03.S02 Chapter Three, Snippet Two

New Prairie Woman
Susie Rosso Wolf
Chapter Three

Once we parked the truck and could see the ocean, the pier, smell the salt air, Snowflake and Cricket came alive with combustible excitement. Both girls holding on to their new “boyfriend’s” hands, Uncle Kurt escorted the little beauties up to the pier with Brenda and me trying to keep up with them. Once we climbed the old boardwalk ramp up to the Carousel, my heart was flooded with memories of my father lifting me up onto my favorite white and blue horse with the beautiful pink crystal eyes and long white mane. Strapping me onto the saddle then handing me my huge cotton candy on a paper stick, I rode around and around for the ten minute ride with the pipe organ music blaring while the glorious Pacific Ocean below forcefully slammed itself up against the Santa Monica shore, then back again, and again, taunting me to swim and play in the salty foamy water. Father always knew once I was finished with my Carousel ride and my treat, that I’d be ready for a day in the water. Back then, in the 1950’s and 60’s, the beach was only scattered with a handful of people, and the pier was mostly used for local fishermen trying to bring in a day’s catch. There were a few amusement galleries, gift shops, restaurants and rides, but now, well, the pier had become so commercial. So I found myself thinking back to the day when life was simple and easy. When love was first and foremost in our lives, when attitude and judgment towards each other wasn’t permitted and didn’t exist.