When I was a kid we’d frequently go down to visit my Uncle George and Aunt Margaret in their place down on the Meramec River. They weren’t really my uncle or my aunt. Aunt Margaret had been my maternal grandmother’s best friend, was my godmother, and was the closest thing to a grandparent I’d ever known, my own grandparents all having died before I was born. Or shortly thereafter.
Once upon a time St. Louisans went to houses down on the Meramec River to cool off and relax in the summertime and this was the last gasp of that practice. Nowadays I’m sure that everyone who lives there are year-round residents. Sometimes in the summer I’d go to stay with Uncle George and Aunt Margaret in their house on the river. The house was built on stilts because of the frequent flooding of the river. During the day I’d fish with Uncle George. At night I’d read their son, Larry’s, Hopalong Cassidy books or listen to Harry Caray’s radio broadcasting of the Cards’ games (he was in St. Louis back then).
Other times our whole family would go down to visit. After dinner (usually a potluck with the other people who had summer homes down on the river) the kids would lie in hammocks slung under the house (remember, it was on stilts) and the older folks would talk. Sometimes they’d sing old songs.
For me that’s the distilled essence of summer. Swinging in the hammock on a warm, humid night, my parents and their friends singing old songs, and the scent of fresh mint on the evening air.
Wow, take me back! Your reminiscence (sp?) makes it sound like I/we live in the south. I have lots of mint in my scraggly garden—and i’m looking forward to you and janice sitting on my deck—! love, ann
I remember Sunday summer afternoons under the house up on stilts a little differently: we were in our bathing suits all day. The grownups were sitting in a circle, chatting, singing, drinking longneck beers, the men in undershirts, the women in cotton dresses. There was lots of laughing. You and I were playing in a shallow little wading pool that was handmade—built out of concrete. I think it was a decorative feature, painted aqua green, and looked out over the overlook/slope that went down to the river. The wading pool was maybe 6 inches deep. I don’t remember the hammock, unless it was green striped canvas? Thanks for the memories! love, ann