On August 20th, 1955 I took a deep breath and dove in. I’ve been wondering ever since how I did it.
Music: Dance Rémy, “Les crocodiles mangent aussi les bonneshommes Wizzards,” Sherman Edwards, Ben Raleigh, “Wonderful Wonderful”
Cousin Priscilla
My mother’s first cousin, Priscilla, was everything I’d hoped to be.
Music: David Shulman, “Cat Bing Cherry,” Quiet Life Motel, quietlifemotel.com
Dreams and daydreams
Lonely Tea Parties were times spent with my stuffed animals that nurtured my fantasy life.
Music: The Chordettes, “Mr. Sandman,” David Schulman, “Luna Tiera,” quietlifemotel.com
Hair
I’ve long conflated my mother’s competitive nature with “hair.” Short hair and bangs was her formula for me during my elementary school years.
Music: “Capetown Lullaby,” Quiet Life Motel, quietlifemotel.com
Secrets & friends
Thinking back on my elementary school days, I wonder what I learned about friendship and how I came to have the friends I did.
Music: “Silva Rerum,” “Espero.” David Schulman, quietlifemotel.com
Dispatch from the front
The adventure began when my mother accidentally started a kitchen fire.
Music: David Shulman, “Night Thereon,” Quiet Life Motel, quietlifemotel.com
Cowboys
Children have the need for a clear dividing line between right and wrong. My sister Chrissie and I were no different.
Music: David Schulman, “Underglass” and “Nocturne.” quietlifemotel.com
Driving to Savannah
I saw another side of my father when we visited Savannah, Georgia — the place where he grew up. But getting there had its challenges.
Music: Bosque de mi Mente, “Un rayo de luz entre por la ventana y por un instante me encontre en paz conmigo mismo”
Ding Dong School
On dark January afternoons I find myself back in the two-bedroom apartment where I grew up. There I met a special friend.
Music: Johnny Ripper, “Waltz for an Imaginary Piano”
Another Dishwasher
We all have myths surrounding the story of our entrance into the world — family lore that follows us in life. Sometimes these stories shape who we become. Or not.
This one has followed me.
Music: Circus Marcus, “La tapa del sábado”; ckr, “Your Song”
