Sprinkler Rainbows

My father was a qualified petrol mechanic but he didn't own one new car in his life. He was very good and was reliable at his work. He had a problem with his temper but he controlled himself there wasn't ever anything very serious. He drank a lot we weren't well-off at all.

On some special day a birthday for instance it was Scalectrix or a bicycle, your first Bible or playing cards or a chess set or portable radio. Or then in remorse, after a decent hiding.

Christmas for children was all kinds of magic and joy, a Christmas tree and all kinds of pretty decorations and a feast of a meal.

Waking up early to presents toys deodorent all of it very practical stuff, batman and superman costumes and the lone ranger, and of course there always were revolvers clap guns and such. Or a Chemistry set or Electronix kit a little inflatable boat cheap binoculars and bowie knife. Name it.

He understood what man needs.

As a little child where-ever I went with him, and that was almost everywhere, there was always a lucky packet or a little matchbox car, or a small toy at the cafe for cigarettes. For instance the barber or the railways pub I went with him everywhere, on the long road too with stops or petrol.

I had a happy childhood. I spent a lot of time with my mother too and was enjoyed proudly as a kind of circus act and show-off. She is a teacher and a librarian.

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Our grandparents didn't have a swimming pool so on hot summer afternoons us kids played in the sprinkler's cold refreshing water and its beautiful little rainbows. We took turns shouting for joy running over the dewy wet green grass and over through the cold spray, running merrily jumping over the spring with great mirth!

With this sparkling spring joyfully dancing we jumped over it happy and wet of cold water shouting laughing excitedly all the closer and washed clean. The garden hose snake itself gave good entertainment like water fights or trying to catch it when freely just spouting around wildly. The sprinkler itself some magic fountain filled with wonderous small rainbows.

There are the same rainbows in waterfalls too, in the spray and mist and thunder in tiny waterdrops on a carefree sunny day. On a clear day also just above the ocean bliss just on the horizon one may also see a rainbow as a very fine ribbon in all of it's colours right around. And of course when you are lucky sometimes, the display, the splendour itself, after an afternoon rain shower.

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After a rain shower we could go outside to play. There are little streams of water running down between the tarred road and cement curb. Everyone built mud dams we looked who could build the best one.

In the evenings after rain there are many many flying ants they were attracted to the light to the streetlamps. They were actually not like ants at all they were much bigger and fatter. The wings they losed easily and had to crawl around.

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There was a cousin and my brother too as well as a few other kids from the neighbourhood. My grandfather called us "the smash-and-grab gang". One of the other kids had a swimming pool at home that was terrific fun. We were very fortunate to sometimes go with to the farm and often there were camping holidays to the sea. Those people were quite wealthy actually.

My childhood was filled with discoveries there were always new things and fascination and imagination, with wonder and joy and beauty and many days of happiness.