My childhood was spent in Springfield, Mo. which is situated in the heart of the Ozark mountains. Consequently, trees played a large part in my life, and to this moment, I think with intense fondness of wooded picnic areas, of acres of black walnut groves, and of picking hickory nuts from thick forest floors. I recall climbing high into trees and of once building a tree house in our yard. Well, actually, it consisted of a few boards, hammered into place, but it functioned as a lounge-about-spot for my siblings, cousins and friends. Once either my sister Donna or my brother Junior got stuck in the high tree near the back of our yard, and was afraid to come down. I can’t remember which one of them it was, but it worried me, and I recall Mama standing at the base of the tree urging him/her down.
Closer to our house we had a peach tree. I was learning to play the violin, and I think my parents were not terribly fond of hearing me practice which no doubt led to my clear memory of my propping music in the forked branch of the peach tree, and of practicing the violin as I stood in the side yard. That must have been a sight and there’s no telling what the neighbors said. I don’t believe they thought I was a budding virtuoso, for I have no recollection of anyone standing around to gather in the magnificent stringed tones!
Earlier today I found pictures of remarkable treehouses, have posted some of them and urge you to click the link that will show you the others.
From weburbanists: 10 Tree Houses
Those are fabulous treehouses, but there is nothing quite like a couple of boards nailed high in a tree supporting a gaggle of giggling girls (with a boy or two thrown in). For a tender vignette, tuck in a peach tree music stand with a pigtailed girl pulling the bow across rosined violin strings.
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My devotional blog is here.
Shirley Buxton 
4 replies on “Of Peach Trees, Treehouses and Violin Practice”
I’m sure the neighbors knew that a budding virtuoso was in their midst; although no doubt hoping you would reach that goal quickly.
It must have been a lovely place. Isn’t it wonderful to have fond memories of our childhood years?!
Yes, Bek, memories of our childhood are great. We have two such sets: one of our own childhood–another of those of our children. Pretty neat!
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Tree houses are a safe haven for me. I’ve been wanting to make one for my grandchildren. However, most all of our trees are pines and they don’t have branches in which to make a tree house.
My husband brought the kids a platform that he has put against the tree. It has 5 steps and then an area for them to play. While it is not high, one of our grandchildren have played a lot on it.
Years ago, I was visiting my sister who still lived in the area in which we grew up. We had her take us to our old farm. Now, the tree we climbed up, in my mind, was a big tree. It looked so small when I saw it as an adult.
Our tree house brings back happy memories.
Happy memories of childhood…what treasures they are. It interests me also that our perspective as an adult is quite different from that of a child. Thanks for your comments.
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What a great entry, Shirley. I, too, love trees. We had those wooden boards, nailed into the Mulberry tree. Each of had his/her own place: “apartment” – Pam, Michael, Mike, and me. We sometimes “visited” each other, as we munched mulberries and the little white bugs we didn’t sse when we were young.
We also has a walnut tree in the side yard. The brown hulls stained our clothes after they got wet, and we hit them with hammers to eat the sweet “meat.” There was a Rose of Sharon next to the front door. And maples and apple and pear tress that bore fruit. My childhood is full of those Missouri trees.
Helen, one of the most beautiful things about Missouri is its wooded areas. I’m glad I spent my childhood in that lovely state.
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These are pretty incredible tree houses! As a young girl I enjoyed climbing into a tree and lying on a branch to read. My children had a much nicer custom made tree house. I guess with time these houses become quite a masterpiece. I have enjoyed reading your website and blogs. Kent and I met you @
Marc Stevenson’s installation services. It’s good to reaquaint.
Tracie, welcome to my blog…hope you come and comment often. There is probably not a person alive who has not at one time climbed into a tree…for daydreaming, vision casting, or simple reading. Delightful places.
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