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Who would think that a simple swing could be the source of so much love? For 50 years, there has been a swing somewhere in my life, starting way back with my Grandfather.
Grandma and Grandpa Conrad lived in a house in the city, where they build the houses close together with just gangways (sidewalks) between each home. Their house had a covered porch, with screens in the summer and windows in the winter. It was just wide enough to hang a porch swing, but not very deep. My sisters and I would squeeze in together on either side of Grandpa, and swing gently. If we went too high, the swing would hit the wall and Grandma would get after us. Can you imagine what that sounded like from in the house? BLAM! followed by giggles and Grandpa saying “Don’t worry, I’ll take the blame.”
The next big swing I remember was in a neighbor’s yard. It was home made, with big pipes concreted into the ground, a thick rope on either side and a wood plank for sitting. I’m not sure two adults could sit on it, but two skinny little girls sneaking over when the neighbors weren’t home fit just right. We’d swing in the shade of their apple trees, and have a few green apples for good measure. I was always a little bit afraid of those people, to this day I don’t know why.
My parents are wonderful to us, and despite having very little money, we had a swing set in the backyard. It had a glider, teeter-totter, 2 swings and a slide, the Cadillac of swing sets for our neighborhood! My good friend Linda and I would swing for hours. I remember singing songs so loud while we would swing that a neighbor came out and yelled at us to be quiet! I was never very good at being quiet.
The local park had giant swing sets, where I tried and tried to fly up and over the bar. Pumping my feet, I could reach that split second where I was suspended in air, tied to Earth only by my hands holding the chains.
My teen years had very few swings in them, other than my mood swings. Does that count?
We married shortly after high school, and babies started a few years later. We had a little baby swing that hooked to the door jam. I’m not sure who loved that swing more, the babies or me. The gentle rocking back and forth was comforting, along with my off pitch song. My parents loved big bands, so my children had some interesting lullabies, such as Moonlight Serenade by The Glenn Miller Band.
Remembering how I loved our wonderful swing as a child, I made sure we saved until our kids could have the same set. One daughter loved to swing and sing, the other loved to dance on the top of the slide or hang upside down from the top bar. My son rarely got on it, he liked to run around and around the yard. Who can understand toddlers?
We now have a large wood swing in the backyard, out under the redbud tree. It is my little place to go when I want to be alone, and the place my husband and I like to sit together when we want to talk. We often sit there until after the lightening bugs come out. Naps are wonderful on this swing, on nice days and even when it is chilly. Drag that blanket out with you when you go, and put your hat over your eyes if you want the neighbors to leave you alone.
But it is my absolutely favorite place when my grandchildren come to visit. Everyone squeezes on either side of me, and off we go, swinging and singing. My only regret is that it doesn’t make that wonder BLAM sound up against the house.
Thanks for Dave's Garden Members mydaisy and PJDaylily for the use of their picture.
About Cathy M Wallace
I'm rediscovering the joy of being in the garden, playing in the compost, remembering gardens from my childhood and dreaming of those to come. Physical challenges are helping me learn all about raised beds, lasagna gardening and new tools. In addition to our yard, my husband and I take care of several gardens at church. We love our family, friends, travel, writing & laughing.
Posted by DaniofMN (from Zimmerman, MN) on March 4, 2008 at 4:33 PM:
Aren't swings wonderful? I inherited the swing my grandparent's had at their house. It's still barn red, Granny's favorite color.
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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on March 4, 2008 at 6:03 PM:
What a wonderful gift, that makes it even better.
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Subject: That Old Porch Swing
Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on March 4, 2008 at 4:16 PM:
Great article! I just had to add this.
This is an old country song written by Joe Allen and Charlie Williams
Look for Gene Watson's version. It's by far the best.
That Old Porch Swing
It's hung there on the front porch
Since this old house was built
It's where the old men whittle
And the women piece their quilts
It's held four generations
Through whatever life could bring
That ol' swing
That ol' porch swing
It held a grieving widow
When my daddy's daddy died
And now it rocks my children
When they close their sleepy eyes
It's where I popped the question
With a quarter carat ring
That ol' swing
That ol' porch swing
Chorus:
It's been there through the sunshine
It's had it's share of rain
Been a witness to some good times
And a like amount of pain
If it could tell it's story
What a ballad it would sing
That ol' swing
That ol' porch swing
It's where brother read the letter
That sent him off to war
We knew he had to go and fight
But we didn't know what for
When he came home he just sat there
And never said a thing
In that swing
That ol' porch swing
Chorus:
It's been there through the sunshine
It's had it's share of rain
Been a witness to some good times
And a like amount of pain
If it could tell it's story
What a ballad it would sing
That ol' swing
That ol' porch swing
That ol' swing
That ol' porch swing...
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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on March 4, 2008 at 6:07 PM:
Thank you for sharing this, it is exactly how I feel about swings.
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Subject: Lovely :)
Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on March 4, 2008 at 9:03 AM:
Lovely subject - I could feel my legs pumping the swing we used to have when I was a tot. Thanks :)
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Posted by LouC (from Desoto, TX) on March 4, 2008 at 1:41 PM:
My grandmother also had a screened front porch with a swing. Very, very fond memories. I can still remember the feeling of the swing on the playground at school when as you say "I was suspended in air". For now we have a swing on the front porch, one on the deck and one under the canopy in the back yard. We used to have one in the game room in place of a couch. Have put lots of babies to sleep while swinging on that one.
Everyone should have at least one swing.
Thank you for the memories.
Christi
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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on March 4, 2008 at 1:48 PM:
Thank you both! Cathy4
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Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on March 4, 2008 at 4:16 PM:
Very sweet, Cathy. Thank you. xx, Carrie
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Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on March 4, 2008 at 7:08 PM:
Great nostalgia trip, Cathy. We never had a swing of our own but I got to visit plenty of relatives who did! One family lived near a "crik" and there was an old oak with a knotted rope that we could use to swing out and drop into a deep spot in the icy water.
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Posted by Fitsy (from Hayesville, NC) on March 11, 2008 at 8:55 PM:
Lovely article!
Fitsy
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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on March 11, 2008 at 9:14 PM:
Thank you very much, Cathy
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Subject: Good article!
Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on March 4, 2008 at 8:33 AM:
Great article, Cathy. Swings are always a great addition to anyone's yard or garden.
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Posted by MaryE (from Baker City, OR) on March 4, 2008 at 11:39 PM:
This article makes me want a swing. I think I will look for one that we can put on the porch.
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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on March 4, 2008 at 11:43 PM:
