Swingers

Image via Wikipedia

When I was three years old, the most  romantic place in the world was the swing set at the drive in movies.  I’ve given this a great deal of thought.  Trying to remember three years old at my age is…challenging.  Wichita Falls was not exactly the hub of excitement of America, and while it’s true that driving over to Burkburnett for ice cream was a real treat, nothing beat the thrill of going out old Seymour Highway to the drive in,  wearing little pajamas and having my sister take me up to play on the swing set while, just over my head, movie magic was happening.  There is no hot like west –Texas- August hot, and in those days, we certainly had no central air conditioning.  What we had was a window unit that coughed its little heart out trying  to beat the humid heat. But the little Kenmore unit  was no contender for 100+ temperatures and 90+ humidity of the noontime sun. 

 Texas nights, however, are a different story.   With those glorious cinematic sunsets, cascades of ginger clouds against an amethyst background with tiny hints of optimistic silver.  Texas twilight goes on forever.  Amidst this backdrop, stopping for an A &W frosted rootbeer on the way to the drive-in and then getting play with other kids while surrounded by the gigantic glamour of Hollywood?    It doesn’t get better than that.

 It’s funny looking back on childhood memories, isn’t it.  I don’t remember actual series of events; I remember soundbites.  Like dancing hotdogs and popcorn  that bounced across the drive in movie screen.  I could not tell you a single movie that we saw at that drive in.   But I distinctly remember the wind in my hair when my sister pushed me on the swing set.  And I can smell the concession stand and see the giant images on the screen.  And, with a little concentration, I can smell the huge honeysuckle bush that grew just next to the swingset, and the smell of starry-eyed passion can fill my spirit in a flash.