Blue sky back to school days

How well I remember those 'back to school' September days. After a damp August holiday September would usually mellow to become golden and warm with blue skies tempting us all to leave the classroom and go outside to play.

If this rings a bell with you then do read the following verse that I found in one of my vintage books; its absolutely charming. The verse and accompanying pictures are from 'The Infants Magazine' dated 1918. I love the title 'A Very Hard Sum'. How I can sympathise with that!

 A VERY HARD SUM

Oh, isn't it a trouble when the dreadful lesson hours
Get mixed up with the sunshine and the summer and the flowers,
And every little number on the slate will seem to say:
"Oh, won't it be delightful when it's time to run and play."

Now here are five young scholars, very clever very wise,
But through the schoolroom windows they keep looking at the skies.
It's: Two and four make seven. Yes; that's right. Now add a three.
Hullo! Outside the window I can hear a humming bee.

Nell, I know had nearly finished; but away the answer flies
Just because a breeze of mischief fans the hair about her eyes.

Jack felt sure he knew the answer, and was writing it at last,
When a swallow by the window gave a twitter as it passed.

Agnes cried "I must be careful. Now I'll have another try"
All in vain; her glance would wander to a white cloud in the sky.
And that sum's most tiresome answer (though they sought it long and late)
Flitting through each dreamy fancy, never settled on the slate.

Then the teacher whispered kindly:
"Work is hard when days are warm.
You may go."
And five slates quickly took their places on the form.

**********

Until next time
Eli

Comments

[sabine]

A good example of how my daughter is feeling right now!

[Helen]

This is so true here in New England as well. The best weather of the whole summer is in September and the kids miss it in school. I have been blogging about the fact that summer isn't really over yet...

That is a delightful story with such cute illustrations!

[Julie Old Crow]

that is so true! I haven't been in school for a loooong time, but I can remember that feeling exactly!

Julie Old crow

[natalie jo]

My wee ones returned to the classroom last week and true to form, we've had the best weather yet! While I feel for them, I'm also happy to get back to our daily routine. I've fallen so far behind with my visits this summer but am having a grand time now playing catch up! Absolutely LOVE your blue fairy baby and intend to give the wasp trap a try out as I've been battling a nest of them in my morning glory arbor for weeks. Just because I haven't been around, however, doesn't mean you haven't been in my thoughts. Day by day you came to mind as I watched the Queen Anne's Lace slowy sprout up in the wild patch down by our lake. I wanted to take some photos to share with you and some clippings to transplant into my yard as well (mine failed to appear on their own this year.) But alas, directly prior to their bloom, the highway department came along and completely cleared the patch of all traces of greenery in preparation of a playground installation! I can't say I'll miss the poison ivy and my youngest is more than excited to have such fun right down the road, but oh the loss of those lacey beauties is heartbreaking!

Glad to be back,
natalie jo

[clarice]

Oh this is very sweet, thank you for sharing. Clarice

[redwood house]

Hi Eli,
What a truely delightful poem took me right down memory lane.

Those clouds in your previous post are amazing, I can't help but enjoy extreme weather conditions, that is untill it starts to disturb every day life I suppose.

I love the area where you live I think I have said this a few times but it really is so beautiful we must drive to the right on the main road instead of left sometime.....

Bye for now
Jan

[Jane]

Those were the sweetest little illustrations. And the verse was adorable too. It pretty much sums up how I felt the first couple weeks of school.

Jane

[Paula]

Dear Eli,

Such charming illustrations and sweet poem! I enjoyed it so much!
Love, Paula