I am from a dishwasher that hadn't worked in years and remained as an island for the microwave to rest on, the microwave dishes stored inside.
I am from "the first long lane on the right" and the house with white siding.
I am from doing the dishes with mom every Tuesday and Saturday after supper, from cooling scalding corn cobs in water in that same sink at harvest time.
I am from meat and potatoes and a vegetable on the side. I am from salt and pepper and mom's cherry pies.
I am from humid August nights and crickets hopping across my bedroom floor.
I am from lining up the marshmallows from Lucky Charms before eating, and real maple syrup from our own woods.
I am from the rich Ontario farmland, humus black and sun bright fields.
I am from hours trailing behind the tractor picking up stones, from days on the tomatoe harvester snatching clods of dirt, weeds, and frogs off the conveyor belt.
I am from jumping in the ditch when we saw the bus coming, hiding so we wouldn't have to run to catch it. I am from huddling in the grey building to keep out of the icy wind.
I am from sliced carrots and celery every day in my lunch bag, and an apple alongside my sisters, catching up after school.
I'm from treat night on Fridays and popcorn after AWANA on Wednesday nights.
I'm from too much prime time TV and too many isolated hours after school.
I'm from sweaty gyms and a sports team for every season. I'm from cross country races in the warm autumn sun, throwing up afterwards from the exertion.
I am from bus 17, from Kindergarten to OAC, rattling around the same gravel country roads.
I am from a small town church meeting in a municipal office, from spinning in the councillors chairs after service. I am from Sunday school in the basement, filling in the ant holes of the dirt floor with the heels of my shiny Sunday shoes.
I am from an Easter and Christmas dress from Grandma and Grandpa and showing off a Grandpa with the real name "Donald Duck."
I am from "push yourself" and "hold your horses," from unspoken apologies and silent I-love-yous.
I am from Saturdays playing card games at Great Aunt Helene's. I am from Bunco and Rook and stories of the Depression.
I am from dressing up in olden days clothes, from living most of my childhood in the 19th century of my mind. I am from Ska-Nah-Doht and First Nations beadwork.
I am from beyond-class enrichment and molding a sculpture at the cultural centre.
I am from the green station wagon and packing the car-top carrier for camping trips, sent up on the roof cause I was the lightest.
I am from the Lake Erie beach, cool between my teenage toes in the evenings, writing and dreaming of life yet to come.
I am from Charles Street West and late-night runs for chocolate cake at Raba. I am from new friends in res and sleeping above my desk. I am from 5 a.m. rowing practice in the choppy darkness of Lake Ontario.
I am from summer in St-Jos, from fires on the beach of the St. Lawrence and a circle of friends who welcomed me in.
I am from rock scree sliding in the Austrian Alps, from "don't argue, just climb" and "there's a time to be wet."
I am from les îles and sleeping in a tent for 4 months. I am from the smell of salt in the air, fresh pine forest and a transparent screen roof between me and an ocean of stars. I am from cigarette smoke Au Centrale. I am from québécois violin and guitar jam sessions late into the night.
I am from Quebec City winters and tire à l'érable. I am from cold that stings the skin around the eyes, the only bit exposed. I am from a view of the Chateau at night, debating God and politics and existentialism.
I am from German pretzels for the kids and a capuccino every morning made by my husband.
I am from crossing borders and erasing them.
Linking up with SheLoves today - it's easy and fun, come tell us where you are from.
