March 24, 2020
Several members have written me to say “But I can’t think of any stories!” Here is an approach to get you started.
First, get out paper and pencil. When you get a memory, quickly write down a few words about the memory. Do this quickly as the memories can be fleeting and disappear fast.
Read each question below and try to capture any memory that comes to mind.
1. What was in your backyard when you were a kid? Did you have a treehouse? Did you play in a nearby creek?
2. What was your favorite room in your house? Why?
3, How did you spend your time as a kid? Playing with dolls? Coloring? Riding your bike? Shooting BB gun?
4. Did you have a pet as a kid? Any funny incidents with your pet?
5. Did you have a garden?
Dan’s memory: My Mom grew up during the Great Depression and her family survived on her Dad’s huge garden. Therefore, my Mom continued the tradition and had a huge garden. It was probably close to an acre and each of us kids (Nan, Dean and I) were “forced” to weed one row a day. Her command, “If you want to eat, you must finish weeding your row!” A row was like a hundred feet long! We child laborers refused to weed any rows of her flowers! “We didn’t eat them!” we exclaimed. Therefore, Mom weeded the many rows of flowers. Later after I grew up, she was certified as a Master Gardener through Cornell University. She always grew large beds of beautiful flowers but as a kid I didn’t appreciate them.
6. What chores did you have to do as a kid?
7. Did you have a collection as a kid? Did you collect baseball cards? Stamps?
8. What memories of the neighbors?
9. What memories do you have of visiting your grandma?
10. Did your grandfather have any strange habits?
Dan’s memory: My Grandpa Charles Hall had a strange habit of adding six teaspoons of sugar to his cup of coffee BUT not stirring it. When I would help clear the table, I could see the half inch of sugar still at the bottom of the emptied cup. I never figured out why he did that.
11. What traditions did you have at Thanksgiving? At Easter? At Christmas?
12. Who was your favorite teacher in school? Why?
13. Any funny or embarrassing incidents in school?
14. Any funny or embarrassing incidents in church?
Dan’s memory: When I was a kid, the Minister’s wife Mrs. Cory would spray bluing on her hair. One Sunday church service she overdid it and she has a huge blue patch on the back of her hair. We kids had a good giggle on seeing that.
15. Any fights with your brothers and sisters? What were the fights about?
16. Any trips with the family that had a lasting impression? Why?
You get the idea! Write up several of your stories and send them to me to be shared,
Stay safe and healthy in these strange times.
Dan