We have two different kind of “chinaberry” trees in our yard. I didn’t know there were different kinds of these trees until my Texas native husband educated me on them.
I grew up in a chinaberry tree at our house. We would climb it and sit for hours looking at the stars or talking about the days events or who was the cutest boy in school and other important matters. While some of these trees don’t have great limbs, this particular one was big and had a couple of limbs we could sit on or swing from when the mood struck.
We had several of these trees around our homeplace and used the berries in slingshots and even had chinaberry wars where we could see who could throw them further. Once, a couple of us even decided we needed to see what they tasted like. Yuk, yuk, yuk!! Can’t say enough how yucky they were. When I found out, many years later that the chinaberry “fruit” as it is called, is used in insecticides, the yucky taste made sense. I also learned they are used to make beads before they soften.
The ones back then would turn a slight yellow color and would become a little softer. The other kind that we have is a dark green and apparently stays that color. They are a little bigger and not quite as soft.
Since my husband has made me a walking path around our property, I smile each time I see the familiar chinaberry tree. It brings back floods of memories of bygone days and childhood. It was such a simpler life then, I think.
Lazy days of summer were spent outside and we didn’t seem to mind the heat at all. We were not allowed to sit idly in front of the TV for hours on end and there were no tablets or cell phones. Games we played outside did not require boxes or game pieces. There was red rover, hide-and-seek, truth or dare and chase. Swings were made from old tires and tied to a tree.
When inside, usually when it was raining out, games from boxes would come out like Monopoly, checkers, charades or scrabble. We never seemed to argue over who won either. It was just one of those things and we moved on.
Life seems to have become more complicated. Too much so and we have forgotten what is really important.
I think that all of my children climbed trees but not so sure that all my grandchildren have enjoyed that treat. They are more into tablets and games on computers and television.
There is just something about climbing a tree, sitting on a limb and contemplating the universe or having a conversation with a friend.
We do not have that many trees on our property but on one of my walks I have thought about climbing the chinaberry tree but so far have resisted. Haven’t used any tree climbing skills in a very long time and not sure I could actually hoist myself up. I just may try one day though, in spite of the fact that one of my employees says if I do, she is leaving because she does not want me to endure anymore broken limbs.
It’s funny what brings childhood memories back to mind. Sometimes it’s something that you hadn’t thought about in a very long time, a smell in the kitchen or an old photo you run across. Before you know it you are transported back to that time and while your might feel nostalgic, it also makes you smile. Hopefully, you have shared some of these memories with your family. They need to know about your childhood.
Hats off to the Roberta-Crawford County Chamber of Commerce Tastes of Crawford last week. Great event, good attendance and the rain came and left just in time.
As most of you know I am gluten-intolerant so there are a good many things I cannot eat but I found plenty of things I could eat like fruit and chicken salad and coleslaw. And though I’m not supposed to eat dairy either, I couldn’t resist the peach ice cream from Dickey Farms. So, even with a food sensitivity, it was well worth the cost.
It’s always great to see people you don’t see all the time as well and meet a few you might not have met already.
So much going on around here lately, including ribbon cuttings, anniversaries, customer appreciation, etc. It’s really great when there are wonderful things going on in a community.
It has been a busy, busy two weeks for me, not only for work but personally as well. People are always asking me how I do it all. Only by the grace of God go I and I don’t stop to think about it, I just do it and keep moving.
My first-born renewed her wedding vows and I had the honor of being an officiant. I got a little choked up at the end, but I think that’s allowed because I am mom! I have also had several speaking engagements and a shout out to the Crawford County Kiwanis Club as the most recent.
Saturday night, the Battle of Byron committee held a candlelight prayer event for the five servicemen who were killed in Chattanooga; one of them from Georgia. Had the privilege of offering a prayer. God is so good, even when we don’t understand what’s going on around us. Our country definitely needs a revival and that’s going to take all of us seeking God and praying that He will heal our land.
You read about so many bizarre things happening everywhere and it seems they get crazier every day. We cannot get worried or anxious, just have to rely on God and know that He is control and stay on our knees. Blessings to you.
VICTORIA SIMMONS is an author, columnist, motivational speaker, minister and publisher of The Georgia Post/Byron Buzz. Contact her at: vsimmons54@gmail.com