Childhood, Life

’80s summer memories

Kari

i have to admit something—i don’t really love summer. i haven’t for many years. the heat and humidity are part of it, but there’s more to why summer feels heavy now.

as a child, summer meant freedom—no school, late nights, endless bike rides, and roller-skating parties. but somewhere along the way, it shifted. now it’s migraines, yard work, thick, sticky air, and this quiet pressure to soak up every minute. too much sun (yes, that’s a thing), and not quite enough of the magic it used to hold. it could be growing older, or the way summer shows up online now—filtered and beautiful.

i’ve loved summers with my children—there’s a special kind of joy in those moments. but sometimes, i miss the wide-open freedom of my own childhood summers. summer holds time still, and in that pause, memories come rushing back—old summers, people who aren’t here anymore, and the many versions of me who lived them.

so i found myself needing to reconnect with the part of summer i used to love. i wanted to remember the joy and silliness of those childhood summers—before adult summers got overshadowed by spf, overstimulation, and lawn maintenance. i didn’t plan to make a list of 80s summer memories. i just wanted to make peace with the season—but nostalgia showed up anyway.

speaking of nostalgia, last week i was reading a post from suz, and in the comments, i mentioned that i wanted to start a note on my phone called “the gen-x-est things i’ve ever done.” so far, i’ve only written down one:

ran into a wall at the bus stop, was bleeding profusely, still got on the bus and went to school. i ended up with a concussion.

i think i went to a rollerskating party that night.

here are some of my favorite 80s summer memories—the smells, the foods, and all the good stuff.

outdoor adventures

playing ghosts in the graveyard and capture the flag until dark

lightning bugs

racing bikes in the street

roller skating in the driveway while the footloose soundtrack played on my parents’ boombox (this was my favorite song to skate to)

sneaking over to the construction site on the far side of the neighborhood we called “the dirt trails”

building forts in the woods behind our subdivision

playing basketball with my dad in the driveway until it was too dark to see

visiting my uncle’s house in the country, exploring dirt roads and cornfields with my brother, and playing with his dogs

family time and traditions

family vacations, always by car—windows down, snacks packed, no gps in sight

bringing our guinea pig, petunia, outside on warm days

watching the price is right with my grandma

seeing national lampoon’s vacation with my dad -my very first r-rated movie

torturing my little brother on long road trips by holding his favorite stuffed dog out the window (sorry, matt. and sorry to rufus, too.)

mom making sun tea in a big glass jar, letting it steep outside all day in the sun

pretty sure that’s rufus on the far right

summer fun and friends

going to cedar point

suntanning on my best friends patio, music blasting (probably madonna), her dog laying between us

making mix tapes on saturday mornings while listening to casey kasem’s top 40

seeing back to the future in the movie theater with a bunch of girlfriends

wendy french-braiding my hair while I read her articles from young miss magazine

suntanning in my backyard with our schnauzer, fancy

summer smells and tastes

the smell of chemlawn (now trugreen)

the smell of chlorine and suntan lotion

bologna sandwiches and potato chips for lunch

the sweet, summery smell of freshly cut grass

drinking pepsi out of the bottle to get the good burps

tagging along to neff’s grocery store with my mom and getting to pick out my favorite goodies—back when grocery shopping felt like a treat

little moments

getting to bring a friend to the “ashland” pool

running back from the mailbox, thrilled to have the latest issue of seventeen magazine in my hands

spraying sun-in on our wet hair and rubbing baby oil on our legs to get a good tan

sleeping on the family room floor like it was a summer sleepover—just to escape the heat upstairs

hearing parents’ voices echo through the neighborhood, calling kids home for lunch, dinner, bedtime—whatever time it was

marching band car wash fundraisers and band camp

music just sounded better in the summer—probably because we weren’t in school

playing at cedar point in 1985; i’m the second from the right.

the links are definitely worth clicking—so many fun memories, especially the casey kasem one. that’s a full three-hour show from 1980. enjoy!

i made an ’80s summer playlist that you can listen to on spotify, apple music, or youtube

if you grew up in the 1980s, what were some of your favorite summer memories?

Discover more from A Grace Full Life

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

73 thoughts on “’80s summer memories”

  2. I have many of the same memories. We lived on a few acres on top of a hill and my brother and I would take machetes and hack out trails to the valley below. I also loved to lay down on the grass and watch clouds. I am going through all my photo albums and have discovered so many memories as I sort through photos.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. OMG—the idea of you and your brother with machetes! How old were you?

      I love going through old photos, don’t you? It just takes me to a different place, which feels really nice sometimes.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. We moved to that house when I was in the second grade. So it was probably from then until I was in junior high. After that, we didn’t make trails and build forts. My post this morning is of some of my old photos.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. With you about Cedar Point and drinking Pepsi out of the bottle to get the good burps. Priorities, you know? I also remember eating Isaly’s hand-dipped skyscraper cones too fast and getting brain freezes… on purpose.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I love the thought of you and me in Ohio, drinking our Pepsi and belching loudly. That visual makes me happy today.

      So I looked up Isaly’s, and I had no idea it originated in Mansfield—where I actually lived at one point. I also didn’t know they created the Klondike bar. Such a fun little deep dive. Thank you for that!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. Kari, along with many other things, you and I have this too in common – summer. And it’s not only that I don’t like it – I HATE it. Particularly today, when temps reached 103 degrees. I’ve been hibernating inside all afternoon. It’s waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too hot for me. And when you live in a city, like I do, the heat is much more intense. GOD, I can’t wait for AUTUMN – LOL!

    However, there was a time when I loved summer. Unfortunately, all that changed when I turned 45. To me, 75 degrees is too hot. My ideal temperature is 50 degrees and below. I’m strictly an Autumn and Winter-person.

    The one thing I do enjoy about summer is the fresh produce and making deliciously, watery salads.

    My good memories of summer are when I was a kid and my family would go to Wildwood, NJ for a weeks’ vacation. LOVED it! Couldn’t wait to go to the beach, bake in the sun, and get a really dark tan (using baby oil and iodine).

    *Yes – lightening bugs too!*The Good Humor Man riding around in his ice cream truck and getting an ice cream sandwich.*No school.*Going to the country club and swimming in their pool.*Miniature Golf.

    OMG, I love your family photos! Brought back a ton of memories for me.

    FABULOUS post, my friend. You almost made me love summer again.

    Stay cool and have a great week! X

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I knew you’d have my back on this one. And honestly, old me—well, younger me—would be shocked to hear me say this. I used to love warm weather, but not anymore. 103?? Oh friend, that’s unbearable. It’s been hot here too—95 all weekend—but now we’re down in the 80s. I totally understand the appeal of a 50-degree day. I’d take one right about now! LOL

      Fresh produce, yes! I almost added that to my list, but I forgot until you mentioned it here. There was a fruit and veggie market nearby that my mom went to regularly, so we always had fresh fruits and vegetables around.

      I’ve heard of Wildwood, New Jersey! But iodine—that’s a new one for me! I’d never heard that before.

      The ice cream man! We didn’t really have one because we lived in a rural area. I think maybe it happened a few times over the years? I’ll have to ask my mom. But we had an ice cream truck here when my kids were growing up, and no matter what they were doing, if that music started playing, we all ran out for ice cream.

      Mini golf—yes! We loved that too. We called it “putt putt” where I grew up, and people here laughed when I called it that!

      I laughed so hard when you said “you almost made me love summer again!”

      Stay cool—I hope it gets cooler there for you too! xoxo

      Like

      Reply

  6. OMG The Price is Right, Young Miss and Seventeen! Did you have Sassy magazine? That was my number one favourite. I listen to a podcast now that goes through old issues and it’s amazing.

    I was a few years too late for Footloose, my Footloose was Dirty Dancing. I still love that movie! And Ferris Bueller’s Day Off! OMG and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Remember that?

    I also loved Madonna, and I felt SO cool when I got her True Blue on cassette tape. Like A Virgin, along with Corey Hart’s Boy in the Box were the first two albums I ever got, and I studied the lyrics that were printed inside (this was on vinyl!) like it was my JOB.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes! I loved Sassy magazine. I think it came out around the time I graduated from high school, but I read it well into my 20s. Such a good magazine. OMG—I would totally listen to that podcast! Can you tell me the name of it? I read a book last year where the author talked about working with someone from Sassy. The book is Ambition Monster.

      Dirty Dancing came out in the fall of my senior year, and the soundtrack was the soundtrack of that year for me—along with Hysteria by Def Leppard. I didn’t actually watch the movie until it came out on VHS in the summer of 1988, and I was hooked. I love that movie so much. I remember all those movies! Such a great decade for films.

      YES! True Blue came out at the end of summer, going into my junior year. I remember waiting for MTV to unveil the Papa Don’t Preach video and hearing it was going to be about—GASP—teen pregnancy! I actually watched that video again last week for the first time in decades. It’s wild to see it now as a grown woman. The fashion still holds up.

      I feel like you and I would be the kind of humans who yell “OMG I LOVE THIS SONG” every time something great comes on the radio. I love that about us.

      Like

      Reply

      1. I almost never double comment but HERE I AM. First! Jennifer Romilini, who wrote Ambition Monster, has a podcast with Kim France, who was Kim of Sassy fame! The podcast is called Everything Is Fine, and although it’s on hiatus right now I really enjoy it. The podcast I was talking about, though, is called Listen To Sassy, and it’s really fun. They go through all the issues step by step.

        So I was in grade five when True Blue came out, going into grade six, and I decided I would get my hair cut like Madonna’s in the Papa Don’t Preach video. MISTAKE. Oh my god Kari. It looked terrible and it took forever to grow out. I still love that song though.

        We would ruin our voice boxes, you and I would, if we were on a road trip because I could just see us singing at the top of our lungs for the duration!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I LOVE A DOUBLE COMMENT!

        Okay, you’ve just given this girl two podcasts to check out—and I never listen to podcasts. They both sound really good, though.

        OMG, her hair was so short! I would really love to see a picture of your hair. I totally get growing out haircuts. I remember getting a short cut during a rebellious phase in junior year. It was awful.

        YES WE WOULD!!

        Like

  8. Sun tea… first time I’ve heard of that!
    Were the potato chips inside the bologna sandwich? (Incidentally, last week I picked up a potato chip-related treat for my sweety from a local bajkery and confection place – Ruffles ripple chips, in place of Rice Crispies, in rice crispy cake… weird but delicious!)
    I was already into adulting in the 80s, but I have special memories of those summers with friends and later a spouse, and the recollections flood in whenever I listen to Simple Minds’ “Someone Somewhere in Summertime” – it’s my quintessential summer memories song. Growing up, I guess I most remember family car trips to the beach, and playing hide and go seek in our neighbourhood in dusklight.

    I hope blogging about summer and revisiting your memories has helped reconnect you to the things about the season that you loved growing up. Thanks for sharing this awesome post, Kari!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Is that right? Wow! I love that I shared that memory. My mom and I were just talking about sun tea the other day. If I ever find a picture of the sun tea (which could be in any of our outside photos), I’ll be sure to post it.

      No, they weren’t, but I do put my chips in my sandwich now! My mom taught my kids to do that when they were little, and it stuck with me the second time around.

      Oooh, that sounds definitely delicious! I love sweet and salty, so I’d definitely try that.

      I love your 80s adult memories! I’m going to listen to the song after I finish responding to comments.

      It definitely helped. In fact, I’ve been listening to the summer playlist, and it makes me feel like a little bit of summer from back then is still here in this summer. Funny how music does that, isn’t it? You’d know a little about that…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Hmmmm, I replied to this but it seems to have gone to computer heaven. Anyway…

        Hah! You know, the more I write about music, I realize just how little I know… there’s just so much out there!

        I’m glad that your playlist is bringing back some of the good summer vibes; that’s awesome. 🙂

        Speaking of “Someone Somewhere,” I was grooving to it today in the car on the way to an appointment; the extended version, which I just discovered thanks to NYtheSpirit.com, the Toronto online radio station I hang out virtually at on weekends: https://youtu.be/87Pc6RL4e5k?si=4YGNmSGblbt3TNMM

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Computer heaven—that’s funny!

        There’s so much out there, and it’s a lot of fun to learn.

        I just listened to the song, and I love it so much! Thank you so very much for sharing it with me here.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Oh, it’s my pleasure! So glad you loved the song! The band is on tour right now and my Thursday contributor, Jerry, saw them in this home state California. If I’d had my act together, I’d have maybe flown to Montreal or Toronto to see them. Winnipeg is a bit of a desert for big shows.

        And you’re right, there is sooooo much out there. Have a wonderful weekend, Kari!

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Unless you’re 12 years old, summer is overrated. I will admit I have a better appreciation for it than I did most of my adult life, but that’s only because I finally live somewhere with four seasons. Having said that, summer is my least favorite.

    Because I grew up in the 80s, many of my memories are the same as yours. (Except for the french braids, of course.) Lightning bugs, swimming in the lake, and playing arcade games top my list.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. YES to the overrated part. I was just talking to Mike about that the other day. Most of my summer memories happened before I was 15—after that, it was all work, dating, and being an adult. Blah.

      What’s your favorite season? Mine’s spring. So, only nine more months to go… but I do enjoy fall and winter too. We’re lucky to live where we get to experience all the seasons. I didn’t always feel that way.

      Arcade games! I’m trying to remember if our mall had an arcade—I think it did. Wow, that really takes me back.

      Like

      Reply

  10. What fun memories, Kari! I’m also an 80s kid. (70s & 80s)I lived in a forest area with a lot of boulders, and the kids in my neighborhood would climb up the big rocks and jump off of them. There were lots of skinned knees and bruises. I can’t believe I was never seriously injured! Sadly, that coordination and fearlessness is long gone now.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Lots of skinned knees and bruises—yes! I once stepped on a nail in the woods and had to go to the ER. I think the nail was from one of the forts we probably nailed together. Oops. That was the worst of my injuries… well, except for the bus stop concussion. But never any broken bones! Considering how much time we spent outside, it’s pretty amazing none of us broke anything!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Overrated—yes! Someone told me they had a friend who grew up on the West Coast (no humidity), and when they moved here, they hated the hot weather. It was the humidity that ruined everything.

      Here’s to fall!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Oh, I love this! I haven’t watched it in ages. I think this is my sign to rewatch.

      My 17-year-old daughter convinced us to watch Killer Klowns from Outer Space last weekend. We’d never seen it before, and it turns out it’s from 1988! It was pretty campy, but it was a lot of fun to watch a “new” 80s movie with her—she’s seen it many times.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. I’m repeating myself, but we are from the same mold. Same. Summer doesn’t have the same vibe anymore. It’s the heat. It’s the “stuff” that needs to get done (Not for long! Once we move, there will be no yard work!) There is too much to think about. Too much swimming in my head. I love your lists! THAT was my childhood too! Thank you for the Cedar Point video. I went on the Demon Drop the day after my Junior Prom in 1985. What a freaking blast. Boy, those where the days. I hear you, sister. I miss them.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Oh, I love this so much! I’m so happy you won’t have yard work at your new home! Summer just isn’t the same- I’m glad I’m not alone in feeling that way.

      I love that we shared a similar childhood, not too far from each other!

      I loved the Demon Drop too. I’m sad it’s no longer at Cedar Point! We used to put dimes on our knees because of the rumor that it would hover as we fell. I never kept my eyes open, so I can’t say for sure. I just remember hearing all the change fall to the ground.

      Those were the days! I miss them too.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. Oh this was so lovely and nostalgic!!!!

    I know exactly what you mean about the hot and sticky and pressure to treasure every moment. Blah. I am sweaty 95% of the time and I hate it.

    My mom made sun tea too! And I also remember car rides with my brother. My dad would play Louis L’Amour audiobooks on the cassette player in our Suburban and my brother would play his GameBoy in the third row.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m so glad! Writing and thinking about those memories was really fun. The other night at my mom’s house, I was looking through old pictures to add to this post—it’s been a nice little project.

      I HATE IT TOO. This summer is already starting out so icky. Hopefully, we’ll get back to normal soon.

      I love reading your memories! It’s so fun to realize that all of us were doing similar things, even though we’re far apart in different parts of the world. It makes the world feel a little smaller.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  17. We have very similar GenX childhood memories, though the Shalamar link was cruel – now I’ve got an earworm lol.

    Casey Kasem was just awesome. I did not have a boom box, so I made my mixtapes old school – held the cassette recorder up to the radio, praying the DJ wouldn’t talk too long.

    I remember much biking around the streets from when I was a child. I remember much parent-free exploring. And I also remember the car vacations with my parents and brothers, arguing with the latter when their hands would drift into my section and my air.

    I had brown hair as a child. I was spared the Sun-In debacle that turned brown hair orange as we pursued blonde by a fellow classmate who did that first.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m sorry! I’ve had earworms all week from making the playlists.
      I did the same thing with my tape recorder! I had a stereo in my room that could record from the radio, so that’s definitely where my love of making playlists started.
      I love that we share so many of the same memories.
      Oh no! Unfortunately, I’ve heard that can happen too.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  18. This was like a little trip in a time machine. I’m juuust enough older that I missed sharing some of your experiences (I watched Back to the Future in a frat house basement), but so many of these are in my memories, too. What I wouldn’t give to watch The Price Is Right with my grandma again. What I wouldn’t give to feel the kind of boredom that now feels more like luxury than burden. Wishing you a summer with moments like those gone past. Maybe sip some sun tea while reading a magazine (if you can find one–couldn’t believe how small the magazine section at a drugstore was recently!) and listening to an actual radio station in your backyard. 

    Oh, and PS:  To go with your bus stop story: I once hit my head on a guardrail while out sledding. Didn’t tell my parents because I was afraid I’d get in trouble for sledding across a busy road. Stayed up all night typing a paper due the next day. Killer headache, but I knew it was good that I wasn’t sleeping because if I had a concussion I might die. Went to school the next day. Lived. (Tell me you’re Gen X without telling me you’re Gen X.)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. OMG, the thought of you watching Back to the Future in a frat house basement has me laughing.
      Whenever I’m in Barnes & Noble, I pass by the magazine section on the way to the bathroom. I never look at the magazines anymore, but next time I’m there, I will.
      As for your PS—how in the hell did you know you’d be okay if you didn’t go to sleep? That might actually be a Gen X thing. I also think we kept secrets and protected our parents from the truth more. I’m so glad you were okay and that you’re writing this comment. I wish I could send a heart emoji, but I must’ve hit the wrong key and now I can’t do it anymore… because Gen X.

      Like

      Reply

      1. I’ve since learned that the whole thing of not sleeping with a concussion isn’t really true, so I suffered for nothing! Probably a good punishment that I deserved. (I believe some alcohol might’ve been involved in that mishap.) I did not keep quiet to protect my parents. I kept quiet to protect ME. There wasn’t a whole lot of gentle parenting happening in my house. Or any of my friends’ houses. Because Gen X 😂 And yes, the B&N magazine section is still great. Now I think I might have to go buy a magazine to treat myself, too.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Ohhh, gotcha—you were older than I realized. I heard “sledding” and immediately thought “little”!

        My brother got hit by a classmate’s car once while he was riding his bike in town. My parents were actually out of town looking at houses because my dad was being transferred. I was in charge of my brother, who was 16 at the time, and had to stay up all night with him to make sure he was okay—concussion protocol.

        Are you telling me I can hold that over his head now?? HAHAHA

        Like

  19. I love summer but I have to admit, this weather we’re having right now is miserable! It is too dang hot. I suppose if it weren’t so humid, it wouldn’t be so bad. Anyhoo…I loved your childhood summer memories. Even though my memories are from the 70’s, I could relate to most of yours. Using the baby oil (me and my friend used to sneak her older sister’s bottle of it pool side and she’d yell at us…she was tall, blonde and very tan, just like a Barbie doll) is a great memory. So is using Sun-In! Me and my sister used to use that stuff and then go lie in the sun in the back yard. Music….no boom boxes when I was a kid! Started with transistor radios (I’d ride my bike with one in the basket so I could listen to WLS) and then progressed to 8-tracks, lol. I had a super cool bright blue 8-track “dynamite box” when I was a teen. ;-)

    xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I know, I hate it when it’s this hot.
      I love all these memories! Riding with a transistor radio on your bike to WLS makes me smile. It sounds like something out of a movie scene. Sometimes our childhoods do feel like that. I hope our kids feel the same way about their childhoods someday.

      Like

      Reply

  20. I’m sorry you no longer like summer. It’s my favorite month. I have summers off, which helps. I still love the pool and being outside in the summer. I related to so much of this. To this day the smell of a can of Coppertone that my mom greased herself with can transport me to the side of the pool at our local pool. Our summers were spent going to the pool almost every day. We played gutter ball, jumped off the high dive, and wore ourselves out. When we got home, my mom often made us a black cow – root beer and vanilla ice cream. We’d rinse our suits in the hose, hang them on the patio furniture and then sit on the patio and enjoy our treat. Then it was time for summer reading which was not my favorite part of summer at all.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I love your summer memories. I’ve never had a black cow, but I’ve heard of them. My dad loved root beer, so he was a fan of black cows too.

      Like

      Reply

  21. So many good things in this list! The 80’s were so good. I really enjoyed your summer playlist. I kept scrolling thinking hell yeah!

    By the way, did you put potato chips in your bologna sandwich?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. They really were such a great decade—so many fun things to listen to, watch, and eat.

      You’re the second person to ask! (Steve was first!) Not back then, but I do now. Did you?

      Side note I just thought of: I also add a crunchy tortilla chip in the middle of my burritos. Kind of a similar idea.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  22. Loved this and could relate to so much such as sun tea, sun-in, suntanning with baby oil, Seventeen magazine, and Casey Kasem. I too was recently thinking about how excited I used to get for summer as a kid and now it’s about staying cool as summers are even hotter than when I was young. My very favorite memories are going to the NJ shore with my mother and cousins and spending hours jumping big waves. Now one has to worry about too much sun exposure although I will say I went back with friends last summer and for a couple of hours I forgot about the dangers of the sun and felt pure joy jumping waves. Something about the salt water and sun actually felt healthy … good for the soul at the very least. Thanks for the post!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Summers are hotter! I thought it was just me, but I really do believe they are. I can’t imagine trying to survive 100-degree days with just a window unit in the family room.

      I love the idea of you going to the Jersey Shore! My dad grew up in New Jersey, so I’m sure he went a time or two. The beach is good for the soul. I miss it so much.

      Thank you for reading, my friend. I did something weird to the keyboard and now I can’t add emojis—insert sad face.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  23. Kari, I’m the same in that I don’t *love* summer any more. It’s too uncomfortably hot, and I feel daft saying that when you consider I grew up in the tropics and loved it. There’s no doubting that my ability to manage heat has changed since menopause. Also the older I’ve got and the more weight I carry, the more the heat is unwelcome. I agree with you that summers felt lighter and more fun.

    There’s also the fact that hay fever arriving in my late twenties changed things. Being outside changed completely after that. Such a shame, as I used to love it :)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It is definitely because we’re in menopause—our internal furnaces are completely out of whack! It makes things pretty unbearable.

      I have allergies too, so I totally understand. I also get headaches if I’m outside in the heat too long. I always think that if I’d been born even a generation earlier, I probably wouldn’t have made it. No air conditioning, no allergy meds… I’d be toast!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. We’re still largely living without aircon in the UK. Most cars have it (although Himself’s work vehicle doesn’t), some offices have it too, but even new homes are built without aircon. I find it crazy that we had aircon in our bedrooms when we lived in India & Africa, but have to suffer with just fans here. Last night I genuinely felt like I was in a toaster…

        Liked by 1 person

  24. I might have worn that exact same band uniform (same instrument!) on a trip to Cedar Point. What a way for Midwestern schools to reward their band members!

    We have SO MANY lightning bugs this summer. I was just out walking the dog and the field we were in was just lit up. I loved it so much. (The dog was unimpressed.)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I love that you got to do this too—and yes, what an amazing way to reward us. I’ll never forget that trip.

      I’m so glad you’re seeing lightning bugs up your way. I just read an article that they’re disappearing because of too much artificial light from humans. I never see them here anymore. The last time I saw one was in 2018, back in my hometown in Ohio.

      Like

      Reply
  25. Pingback: The Saint Charles – Chris Glass

  26. I love this post so much. And I’m with you on not being a huge fan of summer; as an adult, it’s just hot and not fun to be outside.

    I ruined my hair more than once with Sun In. We used to use baby oil and add iodine to it. (WHY? And HOW? I don’t know) And we’d get the worst sun burns.

    I ingested more bologna than a person should have while growing up, and it’s a wonder all my parts are working properly.

    I saw a bazillion lightning bugs last night, and it reminded me of my summers as a kid, playing outside all day long, well into the dark of night, with not a soul looking for me. 😂

    On occasion, while listening to 80s on 8, I’ll catch an episode of Casey Kasem’s Top 40 and hear a Long Distance Dedication. Those were always the best! Unrequited love before the internet.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. You’re the second person to mention iodine! I hadn’t even heard of it until last week. The thought of it always makes me laugh.

      It really is a wonder we still have all our parts. 🤣

      I love that you saw lightning bugs! I never see them here. They always remind me of my childhood — those quiet nights with not a soul around looking for you. OMG, isn’t that the truth?

      I loved his shows, and there’s one song I always associate with them — Send Her My Love by Journey. Someone sent it as a long-distance dedication, and now every time I hear it, it brings me back.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  27. I still love summer, but there’s definitely a melancholy to it as an adult. I feel disappointed once July 4th hits, because it feels like summer is halfway over. Also, the days grow shorter, and I feel like I notice that more as an adult.

    You touched on so many of my childhood memories . . . lightning bugs (we commented last night how we never see them anymore), playing freeze tag and statue were my favorites. I also had a few games I’d bring outside and play with my BFF on our cement porch. One of those was Blockhead, which was just a stacking of odd shaped blocks game. Dirt trails . . . we had this strange, wooded area at the end of our dead-end street that had sandy dirt hills that we’d ride our bikes down. And yes, we built forts in the woods. Family vacations were the highlight of my year and ours went to so many places. It was probably the best thing my parents ever did for us. I’ve always meant to do a post on it because there were also some scary things that happened.

    Thank you for that Cedar Point video from 1984. Would you believe the first time I went to Cedar Point was June 1984?? It was on a date with my now husband. My family only ever went to Geauga Lake or amusement parks while on vacation, like Kings Island.

    Thanks for the memories, Kari!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. July always goes really fast, and you’re right — it’s halfway over. The other night while watching fireworks, I noticed the sky was still light out at 9 (I know it’s later in Ohio), but I was so happy to be watching the beginning of fireworks with light still in the sky. That is my favorite part of summer.

      I just read an article that lightning bugs are going away because of artificial light in yards. It makes me sad, but also, I love my artificial light in my backyard.

      Freeze tag! I loved that game! I loved our family vacations too — best part of summer. We went to Maine one summer and that was probably my most favorite trip. My mom was really good at organizing travel plans and itineraries. Umm, I want to know the scary things!

      WHAT?? That is so cool that I shared that! Did you know that I had no idea Demon Drop went away?? I thought it was still there AND I’ve been to CP since it left! 🤣

      I loved Geauga Lake. I wish I’d included that. That was where I went on my first ever rollercoaster ride.

      Thank you for reading them! I thought you would love them. 💜

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to Bijoux Cancel reply