anysia | Old memories

And I mean old. Memories and images of my childhood in Texas. Birthday cake for my 3rd birthday. Yes, I remember it; yellow cake, white vanilla frosting, pastel paper carousel with yellow, blue and pink paper horses. Got a PfisherPrice toy lunch box with the fake thermos (I tried it as if it was real one, and wondered what that smelly gloppy white stuff was in it afterward), and stuffed toy, leopard spotted, with plastic clown face. I was so happy with my stuff toy, that I took my nap voluntarily, and early. Plaid blanket, mostly pale purple, with darker purple and blue interwoven.

Chinese restaurant: mother worked there. I remember Lei (?) showing me how to use chopsticks in my babyish hands. I remember feeling watched over, doted upon and loved.

Our black mutt, Snuffy, laziest mutt I have ever known. Fiercely protective of me, for some odd reason. His method of keeping me safe in the yard was if I ventured out past the gate, he would knock me down and sit on me, until my hollering brought an adult around. Big Boy, huge collie, purebred. It was like hugging pure love with a wagging tail.

Our two cats, litter mates, one male one female, named Topsy (f) and Turvy(m). And their mother, a pure black siamese cat named Spookah. She liked to have her kittens in the garage, and I got into trouble climbing up on the carhood to peek at her climbing kittens on the open garage door.

The Moltabanos, next door. Mr. Moltabano taught me how to tie my shoes, even after I tracked a huge glob of mud on my shoes through their freshly waxed kitchen floor. They had a few cows and this mean, crotchety bull that chased me up a tree. I learned to peek at it from the safe side of the fence.

Booboo (Beverly) and Stevie.. I remember playing with them. Stevie would eat chicken wing bones, while eating rice. I remember being totally amazed at this prodigious accomplishment! Booboo and I would play with a toy kitchen with fake (sponge/foam rubber) food. Let me tell you, that toast looked good, but it tasted like ...well foam.

My sister and I trading doll clothes under her blanket on her bed when we were supposed to be taking a nap. I don't think that covered lump in the middle of the bed really made anyone believe we were sleeping. Making mudpies with her in the backyard on our kiddie sized picnic table. Raiding the kitchen for confectioners sugar to dust them.

A swarm of grasshoppers devestating the field across the street.

A fierce storm so strong, it rocked our house and we slept in the hallway with the doors to the rooms closed. I know now it was a hurricane with tornadic winds.

I remember the next year, my 4th birthday party. Kiddie TV character/entertainer Cadet Don told ME,by NAME to go check on my porch for my birthday present! It was a beautiful handmade rocking chair, perfect for a little girl. I just couldn't understand why everyone was so sad that day . Someone had shot a very nice man, while he and his wife were traveling through Dallas,and it wasn't just a police show. 7yrs later I realise that was President Kennedys' assassination, and my birthday was the day afterward.

All this, and so much more.....

I don't know what's brought on the flood of childhood memories, but some are making me smile, some are making me want to weep. Most just make me realise not all of my childhood was unbearable.