"Z" - SHE GOT PLENTY OF Z'S

She slept until noon on Saturday mornings - or got up just in time to attend the Kiddy Show at the Strand Theatre in Orange, TX.  Occasionally, she listened to "Big Jon and Sparky" on the radio.

'Y" - SHE REMINISCED ABOUT HER YOUTH

She tried to focus on positive rather than negative events of her youth - even though there are many recollections of both.

"W" - SHE WANTED TO BE WONDER WOMAN

Wonder Woman - who always acted for the good of mankind - was her heroine.  Wonder Woman was intelligent, adventuresome and athletic - plus she was pretty.

"X" - SHE DID NOT WANT AN EX

She wanted to be married to the same man (for better or worse) for fifty years or more.  She was impressed by her grandparents who celebrated their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary in 1961, with a reception in their home.  Each night after dinner, they walked up and down their driveway for exercise while holding hands.

"V" - SHE WAS AFRAID OF THE DARK

Many stories about victims, plus her vivid imagination contributed to a real fear of the dark.   This fear lasted until she had children of her own and was forced to act responsibly as an adult. 

"U" - SHE WAS HAPPY TO LIVE IN THE USA

When school began each morning, we pledged allegiance to the American flag, and were proud to do so.  After the end of WWII, citizens felt protected and were especially patriotic.  Our flag had forty-eight stars until 1959, when Alaska and Hawaii entered the Union.   

"T" - SHE WANTED TO TRAVEL

During the Fifties, my family seldom traveled other than driving an non air-conditioned car to nearby cities and states. We left early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the mid-day heat.  Prior to one trip, Mother placed a huge block of ice in a pan and placed it underneath the car's interior fan in hopes the air would be cooler as the ice melted.  I remember hoping someday my environment would expand - maybe I would even "fly" to other parts of the country.