Electrical storm, May 8, 1961

It begins with utter stillness, cold oppressing air. Lightning flashes across the sky. And then, stillness again.

Silence

Then wind, howling its fury, rages across the land. Lashing trees bend over, the small ones almost double, screaming in torment, cracking in agony. Rain pours down. Another flash of lightning illuminates the scene. A roar of thunder like a giant's bowling alley.

I feel small, but it pulsates through me, making me larger inside. I love a storm.

But Mrs. Austin is scared stiff.


(lol! I liked my power words at 14 almost 15!

More diary entries: on May 13th, 1961, I rode a power lawnmower and a motor scooter. Sometime between May 13 and May 18, I got a Siamese kitten from my English teacher. She was a purebred with a kink in her tail, so she couldn't be used for breeding. I named her Aphrodite and called her Taffy. On May 21st, I took a ride in a glider. 1300 feet up for a stupendous view. And so silent. On June 15, I received a certificate of service and bronze medal, but I don't tell what it was for. These were the exciting events in my life around the time I turned 15. )

1961 again

I am working on a block cut for Christmas and I had gone down in the basement to look for my brayers (rubber rollers). I didn't find them, but I did find my diary from 1961 and am allowing myself to read one or two segments a day (I have too much to do to sit and read it).

Here's some of what I wrote on Friday, August 18, 1961(9:41 PM):

It seems as if my wonderful peaceful world has exploded. Dorothy, my best (and only) pal for over 12 years just left for camp. Although this doesn't seem that serious, in eight days they will return and move to Delaware for a year and i won't be here to say goodbye. Burnt Hills will be a different, sadder place without the many Sheffers.

What I didn't know when I wrote that was that in November of 1962, I would move away, just after the Sheffers' return from Deleware. Dorothy was not my only friend, but she was a very important friend. That day, August 18, 1961 was pivotal day in my young life.

Monday August 21, 1961, 9:56 PM

Today was another one of those dreary days since Dorothy left. It rained all day. I worked on my aquariums. After lunch, we played "Pit" and "I doubt it." Then I baked some yummy carob brownies {that was the year I gave up chocolate for a year in hopes it would help my complexion. it did.} Aunty Ann came out. We had a big dinner. Then I washed the dishes. It is good for Aunty Ann to get out of her shell once in a while. Too bad it doesn't happen often. {This was right after my grandmother died. My aunt lived with her until my grandmother died.} I hope she recovers soon. When she left, she took Tom {my brother} with her. Of course I didn't get to talk to Dorothy once all day.

PS: Mick Mather, Syracuse artist, invited me to contribute to his "Outer Dust Rings" Project (blog). I was very honored and we did a collaborative piece, Redhead Tern Festival in 101st Year, Migration. I'm pleased because it is humorous, though the humor will be much more obvious to those who live in Syracuse, NY. (I do not, but am stepped in Syracuse lore.)

The Grownups Code of Laws

September 30, 1961 (from Mary's Diary):

1. All grownups must curb a child's natural curiosity by saying "don't be fresh" to anything he says.
2. All grownups must never allow a child to have anything he wants even if the grownup shall want it too.
3. All grownups must accuse children of doing things they didn't do and then not allow them to defend themselves by saying, "Don't be fresh."
4. All grownups must try their best to poison children by feeding them garbage like rotten bananas that cannot be eaten without gagging. (Grownups need not eat anything unless they want to.)
5. All grownups must force kids to go to bed at outrageously early hours, even on weekends.
6. All grownups must be slave-drivers. It is necessary to make kids work, especially if they have other plans.
7. All grownups must not allow children to have any responsibility and must constantly remind them of their jobs even though the children are capable of doing them without prodding.
8. All grownups must remember never to be impartial and must always favor one child over another and be strictly unfair to one of them.

by Mother Dear and Father Dear