The longest days
I answered the door to let my grandparents inside, and Granddaddy said, “These are the longest days.” It was a strange, yet not unexpected greeting. My retired County Agent grandfather measured life by crop schedules. “Hey honey” Grandmother added as they both hugged my neck. I took the paper bag of corn and a basket of tomatoes from granddaddy as grandmother carried a stainless cake carrier to the kitchen.
He was right. The third week of June felt like summer but was technically still spring. You could call it late spring, early summer, baseball season or hurricane season, but to a farmer, it was time for corn and tomatoes. Watermelon and okra were just around the corner.
Longer days meant more time to plant or harvest. He laughed when I asked why he didn’t buy land in Destin, just south of his house, when it was dirt cheap. “Sand’s too hot to grow anything,” he said. If only he’d thought about growing condominiums.
I was home from college for the summer and my grandparents had come to visit for the day and go out on the boat. We’d swim and eat sandwiches, and of course, fish. Daddy anchored on our favorite barrier island that had little scrub oaks for rare shade in the middle of the Santa Rosa Sound. Grandmother waded near the shore while we swam. She wore long polyester shorts with a matching top, usually pink, and granddaddy wore his swimsuit pulled way up over his waist.
Back at the house, we’d boil the corn and fry the fish. There was no doubt we’d have fish because Daddy rarely came home empty-handed. Salt water was his happy place, and the garden was my granddad’s. The two blended to form perfect June days.
There was plenty of time for my grandparents to make it home before dark. After all, the days were long. No matter how tired or sunburnt we were, there was never any question that we wouldn’t go to church the next morning. That’s how people along the Gulf Coast lived. Beach, fish, family, and church, with a menu taken from the garden and Gulf. They were the longest days of the year.
But not long enough.
“Not long enough.” If only we could hold onto those perfect times and our loved ones. Thank you for sharing your sweet memory.
So true. And I remember this particular story every year when I hear the meteorologist say “today is the longest day of the year.” Thanks for reading Paula.
So true. The days are not nearly long enough.
Summer is truly my favorite season for all the good memories it represents.
I’m pretty sure I remember you live in a nearby community to where this story takes place. Don’t we feel blessed?
“Not long enough.” If only we could hold onto those perfect times and our loved ones. Thank you for sharing your sweet memory.
So true. And I remember this particular story every year when I hear the meteorologist say “today is the longest day of the year.” Thanks for reading Paula.
So true. The days are not nearly long enough.
Summer is truly my favorite season for all the good memories it represents.
I’m pretty sure I remember you live in a nearby community to where this story takes place. Don’t we feel blessed?
Leslie Anne, I hope you feel better soon. Sweet memories of long June days …”not long enough.”
Thanks Pam. Healthy summer days are in sight!
Leslie Anne, I hope you feel better soon. Sweet memories of long June days …”not long enough.”
Thanks Pam. Healthy summer days are in sight!
Loved this post! When I visited my grandparents in Mobile, there was alway fresh fish, fresh green beans and mashed potatoes in case there was a bone !
I am so distressed to hear that you have Covid. Again. I can feel your sadness bursting through my iPad. I will pray for you, and I thank God for you. ✝️
The new potatoes! How could I forget those? Freshly dug to go with the fish. Thanks for your prayers. Sending love and prayers back to you as well during this hard time.
Loved this post! When I visited my grandparents in Mobile, there was alway fresh fish, fresh green beans and mashed potatoes in case there was a bone !
I am so distressed to hear that you have Covid. Again. I can feel your sadness bursting through my iPad. I will pray for you, and I thank God for you. ✝️
The new potatoes! How could I forget those? Freshly dug to go with the fish. Thanks for your prayers. Sending love and prayers back to you as well during this hard time.
Love being reminded of those long summer days when we could ride our bikes till the street lights came on.
So sorry you are under the weather. Wishing you better days ahead.
Thanks Maria. Those bike rides were magical!
Love being reminded of those long summer days when we could ride our bikes till the street lights came on.
So sorry you are under the weather. Wishing you better days ahead.
Thanks Maria. Those bike rides were magical!
Wonderful memories of simpler times…
Thanks Jenna. I think you’re living those days now.
Wonderful memories of simpler times…
Thanks Jenna. I think you’re living those days now.