Sunday drive

I know this will date me but here goes.....

On Sunday afternoon my dad would announce, "Let's go for a drive."

Oh, no. How boring. Off we'd go wherever the road would take us. Out into the country past farms and fields to the next town and beyond. At the time I didn't think it was much fun and I didn't know I was really paying much attention with my view from the back seat. But now I can remember the peaceful homes that showed so much love with children playing on the swing in the tree. The yard was green and the gardens grew tall. The front porches with rocking chairs.

Sometimes we'd take a lunch and stop at a road side table usually under a shade tree. A sandwich, celery and carrot sticks and homemade cookies tasted so much better outside. My brother and I would run around and gather pine cones and acorns. A memento tucked away for safe keeping until we returned home.

The times were peaceful. We had friends, of course, but spent time with family not looking at the clock or rushing to the next planned event. Sometimes we'd stop to see family and friends just for a visit. We'd get to sit on the front porch and watch the cars go by.

I still like to take the back roads whenever I can. If it takes me a little longer to get to my destination I don't mind. To see the homes, landscape and quaint little towns reminds me of days gone by.