Country Roads: Memories of the Past

@kareng (80243)
United States
July 13, 2020 11:39am CST
I was going through some photos of our last camping trip which was to Natchez State Park on the 4th of July weekend and came across this one. This is actually the road you turn off on going to Natchez State Park. It reminds me of the country roads here in my area, only the ones around here a narrower. The roads are lined with tall pine trees or old oak trees mostly that lead to a shady yard. I guess this was a requirement back then as they did not have air conditioning. We are very spoiled these days and do not have to fret during the middle of the summer when the temperatures hit the high 90's or even 100. I remember going to my cousin's house who lived in the country when I was growing up. They did not have air conditioning. Also, the kids were expected to stay outside and play most of the day. They had chores to do and then they were free to go to the creek for a swim or play outside. I also had some more cousins who lived in the city and they did not have air conditioning. We would go visit them each summer and spend the night. I never liked going because the nights were miserable. You couldn't fall asleep because you were sweating and hot. Even with the windows open, it was miserable. So today I am thankful for air conditioning. For memories that remind me of how blessed I am to have these modern conveniences, for family and that we should never take some things for granted. We are living in uncertain times right now with the COVID-19 virus. Who knows how this will end? Today I ask you what you are blessed with that your ancestors did not have available to them? © 2020 Karen Gros, All rights reserved.
12 people like this
11 responses
@wolfgirl569 (136039)
• Marion, Ohio
14 Jul 20
Lovely view. I cant say AC as I never use it.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
14 Jul 20
Oh my, I admire you.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
14 Jul 20
@wolfgirl569 As you know I enjoy being outdoors. I also enjoy going inside to cool off!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (136039)
• Marion, Ohio
14 Jul 20
@kareng Once I get used to the heat I am fine. Its just those times we jump from 30s and 40s to 70s and 80s that get me.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
14 Jul 20
i remember going to places without AC. We were on a weekend trip in Thailand when we lived there, and stayed in a hotel with no ac, and we all had to sleep in the one bed in the one room available. It was miserable.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
14 Jul 20
I'm glad time like that were in the past! I know several countries still do not have a/c. I pity those folks.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
20 Jul 20
@DocAndersen I bet he would have if he could drive! LOL! Really that had to be a ruff week!!
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
20 Jul 20
@kareng it was a ruff week. We all were glad when the new AC was installed!
1 person likes this
@gr8nana6 (6614)
• Conyers, Georgia
14 Jul 20
Beautiful photo and also memories from the past. We also didn't have air conditioning when I was growing up, heck we didn't even had hot running water. We had cold water that my mom heated up on the coal.wood stove for bathing and washing dishes etc. So I am blessed that I have all that .
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
19 Jul 20
@gr8nana6 Very much so.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
14 Jul 20
We truly are blessed! You have some great memories there. I often think of all the things my grandmothers did on a routine basis that are no trouble at all to do today. They really worked hard and were under appreciated.
1 person likes this
@gr8nana6 (6614)
• Conyers, Georgia
14 Jul 20
@kareng I agree, things were a lot harder in those days.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128856)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Jul 20
I never take air conditioning for granted, especially living here in Florida. Every day I am thankful for the cool air it delivers. What am I blessed with that my ancestors didn't have available to them? I would say access to clean, healthy and sanitary water, always available at any time by sampling turning on the tap in the sink or tub.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
20 Jul 20
@moffittjc Point taken!
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
14 Jul 20
Safe water to drink is a good one!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128856)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Jul 20
@kareng I think so. Anyone who has been to Mexico and drank their water would know exactly what I'm talking about! haha
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
13 Jul 20
Good memories. We didn't have air conditioning either while I was growing up. We didn't have a dishwasher either. I have both. I am blessed.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
13 Jul 20
Yes, we are! We have so many conveniences!
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
13 Jul 20
@kareng That we do. The computer is another one.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
14 Jul 20
@just4him Yes indeed. And television sets and radios also.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
20 Jul 20
Days before the pandemic very refreshing to go to even if it was a bit uncomfortable. I'm going down memory lane too...this is the month my Mom left me for heaven.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
23 Jul 20
Awe, sending you a big hug.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
27 Jul 20
@oahuwriter You are welcome!
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
24 Jul 20
@kareng Thanks!
1 person likes this
@id_peace (17036)
• Singapore
14 Jul 20
When I heard country road, my mind will be screaming..... "Almost Heaven..... West Virginia...."
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
14 Jul 20
Good one!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
15 Jul 20
I am grateful for indoor plumbing,
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
20 Jul 20
Oh yes! Especially on those cold and icy days and nights!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
13 Jul 20
My parents had all the modern conveniences except a/c. My father finally caved and had it put in when I was about to get married. I couldn't live without a/c and don't mind paying for it here or in Florida while we are not there. It's worth paying for it rather than having everything ruined by mildew and mold. And of course technology!!!!
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
14 Jul 20
I totally agree with you on the air conditioning! When me moved into this old house we reverted to window air conditioning units and a couple air/heat combos. It was nice when you don't need heat or air but keeping the house regulated is a bit tricky. There is NO insulation in this house. We checked on putting in central air and that is a no go. The house was designed for air flow. And now we can't even open windows because previous owners nailed them shut. The ones with window units are only ones that are open. My hubby did have to get one window open to install new unit in our master bedroom. The window had the old time pully's in it with the lead pieces. Really interesting! I had never seen one of those before.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
19 Jul 20
@DianneN Yes, they are antiques. When hubby installed new window unit in our bedroom he had to cut the pulls to get them totally out to take the botton portion of the window out. It was regretful to ruin it but had to be done. That is a good place for the AC in Floriday, rooftop! Our unit at our house in Louisiana is in the attic. Only had one problem with it when the overflow pan filled up and overflowed. That wasn't fun to clean up. Easy fix with a cleaning job on AC too.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
14 Jul 20
@kareng That old time pulls with the lead pieces sounds like an antique. I'm sure many people would love to have them. Our previous house had no central air, but hubs put in two window units that cooled one entire floor. We have central here and use it all the time. To be on the safe side, we had a new a/c installed on the roof of our building in Florida.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382658)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jul 20
I am always thankful for the household appliances that my mother didn't have for much of her life, in particular a washing machine and fridge. She had a fridge but the early ones ran on kero and weren't reliable.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
14 Jul 20
That is true. And the food didn't spoil because they only fixed what would feed the family. No mixers, blenders, microwaves, toaster overs, etc.
@Adie04 (17405)
14 Jul 20
Yahh.... When I see this road in the picture I can reflect my memories back too.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
14 Jul 20
I'm glad you took a little trip back in time!
1 person likes this