Remember When

The sun was boiling. You know, just one of those Carolina scorchers when the air blew in dry gusts and the leaves on the elms between the sidewalk and street seemed to curl up like brittle weeds.
I had a way of telling time based on the way things usually happened. It felt like about half past two. Of course a better way was listening for the sound of steel horseshoes plopping down on the street pavement. The ice wagon was coming.

Editor’s note: Bill and Mary Evans celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this week. Bill is a member of the Lancaster News family, writing “Remember When” columns since 2006. William B. and Mary Rankin Evans were married May 29, 1951, in Chester. They have two children, Kathryn Stogner and Blake Evans, two grandchildren and four great-grands. We asked Bill to let his mind drift back over 65 years of marriage and give us – and Mary – a glimpse of what he sees.

The change of seasons was an old family tradition when I was growing up, something that happened the same way every time.
It would be almost the middle of May, with a few really hot days already, but Mama had her way of doing things and nothing ever seemed to change.
To tell the truth, I was a-itching and a-sweating, still stuck in my thick, itchy winter underwear. And that wool double blanket was still between the sheets.

You folks in Lancaster have been lucky with all the sun and warm weather. While visiting in Maryland, I have been basking in the cool breezes and raindrops.
The last 18 days have each included a shower or two. In a friendly way, the rain isn’t too unpleasant.
Seems like it always rained on my birthday and Christmas morning, so a fella just learns to do some adjusting.