FLYING HIGH

With a lot of unprogrammed playtime, my friends and I spent hours lying in the grass while looking above at interesting cloud formations.  I wanted to be IN the sky and fly with the birds.  

AMERICA'S FAVORITE PASTIME

The Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees played in the 1955 World Series.  I wanted the Dodgers to win, but couldn't listen to the games on our radio, since school was in session.  Mrs. Wignall, Principal at Anderson Elementary, was nice enough to walk down the halls, reporting game updates.

ENTERTAINING AT HOME

Holidays, birthdays and other important happenings were intergenerational, and took place in our homes.  It was a rare occurrence to meet elsewhere.  Sometimes the food was elaborate and sometimes simply prepared - it didn't matter - just so we could all be together.

PLAYING UNDER THE HOSE

If we weren't swimming at the pool, beach or Cow Creek, playing under the hose was thought special.  The hose was hung over our backyard clothesline and we ran under the water.  It was like a magnet.  Neighborhood persons and pets soon arrived and were greeted with squirts of water.  

EARLY MORNING DELIVERIES

Before the sun was up, the milkman delivered milk from the local dairy right to our front door.  A list was left for him with instructions about how many quarts to leave.  It was placed with the well-scrubbed, empty glass bottles from the last delivery.

GOODBYE COOKBOOKS

Cake mixes were "in"!  Anyone could successfully bake a cake with little cooking knowledge - even two girls in grade school who were unable to identify a rotatry beater.  Plenty of sugar was thought necessary to provide energy and physical fitness.

FLOWER POWER

People were known to talk to their flowers and my grandmother was not an exception.  She grew flowers in abundance, was a nationally acredited flower judge and President of the Baton Rouge Garden Club.  The society section editor of The Morning Advocate phoned one summer day, learned Mamma's two granddaughters from Texas were visiting and sent a photographer to record the occasion.  Mamma curled my hair using rags.

NEW SCHOOL - OLD JALOPY

Seventh grade began at Dick Dowling Junior High in Beaumont, TX.  On that first day of school, I wondered what my classmates would be like since we had just moved and I didn't know even one person.  The apprehension was definitely increased when Daddy drove me to the school's front entrance in our not-so-spiffy vehicle. 

SIMPLE COSTUMES

One night of bliss - eating as much candy as we wanted - wearing costumes that were thrown together at the last minute - trick-or-treating in neighborhoods without parents since it was considered a safe outing - and sometimes being invited inside a home to sing a song or do a jig before we were rewarded with a treat. 

CATFISH, A REAL SOUTHERN DELICACY

Even though catfish eat from the bottoms of lakes, ponds and rivers, and are considered scum fish by many gourmands, a Southern fish fry featuring catfish (dredged in a mixture of 1/2 cornmeal and 1/2 flour before frying crispy brown), hush puppies and cole slaw was (and continues to be) a mouth-watering event.

EARLY LISTENING DEVICE

I thought I heard the ocean beckoning from lands far away, and wondered what other mysteries my future held.

BACKYARD CARNIVAL

My sister and I spent many summer hours planning and implementing our very own backyard carnival featuring clowns, games and exotic animals.  The whole neighborhood was invited.  A huge Texas thunderstorm appeared and the exotic animals (dogs, lizards, frogs) escaped, the cable (clothesline) holding up our grand tent (army blanket) broke, and everyone ran home, including the ringmaster (neighborhood boy).  It was an exciting disaster!

FOUND IN THE FOREST

Adoptions increased dramatically during the Fifties; however, new parents struggled with the decision about when, if at all, to tell their adopted child the truth.  It was a very private affair.  I knew that I was not adopted, but when I sought affirmation from my parents, their reply was they found me living in the forest with a bunch of rabbits and that was why I had such big ears -  not exactly the response I expected. 

ROSIE THE RIVETER

There were many "Rosies" living in Orange, Texas, during and after WWII.  Women held jobs at Levingston Shipyard on the Sabine River that were traditionally held by the men fighting overseas.  As the war ended, it was difficult for these women to return to the stereotypical happy homemaker role.  "Rosie" became an icon for the beginning of "feminism".

TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

Parents drove me to mandatory appearance in court - five driving violations combined - tenth grade school friends collected money to help pay fine.  Drivers without licenses were usually given warnings, except in this case I was also speeding (curfew too early); ran a red light (just barely); resisted arrest (didn't hear siren); and drove wrong way on one-way alley (HALF an alley to get to my house).  In spite of many explanations, I was in major trouble at home!

DRESSING ROOMS

Parents were concerned their children would encounter various stages of nudity in dressing rooms - especially at the swimming pool.  Modesty definitely prevailed during the Fifties!     

SCARY RIDES

Most small towns had a fair or carnival and their very docile midway rides were the main attraction for teenagers.  Even though the rides were very frightening to a few attendees (me), they didn't compare in scope to what is available today.

BLACKIE THE BULL

Blackie, our only bull, romanced quite a few cows.  When I mentioned his love life to my friends at school, word passed quickly and everyone wanted to see for themselves.  Blackie became quite an attraction - especially, during the Fifties.

RUNNING AWAY

Too many parental rules - ran away - no one seemed to care.  Off on my own -  ran all the way to neighbor's yard - hid in camellia bush.  Daddy searched - asked me to return.  Afraid of dark - went with him - in spite of EVERYTHING!




 

TARGET PRACTICE

Learning to handle a gun was a "coming of age" experience in the South.  Most young boys owned BB guns and air rifles.  Since Daddy didn't have a son, he taught me to shoot his 22, using tin cans as targets.

PEROXIDE BLONDE

The first time a classmate wore peroxided hair and make-up to junior high school, we were all shocked; however, it wasn't long before most of us followed suit.  We combed peroxide in our hair, then let it dry in the sun for optimum effect.

NOT SO PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL

Not everyone was allowed to enter public swimming pools, and definitely not the pools at private clubs.  People of a "different" race or religion and others who were unable to pay the admission fee could only watch our fun from afar.  Out of their frustration, a cat was once thrown into the water. 

MANY MOVES

 During first through twelfth grades, my family moved nine times.  To help alleviate sadness, I was promised a room of my own that could be decorated any way I wished.  I learned to paint walls, take down wallpaper, paint furniture, etc.  That part of moving was enjoyable!  

SNAKE IN THE HENHOUSE!

Gathering eggs for Grandmother might seem like an easy task, but several times snakes were encountered curled up in the nests.  One was an especially large rattlesnake with many rattles.  Granddaddy killed it with a hoe and the Baton Rouge Morning newspaper photographer came.  I remember seeing the saved rattles on the back porch for many years.

SENIOR PROM

A magical night - it didn't matter how or with whom one attended, just being there was thought to be special.  Most boys asked girls to be their date early in the school year, although couples would frequently change their minds and attend the prom with a different person - sorta like musical chairs.

SEWING CIRCLES

Women regularly met to help each other in ways other than mending and sewing.  They shared recipes, tips on managing a household and discussed issues related to the community.  The women in this collage were waiting while their husbands attended a political meeting.

COKE PARTY

Teenagers had coke parties in their homes where we danced or just listened to the music - everyone brought their favorite 45s.  I especially liked "Going Out with the Tide" and "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" sung by Jivin' Gene and the Jokers from Port Arthur, TX.

PRIVATE CLUB HOUSE

Daddy brought home empty shipping cartons that were used for pianos.  They were large, sturdy and reinforced with wood - perfect to design and paint a "girls only" club house. 

ALEXANDRIA MUSEUM OF ART - Feature Exhibit

IN THE MIDDLE (Google Eyes) is the collage featured on the museum web-site.  I recently sent 100 Gumbo Girl collages to the Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, Louisiana, for an exhibition June 15 - July 21.   The collages are all hung from clip boards. 

PRINCE CHARMING?




Storybooks proclaimed Prince Charming would arrive some day to sweep me off my feet.  I wondered when, who, and how this would be accomplished...



SWEET SIXTEEN

The song"Sixteen Candles" was popular when I turned sixteen and it seemed as if the song was written for me.  To celebrate my birthday, I planned a scavenger hunt that began at my house and proceeded with the invited guests running wildly throughout the neighborhood.  It was quite memorable!

BAYOU BABES

My grandparents spent their entire married life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Mamma was engaged when she was sixteen years old, and they were happily married for over fifty years.

FAVORITE FOODS

Fried chicken, french fries, corn on the cob and strawberry shortcake were my favorite foods and Mother usually made sure I had them on my birthday. 

HULA - HOOPING DAD

Hula hooping was a Fifties craze mastered by many - a few talented people even used multiple hoops and Daddy was no exception.  I looked forward to his return from work each evening since he found time to play.  He could do cart-wheels, stand on his head and made up mesmerizing stories about Bomba the Jungle Boy and his elephant friend, sometimes playing a bongo drum for special effects.

HAWAII - NEW STATE

The advent of Hawaii becoming a state in 1959, spurred the popularity of many things Hawaiian.  A few examples are Hawaiian parties with food that included pineapple, advertising dolls, and trips to visit the Islands. 

PARTY LINES

We were on a "party line" when living in DeRidder, LA - the same phone number was assigned to several homes.  Each phone was designated a certain number of rings, and I remember hearing the "click-click-click" signal that others had picked up the phone also.  A pay phone was the best place for private phone conversations. 

DRINKING BUDS

DeRidder and Beauregard Parish were considered "dry" - not referring to the weather here.  After Friday night football games, high school boys piled in cars and drove to the nearest town where alcoholic beverages were sold - beer in particular.  Don't know if their parents were aware of this practice or not.  

I WAS A 97 LB. WEAKLING...

Popular advertising slogan for Charles Atlas' innovative body building program.  Most young men were awed by this transformation, but hopeful.

"THOSE DAYS"

Activities were curtailed during "those days" each month - especially swimming.  We stayed at home rather than attend swimming parties wearing normal clothes, since everyone would realize our secret. 

GIRDLE GIRLS

We wore all sorts of undergarments - pointy bras, girdles, waist cinchers, etc - in hopes of obtaining the hour glass figure that was popular at the time.  Our body was not supposed to jiggle.

FIRST PLANE RIDE

My first airplane ride took place during the senior year in high school. A family friend, who was a pilot, flew me to Shreveport, LA for a Centenary College choir audition.  It was an amazing experience!

SKUNK HUNTING

My parents purchased forty acres and a house that needed much repair in DeRidder, Louisiana, where we moved before my junior year in high school.   Daddy wasn't too crazy about most of the boys I dated.  He slightly approved of one date when Johnny helped Daddy remove a skunk out from under our house.

KEDS - SPORTS SHOES FOR GIRLS

Girls needed to have really good vocal chords and be able to jump up and down while continually smiling if they wanted to be a cheerleader during the Fifties.  Creating fancy pyramids and doing many flips here and there were not necessary.

Hey, Tall Girl in a High School Sweater





Girls didn't think boys their age would ever mature, and  it was especially difficult being a tall girl.  Boys eventually grew, but the wait was long.



EASTER AT SHANGRI-LA

Shangri-La was an amazing garden owned by the Lutcher Stark Family in Orange, TX, that featured exotic flowers, a lake with swans and roaming animals.  It was opened to the public at Easter, and became a popular destination for families after church.

CELEBRATED CUSTOMER

Clayton Smith Pianos opened for business in 1950, and many family hours were spent there - waiting on customers (a few were well-known), refinishing pianos and adding studios where Mother taught piano.  My sister and I walked to the store after school. 

YOU HAUL

We moved from Warrensburg, Virginia back to Orange, Texas after Daddy was released from the Army.  This move was before there were trucks to rent, and people moved their few belongings any way possible.  We lived in an upstairs apartment at Gilmer Homes, and were happy to be back in the warm Texas sun.

BUGS, BUGS AND MORE BUGS



 

Bugs were everywhere!  Mosquitos especially looked for girls first since we weren't allowed to wear long pants to school - our legs became great targets.  Boys were usually next on their lists.



GOING STEADY

Everyone wanted to "go steady" with someone, especially in junior high.  Sometimes the relationship lasted several years, but was usually of very short duration.  After the "break-up" it was time to find someone else - not always one's first choice.

KEEPING COOL

Ah!  The relief!  Everyone congregated in one air-conditioned room - usually the den.  It was wonderfully freezing in that room and swelteringly hot in the other parts of the house.