I know from the perspective of old age, that youth amplifies things we feel. I was 12 and we were on our annual trip back to Oklahoma. McAlester. Oklahoma, my Mother grew up there along with her two sisters and brother. Grandpa was a dairy farmer back then, but he was much too old to continue on with that. However, his old barn was still standing, but barely. It leaned allot and creaked when the wind was up. We split our two week vacation between Mom's Parents and Dad's Mother and sister who lived in Tulsa. Fred and Jenny Swanson were a fascinating study in old age for just a boy. The old barn was also pregnant with hidden stories that it only shared once in while. After nearly thirty years of being tossed aside as no longer in service, it lived out its last days just squeeking and moaning in the wind. I could still smell the hay and manure..but, very faintly. The doors sagged on their hinges and opened and closed just a little with the Summer breeze. Particles of dust would come on stage and s;parkle for just a moment when they passed through a ray of Sun shining through a crack in the boards. From my little room on the back, it looked like a great ship just passing through in the full moon.
Granma was a great cook, as all Grandma's are. Sundays were always sleepy days. for some reason. After fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, string beans, and apple pie..we became very sleepy. No air conditioning back then, but the old Emerson fan helped. It was adjusted to move back and forth and sweep everyone for just a moment. I watched as Grandpa feel asleep, the newspaper slowly folded into his lap and then his chin went to rest on his chest. We all slept for abit until a foreboding...the sky was getting very dark and distant thunder. I loved storms as Glendale had no REAL storms. The transition was in a moment..the distant roar, getting closer and closer until it hit the house like running into a wall. Doors slammed shut, trash can lids flying, trees bending over. The blinding flashes with immediate bangs that rattled your teeth. Then curtains of rain...But OH, it was so cool, almost icy. They didn't last very long. Moved on and only reminded us of them by distant flashes,as other towns got the treat that we had....Grandma always tucked me in.....and when she left, she left in her wake that wonderful smell of cold cream. God, I love Grandmas....Years later, Mom got a feeble note from Grandma....the old barn had fallen down and they hauled it away...
They all are long gone now....but, Istill remember them....
