The Good Ole Summer Time
Driving home from Dominick’s grocery store the other day I saw a group of enthusiastic kids jumping up and down on the sidewalk in front of their lemonade stand. It took me back in time. I recall the makeshift cardboard lemonade stands of past and thinking we could make a fortune. In reality we barely made enough to buy a handful of Pixie Sticks at the local Stop & Go. Years later, Hank and my niece Courtney crafted their own while we lived outside the East Bay area of San Francisco. Our house was located at the very edge of a dead end street. I think they might have sold enough cups to buy a few Pokémon cards.
Hank and his cousin, Courtney in California….Lemonade anyone?
Funny how such a visual can instantly take you back. Oh…. the good ole summer time. I have fond memories with my older brother Tom and younger sister, Laura. We grew up a couple of blocks from Galveston Bay in Texas. The Houston Yacht Club (HYC) was our playground. We called ourselves “The Three Investigators.” We spent hours there swimming, climbing over the rocks on the jetty that served as the bulkhead around the harbor and sailing the Sunfish during the week. Friday evenings were my favorite before a race regatta weekend. Dad would haul the Ensign out and scrub the bottom of the hull while we went swimming. Mom packed the rattan picnic basket filled with homemade crispy, golden fried chicken.
The igloo cooler (with Dad’s signature marker initials “TAR”) would be chilling Mom’s potato salad the absolute best along with a sundry of Shasta soda pops. Mom would take us to Kroger and we would each pick out our favorite flavors (10 cans for one dollar!) Strawberry and black cherry were my favorite flavors. Laura would always choose grape and the cola while Tom always picked the odd flavors like root beer and cream soda.
Our summers by the bay:
Dad getting the boat in ship shape for race day
Mini me in 1968, with my sibs in the background….
Looking back, I am not sure if anything stands out in Nick’s mind. But he does like looking at photographs from the past. Nick has Down syndrome and autism. This week, I wanted to share a slice of our summer activities over the years. Here is a photo tour of our summer fun:
Sandbox fun in Texas…..
Pool time… Nick messing with his brother, Hank…
Cooling off on the deck..
At Monterey a great coastline…..Yes it’s summer but it can be chilly in Northern California….
Tailgating at Sox Game…
Riding the train into Chicago with Uncle Tom….”Yay, double thumbs up!”
Our boys also got a chance to spend time down at HYC. It was nice to share my childhood playground with the both of them. Here is Nick with Paw Paw (my Dad)……
Nick behind the ships wheel, no worries we were dockside here.
Hank and his cousin, Sam taking in Half Moon Bay in California
Hank flying a kite at Hilton Head Island with his Dad and Grandpa Jim. Nick’s playing in the sand to the right…..
Most recently, we have been going to a new spot. An island strip called the Outer Banks (OBX) located in North Carolina. We rent a house in the town called, Duck. There is a peacefulness and charm to this area and the Duck Fire Department is very accomadating.
Siren testing, Nick is loving it…..
We get together with Ron and Ali, (Nick’s aunt and uncle) along with their kids Anna and Sam. At OBX we are on beach time, very chill. We turn the knob to “Bob” our favorite radio station and let the music take us back in time while the waves wash away all worries.
Hank, Sam and Nick chilling on the beach in OBX….
Pool time at OBX….. Nick says, Life is good!
Hope you enjoyed a slice of the good ole summertime. That’s what’s in my noggin this week. Time to slather on the sunscreen, blow up the beach balls, spit some watermelon seeds and enjoy the fireflies dancing in the evening sky….. Looking forward to visiting a new coastline in Oregon for a family reunion and another trip to the OBX! Until next Monday, I hope your summer memories are sunny, warm and relaxing.
Cheers!
~Teresa
Down Syndrome with a Slice of Autism 
Awesome way to incapsulate so many wonderful summer memories! Here’s to many more Nick and T!
Cheers to many more with some bubbles on the beach, Ali! 😉
I enjoyed your summertime reminiscences, esp. of Galveston Bay. I will think of you as I ride the ferry, my favorite part.
Joleene, are you heading to Galveston this summer? Yes the ferry ride is cool isn’t it? By the way the seawall is vibrant now with new businesses and resturaunts built back since the hurricane, lots to do…enjoy! 🙂
TJ, We have been at Norma’s beach house since early May and will return to Mo in late June. The Seawall has a new attraction: The Pleasure Pier, a new amusement park built on the pier where the Flagship Hotel used to be. It is designed to attract more tourist.
Okay, so this one brought tears to my eyes!!! Reminded me so much of the fun we used to have growing up!! I love reading your blogs, they always perk up my day and I learn something each time!! Terry/Teresa…you are an awesome Mom!! xoxoxo
Susie, we have so many great times and memories together growing up. You were my first friend and I treasure those times together! 🙂
Great memories Teresa! We always thought we’d make SO much on those lemonade stands, didn’t we? 😉 happy summer to you!
Right Erica, it’s a right of passage those lemonade stands. Thanks for reading my dear! 🙂
Teresa – love reading & seeing all the family pics! I am convinced you and your family can have a blast wherever you are – the beach, London, or just your backyard! You are such a great MOM!
Very honored to be on your amazing blog site. I love reading all the stories about Nick, miss him and you guys all the time! I love the lemonade stand photo, it brings back all the fun from “Camp California” Love you guys!