Wednesday, September 3, 2008

I'M NOT THE OUTDOORSY TYPE!

From an early age, I didn't enjoy being outside. But in the 1940s that is what kids did when they weren't in school. They played outside from early morning until the sun went down.


I never understood the logic of that. There were bugs, hot weather, cold weather, snow, wind, snakes, dirt, etc. out there. Not my idea of fun.


For my 4th birthday I received a tricycle, and I know I was thinking, "Oh no, they expect me to ride it on all that dirt and gravel." Well, I tried to cooperate. Even when I was a little older, I managed to ride a two-wheeler after many bruises and scrapes (one that required a trip to the doctor and a big bandage). It wasn't pretty; I certainly didn't enjoy it; and it wasn't the ticket to the freedom of the outdoors that my parents hoped for.


So my parents moved onto plan two. They hired a carpenter to build a play house for me. Do you suppose as an only child I was just a little bit spoiled? But, at least now we're talking my language.


In my eyes, it was beautiful painted a pretty blue inside with two windows and a door. Now all I had to do was go out the back door of the big house, walk ten feet, and go into my play house. Technically, I was "playing outside". There I could take care of my dolls, set the table with my toy dishes, and sit and read. And sometimes, my mother and I would scrub the floor and wash the windows of my little house. I loved that.


I was a little housewife/mother-in-training. This is the only picture that I have of my playhouse. It was taken the day I started school. Oh, I wish I had a better picture of it so you could see how beautiful it was!

Fifty years of marriage later, I still love a clean house with a table set with pretty dishes while I read and my grandkids are outside playing.


I'm right here in the comfort of the house if anyone needs a band-aid or drink of water!!!


Thanks for stopping by,

Sally

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your play house sounds just wonderful! My daughter is not a big outdoors person either, she'd rather be inside reading.

Manuela

SmilingSally said...

What a wonderful childhood you had with your own little house!

I've never cared much for outside with heat and cold and bugs.

Anonymous said...

Oh, how precious! You were a little doll and so prissy!! lol I would have loved to have a play house like you did. I loved playing outdoors as a child but not as an adult. Give me air conditioning and cranked down as low as possible!! Thanks for stopping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

onlymehere said...

Sally, thanks for stopping by my blog. My gosh, already we have so much in common. I read your profile and all I ever wanted to was to have a home and family who would love me and who I could love! Also, I just got my first grandbaby in June and I told her parents that I wanted to be called Grammy! I love it. My husband's brother lives in Broomfield (by Denver) and we flew out there quite a few years ago to buy his car. My husband waited 19 years for him to be ready to sell it! It was a 1978 Datsun 280Z. Anyway we thought Colorado was beautiful. I'll be back to read more of your blog but just wanted to leave you a note now! Cindy

Twice as Nice said...

What a great story. I don't think I have met anyone that didn't like to be outside as a child. You had wonderful parents to think of building you a play house. That must of been fun and I am sure all the girls wanted to play house with you.

Picket said...

Girl I would have loved to of had a playhouse like that...I use to drape a sheet over some bushes and pretend it was my playhouse! lol I loved the outdoors..but then I was more of a tomeboy and loved building things and making my own little go carts from old wagon wheels & pieces of wood and a piece of rope so I could steer it..lol I have had my share of scrapes & bruises & mama must have had stock in the company that made that orange burning mercurichrome (sp) what ever it was cause I would be painted up like a Indian on a warpath whenever I scraped myself! lol lol hope you are having a great week!

nikkicrumpet said...

What a cute story...I love the old pictures. I always wanted a play house when I was young. What great memories.

Rue said...

Hi Sally :)

You were cute as a button! It sounds like a beautiful playhouse :)

rue

bj said...

I'm sorry you don't have a better picture of you loved play house. I can think back about things I had and would give a million dollars for a pic. of it.
I din't want to play outside, either...at least, not for very long.