Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Blogapalooza!


Angela Nickerson of Just Go! is hosting a blog party today! She invited everyone to share their strangest or scariest trip. I thought of strange trips and scary trips, but then I tried to remember my first trip ever. That trip down memory lane was strange, scary, and a little surreal:

It was dark, and my brothers and I were tired and sticky in the back seat of the car. We arrived late at night at the house of people I didn’t know. My mom took me to the room where a girl named Joyce slept. Joyce wore baby doll pajamas – I loved those pajamas! They looked so pink and fresh. I didn’t have pajamas like that.


Then Joyce’s mother took a brand new pair of pajamas out of a drawer and gave them to me. They were just like Joyce’s, only smaller. They were perfect! I slept at one end of the bed with my feet pointing one way and Joyce slept at the other end with her feet pointing the other way – did you ever have to sleep that way?

In the morning I met Joyce’s little brother. His name was John but everyone called him John-John and he wore thick glasses. I never saw a boy so little wearing glasses.

John-John did not want to eat his breakfast.

The grown-ups took us to a place called Lollipop Farm. It was a petting zoo, but I don’t remember petting anything. I don’t remember any lollipops, either.

I do remember an enormous, snuffling pig. Pigs weren’t supposed to be terrifying. In story books they look like you can pick them up and put them on your lap.

I did not want to pet the pig, even if he did sort of look like he was smiling.

That’s all I can remember of our trip to Syosset, New York. When you are small so much is confusing and strange. You are dragged from one place to another with little explanation. You meet people and have no idea whether they will be in your life forever, or only for a day.

I looked up the Lollipop Farm. It was owned by Harry and Alice Sweeny and located at Jackson Farm in Long Island until the late 1960’s. Lollipop was the name of the family goat and mascot. Alice Sweeny even wrote a picture book called Lollipop Farm, published in 1950. The location is now home to a Border’s bookstore and a pizzeria.

For more travel tales, hop over to Just Go! and join the blog tour! Happy travels!

22 comments:

Carrie Harris said...

What adorable drawings. This could be a book, you know.

Suzie said...

Thanks I enjoyed the farm

Karen Kirkpatrick said...

I did sleep head to toe like that! What fun to remember.

Kimbra Kasch said...

Oh...I love Lollipop Farm - how cute is that and your pictures!!!

I used to tell the kids to hurry and go to sleep so they could catch the good ship Lollipop, it would take them for a quick stop at the candy shop.

No wonder I'm so chubby :D I'm even dreaming of candy.

ICQB said...

What an enchanting tale. Isn't it funny how, when you're little, the world can be so strange - and everything's new!

Thanks so much for the pictures and the story!

PJ Hoover said...

Your drawings are the most darling things I've ever seen!
Love them!

Bish Denham said...

Love your story and your drawings! The impressions we get/make in childhood sure can stick with us a long time.

Rosa said...

Such a sweet story of your childhood trip. Love the sketches!

Angela K. Nickerson said...

Thank you for participating in Blogapalooza! What charming drawings -- and a truly charming story, too!

Unknown said...

What a cute story, I don't blame you one bit for not wanting to pet the pig, LOL! Thank you for the sweet drawings, too!

sruble said...

What a fun story, and great pictures! Carrie's right, this could be a PB. I loved your observations about traveling when you are little, too.

Rosemary said...

That is a nice memory!!
It's weird the things we remember from childhood!!
Have a wonderful day, and Happy Halloween,
Rosemary

Rena Jones said...

Great story! I used to love baby doll pajamas!

Kelly Polark said...

Looooooooooove the illustrations to go along with your cute story!

Linda Summerfield said...

Lovely. How thoughtful of your host to have facncy jammies for you!!! Your drwaings are wonderful.
How sad that Lollipop Farm is now underneath a Border's.

Unknown said...

Great story. I love the pictures and I am from Long Island too. But I never visited that farm.

Sara Cox Landolt said...

Another great story. And I especially love the pig pictures you've done.

I was born in Kingston, NY, but don't remember much about it. We lived in the woods.

Yes, I remember sleeping like that, foot to head.

I always enjoy your blog!
Sara

Brenda said...

I love your drawings! I wasn't sure what babydoll pj's were so thanks for the drawing..grin...

I'm with carrie...great story here for young readers...grin...

Robyn said...

Oh, babydoll pajamas! How I wish I still had a pair...

Great story, and incredible drawings too! A lovely read,as always.

Jessie V said...

super cute drawings! wow!

3rdEyeMuse said...

great stroy & illustrations. thanks for sharing with us. :)

Adrienne said...

Thanks, everyone, for stopping by and commenting. I enjoyed visiting so many new blogs today - hope I didn't miss anyone!