Reader's Praise

“...a delight to the heart...
I (was) laughing out loud.”
– Don H.

“...a charming memoir...
a masterful job!”
– Judy L.

“I was mesmerized.”
– Tom S.

“Well crafted and entertaining.”
– David E.

“Inspiring!”
– Mikala W.

An attribute I have always enjoyed is an ability to remember certain events or periods of my youth with exceptional crispness. In my life I have been both a daydreamer, and a dreamer, not entirely similar things, but I never expected to be a writer. This book has happened almost with a mind of its own.

During one particularly enjoyable time spent reminiscing with my brother, we recalled a specific childhood event that was so “alive” to both of us, even after fifty plus years, that we laughed uproariously. Stimulated, I wrote about the event. Interestingly, it became a well-defined story. I titled it, “Mystery in the Woods”. That first composition also contained the background of what became the first two chapters in this book—“The Projects” and “The Alderwood Court Gang”—as well as Chapter 4, “The Last Straw.”

I decided to share that first story with Doug and our very close cousin, Ann Everitt, in Colorado. They both provided encouragement, but Ann further suggested that the story, along with the descriptions of how we lived in the projects, could be of value to our other family members. She asked, “Do you have other stories?” I thought about that. Perhaps if I wrote more, it could serve a valuable purpose to our family, beyond my own enjoyment.

Stimulated by both her and Doug, I found that I recalled other vignettes from my childhood. I then wrote, “A Magical Afternoon,” which appears as Chapter 5. Some weeks later I wrote an essay about the entertainment we kids enjoyed then—the radio programs, early television, and the Saturday afternoon movie matinees. This essay also described many of our “heroes” of the times. Ann continued to suggest that I compose a book as a gift to our immediate family.

My thought, however, was to give these writings to my own daughters because I had never told them any of these stories when they were growing up! I had never shared with them any of my early childhood experiences of life in the housing projects, or anything personal about those times—the early 1950s. Thus that period had no more meaning to them than any other formless, emotionless period from their classroom history books. In addition, by my not sharing with them, it occurred to me that I had not only failed to give them some understanding of that era, but also of their dad’s childhood. I had missed that opportunity.

To my daughters Amy, Erin, and Lindy, as well as my step-daughter Haizea, hopefully you will now have a better understanding of the times in which I grew up, and the life I enjoyed as a pre-adolescent boy. Also, I hope you will finally have an appreciation of what impish Makers of Mischief  your dad and your uncle were, so many years ago. Perhaps this will help to explain some of the things we all did as a family when you were being raised. Wasn’t it fun!