Written by For tonight’s #DoodlewashDinner I’m bringing something red, white, and blue and hoping everyone who celebrates this day of honor has had a happy Memorial Day. The bomb pop was invented by James S. Merritt and D.S. Abernethy back in 1955, right here in my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. This was a favorite summer treat for kids when I was growing up, but I realize now how weird it is that it’s basically a frozen ice in the shape of a weapon. But, come to think of it, there’s probably nothing more American than that. Truly, it’s the only thing I could think of in the appropriate colors for today.
When I was little, the sound of a bell chiming through the neighborhood would signal the ice cream truck was passing by. If you were lucky and could get your mother to hand you a dollar, you could rush out the door yelling frantically in an attempt to get it to stop. The ice cream truck driver in our neighborhood seemed to be less interested in making a sale and we would often have to chase his truck for several blocks before catching his attention. But once stopped, dollars in hand, we could choose from a fabulous array of frozen treats purchased from a complete stranger in white van. Though there was plenty to choose from, the red, white, and blue bomb pop was always the star of the show.
Summers could get really hot here, so an icy treat like this was amazing! But the real fun was the way it stained your tongue a bright red and then a deep purple. Of course, you couldn’t see your own brightly colored tongue, just your friend’s tongue. In between slurps, we’d stick out our tongues and ask each other what it looked like. It became an odd and impossible to win contest of tongue painting that would end with no prize greater than a wet, stained wooden stick, but we did it every time. When I hear the ding of an ice cream truck today, I still get the urge to chase after it, but since it’s not something I could ever do alone with nobody to examine my tongue, I just pause and enjoy the sweet memories.
Thanks to everyone who came to the Doodlewash Dinner Party during the month of May! I’ll post the gallery tomorrow featuring all of the talented guest doodlewashers who showed up for the party along with a sampling of the delightful culinary creations that they each brought to this delicious event! Stay tuned!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Cobalt Blue, Cobalt Teal, Azo Orange, Pyrrol Red, Gamboge, Burnt Sienna, and Neutral Tint. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal
Love it, the bomb pop, we have a similar one in the uk, ‘the rocket’ and we just discovered lidl do their own version with popping candy on the top, it’s lush, little bombs cracking in your mouth? Great doodlewash Charlie, and happy Memorial Day.
Thanks Rebecca! 😃💕Wow…a popping candy combo sounds like it’s definitely deserving of the name rocket. That’s so cool!!
An appropriate way to celebrate the day! Cool doodlewash Charlie! 🙂
Thanks so much, Susan! 😃💕 Glad you liked it!
Lovely painting, boy does it bring back memories of ice cream trucks and simpler times, and had a good laugh at what the sound of an ice cream truck’s bell can still do. Delightful post as always Charlie, enjoy the day!
Thanks so much Haunani! 😃💕One of these days I’m going to chase that truck! Join me! Let’s do it! Lol
Sounds like a great idea! You go ahead, I need to tie my shoe laces……/giggle.
That is awesome, oh, memories of the good days
Hehe! Thanks! 😃Glad this brought back good memories for you!
Ooh, you weren’t kidding when you said today’s was naughty. These look perfect! And very appropriate.
We indeed, as Rebecca mentions, have the ‘Rocket lolly’ companion here, usually pineapple/orange/strawberry, but I have seen these around too. They were a staple of summer, along with the Calippo! It was the chimes of Greensleeves (or later Sailor’s Hornpipe) that heralded our ice cream van – this was nice to hear, even if I generally preferred to take lollies from my own freezer free of charge. 😉
Thanks Jacob! 😃Greensleeves? Really? That’s so different from the simple ding I had. Much more elegant! Our Calippos were just called Push Ups. Not a lot of effort went into naming here it seems. Hehe
Yep! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=311wC5u3wik This is all a serious nostalgia hit! I don’t seem to hear this so much these days, it’s more often the Hornpipe song. And I hear it more in winter than summer, which confuses me a little.
Oh wow! Yeah… so austere and not the cartoon like songs from here! Lol
Sweet memories! We were innocent and didn’t realize they were shaped like weapons – we only knew they were sweet and cold and yummy! Great job doodlewashing them! Looking forward to a new exciting adventure in June! Sorry I never got around to painting my food! 🙁
Thanks so much Jodi! 😃💕 They were so good…I also used to like the banana version. No worries on the food…we ended up with lots to eat! Oh if it were all real!! Yum! Lol Still putting the finishing thoughts on the June adventure. But I’m thinking you’ll definitely play next month! 😉
such a teaser you are! 🙂
Hi Charlie, yes we do have similar tastes, I always loved the bomb pop. The ice cream man would come to our neighborhood and all the kids in the neighborhood would chase him down the street. What fun! Beautiful doodlewash today!
Yay! Another match! Hehe…thanks Sharon! 😃💕So glad you liked this one too!
You did it! Red, white and blue yummies!
Yep!! Hehe…this was the only thing that came to mind so well…it won! 😊
love these and so appropriate for Memorial Day. 🙂 these remind me of the days when my daughters and I would make a trip to our local store to buy these. Yes, memory lane moment, here. 🙂
Thanks so much Margaret! 😃💕Awww love that you had a memory lane moment from this!
Ice cream trucks are alive and well in our neighborhood today, but they always loom larger in those childhood memories. Colored tongues and all. (K)
Hehe…so true, Kerfe! That feeling of hearing them in the neighborhood is still with me!
gorgeously painted Charlie! fab colors! stunning! love these 🙂
Awww thanks so much Debi!!😃💕 It’s 1/3 CBT!! 😉Hehe
Great doodlewash! You captured so well the joy of eating a popsicle! I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day!
Thanks so much, Kari! 😃💕Glad ya liked this. I had a fantastic day. Hope you did as well!!
Ah, such great memories! 😄 The ice cream truck always played a simple tune as it toured our neighborhood which I imagine drove the young driver insane hearing it over and over again! 😜 I don’t remember the bomb pop but I like how you painted it and the memories of sticking out your tongue! You always make me smile, thanks Charlie! ❤️😍🎉
Thanks so much Jill! 😃💕Yeah I can’t imagine what it would be light to hear that little tune played over and over again. … A wonder many of them didn’t go certifiably insane! Lol Glad ya liked the story! 😉hehe
What a fun post! Great popsicles! Flashback to summers past, such happy memories!
Hehe… Thanks Cathe! 😃💕Thrilled ya liked this one. It was a really fun time wasn’t it?!
That one is my hub’s favorite too! Beautiful job, Charlie, you are shining from each one of these paintings, so impressed with what you can do! And the color matching too! 😀 Well done, my bro & pal! <3
Thanks so much, sis! 😃💕Hehe… I’m so thrilled you liked this month’s theme. It was really fun to do, but I think I gained weight thinking about food all the time. 😊lol
Lol, it was worth it Charlie! Your stuff really shined this month. I don’t know how you paint every day, I am in awe of this!!
Awww thanks! 😃💕Hehe…it’s just 45 minutes to an hour a day…when I should probably be working out or something like that instead. Just formed a habit I can live with so it fits naturally in my day. 😉
I bet the daily art is doing more for you physically and emotionally and even mentally than the exercise would anyway, Charlie. It is a big win-win, plus then we get to see it too! And the arty goodness continues! Have you decided on your June project yet?
It has been just that! Brain exercise counts right? Hehe… and I’m nearly there with forming the idea for June. You know me… it’s always a sudden rush right when I post it later! 😊
It’s perfect Charlie! And when your the mother of the kid eating one of these all you can think is, “How do I get that red off his face?!”
Thanks, Eileen! 😃💕haha! I bet that’s all you’re thinking. It really stains well!
My children would love it! Has been a great month again. And we wait for tomorrow to see what comes next…
Thanks! This was a fun one to doodlewash…so many great childhood memories! Yep! New adventure starts tomorrow!! 😃
Your bomb pops painting is fantastic. These didn’t appear in my neighborhood until I was past the popsicle age. It’s funny to look back and see how some trends were so slow to travel through the country. In this internet age, such things seem to be everywhere overnight any more.
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 I know! These days something erupts overnight only to be replaced by something else the next day. I miss the days when something took years to take hold and then stayed for years more.