CHILDHOOD

When I started this memoir I wasn't sure where I wanted to go, and I am still not convinced. After almost 87 years a great deal of memories are a little scattered but I'll try to be as accurate as I can.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, evidence has it that I was born August 26, 1936 on Garfield Avenue in Winter Park, Florida. We had a phone, or at least we did when I was old enough to remember. It hung on the wall and other people, not family, shared the same line as we had. So, when picked up, one had to see who else, if anyone, was speaking. If no one was occupying the line an operator would assist one in connecting. Sometimes in this era of automation and AI, I wish to hear that calming voice. We had a radio, I think, but for most of my childhood, that was it. There was no TV, internet or any handheld devices. Oh yes, and there was no air conditioning. You simply have not been hot until in 95 degree, 100% humidity weather. When we played it was usually outside, under a hose many times. We dug tunnels and ran around with little or no clothes. I remember one instance when we were on Garfield, that I was a little too enthusiastic with digging. I dug, and filled with broken bottles, several traps. I was over visiting my cousin Jaunda when my brother Jim and I started arguing. As usual he chased me, and I lured him cleverly into the traps I had set. My Pop didn't think so highly of my idea, and in one of the rare times he did so, I was hit with a plank (board or something like that).. Certainly that was not one of my finer moments, but at that time I felt justified. When we were in the country I was very free, but my cousin Juanda was not there so I was surrounded by brothers. We had kerosene lamps and stove (look it up if not familiar) and a pear tree beside the house. I still love pears and ate them green back then (I was less than 6 years old for crying out loud). My younger brother Kenny managed to get one of the kerosene containers off the stove and proceeded to drink. All I remember is the trip to the hospital(doctor?) to drain his stomach. All in all, that was one his least obnoxious actions. At the end of the summer of the year I turned 6, we moved to Michigan Ave. in Winter Park. It actually was in Orange County but was in, at that time, in the Winter Park School system. There started a whole new chapter in my life which I will address next.


Rumor has it that this was me, but I don't remember posing for the photo



My brother Larry and me in the Oviedo house. I didn't take the photo so am not responsible for the quality


Ducks too! What a young life

Last one. My Dad's sister Gertie holding one of us. Not sure it's me though!

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