Remember when pony tails were in style?--- Here I am, with my younger sister --and we both have the pony tail!--And----We do look pretty happy. It looks like we are in a car--maybe going to our cottage at Port Stanley, ON.
We lived quite far from that cottage-- London, Burlington--then Ottawa--but--- Dad and Mom would drive there weekends , and in the summer, they chose to live there all summer. Polio was rampid then, and Mom used to say that they bought that cottage to get us out of the city so we would not be exposed to the Polio virus-- In those days, there was no vaccine. Every noon hour, on CBC radio, I remember listening to the news and they would announce the number of children who had died that day-
We had several boyfriends , each summer--Skip the drip--_(called that by Dad)--who walked along the shore of the lake, skipping stones into the lake, past our cottage, hoping I would see him, and meet him---then there was "Horsey Bill", who used to work in the stables--But the best part of Port Stanley, was, my older sister and I had free reins of the town--We would ride our bicycles all over the village, of course after we had hung out lines and lines of laundry.
I still look back on those days with happy memories--It wasn't the cottage itself, it was all the fun that went on in and around the place-
I hope yu all are enjoying to-day-- We even have sunshine--but --very cold!
Oh, Lynda, what a beautiful wonderful tour down memory lane, photos included!!! Thank you so much. Have a beautiful sunny day. Get some vitamin D! ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteThe Iron Lung used for some who had Polio scared the daylight out of me! I've never forgotten that, Lynda.
ReplyDeleteIt's so wonderful that you have such great memories of your family cottage, it does sound like you had great summers/weekends there!
Hugs to you, Fred and the fur babies. xoxo
When you mention things from your childhood they so often trigger memories from my childhood. Each year my mom and dad would rent a cottage and it was great fun to be by the water for two weeks with nothing to do but enjoy. Thank you so much for your blog!
ReplyDeleteI was very young in those days, and sheltered. Do not have personal memories of polio... my folks would have turned it off if such numbers were being announced on the radio news. But what a wonderful way to avoid it, eh?
ReplyDeleteYou'll be wearing that bug suit again before you know it! The sun is out down here, too, but pretty cold, with a low of -1F (that's -18C). Brrrr. Still, sunshine is cheery, so no complaints, as long as I don't have to go out in it much!
Thanks for sharing your memories. I well remember kids in the iron lungs. My nephew was in War Memorial Hospital in London ON that summer after being terribly injured when he was run down by a huge oil tanker. He survived but spent 6 mths. in hospital and I spent a lot of time there with him that summer. Saw lots of kids recovering from polio.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your fun memories.
ReplyDeleteMy family had a cabin by a lake when I was growing up and I also have such fond memories of staying there!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful place to go and enjoy being carefree. And fun with your siblings! Glad you have those memories. I had friends from school that caught polio, in California, 1950’s, some came back after over a year gone, crippled, limping, etc. so glad to get the vaccine during that time.
ReplyDeleteHappy Memories Lynda..............glad you were able to get out of the
ReplyDeletecity.....my husband got Polio & Encephalitis at the same time..back then he was in an Iron Lung.
The cabin certainly had an abundance of steps.
ReplyDeleteI grew up during the polio situation. I don't remember how old we were when all 3 of us kids got the polio vaccine.
I like the names your dad had for the boys...Chip the Drip and Fred the Med.
You've got lots of photos and great memories to savor.
Have a great day. Stay warm and safe.
Hugs
I remember getting the polio vaccine when I was in elementary school; can't remember what grade for sure, but it would have been between second and fourth.
ReplyDeleteI luckily missed all that (born in 1958). Sounds like a wonderful place to have gone. My fond memories are of vacations in the summer with my mom and my grandmother, who would come to visit. Of carefree summer days riding our bikes down to the junior high to go swimming. No need for helicopter parents back then. My mom worked, I had a babysitter who came during the day. If we weren't at the pool, we were trying to dig to China, riding our bikes and getting the wind knocked out of us, hanging upside down on the jungle gym, or playing board games. Such fun times!
ReplyDeleteYour cottage looked like a great place but tons of stairs. It's going to get real cold again tonight and some snow tomorrow night into Friday. At least March starts next week and it'll be getting closer to warmer weather and the bug suit! I got the polio vaccine in elementary school - don't remember the grade. Stay warm.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember a bug suit, but I sure do remember pony tails (and braids)! Your sister and you were lovely young ladies!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you have memories of a happy childhood. Your kids will have some, too.
My happy memories are more of my adulthood.
{{{HUGS}}}
I enjoyed your memories. This is my favorite part of getting to know someone.
ReplyDeleteI hope the rest of your evening is good.
Beth M.
I remember the days of no vaccine for polio until I was in grade school. We had a neighbor girl, 4yrs. older than I was, get it so she and her family were isolated in their home until cleared. Love the cottage and the lake fun.
ReplyDeleteOh, those memories! You have such good ones.
ReplyDelete