Friendly chat

You can keep this tropical hot weather, it's not all it's cracked up to be. Am I the only one who misses the smell and sound of gentle rain ?

I might grumble about January but I wouldn't swap with you. Plus, I'd still have to do my tax.

Our rain is not that gentle at the moment !!!!!!!

We had snow last week for the first time in 700 days. Only a couple of inches but enough for me. Our neighbours used their snowblowers to clear the driveways and pavement outside the homes in our street. Wonderful people.

Ah, I see I had already posted on this topic at post 486 of the Smithford Street thread. My memory of recent events is somewhat lacking! My memory of the interior of the temporary Woolworth's 1950 onwards was that it was well lit. I recall one occasion when there was a power cut and gas lighting was used operated by pulling on one of two chains attached to a rocker hanging from the gas light fitting. (I spent some time living with an aunt in Newport, South Wales around this time so I may be mixing up the branches.) I have a vivid memory of wandering off and becoming lost in the Coventry store. After that, I was kept in a newly purchased leather harness with three sleigh bells across the front whenever out shopping. I must have resented my loss of freedom to have remembered my dislike of the sound of the bells and the distracting tug on the rein so clearly.

I, too, remember those reins but I don't remember being too bothered by them but when I tried them on my toddler son he just wound the straps around my legs, making us both immobile, so that didn't last long.

Continuing my memories from #490 on the Smithford St topic: I came across this photo https://woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/toys/Toys-Leeds-1959.jpg that made me think again about getting lost in Woolworth's, precipitating the purchase of a harness and reins. I think it highlights the problem faced by my mother in the crowded counter based Woolworth's of the 1950's and resolves my lingering resentment of being made to wear it. In the self-service supermarkets that came later one would have been safely confined in the supermarket trolley. Lindatee: My middle son, inheriting stubbornness from his dad, refused to be harnessed in his stroller one day. (He's now 40!). Recalling my hatred of being harnessed I acquiesced, but on stopping sharply he fell face-first onto the pavement, fortunately without injury. He returned to his seat and insisted on buckling the straps himself! We continued, me hoping no social worker was noting my negligence.

There are pictures of me in reins but they weren't used for long. Dad in particular discovered that the hood of a duffle coat was equally effective for restraining a fleeing kid. While the coat stopped instantly, a few more kiddie steps were possible, gently garrotting the offender. Even now I can't stand things round my neck I quickly learnt to walk to heel.

One other utility of the harness was to stop me from removing outdoor coats. I could not bear tight or itchy clothing and would discard what I felt to be uncomfortable in the gutter. Apart from the lightweight harness in the pram I had inherited from my elder brother he had not required a harness with reins to be passed on to me. Sadly, I have few photographs of my early childhood because I could not stand bright lights and would cover my face. Mother told me Choirboy's cherubic qualities did not appear until nearing adulthood. Today that would be attributed to long-term dosing with Ritalin, not patient, loving upbringing. I believe our generation have lived through the best of times.

I wish you could still buy them as I would put them on Les every time we visit Bunnings!!! (Bunnings is the same type store as your B&Q) Gilly

You can still buy them in the UK but now they often have a knapsack or stuffed toy at the back to soften the image. Amazon shows the old fashioned leather sort (without the sleigh bells) are still available at high cost. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leather-Harness-Silver-Balmoral-Kensington/dp/B0BPDGWS5....

I am ashamed to admit, but also reminded by my mum, I was a clinging child and there were no reigns so I was always holding her hand or not letting go of her skirt. That must have been a nuisance for her at times. As for a pushchair, I do remember sharing that with some shopping sometimes as well as my panda bear.

I wasn't exactly bold but I was what my Dad called a 'fiddle fingers', always wanting to investigate stuff, leading to the regular cry of 'look with your eyes, not with your fingers!'

Reins provoke strongly polarised reactions such as "Children should not be treated like dogs" to "...good for allowing exercise" or "I could not have managed the twins without them!". Today toddlers seem to spend longer in their pushchairs that now have taken over the confining role of prams. Remember when it was the practice to be pushed to the end of the garden in all weathers to take naps and left to cry "to strengthen our lungs" while mother got on with the housework or being left outside while shopping. Modern pushchairs have evolved to be cushioned, folding miracles but have integral 5 point harnesses fitted universally, some with side-blinkered headrests and hoods, that preclude sitting up and looking around. Contrast the identical 1940's pushchair to mine here. Perhaps our gut reactions come from either having imprinted reins and harnesses as the start of an adventure, rather like the reaction of a dog on seeing you pick up its lead, or associating them with punishment for having run-off. I suspect my exasperated mum kept me tethered until nearly school age, while conscious memories were being made; this may explain my negative feelings.

Choirboy you were right regarding the dog's reaction on seeing their leads. Mine does everything except a back flip when seeing his. With that in mind I find it's him taking me out when on his daily walks so I bite the bullet and have to keep up and think oh well we are both getting our excercise. I did buy a doggie push chair for Leo as he was sick and I had to walk to the Vet. He didn't like it at all being enclosed in. So in all his 5 years he has only been caged in a couple of times. Anyone need a doggie pusher still in good condition and fully waterproof, including a little pocket for treats. ?