SUMMER

I find it hard to believe that summer is already here. The time moves to quickly and everything always seems so rushed. I would love to be a child again and be able to enjoy summers like I use to.

Back in Illinois growing up we would only have Geraniums in the summer. Living here in Southern California I have the pleasure of seeing them all year long.

I can't believe that on the 11th of June it will be a year since our trip to Europe for three weeks. I don't think there is a day that goes by where I don't dream of going back. It was never my dream to go but it is definitely my dream to go back!

When we were young we would spend a lot of time in Union Pier, Michigan. My grandparents on my fathers side had a summer home there. It wasn't on the beach but we would often walk or drive (not me, that would be my dad who drove. My grandfather didn't drive, my grandmother didn't drive and my mother didn't drive) to the sand dunes nearby. I have fond memories of walking to the bowling alley for ice cream cones. It was the very kind of  old fashioned bowling alley that you could dream up in your mind today. I remember hearing the pins as they fell. We didn't bowl, just stopped for that cone to eat at the counter.

Then is was on to the bestest little store in town. It had a beachy smell and you could hear the sand under your shoes. It was called Kopack's and they carried beach items, t-shirts, lotions and had the best penny candy selection. Not to mention fun card games to buy like Old Maid.

This was back in the 50's so just close your eyes and think about a unique dime store. Oh how I long for those days. (I put the link that I found for my purposes, you don't have to go to it.) But it did mention that Czechs from our area in Illinois would go there. I am 100% Bohemian and my grandparents were from Czechoslovakia.

I remember the beach having a sweet little concession stand. I can hear the door opening and closing with that sound of sand on the wood. I can see the dunes with the wispy stalks of grass and I remember how much fun it was to go into the grey sun bleached wooden little place and come out with a Nutty Buddy bar. Yes they were around in the 50's!

We never got to share that place with our own children but my father had a small cottage in Antioch, IL that his grandchildren got to enjoy. It was a small little place on a lake with a fun pier to swim off of. They also have fond memories of their summers growing up. Memories are the best. I pray you can make some beautiful memories this summer.







If you are here to request a handkerchief to catch your tears or the tears of someone you know and love please email me at dpucci9972@gmail.com . I will need a full name, address and a brief description of who passed away. Also if there is a link to a blog I would love that also. Please know that I care.  ((HUGS))