Thursday, July 8, 2010

Back Home

Attila The Mom has an update on Big Kid's health. Please stop by and cheer them on. Click HERE.


The first time Godson and I flew from California to Ohio to visit my family he was six years old. He'd never met my family before but knew all about them and had seen countless pictures over the years. My family was also well aware of Godson and already had quite a collection of photos featuring him attached to their refrigerators with magnets. That first trip was six summers ago.

He was a champ on the plane, that first time, and kept sorting through the stack of photos I'd brought to help remind him of everyone's name in our very large family. Upon arrival in Cleveland, the "welcome committee" greeted us at baggage claim and he immediately got VERY shy....

....For about 30 minutes-- Then he was part of the tribe and laughing and playing with my nieces and nephews as if they'd always known each other.

That first trip to Ohio was a real eye-opener for my little City-Slicker. My sisters have horses and that means horse poop and all things that go with a farm-- Dirt, ducks, goats, chickens, pigs, even a peacock, plus lots and lots of work. It was a little mind boggling for him at first.


Back home, the rule is, if you want to ride the horse, you have to help clean the stall before you play. Same goes for any of the other animals too. So, with a shovel bigger than he was, Godson rolled up his sleeves and did his share of "poop pushing". And he did a pretty good job, too!

The other thing about our first trip that stood out was his amazement at clothes lines-- Definitely not something we see in our Southern California community. I've been reminded of this because there have been lots of great photos with clothes pins in them around blogland lately.

Across the street from my folk's house is the side yard of their neighbor on the corner. This neighbor has a long clothes line strung from their back door, across the yard, and attached to their yellow garage. Most sunny summer days you'll see bed linens and towels clipped to the line. In the middle is a big red pole that keeps the line from sagging and the laundry for drooping onto the grass.

That first summer home, each time Godson would walk out my folks front door, he'd stop and ponder the clothes line. With his hands on his hips, his head cocked slightly to the right, he'd let out a thoughtful "hmmm" then move on down the walkway looking over his shoulder as he went.

After about three days, Godson called his mom and said, "Mama, people in Ohio have so much time they can wait around for the sun to dry their towels!" I could hear her laughing through the cell phone as she explained the clothes line is how she would dry their clothes too if they had a big enough yard... And the LA air was cleaner.

We'll be heading to Ohio this week for a family visit. We're especially excited to meet my new great-niece, my folk's new dog and to see all the family. There's a community "ice cream social", cheering on a cancer "Relay for Life" event that my nieces are participating in, river walking, a campfire with s'more, and a whole lot of laughing and quality family time in our future.

And yes, there will be more discussion about the clothes line too.... Only this time it will focus on the tiny clothes belonging to six week old Little Miss.


Our suitcases are packed with presents and treats and fun stuff to do. But the one thing I'm not packing is my laptop-- This will be a "real" vacation. So have a great week one and all while we're hanging out watching the sun dry clothes.

Do you have summer vacation plans?
Welcome to www.TheFiftyFactor.com - Joanna Jenkins
Photo Credit" Joanna Jenkins

49 comments:

  1. Joanna you have got to be the best Godmother! Godson is one lucky kid! I love the clothesline comments - his and yours! I hope you have a fabulous vacation! Stop by before you go!

    ~ Tracy

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  2. Sounds like a really fun vacation. We don't have a vacation planned for the summer, but we are planning a few special things, like we have tickets to a dinner club to see Paula Poundstone perform, a bbq with my high school classmates, some family get togethers with the kids and grandkids, and in September we will be going to Philadelphia where I plan to attend bloggy boot camp sponsored by SITS.

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  3. Second post I read this morning about clotheslines - I believe I'll break Association rules and hang something up! And there are few things more adorable than tiny baby socks hanging from the line.

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  4. I grew up with a clothesline. It was part of our playtime adventures. Remember running through a hanging sheet?
    We are not allowed to have clothesline here. Communities have decided they are unsightly. They do save energy.
    Have a great trip!

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  5. oh i hope ou have a marvelous vacation and so much fun with family. we are doing little day trips as i dont really get vacation....

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  6. I love seeing clotheslines. I think they are charming.

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  7. Isn't it interesting that something some of us take for granted, like a clothesline that we use every day, makes someone else awestruck. It's all in your upbringing.

    Enjoy your trip and your family.

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  8. That baby is absolutely adorable!!! Now, about the first photo; we know who the young man is, but who is that kitty kat?? I hope you all have a fantastic time and that the weather cooperates every day for you!!! ENJOY!!!

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  9. My friend lived in NYC with her son till he was about 3. She tells really funny stories about all the things that amazed him when they moved back to WV.

    Hope you have a wonderful vacation!

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  10. My summer plans were all stifled by these stinkin' shingles that won't go away. What can I say...over two months and they still love me.

    I just wanted to drop in and see what you've been up to my friend. Quite the adventure for Godson, he's such a cutie. I loved the comment about the clothesline. What an adorable babe that Little Miss is....I just want to give her a good squeeze and sniff her fresh baby head!

    Enjoy your trip filled with friends, family and Godson. God bless ya and have a safe trip.

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  11. I remember my family having a clothesline when I was a child. If I remember correctly, there was something very refreshing about the smell of laundry that had been hung on a line!

    Have a nice trip!

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  12. Oh, this is a very sweet and lovely post. I'm sure you and your husband will have a great time visiting your family in Ohio.

    Big thanks for adding my blog on your "MORE AWESOME BLOGS" list. I really appreciate it. And I have already added your blog on my "EXCHANGE LINKS" list. See for yourself!

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  13. Loved your story. I have hung my share of clothes on the line.. Ex husband was military and in the winter I had to bring in his frozen fatigues and stand them on the floor furnace to thraw out so we could iron them.

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  14. Have a wonderful and relaxing time!! Enjoy that new baby too!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  15. no laptop? wow.

    Life sounds so wholesome there. And what a gorgeous baby. I'm sure you and Godson will have a lovely time.

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  16. Good for you for leaving the laptop behind, Have a wonderful time and I can hardly wait to hear your stories, to me it sounds like heaven, big hugs to you and much love.

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  17. I remember how much I loved to play between the clothes hanging on the clothesline when I was a kid. I didn't much like hanging them up, but taking them down was better. Have a fun and restful trip, Joanna.

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  18. My mom used to use a clothes line all the time. I have so many big trees and my back yard is so shaded, that a clothes line would be pretty futile, but it brings back nice memories. Clothes dried outdoors have a special, very pleasant smell.

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  19. Oh how I miss those summer days: Clothes line with sheets and Pa-paws overalls creating a backdrop next to the picnic table with watermelon seeds laying randomly as we cooled in the shade a Crepe Myrtle sipping iced tea.

    Thanks for the reminder of home! Have a great vacation!

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  20. You're like a fairy godmother! Have fun back home.

    I'm off to the UK to see my family next week.. I think I'll have a real holiday then too.

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  21. How funny about the clothesline!
    The new baby is adorable.. they all are!
    Enjoy your break! I would rather not take makeup than leave me laptop at home! How on earth will you survive without it???

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  22. As for many others, the clothesline brought back many memories of my Mom hanging out the clothes to dry.

    I also hung old blankets and beach towels to make a "playhouse". What fun when one is nine.

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  23. Loved your story. Hope you have a great vacation with your family.

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  24. Out of the mouths of babes! Loved the clothesline story!

    I hope you have a happy and safe vacation, JJ! Enjoy that little one!!

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  25. I dry my clothes on the line every week. I don´t even have a dryer. But then again, we have sunshine about 50 weeks of the year....
    I´m so glad your Godson gets to experience country life, while growing up. I´m sure it will make him a better person. You are an awesome Godmother JJ! :)

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  26. We have a clothes line and don't use it much, but I do like to hang sheets and towels on it to dry. Hubby and I got such a kick out of Godson's enthusiasm for all the time people in Ohio have. Have a wonderful time in Ohio, dear friend, and I look forward to hearing all the news and seeing pictures when you get back. Take care of yourself. Hugs.

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  27. Lovely.....I miss clothes lines....and the smell....hmmmm....smiles.

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  28. Have a wonderful trip and safe travels Joanna!!

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  29. LA air....and clotheslines....
    Probably not a match!
    :D
    But ya gotta love it, eh?
    xoxo to you and yours!

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  30. Wow it all sounds grand, even watching the clothes dry on the line. Have a wonderful time and I look forward to the post-vacation report. xoxo

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  31. Your posts are always so fabulous.
    From beginning to end.
    Words and photos.

    Have an incredible love and laugh filled vacation, you so deserve it.

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  32. I love all your family stories. Look forward to hear more after this very special trip.

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  33. Have a great time!!! That baby is so very very beautiful!

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  34. Joanna, have a wonderful time. That baby is such a precious little sweetheart.

    I won't be going anywhere this summer...poverty status, now seventeen months since the job loss. Normally, I would be doing four cruises a year and, while I did do a four day cruise out of Miami in March, that was only because a crew friend brought me on as "friends and family." I really miss sailing - and I don't know when, or if, I ever will be able to do that again.

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  35. Ah, I remember the days of clothes lines. My mother had one that went out a high window and attached to the garage so she didn't even have to go outside. I'm too lazy...
    That is one Gorgeous baby! Good for you for leaving the laptop home. Enjoy your vacation!

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  36. Adorable children! Enjoy your vacation~

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  37. Trying again!!

    Have a great vacation!!!

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  38. Enjoy your vacation, Joanna! And what a precious precious baby!

    And I'm sorry, but did you say that L.A. air is cleaner?

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  39. Wishing you a wonderful time with lots of dreamy crisp sheets dried on the clothes line. The baby is angelic.
    Best,
    Colleen

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  40. Enjoy your vacation and your loved ones.

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  41. Happy travels!!

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  42. Fab photos again, JJ. Hope all is well with you and yours.

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  43. I am a clothesline lover! Have a wonderful trip and spoil the new baby rotten. Godson is so lucky he is getting to see the best of both worlds. I am sure most city kids wouldnt know much about farms at all. Relax and have fun.

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  44. So precious, those kids. This makes me want to take my niece's kids for part of the summer; they live in the inner city of Springfield, Il. I wonder if I could find them...

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  45. Have a wonderful time dear girl. Bet you don't miss that laptop one bit. I'm selling my unit and buying a house and one of the most exciting bits will be having a clothesline!

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  46. You have the coolest extended family, and your godson is gorgeous. That little newborn cherub is truly blessed to be born into such a loving clan. Enjoy your holiday, and take lots of photo's!

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  47. We miss out on so much being in the city. I choose to have a clothes line rather than one of those things which go round and round in the garden; yes I can’t remember the name. I hope there are many more wonderful things for your godson to ponder on. Enjoy your holiday eh vacation

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  48. I am very happy for you that you are having a real family holiday without the laptop.
    I hope you return feeling better for it.

    love to you
    Robyn

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  49. Enjoy your vacation! I am sure it will be wonderful :)

    K xx -- www.thoseblissmoments.blogspot.com

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Thanks for stopping by and commenting, I really appreciate it.