STORIES OF OUR YOUTH

[GailL1]

So Dave has done an excellent job in the “Do You Remember . . . “ pictorial thread and I really love it when we talk about some of these things.  

Maybe it would also be fun to talk about things that did happen when we were just kids or how times have changed between then and now. 

Like stories from our youth or things that happened - keeping it on the lighter side, of course.  Long or Short - it is the story that counts.

I am not gonna start it unless there is interest but if there is interest and participation, I have a bunch - long and short.

[GailL1]

Not quite a story of my youth - but when I was a young parent - Planning for the Halloween Costume and the weather.  

Daughter was about 5 so 1978 - was gonna be a really cold one so had to build in the coat - the current one was bright red (like her hair) with the attached red hoodie.  What to do , what to do ???   Money was also a concern since we were just on the slight money positive side of poor.  So no frills - get out the sewing machine.

My sewing skills were not the greatest but with the help of one old white standard size pillow case, a bit of bright red fabric, a bit of acrylic paint - black, white and yellow and a husband with some artistic skills - we transformed the redheaded (5) -year old into a can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup - complete with the ingredient of Love.  Knew there would not be another one out there like it - 

Wish I had a pic to post but alas, there is one somewhere - but it was great, a lot of fun, not too hard and warm with the red coat underneath it.  Think she got a pretty good haul that year.  

What was the best Halloween costume you made for your kid(s) ?  

[LeeS4949]

 Great story Gail,loved it !!!!!! As Glen Campbell said in his wonderful song, "There Ought To Be a Hall of Fame for Mammas". Thank you..

[DaveMcK]

We lived next to my mother's parents. They had one of the first TV's in my home town. 

We would all gather around their TV on Sunday evening to watch the Ed Sullivan show! Over the years we saw many famous people. Maybe the most famous were the Beatles. I believe Elvis made the show. Many others made the show like the Rolling Stones, The Jackson 5, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, Barbra Streisand, and Richard Pryor. The show also featured comedians like Flip Wilson and George Carlin, opera stars such as Beverly Sills and Maria Callas, and dancers like Chita Rivera.  

[GailL1]

@DaveMcK wrote . . . . ” Over the years we saw many famous people. Maybe the most famous were the Beatles . . . . “

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My mother was kind of out of it when it came to staying up on current events and she was pretty much deaf at that time also - anyway, one of her friends mentioned to her that “The Beatles were coming to NY”  - My mother became very upset because she had lived thru some pretty bad insect infestations on her Mom’s farm years before, wiping out their entire food supply in some years.  

My mother became obsessed with promoting the extermination of these “Beatles” - LOL, I dealt with a lot in my younger days - Thank goodness, we finally got her calmed down although I am not sure that she ever understood why a band of singers would pick such a name as the “Beatles”

[LisaS961881]

Dave, your sharing of how you all gathered at your grandparent’s home brought back fond memories for me!  Thank you.

I too have precious memories of visits to my Grandmother’s home.  Hers was the place that held the huge, bustling family gatherings - house packed full - with dozens of grandchildren playing badminton and horseshoes….where my father was born and my grandfather died….

I find it is a scent that will instantly bring the memories back.  Sometimes it’s the smell of her raisin gravy as I am making it, or simply lemon oil which was always a subtle background scent in her home.  My grandmother had a home that was built in 1930, as was the home in which I currently live.  At times, in the summer, as I walk up my basement stairs, it smells just like it did when I was six years old and walking up the stairs in her house,  and there’s a rush of bountiful, crisp memories.  Other moments, it’s the smell of a creamsicle or freshly cut grass mixed with a neighbor’s barbecue that brings forth past times with loved ones.

Those idyllic days when we did not envision an empty seat at family gatherings are long gone.   Yet, it is still a comfort to look at photos and videos, read decades old letters, or simply smile when we find ourselves repeating an adage that we often heard so many years ago.

I try to respect and relish these memories, and also show all those that I have lost that I still find joy in living, and in gathering friends, neighbors, and family together.

[LeeS4949]

Wow,your words touched my heart and took me back to those people I love and have lost.. Those memories of my youth belong to me but it can be another's memories that ignite the beautiful spark of reminiscence.. Thank you for that gift..

[LeeS4949]

 Anyone who has ever chatted with me at any length on here knows that I spent every spare minute that I could steal as a kid with my grandparents.. My own parents,not loving and warm people,lacked the inner feelings that any young boy needs to guide his early journey.. One day I was visiting my grandparents house (probably against my will ) and my grandfather sat down beside me and said " I hear you like to go fishing.. Would you go with me sometime"? That was the first time an adult had ever approached me that way,on an equal level.. I hesitantly said yes and we planned a trip for the following weekend.. That trip was the beginning of a relationship with Gram and Gramps,2 of the most wonderful people ever created.. They taught me so much,and helped me realize that love comes in so many different packages,shape and sizes, and set me on the positive course which would become my life.. The memories I have of them have blessed me all of my life,and I know that soon I will see them again.. Thank you for this chance to share.. 

[papawofboo]

It was a "Really BIG Show".

[LisaS961881]

  Lee,

     Thank you for sharing this poignant memory of your Gram and Gramp’s love for you.  What a blessing that they both embraced that lost young boy of so very long ago and demonstrated to him that he was indeed worthy of love.

      ….and yes - so true - love often comes in many different packages!

           Lisa

[papawofboo]

Ya'll just talking about it not doing it. Reckon I'll go first.

Every time I did something wrong and I got home my mother seemed to know about it. I asked her how and got the " a bird told me."

After a woping one day I had had enough of that bird. Got my BB gun and went hunting, found a bird and after a few shots the problem was solved. Told my friend what I had done, problem, his mother over heard me and told my mother.

Got a real long butt warming, had gun taken away, and had to go bury the bird. Have not been hunting since.

[LeeS4949]

 Love the idea.. I enjoy hearing about others youthful stories.. They yank me back into a time in my life that not only molded me into who I am (for good or bad) but also guided me on my journey here.. It would be great to hear about others experiences.. Great topic..

[LisaS961881]

     Fantastic idea Gail! 🎊

     Geez - there seems to be quite a few of us here that would have gotten into quite a lot of mischief together if we had been neighbors (😇), so I’d love to hear everyone’s stories - especially about how those times were somehow kinder and gentler.

[SereneSeagull]

I totally agree.  Sounds good