!
Deletei love your posts so much. So beautiful. I always think of Late in the Evening, by Paul Simon when I think of radios playing. I wish my mom loved music as much as me and my dad did. This is such a lovely memory!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how music can bring it all back? Thanks so much, Jen!
DeleteI grew up in a household where Country was King! My dad used to wake up at the wee hours of the morning and he would play the local country music station so I woke up to country and went to bed to country! I lived and breathed country...so I can relate to your blog post!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from the Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday Blog Hop!
I'm so happy that I can help trigger a memory! Thank you!
DeleteWanted to Honeymoon in Alberta but couldn't afford it at the time. I have a kitchen radio (though it is normally tuned to NPR!). My grandpa always had the radio on, and so do I. Songs can really take me back too, which is one of the reasons I am trying to find new music for new memories with my own children.
ReplyDeletevisiting through Twisted Tuesday Link-Up
Make those memories! :)
DeleteI grew up watching Roy and Dale's TV show. When Roy said, "I gotta an idea..." we knew that all would end well. Such good memories.
ReplyDeleteMy mom listened to the radio non-stop all day. The dial moved though, from music to local up-dates on who died that day, to soap operas, and Arthur Godfrey. Good stuff.