Monday, November 7, 2011

Getting Ready

Yesterday as I was driving
around I stopped to consider
one of my favorite places
that is closed for the
Winter.
This is Bay Beach.
Our small town amusement park..
Where tickets still cost
25 cents each and it
costs one, or two, tickets
per ride.
Here's the  pavilion our daughter, Mimi,
got married behind a few
years ago.
CLOSED!
This is the Zippin-Pippin.
Elvis Presley's favorite ride.
It was bought by the city of
Green Bay a couple of
years ago and opened this Spring.
CLOSED!
I never got a chance to ride it
before it shut down for the winter.
Next year  I will be one of the
first in line!
Do you KNOW how much
I love roller coasters?
Does that surprise you?
I am the one in the front row
with my arms in the air
discreetly covered so my fat arms
(as SweetCheeks so fondly calls them)
don't wave in the breeze!

And as I look around,
I see the little train station is closed.
Its little cars and engine parked inside.
CLOSED!
The small pavilions are empty,
benches tilted sideways.
CLOSED!
The swings have no load
to carry-except for the snow
that will soon cover them.
CLOSED!
The playground equipment
echoes with the whistles
of the wind.
CLOSED!
KastleKars has shut its doors.
No cars will be racing 'round this
track until next Spring.
CLOSED!
And then I look up and see
the Fall sky and notice a
jet has scratched its way
across the surface.
There is one beautiful tree,
standing fully leaved,
while all those around it are bare.
Close up she is even more lovely.
I arrive home on this
Fall day and look towards the bay.
My deck chairs sit sadly,
waiting...waiting...waiting...
for Spring when they will
be filled with a warm body again
~or a wet one~
depending on the day.
To finish up I look down at
our back stoop..
and smile and think of
I can hear her screaming from here.
PICK THOSE LEAVES UP!
She's a leafaholoic...or..
something.
And..what else is ready for
winter?
Someone who already appears
to be hibernating!
your photo name

21 comments:

The enchanted home said...

Seeing the foliage against the water is beautiful. I am a total scaredy cat, won't go on a roller coaster, am very claustrophobic and no way am I getting buckled into one of those things, no thanks, I wil watch from afar:)

Anonymous said...

Oooo, don't mess with that sleeping bear :):)You are as bad as me, I feel sad that the trees are bare.Enjoy this week. Tomorrow is suppose to be a pretty day here..good for voters. Susie

Jettie said...

I love the yellow leaves!
I'm not sure how I would do on a roller coaster anymore. I do know that farris wheels scare the daylights out of me, and they didn't when I was young.
Enjoy that ride next spring...
J

michelle said...

What a great place and it is sad to see everything closed. Even as I drive out to the beach and see it empty, a bit bittersweet. Too cold to get out but I love having it to myself. :)
I laughed about Laurie!! She is such a leaf-aholic!!! LOL!!
Have a wonderful week!
xoxo

Gina said...

I know it is sad to see all these fun filled attractions closed up for winter. It's the same around here.

I even look sadly out the window at our pool knowing that the swimming & laughing & shouting will not return until June.

Tete said...

Looks like just the best place to go! I can't wait until you go in the spring and ride that coaster. Love them too, but no longer can ride with my neck and back so messed up, so you will have to ride for both of us.
Lovin that tree, and hope Laurie doesn't show up with her blower to your house. Yeah, she's got something bad, for sure.
Goldilocks, there's a bear in your bed, girl.
Another day closer to the new baby!

Anonymous said...

what a great post, I love to see where my friends live and you live in a great spot, beautiful,, you are very brave, I have never been on a roller coaster,, ( my arms would be flapping ) but from fear with me shaking!!!

Kathy@ Gone North said...

What a lovely post...looks like a fun place to have in your home town.
AND then I see your last pic & laughed... I am guessing that your family thinks, "Nothing or no one is safe when Nana has her camera".. : )

Donna said...

Oh my, a hibernating hubby . . .

What a lovely post. Your tree is beautiful, full of color before resting for the winter!

We forget, living here on the Coast of California, there are actually places that close for the winter!

Oh how I used to love a good roller coaster - I loved that front seat, too, but that was before my fat arms - tee he he he!

Have a blessed new week!
Donna

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

Wow~that yellow tree is beautiful!
I love fall, but there are some sad aspects to it. No more cookouts. No more afternoons on the porch. And then once all the leaves are gone, and it's not even really fall anymore...you just have to get ready for snow.
No more rollercoasters. That is sad :)

Debbie said...

Oh, what a bittersweet post today Diana.
My favorite park is Michigan Adventure. We go every summer with the kids.
Your Fall pictures are wonderful!
Especially like the chairs looking out over the water.
xxxooo

Julie Harward said...

Sad huh..but I do love your chairs sitting there like that, lovely! :D

Mark said...

Don't be sad. Before you know it, all those things will be open again. I promise!
Your Friend, m.

Unknown said...

sweet tree you found there ..so golden yellow. those leaves must have strong stems on them.

- KAT -

Red Rose Alley said...

I can't believe you love roller coasters!! They all took me on the most scary ride at Disneyland, and I had my eyes closed the whole time. I used to love the crazy rides, but I guess those days are over. I'll settle for the Carrosel. haha Your bay pictures are so pretty. Such a peaceful scene. Have a lovely week.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Kristens Creations said...

Boy that tree is beautiful! We have some pretty ones around here too. It's a shame all the leaves will fall off soon!

Glad you liked the wreath and tutorial! Thanks for your nice comments!! Kristen

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

You are so blessed to live by the water. That is a dream of mine. Your pictures are wonderful. Have a really good week!

Heaven's Walk said...

I am on my way over with my leaf blower....

xoxo laurie

(And yes....I am a leaf-aholic - and proud of it. Guess what I did again today....??)

lololol!

camp and cottage living said...

Diana
Seeing all those closed places makes me think it's time to hibernate inside.
OMG, someone else is already doing just that!
He sure looks cozy!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hey Diana,
My brother Jeff who lives in Green Bay loves that place too!
Love your pics here and I heard we may have up to 6 inches of snow! Ughhh, not yet!
Hugs,
Cindy

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Gorgeous photos...love the colorful leaves against the brilliant blue sky!