April 25
This is not a poem in the sense of rhythm and rhyme,
but a free verse of remembrances in time.
Many things you may recall.
Some remembrances are just personal to me.
Remembrances from my youth:
Kaci Rigney
My mom playing the autoharp and singing “Requiem for a Little Boy”
every Sunday night in the 4’s and Kindergarten class at church.
Just for me…I still remember every word.
Playing dominoes with Grandma Gregory
in the little house behind our house.
Watching my Grandma Gregory braid her hip-length hair
and wrap it around her head.
Our double bunk and triple bunk beds
Camping at Calaveras Big Trees. Deer and bear hunting
Swimming in the Stanislaus River and skipping rocks
Trips to see Grandma and Granddad Cutshaw –
The only time we ever went out to eat at the A & W Root Beer stand
Playing: inny anny over, outside hide and seek in the dark, hopscotch
jump rope, Chinese jump rope, jacks, and on the monkey bars
Jumping on the trampoline at Vickie’s house
Making furniture for my dolls out of boxes and toilet paper rolls
Mr. Rodgers and The Cookie Monster
“I’d like to buy the world a coke”
Jumping off the swing set into the leaves at Melanie’s house
Our blue and white VW van…. spit bips and sunflower seeds
Our red and white VW van and my brother are taking their turns driving
Alice Cooper’s, “Welcome to My Nightmare” on 8 track,
my brother Donny’s favorite.
My brother, Donny, who died of Leukemia when I was 14
My brother, Steve. playing guitar and banjo
10 cent Thrifty ice cream cones, penny candy, and gas under a dollar
Church evening – choose your favorite hymn to sing
Sunday afternoon potlucks at church and Mrs. Green’s cookies.
The Gong Show Gene, Gene the dancing machine!!
Flip Wilson, Carol Burnett, Abbott, and Costello, The Three Stooges
My first piano teacher, Mrs. Estel
and my second piano teacher, Jerry Green.
I apologize that I didn’t practice. I really regret that now.
Watching reel to reel movies on the garage door.
Family Reunions, the highlight of every year singing, laughter, and love
singing again, hugs and kisses, singing more, food, more singing. Papa’s tune.
Waiting expectantly for Uncle Jimmy to Yodel or sing the rooster song.
All the aunts and uncles singing together “I’ll Fly Away”
and “The Church in the Wildwood”
Aunt Anna’s glowing round face as she sang about Jesus
Singing Aunt Chloe’s and Aunt Jean’s original songs
Uncle Jimmy, Uncle Ray, and Mommy yodeling in 3-part harmony
Card games at Grandma Cutshaw’s house… CANASTA!
Pete Puma, Wiley Coyote, Elmer Fudd “Its Wabbit season HU-U-U-UH!”
“Such an interesting monster should have such an interesting hairdo”
Bugs Bunny and the big hairy monster
“I like to sing-a about the moon –a and the June- a and the Spring-a”
Merry Melodies
My mom singing the hymns and teaching me the parts in church.
She sang each stanza in a different part – from soprano to bass.
Of course, she sang the bass up an octave,
but she pointed out the parts to me.
That’s how I learned to read music.
Church summer camp and the swinging bridge
The Big Mac Song Burger King song
The Monkee’s TV show, The Hardy Boys, Laugh-In, The Smothers Bros.
Climbing in bed with my mommy when I was scared.
