Throwback Thursday - The Notebooks

Image from The Graphics Fairy

To clear up some confusion, the Notebook passages posted on Throwback Thursday were written by my father and found by me after he passed away. They were his attempt to tell the family history. He was in his late 80s or early 90s when he wrote them. Today's chapter:

I had a nice summer working at Skip's house. We built a retaining wall along the side walk. And had the rain water on one side of the house go down hill. And had a nice square that the pipe went down in the middle and down hill. When it [ed: concrete square] was still wet, he put the year in 1936. Years later I would be able to visit that house. Time changed. The retaining wall was replaced. he house was aged and its owner had me go into the house. It looked like the one I was familiar with.  Her daughter came in a young girl about 7 years old. The number on the concrete said 1936 this is it. Thank you.

When Skip bought the house in Orient Heights he was told that it was a bad move as he would be living in a better house than his boss. He didn't believe it but it happened. It took some time for him to get a job.

The one thing that still haunts me is my first year at the play school. The assistant dietitian, Julia Dwight a beautiful light haired girl.

One morning the younger of two sisters came into the dining room crying. Her shoelace was untied and she was told by one of the other kids that she was going to be given something bad. Hence the crying. Anyway I got down on the floor, began to tie the shoelace and calm her down. I said no one is going to hurt you. You are in a safe place. So I wiped her tears. And turned to get up and as I looked up there was Julia looking at my big brother act. And we looked at each other. Her eyes seemed to be sending me a message.  The next morning I was in the dietitian's area. Kay Campania asked me if I loved Julia. I did but these girls were in college and older than me and I thought I was being set up.  So i said I can speak for myself. But I never went to Julia. On the other hand if I did what wold come of it? Would it be just a Summer affair? And what could I give her? At the time I was not a good candidate for any girl.

During the first year of the play school, the staff had other activities. I would go swimming at Wood Island with [ed: looks like the name is] Doc. And some of the girls would also come. A boat trip down the harbor was planned and I was included. Skip paid for me and the other boy.

On the way back I was at the prow of the vessel and I was watching one of the sailor preparing to throw rope to dock the vessel and when I looked again it was my cousin, Alfred. He worked on the vessel. And Julia was with me.