
Image courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net
No matter what we were doing, when my friends and I heard “It’s a Small World” in the distance, we scattered as if we were ants sprayed with poison. We raced to our houses, raiding our piggy banks or begging our parents for spare change. As the melody grew louder, we knew time was of the essence.
For years, our ice cream truck was driven by a patient older gentleman who cruised the neighborhood at a snail’s pace. He made a point of learning everyone’s name and your ice cream of choice. If you were short a couple of pennies, he kept a jar of spare change to make up the difference.
One day our world changed. The soft melody of “It’s a Small World” went silent. In its place, the screeching sounds of an electric guitar. Gone was the sweet elderly man. The new driver was young. He had long wild hair and wore a tie-dyed tee shirt. This was no ordinary ice cream man. He raced through the neighborhood. If you weren’t at the corner when he stopped, he sped to the next.
I’ll never forget the day he played a game of cat and mouse with my neighbor, Timmy. We knew if we wanted ice cream, we had to be at the corner. On this day, Timmy had trouble scrounging up his change and he didn’t make it in time.
As the truck raced away from the corner, Timmy chased after it. To our surprise, the long hair slammed on his breaks, something he had never done. When Timmy was within arm’s reach of the truck, long hair floored it and then stopped again. This continued through the entire neighborhood. Poor Timmy was exhausted by the time the truck left our neighborhood.
Timmy didn’t get his ice cream that day and he didn’t join us at the corner the next few days. A week later the sound of the electric guitar faded. “Camptown Races” echoed through the neighborhood and a new driver was behind the wheel. Things were back to normal and we were able to enjoy the carefree days of summer.
What was your favorite ice cream treat?
May 16, 2014 at 10:56 am
Aw….how hateful of that long-haired driver….I’m glad he was quickly replaced. I grew up in the country, so no ice cream trucks for us. I was just telling my son yesterday that, during the summer, our little country store would sometimes have white lemon popsicles and blueberry ones. THAT meant it was summer! We have an ice cream truck in our neighborhood now; the medley of songs that they play is so amusing. It goes from children’s songs to Christmas songs, back to children’s songs, then When The Saints Go Marching In — it’s funny to hear! Have a great weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 11:12 pm
You just sparked another ice cream memory for me, Dianna. I loved the white lemon popsicles. I remember getting them at the country store when we visited my grandmother in WV. I love that your ice cream truck plays such a range of music. Who doesn’t love Christmas song in July? 🙂 I hope you have a great weekend as well!
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May 16, 2014 at 11:05 am
I loved the waffle cone dipped in chocolate and covered with nuts.
Oh gosh, this is delightfully told, and I feel so sorry for Timmy to be strung along like that. You have a wonderful memory to remember the ice cream man turnover.
Earlier this week, Grandson 2 looked all bewildered as he watched an ice cream drive through the neighborhood at regular speed and no tunes playing. ‘I guess he’s not open for business and must be going somewhere,” I tried to explain.
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May 16, 2014 at 11:17 pm
Oh, I remember those, Georgette. We called them Nutty Buddy and they were my mother’s favorite…still are.
My memory isn’t always the greatest, but it was so sad watching Timmy almost reach the truck, only to have it speed away. I felt so sorry for him.
Oh no, there’s nothing worse than an “off-duty” ice cream truck to tease a child. I hope he wasn’t too disappointed.
Enjoy your weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 11:26 am
I liked “Baked Alaska.” I remember when it came out. I could envision being in Alaska and it was so exciting! I don’t know if they have ice cream trucks anymore. Certainly not in this neighborhood. And when I was a kid, the song was like a music box tune. Very thrilling!
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May 16, 2014 at 11:21 pm
“Baked Alaska”…I might have to Google that, Hollis. How exciting to be transported to Alaska when eating an ice cream treat!
We have an ice cream truck that comes through our neighborhood now, but unfortunately, there is no music box tune…it’s quite obnoxious and then says “HELLO” really loud.
I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
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May 18, 2014 at 6:23 pm
🙂
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May 16, 2014 at 12:03 pm
What a mean person the young driver was. Obviously he didn’t really care. Perhaps a parent complained. I would have if I had been Timmy’s mom. (Actually, I probably would have done a lot worse to the driver himself ;)) I grew up in the country so we didn’t have ice cream trucks. I read about them in story books, though 😉 My ice cream treat was an ice cream soda that my mom would get me at Woolworth’s after taking me to the dentist. Of course, that’s probably why I got so many cavities.
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May 16, 2014 at 11:32 pm
Ha ha…you and me both, Marie! I always wondered if Timmy even told his parents.
Oh, you just triggered a great memory…the Woolworth’s soda counter…I loved that! I love that your mother took you there after a dental appointment…great thinking on her part!
Happy Weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 12:34 pm
I used to like the FAB lollies which were covered in hundreds and thousands. It was pink underneath, and then red. The red stained your lips so we would pretend we were wearing lipstick.
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May 16, 2014 at 10:48 pm
I’m with you Jenny, loved FAB’s ! And I did just the same with the lipstick thing 🙂
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May 16, 2014 at 11:34 pm
FAB lollies? Oh, I’ll have to Google that one, Jenny. I love the name and I can only imagine what it must have been like. The stained red lips is the reason why I liked the red popsicle. 🙂
Enjoy your weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 12:38 pm
Great post! Glad that driver was replaced. Perhaps Timmy’s parents and other parents complained. It’s sad when people are so cruel.
I totally agree, Jill, that the ice cream truck means summer is here. I loved the waffle cone also with chocolate and nuts. My brothers and I used to beg our parents for money to buy ice cream. Mom used to roll her eyes and say, “We have ice cream in the freezer.” But it wasn’t the same!!!
You can always tell how many kids a neighborhood block has by the number of kids grouped around a truck! There might be no one outside. Suddenly the music starts and 60 kids appear out of nowhere!
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May 16, 2014 at 11:39 pm
Thanks, Linda! I was happy too when the driver was replaced. I never knew if he had been reported or maybe he just didn’t show up for work…he seemed like the type that would do that.
Ha ha! We have such similar upbringings, Linda…my mom used to say the same thing about having ice cream in the freezer. You’re right, it wasn’t the same!
I received your lovely flowers today, thank you so much…they are beautiful!
Enjoy your weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 12:44 pm
Yes! Good Humor Ice Cream Truck + Change = SUMMER! The frantic race to get money and return to the truck in time.
I wonder if “Tie Dye” quit because he wasn’t making any money due to his lack of salesmanship? Maybe the company fired him because he wasn’t selling enough ice cream? Either way, “Camptown Races” was a better fit for the ice cream truck.
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May 16, 2014 at 11:41 pm
You make an excellent point, Nancy. He could have been fired for poor sales figures. Or, he could have overslept one too many times. 🙂
Enjoy your weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 12:50 pm
What a poohead that guy was. Makes one want to dump buckets of melting ice cream on his long, flying locks.
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May 16, 2014 at 11:43 pm
Ha ha! Great comment and fabulous idea, Carrie! Boy, we needed you in our neighborhood. 🙂
Enjoy your weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 12:55 pm
Believe it or not, there were no ice cream trucks in my town. I thought they were figments of authors imaginations, something like Griffins, only appearing in books and fables.
I wonder how that loud-music, child-hating rude man got the job in the first place?
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May 16, 2014 at 11:52 pm
Like the Bookmobile, not everyone had the experience of the ice cream truck cruising into the neighborhood.
I often wondered the same thing, Tracy. Maybe he was the grandson of our original driver? 🙂
Have a great weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 1:10 pm
We originally had an ice cream truck that sold popsicles and icicles. That was upgraded with a Mr. Softee truck where you could get a sundae! or a soft ice cream cone! or a banana split! I am pretty sure the portions were much smaller than today or I would weigh 800 pounds. I love ice cream summer or winter!
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May 16, 2014 at 11:55 pm
You were lucky, Kate…Mr. Softee…yum! I always love soft serve ice cream, especially if it was chocolate.
Ha ha! I think you’re right, portions are bigger everywhere these days.
Have a great weekend and enjoy some ice cream!
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May 16, 2014 at 1:41 pm
What a wonderful subject! It sure brings back a lot of memories for me. This is a good example of how memoir can work–how just a familiar subject stirs up memories in the reader. As I read I was reading your story and re-experiencing my own memories at the same time. Does that happen to you when you read a memoir? Anyway, do you think Timmy’s parents called whoever is in charge of ice cream trucks and complained? I love the world you conjured up here, but loving to hate that bad man who was so cruel to Timmy.
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May 17, 2014 at 12:01 am
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Luanne. Oh yes, when I’m reading a memoir I’m often taken back to my own experiences, that’s one of the things I love so much about memoirs. I have no doubt that when I read your memoir, I’ll again be taken back in time. Can’t wait for it! 🙂
As I mentioned in a previous comment, I never knew if Timmy even mentioned the incident to his parents. He may have been too embarrassed.
I hope you have a great weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 1:41 pm
Oh My Gosh! What a horrible guy! Who DOES that?? Poor Timmy, I think I’d be traumatized for life. We called our neighborhood truck the Ding Dong Cart. I have wonderful memories of the Ding Dong Cart. Luckily, no whaco guys to speak of. My faves were the strawberry shortcake bar on a stick, the snow cone with the gum ball at the bottom (loved that one) and ice cream sandwiches. I haven’t had breakfast yet and am now starving! LOL. We go to Cape Cod every summer and an ice cream truck stops at a beach we frequent. My 20 & 18 year olds still love to get something from the truck. I think you are never too old.
Enjoy your weekend and I hope it’s filled with mounds of ice cream! 🙂
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May 17, 2014 at 12:08 am
The Ding Dong Cart! That’s great, Maria! I might have to use that name in a story. 🙂
Wow, I completely forgot about the snow cone with the gum ball at the bottom…I loved that too! Until you mentioned it, I never remembered how much I enjoyed that treat. I do remember the shortcake bar, but I liked the chocolate one.
You’re right, we are never too old for a visit to the ice cream truck. I hope you make a few visits this weekend!
Congratulations again on your recent publication! Happy Weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 2:05 pm
What a awesome story, Jill! Such mean spiritedness lived within ‘long hair.’ I’m sure good ole Karma caught up with him. I was always a fudgsicle girl, myself! Your wonderful writing made me feel the anticipation as we anxiously waited for those melodious sounds to enter our neighborhood. 🙂 ~Karen~
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May 17, 2014 at 12:11 am
Thanks, Karen! I agree, what goes around, comes around…no doubt the long hair paid the price for his nasty behavior.
Oh yes, the Fudgsicle was one of my favorites too!
Have a great weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Bring’em back – those days! I’m fudgesicle, too! 🙂
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May 17, 2014 at 12:12 am
Me too, Billy…and Dreamsicles! Enjoy the weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 2:47 pm
Some people simply should not have some jobs. Horrible little punk. As for my favorite, it was the orange push ups. We weren’t allowed a lot of sweet treats when I was a child, but whenever I spent time out with my dad alone, he always bought me one. I don’t know if it was the treat I loved more or the fact it was from my dad. But I do know I still love them. 🙂
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May 17, 2014 at 12:20 am
I would venture to guess that it was a combination of both, Elizabeth. What a great and warm memory…thanks for sharing.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend! xo
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May 16, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Nice post, Jill! So many good feelings about those innocent days of yesteryear. I actually drove one of those trucks here in the Chicago suburbs for a few weeks one summer. I know what you mean about the excitement of kids–and adults–whenever they’d hear that music that still resonates in my head! Right now, though, my thoughts are far from ice cream as it’s actually snowing and raining this morning. It just never ends! 🙂
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May 17, 2014 at 12:22 am
Thanks, Mark! I would love to hear a little more about your days behind the wheel of an ice cream truck.
Oh no…snow and rain! You can’t catch a break, can you? I assume you’re packing up for the cabin. I hope the cabin brings some spring weather to your doorstep.
Enjoy your weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 3:08 pm
I was doing the accounts for a small, independent ice cream maker in Birmingham. It was the scorching summer of ’76, my last year in the city. The van sellers were on their knees at the door begging for fresh supplies, offering cash up front, such was the demand. And I’m not surprised as it was the most gorgeous ice cream I’ve ever tasted. Probably long gone now 😦
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May 17, 2014 at 12:33 am
This sounds like a great story, Roy. I want to know more about this summer of ’76. You’ve got my mouth watering for that ‘gorgeous ice cream.’
Enjoy your weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 4:48 pm
Poor Timmy! this story really resonated with me Jill because we too grew up in a neighbourhood where every summer the same darling man would drive his ice cream truck up and down our streets 🙂 He sold soft serve ice cream in different flavours – vanilla, strawberry and chocolate – and we could mix ’em up if we wanted to and I would drizzle raspberry sauce all over my glorious combination cone YUM! 😀 Now that I’m all ‘grown up’ I miss those sticky fingers and the lingering taste of sunshine and ice cream on my top lip.
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May 17, 2014 at 12:42 am
Yum! I always loved soft serve ice cream…it’s my favorite. I would be in heaven if it had been delivered to my neighborhood. You were lucky, Yolanda…the opportunity to mix things up and make your own wonderful creation.
I too miss those ‘sticky finger’ days.
Enjoy your weekend and thank you again for the beautiful photos!
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May 16, 2014 at 7:40 pm
I’m glad the sadistic ice cream man didn’t last long! When I was smaller, ‘screwballs’ were all the rage. They came in a cone shaped, see-through plastic tub which was filled with the ice cream and had a bubble gum at the bottom.
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May 17, 2014 at 12:45 am
So was I, Andrea! I remember that too. Maria mentioned the cone with the gum ball at the bottom, but I didn’t remember the name. ‘Screwball’ sounds very familiar, I think that might have been the name of our treat as well. I think the only reason I wanted it was because of that gum ball. 🙂
Enjoy your weekend!
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May 17, 2014 at 1:54 pm
Yep that’s right – we could just as easily have bought some gum separately, but it had a strange fascination 🙂
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May 16, 2014 at 8:29 pm
What a wonderful memory you have! And that story contains the epitome of a ‘baddie’ in a children’s story – did the long haired driver get his just rewards and was he ultimately redeemable? Timmy of course has the potential to be the hero, though perhaps the story teller will turn out to be so……. over to you 🙂
I still have an ice cream truck that sits outside my tiny house from time to time playing his cheerful music box type music. I don’t think he gets many customers though as he never lingers long. When I used to eat ice cream I loved anything chocolate coated and the creamier the better 🙂
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May 17, 2014 at 12:48 am
I wish I could have been a hero that day…perhaps all of the neighborhood kids could have built a human wall at the entrance of our neighborhood. 🙂
Like you, Pauline, I don’t eat ice cream anymore, but when I did, the more chocolate and creamier, the better. 🙂
Happy Weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 8:38 pm
haha. Poor Timmy. He’s probably a serial killer now who stabs his victims with sharpened popsicle sticks.
I lived on one of those roads that Steven King puts in his books… a skinny, pothole-laden strip with no sidewalks and lots of people driving like maniacs. My dream was to one day have an ice cream truck come around. Now I live in an apartment complex and an ice cream truck drives through every day. Alas, the thrill is gone. Now that CAN have it, I don’t want it. It doesn’t help that my son is a little snob who thinks ice-cream truck ice cream is not up to his standards. When did our kids turn into name-brand fashionistas?
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May 17, 2014 at 12:53 am
You are too much, Eric! A popsicle stick serial killer…only you!
Well, I can only guess that your freezer is stocked with a much better selection for your son. Are you eating Haagen Dazs as you watch the old Godzilla movies? 🙂
Enjoy the movie, let us know what you think!
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May 16, 2014 at 10:23 pm
What an absolute moron that long-haired driver was – poor Timmy! 😦
We used to have the ice-cream truck when I was a child and I hadn’t seen them in years until we moved back to this small country town. I was at a friend’s place a few weeks back and I heard that familiar noise, I thought ‘It can’t be!’ But it WAS. The old truck is still going and the kids still run out into the street to get their ice-cream. What a blast from the past! 😀
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May 17, 2014 at 12:57 am
What a nice blast from the past, Dianne! Every time the ice cream truck comes through our neighborhood these days, I get that same feeling.
I often wonder if Timmy gets a chill when he hears the sounds of the ice cream truck as an adult. It was so sad to watch.
Wishing you a fabulous weekend, Dianne!
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May 16, 2014 at 10:27 pm
That long-haired driver sounds horrid!! I love the ice-cream van, as my kids now do. I used to love the ninety-niner (creamy smooth vanilla in a cone with a chocolate flake). In Australia all the kids love the gelati icecream, loads of flavours all piled on top of each other (urgh!).
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May 17, 2014 at 1:00 am
Yum! The Ninety-niner sounds delicious, Gemma! I’m not a fan of vanilla, but if chocolate is involved, sign me up! I’m happy that your kids are able to enjoy the visit from the ice cream truck.
I’m with you, the gelati ice cream doesn’t sound like my cup of tea either. 🙂
Happy Weekend!
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May 16, 2014 at 10:46 pm
Well Jill, I just left a comment and guess what? It didn’t post! I’ve had this all week and it’s sooo annoying…so trying again with the reader.
I was saying how awful for poor Timmy, can’t believe Long Hair did that to him, so cruel. So glad your story had a great ending though. Here we seem to hear the theme tune to ‘Winnie the Pooh’ whenever the ice cream van comes down our street, and as with you, they were a big part of our childhood. A favourite here is the ’99’, vanilla ice cream in a cone with a Flake on the top, wonderful! DFD will remember them, I’m sure 🙂 I’m with Jenny too, love FAB’s.
It’s really summery here at the moment, and now I’m in the mood for ice cream this weekend. I hope you and DFD have a super weekend Jill, without any crazy ice cream van drivers. As I said in my previous comment, the only guitar music you should be hearing is Nicky’s, haha 🙂 xoxo
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May 17, 2014 at 1:08 am
I’m sorry your comment was lost, Sherri…there is nothing more frustrating. Thank you for taking the time to try again.
Aw, ‘Winnie the Pooh’ that would be a nice song to accompany the arrival of the ice cream truck. Gemma mentioned the vanilla cone with the flake, it must be good! As far as the FAB, I need to Google that so I can get a better understand of this treat that you and Jenny covet.
You’re summery and we went from almost 90 degrees to the 60′s. Tonight we are going to be 43 degrees. I need to break out the blankets!
Oh yes, I would love to have Nicky driving our ice cream truck and playing his guitar. 🙂 I’m sure Jenny would agree!
Have a great weekend! DFD sends his love! xo
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May 17, 2014 at 3:32 am
Don’t forget to copy your message before hitting submit, Sherri! After telling you before I always did that, I slacked off on the habit and, of course, lost a long, brilliantly worded, heartfelt response (since it disappeared, there’s no one to dispute the brilliance of it!) – just the little motivation I needed to remember to start copying first again!
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May 17, 2014 at 10:49 pm
One would think we’ve learned by now. 🙂
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May 17, 2014 at 3:27 am
My favorite was definitely the Good Humor Lemon Jungle. Until I was sixteen. Then it was the 18-year old Good Humor driver who I bought the Lemon Jungles from. Yes, I was the biggest kid waiting for the ice cream truck. When he asked me out, I was delighted – visions of romance and free Lemon Jungles dancing in my head. Imagine my surprise when he picked me up (with many apologies) in the Good Humor Truck because he hadn’t been able to get the family car. The relationship was very short-lived because I wasn’t old enough to go clubs with him and his friends – but it was ice cream-sweet while it lasted!
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May 17, 2014 at 10:55 pm
Ha ha! This is priceless, Shel! “Visions of romance and free Lemon Jungles dancing in my head.” Did he really pick you up in the Good Humor Truck? Too funny!
Have a great weekend and thanks for the laugh! 🙂
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May 18, 2014 at 5:18 am
He did!
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May 17, 2014 at 6:20 am
I was having the best time remembering about the run for money for the ice cream truck, and then the story of the long-haired idiot teasing the little boy made me furious. In our neighborhood, he’d have gotten his truck egged the next day, or worse–the bigger kids sometimes teased their little brothers and sisters, but they were never mean like that–and they had ways of getting even with those who did mean things.
But I’m smiling again at Shel’s date, and being picked up in the Good Humor truck!
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May 17, 2014 at 10:59 pm
He was an idiot. I’m happy his route in our neighborhood was short lived.
Wasn’t Shel’s story great, Marylin? I can’t stop laughing. She’s got a terrific sense of “Humor.”
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May 17, 2014 at 2:39 pm
The wild long haired tie dyed t-shirt slam on the brakes fella was mean. I hope Timmy recovered quickly from that experience.
When I was growing up, the “sno-cone man” came around every Saturday with his cart and a huge block of ice. He shaved the ice with an “ice shaver” and then packed the shavings in the cone shaped paper cups. I liked the red syrup. It made my lips red 🙂
About ice-cream, my favorite flavor is vanilla.
Have a good Saturday, Jill.
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May 17, 2014 at 11:04 pm
Oh, shaved ice, I loved that, Elaine. I don’t recall having that in Virginia, but I remember traveling north to Pennsylvania and having it for the first time. You’re right, that red syrup was the best!
Enjoy your weekend!
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May 17, 2014 at 3:52 pm
You really got us all loathing that long haired younger driver, too bad he wasn’t cool or chilling like a hippie that would be saying, “Peace!” or “Have one on me!” I am so glad that Timmy didn’t get hurt in this cat and mouse episode of his childhood! Poor guy!
We usually could only afford those long squeeze Freezer Pops, but my favorite treats were the chocolate ice cream sandwiches and the Sundae cones! This worked out when we would scramble around under the front seat of our old station wagon, where we would find spare change. We would send my little brother, Ricky, to stand by the curb to ‘hold’ the guy while we searched for the money!
I was so happy that two of my children’s homes had ice cream trucks that came by, but I was like my parents and yours, too. I would say to look in the freezer and help themselves to stand outside with their treats, joining the neighbor kids. I think it was all about having one in front or with the others. That made sense to my little practical ones, saving me money after all!
I liked the date with a Good Humor Ice Cream man, that was mentioned by Shel H. Great memories of the ‘good old days,’ Jill!
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May 17, 2014 at 11:12 pm
Unfortunately, I don’t think that guy knew the meaning of the word, “peace.” He obviously got pleasure out of inflicting cruel behavior on someone much younger than him.
Oh, I loved those long Freezer Pops, Robin! I still do. 🙂
How smart, to send Ricky to hold the driver, while you searched for money. I guess if you have a patient driver, that’s a good plan.
I know…I’m still laughing at Shel’s story…hilarious!
Enjoy your weekend!
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May 17, 2014 at 6:38 pm
The whole world loves icecream, don’t they, Jill? My husband absolutely loves soft scoop with ‘monkey’s blood’ on (strawberry sauce- yuck!) 🙂
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May 17, 2014 at 11:14 pm
‘Monkey’s blood!’ Is that really the name, Jo? I’m with you, yuck! I love strawberries, but as a sauce named ‘monkey’s blood,’ I’ll pass.
Happy Weekend!
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May 17, 2014 at 9:39 pm
I used to like the sound of the chimes… that was a treat enough for me, plus the sight of it right outside my house. It felt like summer. We couldn’t afford the ice creams in those days, but if you don’t know what you are missing, you just enjoy what you have.
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May 17, 2014 at 11:16 pm
So true, Denise. Many times we had to settle for the pleasant tunes without the ice cream, but it was all good because it was summer.
Have a great weekend!
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May 17, 2014 at 11:43 pm
We didn’t have an ice cream truck, but I remember the end of school day in elementary school. A lucky student got to report to the in-school store and hand over our order for ice cream; rainbow pops, push-ups, brown mules, fudgesicles, nutty-buddies. It made the whole day worthwhile and dribbles were okay because it was the last thing we did.
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May 18, 2014 at 12:06 am
What a nice way to end the day, Renee. I’ve never heard of brown mules, must be something made with chocolate.
Congratulations on your recent publication! I’ll look forward to reading your work.
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May 19, 2014 at 3:00 pm
Oh yeah, so many memories of the ice cream truck… which was a godsend when you grew up in a desert with 100-degree average summers. I can still taste the snowcones. 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend Jill.
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May 20, 2014 at 12:11 am
I can only imagine how quickly your ice cream treats melted in 100+ degree temperatures. Timmy would have collapsed on the pavement.:)
Have a great week, Phillip!
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May 19, 2014 at 6:06 pm
I loved this post! It brought back several memories. I grew up on a one-block street, so the ice cream truck didn’t visit often. But I remember going to the ice cream store and buying cones. Decisions, decisions!
Thanks. Theresa
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May 20, 2014 at 12:14 am
Such a carefree childhood we had, Theresa. I long for the days where the biggest decision was what ice cream to devour! Have a great week!
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May 19, 2014 at 11:46 pm
I too, remember as a kid how the ice cream truck meant summer had officially started. It was so weird when I first moved to Florida and heard that Small World song in the dead of winter! Even though winter wasn’t really dead here. The ice cream man here also races down the street. I rarely see kids stop him because he goes so fast. I wonder how they expect to make any sales.
Thanks for the fun trip down memory lane.
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May 20, 2014 at 12:17 am
Ah…you were living the dream, Lori…having the ice cream truck visit in the dead of winter is a dream come true for many kids.
What is up with these drivers…what’s the rush?
Thanks for sharing your memory, Lori. Have a great week!
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May 20, 2014 at 10:05 pm
I remember the ice cream truck making a daily pass through our neighborhood, too, Jill. It was such an exciting time of the day, especially when our parents splurged and let us get something. We still get the ice cream truck in our neighborhood occasionally, but it’s never consistent. Maybe because nowadays we have instant access to everything, it’s not quite as exciting as when we were kids. My girls never even ask for a treat from the truck.
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May 20, 2014 at 11:00 pm
It was an exciting time, wasn’t it? Oh Gwen, if you could hear our obnoxious ice cream truck, you would cringe. It plays some lousy jingle and then some female voice yells, “Hello!” It is horrid. It seems like these days, kids are more interested in the frothy treats sold by Starbucks. The last time I was in there, it was packed with tweens!
I missed your post this week…I hope all is well. xoxo
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May 20, 2014 at 11:09 pm
Jill, you’re so kind. I hosted scads of family members this weekend, all of them from out of town, for a surprise 50th birthday party for my husband. I wanted to enjoy the time with them, so blogging took a backseat and was eventually crossed off the to-do list. Felt good to let it go for a week, and alas, the world did not end. I think I’m going to cut back for the summer months, probably twice monthly instead of weekly. It will give me even more time to devote to writing and the kids.
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May 20, 2014 at 11:15 pm
Nice! Happy Birthday to your husband! I’m sure he was very surprised. I’ll bet it was a blast.
Good call…family before blogging. I’d like to take a little break this summer myself. 🙂
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May 20, 2014 at 11:18 pm
It was great. I posted a video of the “surprise” on Facebook. He never saw it coming. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.
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May 20, 2014 at 11:29 pm
Nice job, Gwen! I know you had this devious plan in the works for sometime. I’m happy you got him! 🙂
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May 20, 2014 at 10:32 pm
My cousins and I used to do the same thing at our grandparent’s house in the summer. I loved the toasted almond best (life before my tree nut allergy). My grandfather loved the strawberry short cake. 🙂
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May 20, 2014 at 11:03 pm
Oh, Kourtney…I completely forgot about the toasted almond. That treat was my mom’s favorite and mine too! How could I forget that…I’ll bet you can buy those at the grocery store.
I remember my grandmother loved strawberry milkshakes. I guess there is something about strawberries and the elderly. 🙂
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May 21, 2014 at 10:56 am
Oh, Long Hair sucks, that’s an awful thing to do!
I have to admit I find ice cream van music creepy. I hate it. I don’t know why, I have no childhood trauma to back this up – but I really don’t like the sound of an approaching ice cream van! One who is static and parked up somewhere is fine though 😉
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May 21, 2014 at 11:26 pm
Ha ha! Yes, long hair was extremely cruel, Celine.
I love your honesty and I completely understand where you’re coming from. I have never like clowns…they’ve always been creepy to me.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
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May 21, 2014 at 12:49 pm
Oh poor Timmy. Some people are just mean and/or bitter about life. I was surprised the first time I heard an ice cream truck in London. For some reason, I didn’t expect them here. But for the past few weeks, he drives by around 6 at night. The time seems odd to me so I wonder if he lives near here and is making his last sales for the day.
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May 21, 2014 at 11:29 pm
Really? I would be surprised to see an ice cream truck in London as well. Ha ha…you might be right about his sales sapproach…maybe you should purchase some ice cream and inquire. 🙂
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May 22, 2014 at 12:40 pm
by that time, I’m on the couch under a blanket reading. It’s been a tad bit chilly here with the rain and wind.
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May 23, 2014 at 12:02 am
I understand, not exactly ice cream weather.
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May 21, 2014 at 2:07 pm
Poor Timmy! The second ice cream truck driver sounds pretty mean! I remember those songs on ours, too. I remember Turkey in the Straw more than any, now, though, because that’s the song that played on the truck who came through my mom’s neighborhood when my kids were little! They loved going out there to get ice cream, too! 🙂 My favorite ice cream is butter pecan, but I used to love getting those red/white/blue bomb popsicles off the ice cream truck!
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May 21, 2014 at 11:33 pm
Oh yes, I remember Turkey in the Straw as well, Patsy. I’m glad your kids were able to enjoy the visit from the ice cream man.
Yes! The red, white and blue bomb pops, I loved those too! That was probably what I purchased most frequently. 🙂
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May 22, 2014 at 2:49 pm
That was what I bought the most too, in the 70’s. In the 60’s, in Georgia, we had an ice cream truck that had the machine that made the soft serve ice cream. I LOVED IT!!! That is still my favorite kind of ice cream to eat even though I hardly ever get it. I think that’s why I got into frozen yogurt for years a long time ago!
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May 22, 2014 at 12:14 am
I do not remember an ice cream van. But I remember a man riding a bicycle with a mobile cooler in front and ice cream treats inside that delighted our taste buds. Some things are universal no matter where you grew up. It is ‘this thing’ that your writing evokes; the carefree days of childhood and the heightened pleasure derived from simple things.
I see Timmy too. I sense his desperation and feel his disappointment. I like writing that does that to me.
Btw, Eric J Baker led me here.
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May 23, 2014 at 12:02 am
Interesting, a bike and a cooler…I’ll bet Timmy would have been able to catch up with him. 🙂
Oh, Eric, he’s great. I could write a few posts about him…he’s crazy!
I appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to comment, Timi. I’ll be popping over to yours.
Have a great upcoming weekend!
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May 22, 2014 at 10:59 pm
I hope old long hair is bald-headed now! This is a great memoir. Thanks for sharing
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May 23, 2014 at 12:08 am
Ha ha…thanks, Andy! Well, as fast as long hair drove, he might not have had a chance to go bald…but it is nice to imagine him like a cue ball. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
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June 1, 2014 at 11:14 pm
OMG! What a D@#K!! I would never choose my favourite, I would choose really really gross ones, then I wouldn’t have to share with my siblings! 🙂
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June 2, 2014 at 9:13 am
Ha ha! Yeah, I thought he was cruel. I only have one sister, so I didn’t have to worry too much about sharing. 🙂
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July 10, 2014 at 12:48 am
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
ICE CREAM—BUT DEFINITELY NOT FROM THAT GUY!!!! I DON’T THINK HE LASTED LONG, EITHER—NOT ENOUGH REVENUE COMING IN!
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July 10, 2014 at 9:06 am
Ha ha! I think you’re right, Jonathan! Thanks for stopping by!
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