Have you ever climbed a tree? I hope so! Many, many childhood summer hours of mine were spent up in the branches of a big (elm?) tree in our side yard. It was huge. Well, most likely it wasn't–but from my perspective then it was! Dad, probably with the help of one or both of my older brothers, secured some flat boards (a small door?) a ways up in it.
The platform was just big enough for two children to sit on. Sometimes it was just me and our cat. Usually I was by myself, and could stretch out and imagine the hours away, enjoy whatever breeze came by, "spy" on the neighborhood, read (probably a Nancy Drew mystery), make endless plans in a spiral notebook,... Dad also secured a rope a few feet out on the lowest sturdy branch. The knotted rope was just long enough that a brother or friend could reach up and throw the end for you to catch as you stood in the crotch of the tree. Then you could swing out as Tarzan, or a pirate, or...
We moved at the end of my grade school years. I wonder if the platform and rope were still up when we left.
Our own kids enjoyed a railed platform that Benny built between some trees. It had a short slide out from one corner, and covered a sandbox. He has also put up various swings for them (and us) in several different trees over the years. One tree in particular earned the title "Swing Tree" for its just right branch, height, and location. That tree is still at the end of our driveway, but sadly the perfect branch on it succumbed a few years ago to too many ice storms.
My drawing is not of that particular tree, but it's what came out of my pencil. I don't believe this swing goes very high, but it might be just right for some very young ones. The tree is waiting for Spring and their arrival!
This is really nice, and a lovely post too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice sketch, what a nice memory.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Latane.
DeleteI think tree swings are very romantic. I loved reading your memories. We never had a tree suitable for a swing.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was fun going back in my mind. I'm sorry you never got to have a tree swing, but I hope you enjoyed playground or park swings!
DeleteI always wanted a 'tree house' but had to make do with climbing into a huge oak in the middle of a field near our home. I so loved that tree and recall often sitting on a branch with my best friend and talking about what our futures might be!
ReplyDeleteLovely story you've shared and your delicate sketch is lovely - I would enjoy swinging there!
Thanks, Mary. I'm so glad you had a friend to share your tree time with!
Deletethat looks like a nice spot to sit for a while, I like how the tree branches curves and binds
ReplyDeletehave a lovely day.
:-) It's hard to go wrong drawing tree branches, as they can truly go any and every direction!
DeleteLove hearing your childhood tree tales. Takes me back to my own and how this generation has somehow missed that with being in front of TV or other tech. things. Loved the drawing too. Lets go climb a tree.....
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wanda, and I'm glad it took you back to your own memories. Let me know when you find the right tree for us!
Deletelovely how our theme brought back good memories for you. Your drawing is sweet, i would like to swing on it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tammie. You'd be welcome to try it out!
DeleteJolene,
ReplyDeleteI would love to have climbed trees - but not much of that happened in our neighbourhood. However, my grandchildren love to climb the big tree in the back. When they came at Easter it rained all weekend and they looked sadly out at the tree and really wanted to climb it. A great picture and I love the swing. I loved swinging.
Blessings
Janis
Thank you, Janis. Sorry you didn't get much tree climbing, but at least you had the opportunity to swing. Come visit and you can do that again–we have at least two you can try out!
DeleteIt's a really well drawn tree, Jolene! I love those branches! Well done! Wonderful strories there too -- a perfect accompaniment. And no, I NEVER ever climbed a tree. In fact, I was the kid who shouted up to everyone, like a mother, telling people to do be careful! I was too afraid of heights and am still so! lol. But that's ok, I've NEVER had the desire to climb a tree, actually, even so. lol. I could certainly swing on one though like on this tree swing. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for doing this. BTW, the new themes are up for the week, should you want to see those.
Thank you, Michael. Like I told Lissa, it's hard to go wrong drawing branches, since they can really go any and all directions! Tree climbing comes to an end at some age, but at least we can swing for years and years. We have a couple of big tire swings now, so don't even have to worry about keeping balanced on a little board!
DeleteWhat a lovely post to go along with your tree drawing, Jolene. Your story made me think of a large tree we had in our backyard. My Dad hung a rope from a branch and we used to swing via the rope onto the fence and then we would climb up onto the crotch of the tree. The tree stood fairly close to our fence. Thanks for evoking that fun memory from my childhood.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Serena. So glad to have brought back your good memories. Sounds like we had similar childhoods in this respect, and also wonderful fathers!
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