Queen Victoria Day Weekend is Here!
As a child, I used to think this was called, "Firecracker Day". The best part was that we got the Monday off from school and the last of the fireworks was always, "The Burning of The Old Schoolhouse"!
Back then, you were allowed to have your own display and everyone on our street would pool their fireworks and gather in one neighbour's backyard. Sometimes it was rather cold which necessitated huddling with your friends, sisters, or mothers under your favourite blankies! We'd often already put on our pajamas. Everyone would feel all cuddly and close. Of course, there would be hot chocolate and marshmallows afterwards! And if it was hot, there'd be lemonade and chocolate chip cookies for certain! Oh, and bug spray FOR EARLY BLACK FLIES AND MOSQUITOES!
We would all ooh and ahh after each one was set off, sending colourful stars and sprays high up into the sky. One called, "The Spiral" would be set in our apple tree and make wonderful whirring noises! And then, the finale, the old fashioned pioneer schoolhouse would be lit. We would be silent in our own thoughts of how great the weekend and evening had been, savouring this precious family time of our childhood. Slowly, we'd realize that bedtime was imminent as was school the following day.
Now, as adults without kids or cottage, we seldom even see the fireworks in the next town. It means planting our gardens, hanging baskets, and window boxes full of our favourite colourful flowers. We may take time out to share a bbq dinner with friends. There are several garage sales to visit to open the season. It will be nice to have a long weekend and we shall enjoy it as the Gateway to Summer.
But somewhere in the recesses of my childhood memory, I shall still be huddling under my blankie, quietly watching the glowing embers of The Burning Schoolhouse.
Mother of Invention, picking out which jammies to wear!
Back then, you were allowed to have your own display and everyone on our street would pool their fireworks and gather in one neighbour's backyard. Sometimes it was rather cold which necessitated huddling with your friends, sisters, or mothers under your favourite blankies! We'd often already put on our pajamas. Everyone would feel all cuddly and close. Of course, there would be hot chocolate and marshmallows afterwards! And if it was hot, there'd be lemonade and chocolate chip cookies for certain! Oh, and bug spray FOR EARLY BLACK FLIES AND MOSQUITOES!
We would all ooh and ahh after each one was set off, sending colourful stars and sprays high up into the sky. One called, "The Spiral" would be set in our apple tree and make wonderful whirring noises! And then, the finale, the old fashioned pioneer schoolhouse would be lit. We would be silent in our own thoughts of how great the weekend and evening had been, savouring this precious family time of our childhood. Slowly, we'd realize that bedtime was imminent as was school the following day.
Now, as adults without kids or cottage, we seldom even see the fireworks in the next town. It means planting our gardens, hanging baskets, and window boxes full of our favourite colourful flowers. We may take time out to share a bbq dinner with friends. There are several garage sales to visit to open the season. It will be nice to have a long weekend and we shall enjoy it as the Gateway to Summer.
But somewhere in the recesses of my childhood memory, I shall still be huddling under my blankie, quietly watching the glowing embers of The Burning Schoolhouse.
Mother of Invention, picking out which jammies to wear!
Labels: Childhood Memories, Fireworks, May 24th Victoria Day Weekend
20 Comments:
Great remembrance! Thanks for sharing.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Thanks, Debra! It's always a good trip back for me! I had a fabulous childhood! Kid of the 50's for sure! So ideal..like Leave It To Beaver!
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Sounds like our July 4th celebration. I have always loved fireworks!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Hi MOI! Neat...you had a good childhood to remember. I love fireworks...thanks for the pics.
Monday, May 21, 2007
You should wear the jammies with the feet! :)
I still love fireworks.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Barbara: Our Canada Day on July 1st is way bigger a deal. Queen Victoria is so removed from today's world, especially with our youth.
Twilite: Yes, tons of good memories I can still feel.
Meno: I loved those but never had them..well, beyond the sleepers I might have had when an infant.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Happy Holiday to you! We have mosquitos and gnats. I finally broke down this year and do my gardening with slacks on.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
I too can remember many wonderful and thrilling fireworks displays on Victoria Day. You are right.. they don't seem to do that as much now. As far as the planting festival.. I am now in the mist of it. Back and forth to the gardening center I go. :-)
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Lovely memories.
Wy do we stop going to see fireworks when we grow up- or when our kids are grown?
This 4th of July I may show up at the fireworks in my jammies.
Thanks for the idea!!
Can't wait to see photos of your bright flower baskets.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Old Lady: I just saw my first mosquito tonight! They come out at dusk and sometimes in the morning.
Coll: We heard about 2 go off and that was it. It's more for Canada Day though.
We did more planting tonight after supper! Nice to have the light stay until 8:30!
Gewels: Yeah! Go in your jammies!
I'll be sure to take lots of pics....if we ever get it all planted!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
mosquitoes... how I abhor mosquitoes...
I hope you had a lovely weekend!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Victoria Day weekend was always planting weekend for us, though I must admit sometimes my next door neighbor and I had the trouble light strung up with extension cords on a pitchfork, planting potatoes. Next weekend is Memorial Day here, maybe I'll plant something then. At the moment I'm fixated on painting growing things, they require so much less care in the long run. :)
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Is that guy peeing in the trash can?
I know. Only I would think of something like that.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Coffee DW: Me too! I'm sending all ours down there!
Shara: Yes, but put the paintbrush down and get planting! My husband wears a headlamp and plants till midnight! Did you once live in Canada?
Grizz: Ah! You're so funny! Now that I look like it, he may be! That's my husband and he always waits till he gets caught short, but I hope it's not him since this is the front driveway and we're on the main street in town!!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
No bugs around here. Fireworks are pretty, but the flowers will last all summer (but are a lot more work)
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
You Canadians are very clever: our long weekend is coming up, but you folks got a weeks' start on Summer!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
joeinvegas: We didn't have many fireworks but everyone was planting! Thanks for the visit!
Gr: Yeah, we jump the gun but after our kind of winters, we're kinda anxious!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
I didnt know you lived in Canada! I think I may have guessed, but.. didnt register.. :)
And that looks like the perfect way to spend a weekend. Love that lake totally envy you in fact, the tents ont he banks of it.. :) idyllic.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Oh yes, I was born in Halifax but moved all over, spent most of my life in Saskatchewan, where we used to love going to my aunt's cabin for visits in the summer.
As far as planting goes, I planted some irises. Pulled a few weeds, moved a few sticks. I can't seem to stop painting somehow..
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Mystic: Yes, I AM CANADIAN! (That's from a beer ad!) Most people go to cottges or camp and in Ontario there are many beautiful lakes and rivers to appreciate. I'd love to live in a log home on a lake!
Shara: Hey, you're a Canuck too! I bet you paint irises beautifully! You could paint them on your shed and then you wouldn't have to plant them!
Friday, May 25, 2007
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