What type of things make you think of your childhood? Is it a particular smell or sound?
My particular type of rodent was of the rat variety. Specifically "Rink Rat". My cousin put me on ice skates for the first time at the age of 3 and the die was cast. I have always been most comfortable breathing that unique rubber mat funk that is a part of the ambiance of every rink that has ever been built. Someone told me once that it was because there was mold under the mats from all the water. I don't care. I love that smell.
I don't remember ever NOT being a part of that Rink Rat society. I was there all the time and of course, started working there the moment I turned 16. It never seemed like work, and I did it all. Running the box office, the "door", the rental counter, the skate shop, guard on the ice floor, sound booth, and playing on the Zamboni.
I never wore socks because I never rented skates, had calluses on the outsides of my pinkies from lacing skates, and my hands often smelled like oil from sharpening skates. I knew all the brands and understood what "hollow ground" and "Specials" meant, how to use a jig and an oil stone, and that REALLY good ice was made from hot water. I also understood the rink culture. Like what the first aid room was used for........... and it wasn't first aid! I didn't spend any time in there. Being able to skate for hours was too important. I've always had more than my share of energy and the rink was a good place to get that out of my system. And wonder of wonders, I had my own key to the place. I could and did go at any time of the night or day to get my fix.
I started out on figure skates, but set those aside when I discovered the wonders of going fast. My first major purchase was a pair of kangaroo hide, offset speed skates. They weren't easy to walk in because of the length of the blade and the fact that the blades were both set as far to the left as they would go. They weren't built for comfort, but for speed, and I loved them. Membership in the speed skating club was the best and I was a faithful attender at practice sessions each week. Hockey skates soon followed, and I actually still have those. They were more comfortable and much better for playing broom ball. Maneuvering was way easier and they had rounded blades that didn't break the ball as easily. Figure skates were the worst for that!
I'm back in touch with many of the other rats from my youth courtesy of FaceBook. It was a great time of shared experiences and personal growth. And to this day, every time I walk into any building with an ice floor, and smell that rubber mat funk, I feel like I'm going home.
Thanks to my mom's pack rat ways, I still have beauties like this!
My second home. And yes, there actually WERE palm trees growing through the holes in the roof. We spent fun times sitting on the roof warming up after spending hours inside.
211 West Katella Ave.
We had a beautiful winter mural at each end of the rink. On this end, to the left was the sound room and the lockers.
In the locker area was a clock which spelled out "Glacier Falls". Someone was brilliant!
To the left of the clock were wooden plaques that spelled out the rules. Mmmmmmmmmm, never really cared what they said.
My red nylon jacket. Once again, thanks to my mom's saving ways.
Prescribe and teach these things.
Let no one look down on your youthfulness,
but rather in speech, conduct, love,
faith and purity,
show yourself an example
of those who believe.
1 Tim. 4:11-12
