I love July. When I was a young boy living in a small Texas town, July meant school was out and fun times were to be had. The hot days were filled with adventurous bike rides, dips in the pool, mom’s homemade ice cream, and hours playing outside creating game-winning World Series at bats with a whiffle ball. And of course, the Yankees always lost.
When forced to go inside there was music. In the eighth grade my parents bought me a Fender Musicmaster Bass guitar. That made it a lot easier for them to get me inside at dinner time. One day my oldest sister, who was eleven years older than me and who had tons of cool records, proclaimed that she was born-again and found God. I inherited her collection of evil rock music. (So, in all fairness, I found God that day, too.) After dinner I would spend hours learning bass by playing along to Grand Funk Railroad, Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, and a lot of 60’s and 70’s rock.
It was a time absent of computer screens and iPhones. I had to entertain myself, and I don’t remember ever being bored. I’m thankful for those simple days of summer.
July is also this Leo’s birthday month! I have wonderful memories of my dad taking the family down to Port Aransas for summer vacation. Dad loved the Texas Gulf coast—so much so it was the only vacation destination the family ever knew. We never complained because we always had fun and knew that time spent at the coast made Dad happy. On one very special birthday, my eleventh, he took me down for a father-son trip. I vividly remember us fishing that day, casting into a school of Spanish mackerel—these fish had sharp teeth and you needed a steel leader to catch them—there were so many we were catching them two at a time on double leaders. They were fighters, too, and quickly wore us down.
As I’ve gotten older, the July heat is not as tolerable as it once was, but all it takes is a blast of summer heat to my face to ignite all of these beautiful July memories.
NEW 5 SONG EP
A FEW DOODLES AND DRAWINGS FROM JUNE
Here’s to a wonderful July everybody. May it bring you good health and good times.
Your nostalgic reflection on the joys of July in your youth is truly heartwarming. The carefree days filled with outdoor adventures, music, and family vacations paint a vivid picture of a simpler time absent of technology distractions. Your recollection of learning bass guitar and bonding with your father over fishing trips showcases the cherished memories that have shaped your appreciation for the summer month. Despite the changing times and the heat becoming less tolerable, the blast of summer heat still manages to reignite those beautiful July memories that hold a special place in your heart. Thank you for sharing these precious moments of your past with such warmth and nostalgia.
I love the man on “the silver mountain” Nolan! Have a wonderful birthday and a healthy happy year ahead.