My swing in the old oak tree

We had a large oak tree to the left of our new house. It was old and huge. It provided shade for us and we were proud of our tree. We didn't have an air-conditioner back then. One day daddy got a ladder and leaned it up against the tree. I stood and watched as he climbed the tree and made his way onto a thick limb sticking out to the left. I didn't know what daddy was going to do but he laid on his stomach with his overalls on and scooted himself out a good distance from the tree trunk. His legs were wrapped around the limb as he moved forward with a rope in his hand. When he stopped he reached around the tree limb and brought the rope around it tying it securely in place. Working to get the other end he scooted back toward the tree trunk and stopped. He took the other end of the rope and tied it around the limb. I noticed he looked toward the ground and adjusted the rope so it was neither too far off the ground nor too near. Then I watched as he worked himself back to the trunk and to the ladder as he made his way down to the ground. I remember being glad daddy didn't fall out of the tree and was happy to see him on the ground again. He had taken a piece of wood and cut out "v's" in the center of each end making a seat for the swing. This was all new to me and I was all eyes. He positioned it on the rope, sat down, walked himself back and away he went testing the swing. Then it was my time. I will never, ever, forget that first time in my very own swing. I walked backwards as far as possible and pulled my feet up. I thought I would never stop and go backwards. That swing was so far off the ground until it gave me a long distance to swing before going back. It provided me with hours and hours of fun. The swing was far enough away from the tree trunk until not only could I go backward and forward but I learned to make a circle. I could really fly high going around in a circle and enjoyed it so much. It wasn't long until I was able to touch my toes to the leaves on the tree edge. 

One day I was swinging and mother came by with her silver water bucket heading to the garden. She said she was going to pick a mess of peas. I heard an airplane in the air or thought it might be a helicopter. Ft. Rucker had a training field near our home and they flew over our house at all hours. Sometimes I stood in the yard and waved to the soldiers sitting in the open doors of the copters. But on this day I learned it was an airplane. I looked out toward the garden and saw Mama coming in a high trot just as fast as she could walk toward the house. I knew something was wrong. "What is it?" I yelled. She said, "That airplane. I think it is diving at me!" Peas or no peas she was coming to the house. It tickled me then and as I relive the moment today I still find it funny. Precious memories.