The baby in the mirror picture is me taken by AR. Reason it’s out today is not because I was extra cute again. Word is it won AR some kind of photography award. It’s saved from a slide. I’m guessing the actual award winning photo was better.
AR took me to Chicago. I’m sure it was free, and I’m sure I was quite young as I only vaguely remember the train and naming the state capitals to my rather impressed AR. I remember not a thing in Chicago and wonder still if we didn’t just ride out and back!
What I was told a large number of times for years all the way from perhaps 1970 to 1995 was this:
We were on the train at night looking up at the moon. AR apparently told me it was her moon and I’m told I replied it was mine. I’m told she begged to differ. At which point I apparently said,
“It’s OK, I have one at home.”
For roughly that 25 year period, I was asked if I remembered this. I did not and still have no recollection. But I guess I was cute!
I fainted in church while singing some hymn. No idea why other than it was hot and God thought it might be funny. Or I overdid it on the high notes. I’ve never passed out again in my life. I don’t blame the church.
I know it was AR at my side when I came to. Looking back, I think my Dad pawned me off on her for church more than once!
Just thought of that now – 60+ years later.
Each fall, and for several years after, my grandfather either could not — or simply cared not to — I would carry from the behind the heater in the basement these heavy wooden storm windows and replace the heavy wooden screen versions. (run on sentence, but).
I’m pretty sure my grandfather made them and each was marked (Weezies’ back window, or Ricky’s bedroom) Never saw anything for Fred or Joe. Not sure where they slept. In the spring reverse the process.
I actually looked forward to this. Why? Because AR paid me like $10 cash and I’d live off that for weeks or more. Back on the bike and home we go flush with a ten spot.
Post church most Sundays I would often get to go to Pop Pop, Mom Mom, ARs house two blocks south. From there AR would take me to a nearby neighbors (Lichtmans) who owned a horse. Out would come the sugar cubes from AR’s pocket and that horse slobbered all over my palm taking one after another like they were free.