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.