Patty and I went out to sit by Tommy’s Pond this morning. Memories galore! All four seasons’ worth. Here we skated, sledded, fished, and tried to catch frogs. It was a big part of my childhood. I caught a newt here once–wow! I can’t decide which season was my favorite, at Tommy’s Pond. Just watching the little pumpkinseed sunfish guarding their nests was a treat.
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There was a steep, narrow valley near my parent’s home, which we called “The Woods”. The terrain made it unsuitable for development, so most of this land remains undeveloped to this day. There was a small pond at one end of it, most likely fed from runoff of the road that formed the northern boundary of the woods. It was nothing special, but it sure was nice to have it as a source of interest and inspiration.
I try to visit the area, from time to time, and during my most recent visit, I was happy to see that The Woods were pretty much the same as they had been in my childhood days. It would be almost impossible to develop that land. By any technology I could imagine, the cost to level it would be extreme, not to mention the impact such a thing would have on the natural drainage of the area, so I imagine that The Woods will outlast me, hopefully unmolested and it’s unique micro ecology will persist.
What I remember best were the summers around the time I was 10-12 years old. I would roam these woods, on foot, several times per week. It was a short trek from my parent’s home, less than 1/2 mile, and I can think of worse activities for a boy than a nature hike to a nearby destination that was both safe and incredibly beautiful. I spent many harmless hours, just hanging out there as a child, and I doubt that anyone ever took note of my presence. I wonder if the children living in that neighborhood today can visit The Woods with the same degree of freedom as I enjoyed, 55-60 years ago.
We had The Woods (yes, we called it that) practically at our back door when I was a boy. I spent a great deal of time there. But of course most of it is gone now–bulldozed over by Democrats.
Fortunately, this particular woods is in a fairly tight little valley with a significant drainage channel running down the center. I’m not expert in civil engineering, but from what I can reckon, it would be all but impossible to develop. Even if you filled it in and leveled it, the loss of drainage would create a lake, precisely on a road which is fairly well traveled. So my “The Woods” is probably safe to time immemorial.
One of my favorite memories is about my late uncle, my mom’s brother. Once, a while before he died, he visited us. He stayed at our house all day. It was very nice. I remember I had just been given a chessboard, and I didn’t know how to play. He asked me, “Shall we play a game?” I said I would love to, but I didn’t know how to play chess. “Why, I’ll teach you,” he replied. So with great patience, he taught me how to play, taught me about each piece, and taught me about his own strategies. I remember I played with him all afternoon, and even though he was so skilled, he let me win. Then I remember how we sat at the table to have a delicious afternoon coffee with cheese bread that my mom had prepared. This was one of the last times he came to our house, and I will never forget it. I learned to play chess because of him.
Oh, that’s nice! I learned from other kids, and then I taught my mother and my father.
How cool, Mr. Duigon! I also taught my father!
I taught my wife, and one day she beat me twice in a road. It wasn’t planned to happen.
Wow!!! This shows what a great teacher you are!
Mousekin Remembrance – Back in the summer of 1958 I remember a beautiful starry night in mid-summer when my daddy pulled out his inexpensive telescope to look at the night sky. He was an avid amateur astronomer and always enjoyed viewing the Upper Michigan sky at night. Perched on a kitchen chair, I peered through the telescope lens while he explained what I was seeing. Then, while he adjusted the lens for the next viewing, I flitted around the grassy yard in my pajamas pretending to be a fairy princess. It was a delicious night filled with stars, singing crickets and the feel of cool grass under my bare feet. But, best of all, my daddy shared what he loved with his little girl. And, to this day, every night sky I view reminds me of him.