Sunday, December 8, 2013

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday!


For tonight's Nostalgic Sunday, I'm sharing more random snippets from my memoir. These paragraphs are from various chapters and will perhaps pique your interest.

~~~

It felt like we were flying along the highway, even though the car’s tires weren’t actually leaving the road. Almost all of the windows were rolled down, and my dad’s left arm rested comfortably on the driver’s side door, giving him that funny one-armed sunburn he got every summer. It was so hot that Dad’s white, cotton, short-sleeved shirt stuck to his skin. My mother poured yet another cup of steaming hot coffee from the thermos and handed it over to him. Dad barely took his eyes off the road as he took it. I couldn’t imagine why he wanted something so hot to drink. Mother brought a cold jug of Kool-Aid for my brother Mike and me.

Times like these, I wished I had a crew cut like my brother or a flattop like my dad. The force of the wind whipped my long pigtails around so much they actually stung my face every time they slapped against it. 
~~~

Grandpa was a quiet spoken man, always pleasant and easy going. Grandma had an extremely peculiar voice, which I can’t possibly describe. Let’s just say it wasn’t a soft, ladylike tone. It kind of reminded me of Ma Kettle’s, especially since she bossed Grandpa around all the time. He was old and retired from his job, so he was home a lot. It got on my nerves, but I guess he’d learned to just tune her out. They’d been married for about 100 years, so he was used to it.

~~~

Mother did relent after I begged and begged for some white go-go boots. All the girls dancing on the TV show, Hullabaloo, wore them and they were so cute. The popular girls at school had them, too. Surely, I could be popular and cute, too, right? Uh…no. It also didn’t take long to realize they hurt my feet and really weren’t worth the price. They stayed on the floor of my bedroom closet for years, all scuffed and unappreciated, just like I deemed I was.


~~~

I grew up in a home where chiropractors were thought of as quacks. The word “chiropractor” itself was pronounced with such disdain that even as a little girl, I knew I didn’t want to ever see one. I was even afraid of “real doctors,” those with an M.D. after their names. My parents, though, considered them to be God-like. They faithfully followed all their instructions and advice, and they also trusted nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. But chiropractors? My mother practically shuddered at the very thought. 

  ~~~

Faith, hope, and a sense of humor have always been important in my life, and I’ve learned you don’t have to have a perfect childhood or a perfect life to be truly happy. The joy just comes from within, from your daily appreciation of life, and from whatever warm memories you hold in your heart.

~~~


My mother told me in so many words she thought I was nuts. She honestly believed my accident at Woolworth’s—involving an ice machine, a crowbar, and my head—caused severe brain damage. In her way of thinking, it was the only possible explanation for what she considered the erratic behavior I developed soon after.

<<<>>>

** Monday, December 9th, please stop by Karen Lange's blogWrite Now. Besides sharing some great "Tips for Every Writer," Karen was kind enough to mention me and my memoir. Thank you, Karen! **


* Welcome to my newest follower, Suzanne Prickett. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you so much! *


"Writers will happen in the best of families." -- Rita Mae Brown

42 comments:

  1. I guess I need to read the book to find out about the "accident!" Sounds intriguing!

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  2. Wow you've piqued my interest with mentioning that "accident". I've been frantically busy relocating two cats from Tanzania to South Africa. (I've posted the first half today, to be continued tomorrow) I will check the link again and see if I can order your memoir to arrive in SA mid-January when I go out on leave. (((Hugs))) Jo

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    1. Hi Jo! I know how busy you've been, and I wish my book was ready to purchase on Kindle, but still not yet. If you're talking about ordering a print copy, I can send you one in January. Let me know, ok? Thanks!

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  3. Your father's arm resting on the window reminded me when I read it of a something my mother INSISTED on. No part of us was to emerge from a moving car - or it would be chopped off by a passing vehicle. Many, many years later I realised that if a vehicle was that close, we were going to be in an accident anyway. Sleeping with wet hair guarentees pneumonia was another mama gem.

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    1. Ha! Yes, we were told not to stick our arms "straight out," or they would get chopped off, too! I love your mom's idea about wet hair, too! :)

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  4. My parents felt that "chiropractor" way about osteopaths. There were two hospitals in town, and they were forever harping that if they were sick, they did NOT want to be taken to The Osteopathic Hospital. It got to the point where I imagined the doctors there had beaks, and quacked instead of speaking English.

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    1. Hey Val ~ Isn't it amazing we turned out so "normal," having parents like that??!!

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  5. Have a marvellous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  6. White Go-Go boots? The long ones, calf length and laced up the front? I got married in a pair of those and my bridesmaids wore them too. We didn't have really high heels on them though, since one of the bridesmaids was only eight.

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    1. Hi River! These go-go boots were calf length, but they didn't have any laces, and they were much wider than our actual leg. (I found a couple of photos of them when I googled "Hullabaloo go-go boots," but they actually showed more knee length boots.) That's cute that one of your bridesmaids was only eight! I was seven when one of my "really" older sisters got married, and I was the flower girl!)

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  7. I'm looking forward to reading it, Becky!

    I think many of today's generation would just be mind-boggled if they thought that cars didn't come with AC. Fortunately, ours did, but I rode in many that didn't. I can remember standing in front of the window unit in my room till I froze my face off in summer. I was either there or in the water somewhere... baby pool, lake, ocean, creek, Gulf of Mexico, or chlorinated pool. It mattered not. As long as it was water.

    XO,

    Sheila

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    1. Hi Sheila! Thank you! Oh, I can just picture you spending time in all those wonderful places! And yes, today's kids have such a totally different life, don't they??

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  8. Becky, thanks so much for sharing the link! I'm happy to share your news! :) Thanks also for giving us a peek at your book.

    Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Hi Karen! Thank you again, and thanks for stopping by here, too!

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  9. Becky, I enjoyed these snippets from your book. I wanted the white go-go boots too, but never had them. I can remember my Dad driving with one arm out the window like that too. Great memories!

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    1. Thanks, Daisy! Yeah, those were the good old days!

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  10. The folks did have some odd ideas...amazing how a good many of them turned out to be common sense.

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    1. Hi Delores! Yes, a dose of this and a dose of that!

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  11. I enjoyed those little excerpts from your book.
    Off to Karen's blog!

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    1. Hi Jennifer! Thanks, and thank you for hosting me NEXT Monday!

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  12. This weather is driving me nuts...but the upside of being confined is that I can read your book! I am about halfway and you did a nice job. While our childhoods weren't the same, there is enough familiar scenes that remind of my own "good ole days". Stay warm.

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    1. Hi Claudia, I'm glad you're enjoying my memoir! It's VERY cold here, too.
      Brrr.....feels Christmasy to me! :)

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  13. I really like these snippets especially the one about happiness. Can't wait to read the whole book.

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    1. Hi Myrna, thank you! Did I tell you I rec'd your e-mail?? And I will get your books sent just as soon as I get my shipment. I thought for sure I'd have them last week. I'm sure it's a busy time of the year in publishing, too!

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  14. Sure hope there's a picture of you in those white go-go boots ;) Your snippets are intriguing, laced throughout with your wonderfully warm writing style. Can't wait to read the book!

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    1. Hi Teri! No, I'm sorry....no photo of me in those boots. Too bad, because it would've been so funny/sad at the same time. I was not built for them! LOL
      And thank you for your sweet comments about my writing!

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  15. Nice thoughts on life. It's funny our observations are sometimes shared with others and sometimes a totally different picture.

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    1. Hi Teresa! Thank you for stopping by! Yes, that is so true. My brother doesn't even remember half the things I do.

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  16. Hi Becky ~~ You made me remember my Grandmother, now deceased since the early 1950's. She trusted her chiropractor so very much. I called him a murderer and always will say that he killed her. He was treating her for a multitude of symptoms but while under his treatment she died of advance leukemia. It was discovered at the hospital where she was admitted for a broken hip. She did not leave the hospital alive.
    I remember Grandma every time the word "chiropractor" enters the conversation.

    Thank you for peeking on my cat and for your nice. She isn't mine and I didn't give credit. I 'borrowed' her from a Facebook friend who didn't give credit either. I hope it is one that circulates.
    ..

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    1. Hi Jim! Thank you so much for stopping and leaving your comment. I'm sorry, though, that the word "chiropractor" is sad for you. I'm sure it's perfectly fine that you borrowed the cat picture! I was trying to go back through mine and find a really good "awww" one of one of our dogs....but I kind of got sidetracked!

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  17. Hi Becky, and thank you for welcoming me to your blog. I have enjoyed reading your post this evening, especially the snippet about the crew cut. I'm so relieved to know that I'm not the only one who has had that wish, haha! Well, it reminded me of my brother, who always had a crew cut in the summer. He was so cute with his dark hair and big brown eyes (a crew cut always makes your eyes look bigger).

    Have a great evening. Will see you soon!

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    1. Hi Suzanne! I'm glad you've enjoyed reading my memories! Have a great day tomorrow!

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  18. Love the quotes, Becky. I'm looking forward to reading your book!

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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    1. Thanks, Pat! I don't remember if you ordered it already, or if you're waiting to buy one from me! I guess I thought I'd see you at the SW Xmas party, but I only had a couple books there. I'm still waiting for my latest order.

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  19. Great teasers! Your grandma sounds like a character! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hi Julie! Glad you like the "teasers." And you know...I never thought of my grandma as a "character.".....but that word describes her quite well!! :)

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  20. Hello, I am a new follower through email. Your memoir looks like a great read and I am putting it on my wish list.

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    1. Well hello Carol! Thank you so much for becoming a new follower! I'm glad you left a comment to tell me, because otherwise I wouldn't know. AND, I like to welcome each new follower in the next post, so thanks! I'm happy that you think my memoir looks like a great read, too! I hope you receive everything on your wish list! :)

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  21. Hi Becky, I featured your book today on Teaser Tuesdays a little meme I play along with some weeks. Like you sometimes I forget it is Tuesday. Come by and visit if you have a spare moment. Happy Day which ever one it is....

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  22. Yes, Becky, we've led a parallel existence. My new go-go boots didn't gain me the popularity or recognition I yearned for either. Not even when I wore the white fishnet hose with them! Go figure. I love what you said about not having to have a perfect childhood or life to find joy. So true. You are a very wise girl!

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I'm still getting quite a few spam comments that are Anonymous, so I'm trying "User with Google Accounts." If anyone tries to comment that I know, and it won't let you, send me an email, okay? Thanks so much.