As I sit here enjoying the warm spring weather and watching the buds popping out of the trees my mind goes back to those spring days when I was just a little girl.  

 

Spring reminds me of the carnivals that I got so excited about. They came to the Norwood Park or the Fairgrounds as it was referred to. My very favorite ride was the Merry Go Round. I was really afraid to ride the Ferris wheel or some of the other rides that went up high in the sky. We never had a roller coaster here, but I did become acquainted with them in later years when I went to some of the larger stationary parks.  And after one ride on them, they were put on my do not like list.

 

Merry Go Rounds, or Carousels as they were referred to, originated in Europe and many Kings had them built to celebrate the birth of their sons. Most of the figures on the Merry Go Rounds were horses. But occasionally you would find other animals added. The horses were attached to poles which made the horses go up and down and the Merry Go Round would turn while music played. It really was a thrill for me to ride the horses.

 

My love of the Merry Go Round became even better when I was given the pleasure, in my older years to ride famous Carousels. The first was in Paris when I rode the Carousel located at the base of the Eiffel Tower. 

 

I was visiting Europe with Leslie and when we saw the Carousel we ran to it and rode it for a long time looking up at the Eiffel Tower. My daughter Lisa took me on a trip to New York and our sight-seeing tours led us to a Carousel located beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. I cannot remember the exact location but when I was in San Francisco, I remember one located near the Navy Pier. Although I love the music played I was always fascinated by the beauty of the painted horses which were works of art with their fascinating colors. In the early years in Europe, individuals were commissioned to design the horses. It was an art few people could do.

 

I know that many of you will have the opportunity to ride a Merry Go Round when you visit Disney or some of the other parks and I encourage you to look at the details of the animals and enjoy them as you go around as though you were on a ride through the country side.

 

Guess what? I got my container of pansies. There are a lot of purple and white in them and I think they are beautiful.  I must share a secret with you, I talk to their little faces.  No replies yet, but that’s OK.

 

You know when you are 82 you can dream of Merry Go Rounds at Norwood Park and you can talk to pansies.

 

Be sure to place your orders for Easter Bread or chocolate eggs at the PWA, 304 624 6881.

 

Enjoy Spring, get ready for Easter, stay safe and until next week “Now You Have Heard It ThroughThe Grapevine.”