Ah… blogging just to blog. After an obligatory run of giveaways (more to come) it feels nice to just unwind with a chillin’ post. Which brings me to the title: The Sights, Sounds and Smells of Summer.
Last week, the whole family went out for a late afternoon stroll. Pulling the little guys in their wagon, we traipsed through the neighbourhood, basking in the warm summer day. As we turned on to a parallel street, I heard the faint sound of ethnic music drifting through an open window. Immediately, I was filled with nostalgia… but couldn’t nail down the exact memory.
We continued down the block, and within moments I felt yet another throwback to my youth: the pungent scent of Middle Eastern food wafting through a screen door.
And then it hit me: air conditioning killed the sights, sounds and smells of summer.
I began thinking back to my childhood; of my neighbours, who always had every window open and a constant stream of Portuguese folk songs bellowing a happy tune. Of the college kid around the corner who spent all summer in his open garage, working on his motorcycle (I may have had a tiny crush). I remembered the elderly lady across the street, who unfailingly greeted Saturday morning with a spicy curry you could smell for miles. And of people – friends, strangers, children of all ages – lounging on their balconies or the front porch. Kids circling the driveway on bicycles, skipping with one end of the rope tied to a railing. And all just to catch a hint of cool breeze… because the thought of staying in a sticky, hot, sweltering house was just not an option.
But that day, walking down that street… you’d think every single home was unoccupied. Doors and windows closed tight, not allowing one inch of precious bought-air to escape. The eerie quiet of citizens locked inside, with only the hum of air conditioners heard every few paces. The sun beating down on the back of my neck was the only factor that tied my childhood to the present.
This post put an instant smile on my face.First of all, that pic is absolutely adorable!!! Love the green romper…I miss rompers!Nothing gets me in a summer mood more than having my senses alerted with children laughing, bbq's smoking and bees & butterflies in the air.I remember as a child, playing outside and EVERYONE was there. Kids and parents, playing and working. Having street parties that started at noon and went late into the night. Neighbours helping each other with gardening or other outside chores. In my old neighbourhood, we were often the only people out walking with the boys, morning or evening. The new neighbourhood is much better, much more family oriented. But it still doesn't match what I experienced as a child.I will continue to go against the grain, opting for a morning of water toy play in the backyard (followed by a light lunch at the picnic table – the boys LOVE it!) and sidewalk chalk drawing in the evening, over tv/wii/movies inside. I want my boys to experience what I did, and learn to appreciate the beautiful summers that Canada has to offer :)
omg, I love this! It rings so true. I always think how sad (in a way) it is that my boy will not get to experience summer the way we did as kids…classic, raw, outdoor fun! I'm sure he'll enjoy his youth as well and make his own memories. It's just a different age/generation, I suppose!Love the green polka-dot romper, lol!Anyway, off to take my kid to enjoy this beautiful day — at Square One…sigh. LoL
Very true; however, I adore my air conditioning for the sheer fact that it allows me to sleep at night. I remember as a kid, not having any ac on, and not being able to sleep because if you moved, you sweated. Ick. I don't miss that.
In this picture Ryder looks just like you here.
Great post!
How cute are you!!
OMG so cute! I love your romper- you were styling even as a youngin:) xo
LOVE IT!!!!I agree with Dannyscotland in regards to A/C…we didn't have A/C till I was 17 years old!! It was torture in our house – we avoided the 2nd floor during the summers, ha ha. However, I DO miss how everyone used to be outside all the time. Do you remember riding your bike for HOURS and being told to be home before dark? Now, are any kids allowed to disappear for hours on their bikes??
Aww so cute! Yes, and you are so right. Staying up in the Summer playing hide & Seek till 11 (mind you this was before my teens) and no worries in the world. Just don't see kids playing on the street anymore.
That romper is FAB – does it come in a woman's size 8? :)
@Shauna – so happy to see that you go against the great and promote outdoor family time! Your children are very lucky!@LizaDee – you said it: classic, raw. outdoor fun. Love it.@dannyscotland – ha! I don't miss that either, but somehow when I think back, it doesn't seem that bad :)@Anon – really? Sweet! Hmm, I'll have to look closer…@Rachel/~she~/Lotus – thank you!@silverbullet – biking for HOURS is one of my greatest memories. Sigh.@BeautyParler – street play is officially over :(@Amanda – LOL, my mom made it, so I'll see if she can facilitate a custom order ;)
That picture is too cute for words! Love the romper you were a stylish kid for sure :)
The little green jumper is adorable :).
The picture is SO CUTE and SO RETRO…LOVE IT!!! :-DIt's funny how somethings never change…I just bought Milena a few of rompers…cute AND practical!! :-DI miss playing outside with my sister, cousins and all the other kids on our street until our parents threatened us inside!!! Those were the days…popsicles and sprinklers! Takes me back to a simpler, funner time! Thanks for the way back, throw back Lena! :-D
What an awesome picture! Too cute!! Ah, yes the good old days. Rubex Cube and I always talk about how we hope our future kids will be able to have at least half the fun we did when growing up. We want them to play outside until it's dark, ride their bikes endlessly, stopping at the local convenience store to pick up way too much candy, and splash through sprinklers. Double dutch, hopscotch, marbles…ah, the list goes on and on. I also plan on ensuring they complete a couple of pages of English/math homework during the summer, before being allowed to have fun for the rest of the day. However,I suppose I should probably work on getting married before stating all these goals I have for my future kids. :D
I was JUST thinking about this the other day. We used to have block parties, and now we hardly know the neighbors. Times change, people are too busy to notice that life is passing by. Stop and smell the air!!Love LOVE this post, Lena!Hugs!!btw- you rock the pokadots!!:)
@Rubex Cube & nicolthepickle – thank you!@Josie.K. – I plan to make this summer all about popsicles and sprinklers!@Rakhstar – "I also plan on ensuring they complete a couple of pages of English/math homework during the summer, before being allowed to have fun for the rest of the day."… spoken like a true teacher!@Tammi – so happy to see we think the same :)