I spoke earlier of a great man who put little thought into monetary things. He found value in sunrises, pretty days, and simply being with his family. Luckily, I was raised with this same sort of thinking. We may not have had much money growing up, but Katie and I were clueless of that. To us, we had everything a kid would want and more.
Our childhood memories may not include family vacations on cruise ships or pictures standing by Mickey and Goofy. No, nothing fancy like that. Our childhood memories blow all that stuff out of the water. I remember going fishing at Raymond’s Bluff in the back pasture after a long day of gathering cows. I remember Mom making us treasure maps, packing some snacks in a paper bag, and letting us go on our “adventures” for hours, just like Indiana Jones.
I remember saving our Halloween candy so we could eat it while sitting in the deer blind with Dad. And Deer Camp, oh Deer Camp. No other cooler place in the world. We’d get up early, hunt (and snack on some candy), get back to camp, and then explore the ranch finding all kinds of treasures (a.k.a. junk).
Mom was great to make a big deal over our 'treasures.' I'm sure in the back of her mind she was thinking, "What in the world am I going to do with all this crap?" At least I know that is sometimes what we think when Ryder brings up pieces of wire, old nuts and bolts, or the occasional reflector off the highway (actually those are kinda cool). Pop would always make up some story about how the Indians used whatever it was we found to cook with, use in battle, or whatever else he could think of to make us ooh, ahhh, and get excited over.
Come evening, we’d hunt again,roast hot dogs and marshmallows for as long as they’d let us, and throw dried broom weed in the campfire, listening to it pop like a fire cracker (Katie discovered that one. So cool).
Mom was great to make a big deal over our 'treasures.' I'm sure in the back of her mind she was thinking, "What in the world am I going to do with all this crap?" At least I know that is sometimes what we think when Ryder brings up pieces of wire, old nuts and bolts, or the occasional reflector off the highway (actually those are kinda cool). Pop would always make up some story about how the Indians used whatever it was we found to cook with, use in battle, or whatever else he could think of to make us ooh, ahhh, and get excited over.
Come evening, we’d hunt again,roast hot dogs and marshmallows for as long as they’d let us, and throw dried broom weed in the campfire, listening to it pop like a fire cracker (Katie discovered that one. So cool).
I also remember playing Slap Jack with Papaw, baking cookies with Gramma, and getting to turn on the siren in the feed truck then watch as the cows came running our way. I remember Katie getting mad and running away on her horse or bike to Gramma’s house (the entire half mile). She'd have a glass of milk and a cookie or two from Pop, forget about being mad, and return home in an hour or so. Mom and Dad never got too worked up over her "I'm just going to run away" threats.
We played kickball using trees as bases, made forts out of hay bales, and swam in cow tanks. It might not have been fancy-shmancy, but it was fun. We loved every minute of it, and hopefully we are making and will continue to make our kids' memories as adventurous and wonderful as ours. Money or no money.
Some of our Favorite Things to do.
A water hose, sturdy bag, and good rain on the wheat field beats any water park.
A water trough and some tadpoles can keep you busy for a while.
Sometimes the catfish bite. Sometimes they don't.
Take two good rocks.
One strong boy.
And get a great BIG spash.
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