So, if you are a member of my family, you may be reading my cousin Laura's blog. First of all, I wish I could write like you Laura! I can't though, but you have inspired me and this post is for you!
I was blessed to grow up with cousins who were truly my best friends. I spent endless hours at my cousin's homes, and the games we played and fun we had was truly unique and has created treasured memories for me that I will never forget. Living away from my family is really starting to catch up with me, and I miss everyone so much. I have been reading Laura's posts about "foods of Durham past" and it has made me less homesick so thank you Laura.
So, I would like to try to contribute in a small way to the amazing Durham memories I have :) Every Memorial Day weekend, the Tom Durham family would trek up to our family cabin in Midway, and I was invited several years in a row. The trip consisted of adventures around the cabin woods, trips to the water tower, stopping at the local video store to rent at least 10 movies, swimming at this crazy indoor pool that smelled like the zoo a little bit, falling asleep to Uncle Tom watching "Tora! Tora! Tora!" or "The Fortune Cookie," eating Aunt Becky's homemade trail mix, and lots of other yummy treats, mostly made by Laura. One memory I have is of a delicious mushroom soup that Laura made one night that I still crave!
The stand out memory for me however was one that included my cousin Carter. We had just arrived at the cabin and I think Carter was upstairs in the "loft" getting his bed ready. We heard a strange shriek and ran up to see Carter in the corner of the room in a little ball rocking back and forth. Someone discovered what had caused his current condition...a dead squirrel frozen in mid-run. Oh man, it was hilarious! I hope Carter has recovered.
I loved those weekends...especially because it meant summer was around the corner, which meant hours of play with cousins!
Now for the Lowell Durham, Jr. family...it was all about St. George! Ah, Green Valley and the wonderful condo with the incredibly witty directions regarding the condo care written by Uncle Lowell. Don't touch the Pepsi people, don't touch the pepsi! Trips to the Yellow Dollar Store with Uncle Lowell, my first introduction to Walmart, swimming, finding little frogs at night, playing the Atari, passing the strange house with all the cactus characters, and of course, watching VH1! I loved those trips, and loved feeling like I was going to Paradise for the weekend with my cousins!
So Laura, thanks for taking me back. Last night, Lily and I had swedish pancakes for dinner and I was thinking of you the whole time! Keep writing, I can't wait to see what food is next...I know we both share a love for cooking, and aren't we blessed to have had such great mentors (even if we did get peaches, miracle whip, and cheese every now and then)!
8 comments:
Don't touch the Pepsi. It's my Pepsi. Buy your own Pepsi.
HA!!!
As for that squirrel thing, I have recovered. It wasn't that scary. I mean, it's not like I touched Lowell's Pepsi or anything.
This may not fulfill your desire for the mushroom soup in your memory, but Mosaic Cafe (Congressional Plaza) has an excellent mushroom soup served with a waffle :)
I love this Ames! We had swedish pancakes for breakfast this morning. I was kind-of hoping my kids would suggest it for our "Rise and Shine Cafe" menu, (because they have to come up with the menu) and they did! They were so good!
Oh the memories...I am so grateful for your reflections about days gone by. Isn't it fun to recall those crazy, lazy days of summer with Carter, Laura, Lisa in Midway...and the Lowell Mr. Durham Jrs. in St. George? You had lots of fun together....
awww... thanks Ames!
I think I only have one more Durham food unless you have a request like Liz did. OK, maybe two.
I forgot you were with us for that cabin trip with the dead squirrel. That was more funny than terrifying.
My Nielsen cousin memories are playing "Bert and Ernie" at your house, filming mock infomercials and the occasional trip to Sun Valley. Love it, miss it. Miss you!
What about playing "Back to the Future" on Nintendo? I loved their crawlspace downstairs too. And my Jazz fandom was actually cemented at their house, watching them beat the Sonics on a buzzer-beating 3 by Scott Roth late in the 87-88 season.
hey i stumbled on your blog to find such lovely memories! seriously, with the pepsi...imagine being his kid! i asked him once if i could have one and you would have thought i punched him in the stomach. i think i only made that mistake once.
i have a few nielsen memories...oh man, the crawlspace was the coolest place ever! i wanted to live in your house because of the crawlspace. and i believe we put on a play once for carter and his friends??? lucky carter. and of course all of the 24 of july and christmas parties. thanks for the trip down memory lane!
p.s. i'm doing an internship in dc from january to may! we'll have to get together!
The best part is that carter didn't find that squirrel till the SECOND night. Which means he slept with it.
Love the condo in St. G. Still want to play Qubert.
Lovely post Aim, I think it was VERY well written..
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