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Bats! At the end of my street, there was a hill that petered out to dirt trails. Both sides were flat. On the right, there was a huge patch of wild strawberries. Always sour. Kids always said, “I saw Mrs So and So walking her schnauzer through the patch.” Dare you to eat one. So… Continue reading Where there’s woodlands, there’s…

“No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as much as the dog does.” Our dog had to be put down when I was in third grade. But to my unbridled glee, neighbors down the street bought a light brown dachshund. Her name was Hildy. Because they had a corner house, their lawn… Continue reading Hildy–My four legged fan

In form and moving how express and admirable, In action how like an Angel I alluded earlier to how my father met him–his empty office, few patients…..so they played stud poker to pass the time. His picture is on my gallery page. He was perpetually tan, unremarkable in some ways (he had a thick ‘Pennsylvania… Continue reading Meet my Godfather–the man in my life.

“Kid, you got shit in your blood.” Dad’s medical assessment of his son. From first to fifth grade, I was usually sick around 2 weeks a year. Once in December, and once in February. I was prone to bad colds/flu. Very sore ears, sore throat, clogged nose, hacking and coughing. I went to bed with… Continue reading Sick!

I’ve been at this a while now and I have to say my numbers have increased, which is pretty fantastic. It’s heartening to know my little off kilter childhood long ago in a galaxy far far away (well, they say the past IS a foreign country) interests folks. Dunno if you’re younger, curious about the… Continue reading Hey you! Thanks!

Is that—-No ! It can’t be! If you’ve been reading along, I mentioned the girl thrown out of her house. I think that happened around fourth grade. Now–close your eyes and imagine this: you’re riding your bike down the street, in your own little juvenile world and you see colored things that look like rags… Continue reading Sex Education (kinda) on the lawn

Even then, they didn’t ride the wave, they MADE the wave. Remember I mentioned how JFK’s death was in our protoplasm? After 11/63, every child seemed to require Disney in order to breathe and brush their teeth. First, as always the movies: The Lady and The Tramp, 101 Dalmations, Sword and the Stone, Jungle Book,… Continue reading The diabolic Genius of 1960’s Disney

Smile-a-day. As I hurried home from school, the evening paper awaited me. I can’t remember all the comics, but here’s a small list: Rick O’Shea, Kerry Drake (and his brother), Dick Tracy, Peanuts, Nancy, Lil Abner (and the graceful Fearless Fosdick). Mark Trail, Amy, Trudy, Beetle Bailey, Popeye, and The Phantom. They served to shepherd… Continue reading The Daily Funnies

Hurt Feelings? Who cares? I mentioned last time how people dressed up more in the 60’s. I hated it, but it was the way people were and my father loved food (not all fat people are jolly!!); expensive food was his specialty. So, I’m in the living room with dad, waiting for mom. Typical, right?… Continue reading All Husbands Know Saying this is Taboo (Dressing Up II)

Dressed up, But can they take me anywhere? In the sixties, people generally dressed up more. Any meal outside the house (even diners) meant suit and tie for dad, dress for mom. There were many times I was embarrassed in public by being overdressed. Case in Point: the county’s first Sears opens a half-hour away.… Continue reading Never trust a smiling father (Dressing Up, Part 1)