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Ice-cream Summers by Lynne R. Dorfman

3/5/2016

10 Comments

 
The light, tinkling music from the Good Humor truck as it rolls down Durham Street pulls the children from their houses like a powerful magnet.  The macadam street is hot enough to fry an egg. Windows are open, but shades are lowered to keep out the unrelenting rays of this August sun.
 
Then the slap-slaps of screen doors are followed by the jingle-jangle of coins stuffed deep into shorts and jeans pockets as we dash for the street. We push and shove as we vie for our position. Each child has a favorite flavor.  Mine is the rocket with its creamy vanilla ice-cream swirled with chocolate.  I like to push up the ice-cream slowly so I can enjoy the cool taste on a hot August day for as long as it is possible.  I take the ice cream treat and order for my younger sister Sandy who follows me everywhere like a faithful puppy dog.
 
My younger sister Sandy, with huge baby blues and ringlets of gold that jig, jig, jiggle as she jumps up and down in front of the truck window, always wants  an orange Creamsicle. I hand her the popsicle, and she carefully unravels the paper. As we walk home together, the sunshine beats down on us. Sandy is slowed by the licking and walking. She can’t seem to do either quickly. Her pace slows as the creamsicle runs rivulets between her long fingers and down her right arm to her elbow.
 
She spatters the sidewalk with drops of sticky sweetness.  I wonder who gets more ice-cream – my sister or the ants?

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10 Comments
Clare link
3/5/2016 03:46:49 am

Lynne, I love how are are using memories to inspire your writing. These are great snapshots to use with kids as mentor texts. They remind me of Ralph Fletcher's book Marshfield Dreams. You should put these altogether.... they would make a great collection! I am really enjoying getting to know your family.
Clare

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lynne dorfman link
3/5/2016 03:53:24 am

Thanks, Clare. I never thought of doing this before, but maybe it is something I should pursue. Thanks for encouraging me! I have many stories to share. Hope to be able to share our final draft article on Sunday!

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Jennifer Laffin link
3/5/2016 03:59:59 am

This slice brings back wonderful memories! Even now, when I hear the familiar tune of the ice cream truck in the distance, I feel a slight panic that I need to go find some quarters before he passes us by. Ahhh....those fun summer days!

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Michelle Haseltine link
3/5/2016 04:22:50 am

What a beautifully nostalgic post! Our ice cream truck was called the Ding Dong Cart! That name always makes me smile. Thank you for sharing these memories!

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Shelly
3/5/2016 05:05:33 am

I grew up in the country with nothing but fields. Houses were spread out. So quiet and desolate. Ice cream trucks are new to me. I didn't hear the tune of a ice cream truck until I moved to Quakertown. Loved hearing about your ice cream truck experience as a child.

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Aileen Hower link
3/5/2016 05:22:42 am

It is so interesting that, while I'm sure I have visited an ice cream truck more than once, and have lived through my share of hot summers, your writing here reminds me of one summer in specific: one where I lived in North Philly. That is so intriguing to me! Writing is so powerful.

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Adrienne
3/5/2016 07:03:49 am

That sound, and your post, bring back many great memories. "Her pace slows as the creamsicle runs rivulets between her long fingers and down her right arm to her elbow." I really like this line!

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Tara link
3/5/2016 01:07:53 pm

I loved Creamsicles, too - these days, whenever the ice cream truck goes by our house, I time travel to when my kids were home, and the mad dash to get out and buy some!

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Dalila Eckstein link
3/5/2016 02:25:49 pm

Lynne, this piece took me right back to summers on Essex Lane. As Clare pointed out, this makes a wonderful mentor text. Thank you for sharing your memory.

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Deb link
3/5/2016 03:32:26 pm

Oh how fond I was off the ice cream truck! The funniest thing was how my grandfather would turn his head to the side when he heard it and then he would run outside to try to catch it for a nice cold treat. Thank you for the connection and the walk down memory lane. :)

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    Lynne loves to write in the early morning hours, especially in warm weather when she can sit outside on the patio.  After a walk with her three Welsh Corgis, her mind is cleared and her spirit is inspired by the choir of birds in nearby bushes and trrees. 

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