These childhood memories are among the least serious of my youth. They are purely my personal favorites, unlike the ones I share with other family members or friends.
For example, my brother, sister and I (5,4 and 6) argued about the origin of the horses and stage coach which populated the Saturday afternoon 'oater' showings at a local theater, the State. We understood rocks and saloons, even people strolling in from either wing of the stage. But horses, wagons and trains were a mystery. So we climbed up on the stage and were promptly blocked by the hugh silver screen. Feeling our way along brought a chorus of boos and 'outatheways' until the manager dragged us off and banned us all for 2 weeks. A cruel punishment.
No, the things I remember are more my own; silly, odd, even as mysterious as film.
This was my favorite riddle - "What is the difference between a duck?" - No amount of cajoling, arguing, demanding would produce any more information and the answer was just as frustrating. "One of his legs is both different."
Memorable doggerel includes - (I didn't know what a beard was during the war, so it was intriguing. Perhaps that is why I have had one these many years)
There once was a man somewhat weird,
who said, "It is just as I feared,
two larks and a wren,
an owl and a hen,
have all built their nests in my beard".
And this one -
"I eat my peas with honey,
I've done it all my life,
they do taste kind of funny
but it keeps them on my knife."
As I grow older onto ancient, my memory is clear and sharp. So sad, too bad ... I had such a silly start.
06August2013
