I remember the first day of spring and the smell in the air, knowing soon we got out for Summer.
I remember not having central air in our 2 family brownstone-like home in Queens, and actually playing outside just to cool off.
And on the days when the heat was too much, going to the public library with my mom to sit and read.
Some nights the "guest" mattress came up from the basement and was placed in my parent's room for me where there was the one lonely wall unit to keep us cool at night.
I remember swimming under the Unisphere at Flushing Meadows Park.
I remember playing on the McDonaldland playground at the McD's in Cityline, and climbing up Big Mac into his hat.
Watching the 66 Batman on syndication.
The big 4th of July BBQ block party the Gotti's gave on the next block over and not being allowed to go by my parents and having to sit on the stoop and watch my friends bouncing in the bouncehouse and throwing balls at the clown in the dunking booth.
The blackout of '77 when my mom got pulled over by a cop on our way to pick up my dad at work at JFK airport, and the cop showing actual concern for a lady and a little girl and giving us a police escort to the dock to pick my dad up.
My dad working two jobs, but always having time to take me to the park, teach me how to properly throw a knuckleball and explain why the Yankees were the best team ever and why I should worship Reggie Jackson and Phil Rizzuto.
Going to the park to watch grown men play soccer and my dad teaching me how to flip a ball into the air with my foot, hit it with my knee and then headbutt it. And my mom laughing at him for treating me like a boy.
I miss playing wiffleball with the rules only kids could make up... if it hits the garage it's a triple, if hits the roof it's a homer, if it goes over the roof into the neighbor's yard it's an out because you can't run the bases because you need to go ring the doorbell and ask if you can fetch it.
I miss McDonalds being a treat you looked forward to instead of the dredge you eat because you're on the go.
I miss White Castle.
I miss enjoying Three Stooges, Abott and Costello, Jerry Lewis and the Little Rascals... I find myself having a harder time enjoying the hijinks now. And I do have opportunity with my husband buying every movie boxset possible.
I even miss the smell in the air of autumn, telling me it's time to go back to school.
I miss the smell of a brand new pencil case set with matching virgin erasers.
The smell of the original goop from Mattel's thingmaker.
I remember not having central air in our 2 family brownstone-like home in Queens, and actually playing outside just to cool off.
And on the days when the heat was too much, going to the public library with my mom to sit and read.
Some nights the "guest" mattress came up from the basement and was placed in my parent's room for me where there was the one lonely wall unit to keep us cool at night.
I remember swimming under the Unisphere at Flushing Meadows Park.
I remember playing on the McDonaldland playground at the McD's in Cityline, and climbing up Big Mac into his hat.
Watching the 66 Batman on syndication.
The big 4th of July BBQ block party the Gotti's gave on the next block over and not being allowed to go by my parents and having to sit on the stoop and watch my friends bouncing in the bouncehouse and throwing balls at the clown in the dunking booth.
The blackout of '77 when my mom got pulled over by a cop on our way to pick up my dad at work at JFK airport, and the cop showing actual concern for a lady and a little girl and giving us a police escort to the dock to pick my dad up.
My dad working two jobs, but always having time to take me to the park, teach me how to properly throw a knuckleball and explain why the Yankees were the best team ever and why I should worship Reggie Jackson and Phil Rizzuto.
Going to the park to watch grown men play soccer and my dad teaching me how to flip a ball into the air with my foot, hit it with my knee and then headbutt it. And my mom laughing at him for treating me like a boy.
I miss playing wiffleball with the rules only kids could make up... if it hits the garage it's a triple, if hits the roof it's a homer, if it goes over the roof into the neighbor's yard it's an out because you can't run the bases because you need to go ring the doorbell and ask if you can fetch it.
I miss McDonalds being a treat you looked forward to instead of the dredge you eat because you're on the go.
I miss White Castle.
I miss enjoying Three Stooges, Abott and Costello, Jerry Lewis and the Little Rascals... I find myself having a harder time enjoying the hijinks now. And I do have opportunity with my husband buying every movie boxset possible.
I even miss the smell in the air of autumn, telling me it's time to go back to school.
I miss the smell of a brand new pencil case set with matching virgin erasers.
The smell of the original goop from Mattel's thingmaker.
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