It was a meeting place, home, or safe base from a certain monster, the pretend Gila monster, and when the sun was blazing hot, it provided shade. Rolling it required group effort since it was a little wobbly, and the ground wasn't exactly smooth. It could be a mountain top, a table, or a jumping off spot. With its simplicity of style, it could be transformed into many uses and was a special backyard attraction, or perhaps an eyesore to some who didn't see its value. In the last days of its original purpose the large wooden spool became know as the "roly-poly," a favorite toy of the children and the neighbor children. The last words uttered to it were, "It's my turn!"
What a sweet memory of how imagination fueled our childhoods! With something as simple as a big cable spool, so many different things could play out and fill our days with fresh-air laughter and good fun. I wish today's children still engaged their imaginations as much as they do their electronics. This post made me smile. I remember days spent outdoors with tents over clotheslines, forts among the trees, games at the park, and adventures on our bicycles. It was a good time to grow up!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad my post made you smile, and brought back some of your own memories.
DeleteNice
ReplyDeleteThank you, Paul.
DeleteTaking turns is a routine of childhood interaction and play. We teach our young ones to take turns and wait their turn. Sadly, it is a lesson in fairness and communication that many adults seem to have forgotten.
ReplyDelete"In fairness and communication," well stated. So often it seems that people tend to talk over someone, and don't let the person finish speaking. Then there are others who just keep speaking without even pausing to let someone interjecting an opinion or thought.
Deletelol... great post... roly-poly!
ReplyDeletethere's a concept, from magic or myth or sometime that holds that all things have a 'true name'. I can't remember the details, but one part that I do has to do with a power a person acquires when they know a thing's secret name. Reading your Six and seeing the un-likely name, 'roll-poly' rang true in a secret name sort of way.
It made me remember something in that special way that secret names can un-lock a memory from such a long time ago.
I must admit that I did make a phone call to confirm that I was really remembering that I had that name correct and it just wasn't something I'd pulled out a hat.
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