I’ve been suffering from nostalgia as of late.
And I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the end of summer—a summer I barely knew. Maybe it’s because back to school pics make me sentimental about my own kids and those crammed packed days that nearly choked the living daylights out of me, yet drifted by in the puff of a dream. Maybe the pain meds I’m taking make me all mushy, inside and out. Really and truly, I think it started with Glen Campbell. When I heard he died, I felt such loss. Glen Campbell was not only a great talent, but he represented another lifetime, a lifetime that seems as distant as common sense and kindness these days.
Daddy was a fan of Willie and Waylon and Linda Ronstadt. But he also liked Glen Campbell. At least I think he did. Or, maybe he was simply relieved that for a short time during the Tate Summer Road Trip of 1975, my sister and I were stuck on a song not being crooned by Tony Orlando and Dawn. Regardless, he humored us by turning up the volume every time Rhinestone Cowboy came on the radio.
He was from Arkansas, you know. And every station from Memphis to McAllen played his song on repeat.
It was the summer we drove to Old Mexico. Not to be confused with New Mexico.
Truth be told, for a farmer, Daddy had a little rhinestone cowboy in him.
Otter Pop Nostalgia~
I was also slammed with nostalgia at Megaphone 17 (Arkansas Women Bloggers’ annual conference) when one of our sponsors, JuBe, gave away boxes of Otter Pops. I dare say most of the bloggers there didn’t grow up with this particular summer treat (because many of the bloggers there weren’t alive in the 1970s). So yes, I snagged a box and convinced everyone at my table to do the same. It’s funny how something so simple—a smell, a song, a sweet Louie Bloo Raspberry Otter Pop—can take you back to those days before everyone was offended by everything.
Another reason I’m suffering from nostalgia~
My sister recently spent a few days with me guiding me through the surgery I just had. She lives in Plano, Texas. I live in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We don’t spend nearly enough time together. But there was a time when we existed within inches of one another. We grew up entertaining each other, sharing a tiny bedroom, dressing alike (because Momma saw to it). We spent countless hours playing with Barbies, racing our Matchbox cars in the field beside our house, singing Rhinestone Cowboy in the backseat of Momma’s car.
And for a few days this week, it was back to the way it was in the beginning. The Tate girls. Watching television. Laughing. Talking. Eating Otter Pops. It’s comforting to know some things haven’t changed.
Something that has drastically changed~
I watch the news, and I don’t recognize the hatefulness in our country. Maybe it’s always been beneath the surface of everything, and now people feel empowered to fling it sea to shining sea. I won’t pretend to understand any of it, but I believe it to be rooted in fear and ignorance.
This too makes me nostalgic. Nostalgic for peace and kindness and the days when my biggest worry was how to get clear reception on the transistor radio without having to walk halfway to Cottonwood Corner.
Sigh.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
P.S. If you’d like to know more about the Tate Road Trip of 1975, it will be the subject of my next Delta Child article in Front Porch Magazine for Arkansas Farm Bureau (Fall 2017). Read my last Delta Child article online ==> HERE.
Disclosure: This post is not an ad for anything other than nostalgia of the most positive sort. I’m not endorsing “The Wall”, Mexico tourism, high fructose corn syrup, rhinestones, Matchbox Cars, Farm Bureau, Tony Orlando, Visit Plano, pain meds, fill-in-the-blank.?
[tweetthis]I’ve been suffering from nostalgia lately. I blame Glen Campbell #RIP #childhood #otterpopvibes[/tweetthis]
Musical Pairing:
Glen Campbell, Rhinestone Cowboy
Talk about nostalgia…..I just listened to the first chapter of the audio of The Accidental Salvation…..
I loved it. It took me back to the farm and the little room you and Staci shared.
I’m glad you are listening to it!
I think nostalgia is more likely to rear its comforting head in times of injury or illness.
I think you are correct. And happy birthday!
Great post and pictures.
Love this post. Sorry about your pain but glad for the excuse for you to spend time with your sister. Those memories last and last and range from “I can’t believe we did that” to “wish we could do that again.” BTW since Farm Bureau Mutual is my insurance company I get to read your delta girl article every month! Looking forward to the next.
Thank you Dot. I’m glad you are part of the Farm Bureau family. We have been forever!
Love you. Great down to earth stuff.
Thank you, ma’am!
I think we all get a little nostalgic at times. I know I do every time I go back to our farm in Mississippi!!! If only—
I’m glad you still have your farm. There’s no place like home.
Talya I enjoyed your nostalgic blog today. It brings back the good ole days. I always enjoy reading about your family. Your Grandmother was really a special person. I always loved her so much. Of course Barbara has always been special. We have been best friends since the fourth grade.
Thank you Mrs. Perry. You know I always love hearing from my favorite librarian.
Love this! I get nostalgic when I travel. Wishing they had kept smoking sections to corral the noisy passengers.
As in a “chatty section” instead of a smoking section? That would be good.
Loved this! I’m assuming you remember that Granddaddy Homer was from Delight and they were friends of Glen’s parents? I went with them on one of their road trips back to Delight one summer – to visit the Campbells – to the house Glen built for them. We were sitting there and in a walked Glen who was home in a visit – he played guitar and sang a few tunes. We had a grand old time and stopped on the way home in Bald Knob to get ice cold apple cider and fresh cold deliciously sweet sliced watermelon. We consumed it all under a huge farmers market shed at a picnic table across the road from where we attended church/Camp Meeting. Talk about nostalgia!
And I’m wondering why in the world I didn’t get more pictures made through the years – I can’t believe there aren’t more pics of me, you and Staci together. We spent lots of time together as kids. Oh well……I am forever thankful for the life experiences and the memories that I can still recall. One of my fav Glen songs is Try a Little Kindness – that (and salvation) is certainly what the world needs now. Hugs!
Ok I remember Papa Homer was from Delight but didn’t remember that the Tates and Campbells were friends! Wow. No wonder. Great story. Thanks for sharing!
Loved reading your memories! I sometimes get nostalgic for simpler times, too, and share your consternation at the animosity we see around us these days. And, of course, I consider it a special gift that you have a sister to come to your rescue.
Thanks Dorothy. Yes, sisters are special. Of course, you are one of my sisters too. Just not kin, that we know.
Same here. But I did get a chuckle in there at the end:) so you’re the one who grabbed all the Otter Pops! You owe me!
No, I only took one box!!! Swear and cross my heart. xo