I've been thinking of writing an autobiography or memoir but it just never comes together for me but I figured if I write one story at a time and post it on my blog maybe once a month, I can do that. Maybe one day I'll pull all the stories together and put them in a book but for now I'll just share some stories with you about my childhood and into adulthood. Some of the stories will be happy, some sad and some horrific because that was my childhood. But they will all be real, things that actually happened. If it seems like something that people enjoy reading maybe I'll keep it going. These stories will not be in any kind of order, I'll just write them as they come to me.
Perry Park
I might have mentioned that when I was little, the house I grew up in was directly across the street from Perry Park. My brother and I loved going over there because not only was there a park there was also a small room where this lady would lend out toys for a week. It was the coolest thing for kids. Your parent had to bring you and sign out the toy you wanted for the week, and you had to bring it back on time. She had great toys that we didn't have.
I remember being able to get a Big Wheel, Legos, Baby Alive, Barbies, So many baby dolls, 8 track cassette player and the 8 track cartridges, a doll house with miniatures and tiny dolls, Play Doh, and so many Barbie things. I loved going over there to get toys. My brother always got some sort of trucks or cars. I've never heard of another toy lending closet, but it was such a good idea.
The park was also where my brother played baseball. His team was the Blue Jays. My dad signed him up but then never went to any of his games. I went to all of them. He was even in the parade that went down our street.
All kinds of things happened at the park like Easter egg hunts, Christmas toy hunts, 4th of July fireworks and the Fire Department would be there since their station was at the end of our block.
One of the most memorable days was when a hot air balloon and a Sikorsky helicopter was on display at the park. They let adults and kids inside the helicopter and air balloon. My brother was trying to get inside the hot air balloon when the wind made it shoot up into the air and then all at once it came down hard and bounced on the ground while my brother was in the basket with some other people. The person piloting the balloon finally got it down for good, but my mom was freaking out because we were little kids both under 10 years old.
I've looked on Google Maps recently and the park is still there, but it's named something else now and looks different as well. We kids sure had a good time there while we were younger.
Links to past stories
2023
2024
Happy memories Mary. :-D
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Deletemy sister had baby alive, I had crissy with the growing hair.
ReplyDeleteI remember the crissy.
DeleteLovely that you had that park at least
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a lot of fun being able to play with toys that you don't have on your own. I do remember being a child and going in a store and seeing all the different kinds there were and would have loved to have touched everyone.
ReplyDeleteThe toy library is such a good idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat awesome memories. I bet it was great having a park right across the street!
ReplyDeleteI lived right behind a park like that growing up, it was great! We didn't have a toy lending room but that sure is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteThat toy-lending is unique in my experience.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you had such a place nearby as a kid - you really needed something good in your life, and this sounds like The Dream ™. It's a pity that the park changed so much (and it very likely doesn't have a toy lending room anymore).
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great place to have by your house.
ReplyDeleteThose are great memories! Some of the libraries have toy lending closets now, but it's a recent development. I'm glad you lived so close to that park.
ReplyDeleteGood memories. I love the idea of lending out toys for a week!
ReplyDeleteHappy memories of good times! A toy lending library is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteGood memories Mary!
ReplyDeleteThat was a fabulous park and who ever the park and rec director was did a super job with extra activities and displays there. I love that idea of a toy borrow!
ReplyDeleteA great story and very well written. I have never heard of a toy lending place either. However, it is a fabulous idea. In fact that entire park is a great idea. Thanks for a look into your life.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great memory. I wish we'd had a toy lending lady when I was a kid. We rollerskated all day and played the same 5 five games my entire childhood, lol.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great parks department your city had. Lending toys is such a great idea, especially in certain parts of town. Great memories, although not that balloon ride for your brother.
ReplyDeleteThere was a certain magic to the parks when we were kids. I often wonder if kids today will look back the same way at modern parks. They probably will.
ReplyDeleteI’m all for a memoir! I love that image.
ReplyDelete