Sunday, May 20, 2007

Free as Can be


Running down the road as fast as my skinny little legs would go...



Upon entering my house, I would fling down my backpack, and as I am running down the hall...



Off came the pinchy shoes, off came the skirt and itchy blouse, leaving a trail of school clothes behind.

I would slip into my stained, torn shorts and t-shirt, and tiptoe barefooted out the sliding glass door.

I would go to my favorite spot in the world.

It held all my secrets, it was the door to my imagination and delight.

On my way up, my feet caught all the right spots that had been worn from climbing so many times. Once at the top, I would shimmy into my spot. From this spot I had the best view of the humming bird feeder, and a nearby branch that I could rest my book on and lose myself in my next adventure.


I would lean back, my feet swinging in the breeze....


From high in the branches, I was in my castle. I was safe from anything on the ground. All the worries, scares and sadness were gone.


Up there I was a princess. A princess in torn jeans and t-shirt.

31 comments:

robkroese said...

Very nice. :)

Unknown said...

Hey, is that YOU? Awesome! You have no front teeth.

I don't know if a picture of my with my missing front teeth exists.

Anonymous said...

What a nice story.

Cute picture. Kids look so adorable when they're missing their front teeth. And you've always had such pretty hair. :)

Bardouble29 said...

Diesel - Welcome and Thank you!

Dorky- I had to dig for that picture of me. My dad used to always sing to me, "All she wants for christmas is her two front teeth."

Anne- Thank you, My hair hasn't always been nice...It went through some really strange stages when I was in beauty college.

whimsical brainpan said...

Beautiful! I had a favorite tree growing up too.

Art said...

Nice memories!

singleton said...

And somehow, I imagine, you're still a princess in torn jeans and a T-shirt. Tethered to the reality of grown up life, but feet still swinging in the breeze....
Beautiful post!

Greg C said...

I had my special tree too Barb, I still remember it. Thanks for reminding me.

Greg

SpongyBones said...

I always was in trouble when I was a kid ... chasing after the princess into the tree even caused me to break my arm once! Should have stuck to them chasing me ...

Bardouble29 said...

Art- Thanks, its fun to remember the good times like that.


Singleton- My toes are either swinging in the breeze, or covered in sand from the beach...

Greg - I think we all had a favorite tree or hideout as a kid.

Spongy - I was always in trouble too. I did my fair share of chasing after the boys too!

dawn said...

Hey girl, This brought back memories. I remember that song all I want for christmas. Really it was a lovely post. Hope all is well just read the previous post. You are beautiful

skinnylittleblonde said...

Lol at Spongy's comment!

Beautiful post! I can see you there, perched up in that tree like a little bird! I, too, have always been a tree-climber and know that sensation of peace & security that comes from perching oneself up where the squirrels play chase & the birds oversee all. I love this post & all the wonderful memories it brings back.

MrRyanO said...

That was great! Very nice post!

Anonymous said...

I wanted a tree house so badly as a kid...but alas we had no *real* trees. (Kinda hard to hide in a palm) So I would take off into the canyon. Everyone needs a secret spot.

You made me feel like I was right there with you.

captain corky said...

Tree's are amazing. I drove past a kid climbing a tree about a year ago and it almost brought a tear to my eye. With all of this... kids still climb trees.

Kati said...

Sounds like you had an active imagination as a child. Good!!!! Would that all children were as lucky. Then again, those of us who had active imaginations seem to have had other aspects of our childhoods that weren't nearly so rosy. (I had entire tea-parties with the "Queen" in my little cubicle at school as a 3rd grader, using imaginary tea-sets & carrying on the conversations in my head, while being ignored by my "supervisor" because he couldn't be bothered to help me keep on track. I was also frequently sick & didn't have any friends outside of my imagination & my books.)

That screwed up childhood can be both a blessing & a curse. I'm glad you had your dream-castle to escape to, and books to take you anywhere you wanted to go. It may not make up for a sad childhood, but it does give one a few good memories to look back on.

Angel said...

Oh man, the be a kid again...what joy that would bring. I wan never a tree chimber but I would still like to be a little kid again.

Baron Ectar said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Em said...

I love the image of you having that special spot where you could be the beautiful princess. And a great photo of you as a little girl.

Bardouble29 said...

Dawn - Yep, my dad was corny and used to always sing me silly little songs.

SLB- It was actually some of your posts that made me think of this memory.

Rockdog- Thanks!

Susan - Oh, I agree...all kids need to have a secret place to live and have imaginations.

Corky - You are so funny, you have become pretty sentimental since you have your own tree climber on the way.

Kati-And the few good memories are what we keep tucked away!

Beth - I too sometimes wish I could slip back and take a run up a tree again.

Em- Thanks, I had fun writing this blog.

The Lone Beader® said...

Awwww... that photo is so cute!! :)

Jay said...

Great memories. Even as adults we still have our favorite places to go and just hang out and be alone.

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Ah, what a beautiful picture. Thank God for a childs imagination, eh?

david santos said...

Please, it puts fhoto of Madeleine in your Bloggue

Missing Madeleine!
Madeleine, MeCann was abduted from Praia da Luz, Portugal on 03/03/07.

If you have any information, please contact Crimestoppers on
0800 555 111

Please Help

Enemy of the Republic said...

Left you another note--at work now, so little time. Dog, I'm sorry!

Judy said...

I love this post, Barb. Your descriptions take me to that tree and to the joy of being a carefree kid. Thanks!

SpongyBones said...

Thank you for letting us put the poem up. My mom really liked it. You're a sweetheart.

Scary Monster said...

You ARE brave! Me would never post anything from me tadpole years. Bad enough me looks the way me does now but to show folks the charm of youth takes guts.

Lovely thoughts. Me wish me had a tree like that. For me there were only rooftops, but Me believes that the world that all kids escape to be somewhat similar.

Scary Monster said...

another thought. Dorky Dad has the the scariest avatar me has ever seen. Me loves it!!!!!

STOMP!

Helene said...

love the photo... and remember that you are the Princess of your blog... if not many other places! =]

Unknown said...

The glorious days of childhood. I spent most of mine outside, where the woods and hollows became my playground. gosh, what wonderful memories.