Making ” Scents” of the Past

First Friday Night Football Game of the 2023 Season-the Green Waves …

Dear Reader:

Last night, just as it was starting to get dark… I jumped up and drove to a gas station ( almost on empty) and then onto the ATM at my bank in town… knowing that this morning I would be off early to see Eloise cheer for the first time, and Lachlan and Rutledge play their first home game of the season.

There was actually a good breeze blowing ( while running evening errands) so I rolled down the windows, put on some ” Oldie Goldie” music and just let it rip… singing loudly.

But suddenly, as I passed ( what was once the old Summerville high school) – now the district office ( s) – on Main Street) that lead to Memorial Stadium … I heard the stadium cheering, saw the lights, even, serendipitously, smelled the popcorn, and my heart started beating just a little faster.

My memories of all the years I spent in those bleachers, first as a coach’s wife, and later as a player’s mother, came flooding back. Most of them were happy and I loved all the friends, other coaches’ wives, and later other football parents, who surrounded and supported me!

From the time Walsh was little… his dream was to play football for Summerville one day and his dream came true. ( selected his senior year to play in the Shrine Bowl.)

Walsh, at the same age as Rutledge now-fifth grade- ten years old. Now he is Rutledge’s quarterback coach!

On dress up days at school… I could go ” football ” too!

So until tomorrow… how time flies! So many memories… but I realize how blessed I am at this stage in my life… being able to see the ” future” through another generation and I am happy! So happy!

And speaking of happy… as soon as I went to water the garden yesterday morning… I saw it… a huge butterfly resting on my Confederate Rose leaf… ***literally posed for this photo in all her glory.

It is our state butterfly… the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail-Doodle told me the beautiful blue scales on the hind wing means it is a female.

Today is my favorite day -Winnie the Pooh

And this Winnie got ” boutiqued” and a new bow.

As Anne, with the help of her sister Kathy, continues moving… she has come across a funny memory… the squirrels tore down a string of Christmas lights, years ago, and Anne is still finding them in her yard today.

Sweet Memories…

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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2 Responses to Making ” Scents” of the Past

  1. Gin-g Edwards says:

    We were at the stadium last night watching ARHS play Cane Bay…their stadium is having turf put in…it was a beautiful night…the weather was great…brought back lots of great memories…have fun today…

  2. Gin-g Edwards says:

    We were at the stadium last night watching ARHS play Cane Bay…their stadium is having turf put in…it was a beautiful night…the weather was great…brought back lots of great memories…have fun today…

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