Monday, February 12, 2018

A Favorite Childhood Reading Perch




Many of you know that I spend many hours during the summer seated in the shady end of my swimming pool reading one good book after another. What you don't know is that my favorite reading spot when I was growing up was as high up in an apple tree as I could get and still be comfortable. I do wish Mom had taken a photo of me up in the tree because I had a much better perch than the little girl in the graphic above.

The yard of the house we rented was not blessed with trees-- lots of shrubs like lilacs, forsythia, and honeysuckle, but no trees. The neighbors to the west of us didn't want children climbing the trees they had, and they had some beauts.   (*sigh*) However, the neighbor to the east had a big apple tree, and he didn't mind if I took up residence there. I was such a tomboy then, and every tree I met was made to be conquered. This apple tree was excellently situated because Mom could look out a window to check on me if I'd been quiet too long, and I also had a splendid view of neighborhood comings and goings without being seen myself.

Cathy the Tree-Climbing Bookworm
You see, I didn't just climb up that tree to read; I also indulged my imagination in those high branches. Sometimes my perch was the crow's nest of a pirate ship. Sometimes I was a World War II sniper in a bell tower. Or I could be an Indian scout keeping an eye on soldiers. I think there was only once that I was a damsel in distress. Being helpless just wasn't my style. I was the one who always led the charge and emerged victorious, dontcha know!

Sometimes I'd take a Thermos up in the tree with me, but usually not. I did take a small satchel with at least two books, a spiralbound notebook, and a pencil. If I wanted to be decadent, I'd take an old pillow, too. The trunk and a large branch formed a seat with its own backrest; there was another branch a couple of feet in front of me where I could stretch out my legs instead of letting them dangle, and there was a broken branch in just the right spot to hang my provisions... er... satchel. (Well, sometimes I did purloin some of Mom's homemade Toll House cookies!) If I had a particularly good book and stayed up in the tree for a long time, that pillow was handy for easing my bony behind. As long as I had my chores done, Mom didn't mind so I could spend hours up in the tree, only coming down when Mom needed me or when friends showed up to play or when it was time to jump on my bike and head to the Dairy Isle for an ice cream cone.

As you can see, my reading-in-the-great-outdoors preference is one of long standing. How about all of you? What was your favorite reading spot when you were a child? This inquiring mind would love to know!



7 comments:

  1. I love that 'photo of you, Cathy! And I'm happy to that you had a special place for your imagination to take hold. Every kid ought to have a special place like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That wasn't my only place, though. I think my favorite was mobile. My blue bicycle was the fastest in the world, dontcha know! ;-)

      Delete
  2. This is a great story and your picture from that time is perfect! I can still see you in those eyes. Ha! My favorite spot - probably sprawled across my bed on my stomach. Book propped up. I also used to read in bed at night after bedtime. I had this little light at the head of my bed and I'd turn it on and read the night away. Or at least until my mother would show up, stick her head in the door, and tell me to turn the light out. In the summers, I'd sometimes start a book at bedtime and, if I could get away with it, read until I finished.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sprawled across the bed has always been my go-to reading spot when the weather doesn't cooperate.

      Delete
  3. You are so lucky that you had that apple tree in which to read and imagine exciting scenarios.

    Growing up in Chicago, I had no such tree. I read in my bed in my room, and at 11, I discovered reading under the covers after bedtime with a flashlight. Then began my bad night owl reading habits.

    But when we moved to New York, we lived in Queens in a small house. I had a tiny room but the head of my bed was up against a window outside of which was a gigantic tree. And the branches and leaves came very close to my window.

    So I read with the tree branches right in back of me. That was a close to a tree I got. But it was cozy. I stayed in there reading until the wee hours and on Sunday.

    My father would try to get me to go outside, but I was absorbed in books. Partially his fault as he read nonstop and introduced me to the Great Detective Holmes and to Nero Wolfe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mom didn't have to force me to go outside. At that time of my life, I played outside as much as I read. Well...almost!

      Delete
  4. By the way, your photo is so cute. I can imagine you climbing that tree to read.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to make a comment. I really appreciate it!