Is it the first week of June already? Whoa.
I’m leaving town again tomorrow. I’m heading to Pennsylvania for a day.
And,
I’m being zapped by the nostalgia fairy. She gets me good every now
and then. I was born in Pittsburgh and spent the first few years of my
life in town called Cranberry (was that the name, Dad?). We lived in a
big yellow house with a stream running through the backyard. I rode
Spin-outs (a type of Big Wheel?)
in the basement with my brothers, ate fresh snap-peas in the garden,
hunted for turtles in the front yard, kept a glass hotel for fireflies,
walked to my tap-dance class down the street and only caught rare
glimpses of my pet cat, Zeek.
I had a photographic memory as a child — they called me "Finder Girl," because I could find any misplaced thing
by "flipping through the pictures in my mind," as I described it. I
could tell my parents exactly where to go. That memory situation left
me with unusually clear recollections of a time that most folks don’t
remember, including many memories of being in my crib. We moved away
from Pennsylvania when I was only four years old and that state’s had a
golden glow in my mind ever since.
It’s been a life dream to make my way back there to cross-reference my
memories with reality. The whole "someday I’ll take a trip to
Pennsylvania" thing. And here I am, finally setting foot in
Pennsylvania, but with no time set aside for exploring. I’m a bit
weirded out. Does this make any sense? I’m feeling a tad oh-my- I’m-going-to-Pennsylvania and a bit dang-I’m-skipping-the-dream-part — all at once.
Worthy of a post? Hmmm. Maybe not. I do think I’ll be heading
there again. Exploring my childhood haunts is on my short list of life
goals. But, I can’t deny I’ll be eyeing the rental car booth at the
airport and calculating the added expense of extending my stay.
Make sure you let us know when you’re coming back. I live in Pgh and know just where Cranberry is. I’ll take you out to lunch. 😉
Aww, I’m sad for you. I lived in Pittsburgh two years ago, and I’d like to re-explore the area even with my fully adult memories intact. ^__^
Hey, I’ve been reading through bloglines, so I didn’t notice the redesign until today! It’s lovely! But I’ll miss the awesome dress header.
Glass hotel for fireflies..my daughter has one of those. Love the pigtails pic. 🙂
Ahh nostalgia! I am also guilty of going there. I hope you have a fun trip to Pennsylvania one day, and your lovely childhood memories remain the same. It’s funny how when you visit childhood places everything seems so small!
Very cute pigtail photo 🙂
I’m in PA, near Pittsburgh- we live 5 minutes from Cranberry in Zelienople- which has become quite the metropolis, BTW. Huge growth in the past 10 years.
Well, I hope it’s a good trip anyway 🙂
I moved to San Diego from Pittsburghjust last year. There is a new chapel in Cranberry, a stake center, just dedicated before I left. The town has grown a lot even while I was there.
Have fun!
Memories. Hope you are able to sneak in a bit of extra cirricular activity while you’re in PA. Enjoy!
Memories — they are what make us who we are. Love the doll cake! Brings back memories of my own.
Hope you catch at least a glimpse of something familiar and heartwarming on your trip. Enjoy!
Oh, the nostalgia fairy, a dangerous and delightful friend all rolled into one…if you do not extend your trip, you MUST go back!
I’m here is PA, in York. Poopy place at times, but it’s ok. Cranberry sounds like a really nice town.
Have fun in PA tomorrow! I’ll be sharing the state with you (and millions of others, lol) as I live in the SE part of it a little bit NW of Philly. 🙂
Having just finished a strawberry picking adventure on my cousins farm in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I hope you have some time to enjoy the beauty of the state in early summer. Beth
Hello!!! my english is very bad, but i would like to say that your blog inspire me very often!. You are a link in my blog, come and see ! byby!
I’m from Freedom, and take the Cranberry exit to get home. Have a blast and look past all the new development and remember the farms, huge old trees and winding roads…
“weirded out”…my parents say this, I have never heard anyone else say/type it…funny to see it typed out! Have a great time!
Have a great time in Pennsylvania! Interesting how much we remember, isn’t it? I have a freakishly photographic memory too. I love the way you write and how wonderful it is to go through the reminiscence with you.
I love PA. I especially love the Pittsburgh area and their Pittsburghese, such as “redding the house up”(cleaning the house) and “Yepper!!” with a thumbs up.
My daughter was born in DuBois. A few years ago we took her back there to see where she was born, where we lived, and to see our friends.
Have fun.
Heather,
I live in Beaver County, right outside of Pittsburgh. I also shop in the only good scrapbook store in Cranberry! The above comments are right–Cranberry has blossomed over the last 10 years.
I have been forunate to live in Pittsburgh for a few years before my son was born. I can’t believe how many of your ‘fans’ live near me! How cool is that!
Can you tell us what you are doing in PA?
wow !! just found out your new banner – so nice !!
enjoy your trip.
I have lived most of my life in California. We went to PA 2 years ago and as we were driving through the rolling hills of the country and I saw all those beautiful homes with the tin stars and candles in the windows, I felt like I was home. It was the weirdest feeling to feel like you belonged somewhere where I’d never been before. It is probably my favorite place in the world and I just have to go back someday.
Whenever I cross the border into Pennsylvania, I instantly feel relaxed and happy. I was born in Wilkes Barre and my earliest memories are of Harvey’s Lake where both sets of grandparents had homes. There is truly no place like home. I hope you have time to enjoy your visit.
i hope you have a wonderful trip back to your childhood. i would love to do the same but mine is on the other side of the world!
be safe
Heather love the pictures.
You havn’t changed a bit.
Hi! I can so relate to your memory! I have lots of memories that most people don’t. Including when my parents told me they were having my sister–and I was only 2.5 years old! I also attribute it to moving at the age of 4, so I have very clear memories of that place vs. the new place. and I can find anything misplaced if I’ve seen it–just like a slideshow in my mind.
Have fun in PA!
I did something similar a few years ago. I was back near the city where I had been born/raised until I was 12 and just had to visit the cider mill that had been close to my home. I HAD to have that cider, and to see the places I had haunted. It was weird. A good weird in a way — but when I drove past my old house, I didn’t even recognize it. “MY” brickfront ranch was now a two story colonial. Hmph. But the cider, now that was EXACTLY like I remembered it!
Oh, how fun and exciting! I lived in Pittsburgh when I was in high school. My parents moved back right before I got married in 98 and then left a couple of years ago. I miss it so much too! I love the lush greenery there. If you get the chance, there is an AMAZING Greek food restaurant downtown . . . it is called Christos Mediterranean Grill. I used to go there all of the time. The owner used to be Jackie O’s private chef. He is so nice and cool! If you go, ask for the Jackie O dessert!!! Yuuummmmm!!!
Here is the info on it in case you do go! 🙂
130 6th St
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 261-6442
I grew up in Pittsburgh. My family and I are getting ready to spend some time there. My baby brother is graduating from Slippery Rock High School. I know exactly where Cranberry is. Hope you enjoy your visit.
I’m very near Cranberrry, in the small town of Monongahela. I left this area for a time in the late 80’s/early 90’s. Got married, started a family and now we are all back here. It’s a good place to raise your kids and there is just the right amount of each season.
HOpe your visit was pleasant.
-I do “red up” the house, but have never said “yepper”. 🙂
Although I can’t relate to the PA nostalgia, in looking at your photos, I just realized that my mom made me almost the same exact doll cake for my birthday! I think cake decorating was a big thing back in the day, ahhh how sweet, sugar-coated memories! Be safe on your travels.
Ah…I’m originally from Monaca…my brother lives in Zelienople. My Dad who was born in Zelienople called that little town *God’s Country*….I wish I was going with you to Cranberry..I miss my hometown.
So you were a regular Cam Jansen! Do you still have that photographic memory today? If so how do you use it?
Who is the little girl in the back? She looks exactly like Matt’s daughter Hailey!
That’s my sister, Julia, Haley’s aunt. And you’re right — they totally look alike!
Hi Heather,
I picked ME up a pair of puddle jumpers while in Salt Lake City…Not only are they cute, they are the most comfortable shoe! Lucky for me I have small feet–they are only thing besides my fingers that are small! Hope all is well… Kisses Gina
I wonder if it was something about the month of June, maybe something in the stars, because I’ve been thinking (maybe obsessing) about the past too. I actually did a post titled Nostalgia (http://wisdomofthemoon.blogspot.com/2007/06/nostalgia.html ) over at my blogger site and another one about old records that I used to have on my Yahoo one. I’ve literally spent days searching through eBay looking for all the toys and stuff that I used to have as a kid. It’s not like me at all, but I’ve just had these massive feelings of, well, I guess it’s homesickness, but not just for a physical location, but more of a place in time. I keep having dreams about the house I grew up in. Very strange.
I came across your post on a project with Scholastic but what drew me in was your visit to West Chester, PA because that is where I live. I hope you had an amazing time here. It is so beautiful this time of year!
Now back to my project, as I mentioned I found your post and thought I’d reach out to say hello and ask if you’d like to receive a free Maya & Miguel DVD. If you’d like to receive the DVD just email me at Kerri at boldmouth.com with your address and I’ll have it shipped it out to you.
I don’t know if you’re familiar with Maya & Miguel, a show on PBS in the afternoons — http://pbskidsgo.org/mayaandmiguel — that emphasizes cultural diversity and language learning but I’m reaching out to talk to parents about the program as part of a marketing project I’m working on with Scholastic.
If you do choose to blog about Maya & Miguel show or episodes on the DVD, please make it clear how you received the information. Our goal is to be open and honest with everyone we reach.
Kerri Roberts, BoldMouth
Hi Heather — just catching up on your lovely blog after a long internet vacation. I’ve lived in Pittsburgh for eight years now. Cranberry has become a major suburb, but I can imagine the idyllic rural town it must have been 25 years ago. Email me if you like when you’re headed this way… I can give you some good pointers on places to go!