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Rude Awakenings

They were no angels in disguise

Chapter 32: 1947 • Sonora ~ My siblings were no angels in disguise as they tore through the house like a band of young heathens. The kids not only had the run of the house, they had the run of the town. Most summer days the... Continue

Today we heard President Truman’s speech

Chapter 31: 1947 • Sonora ~ continuation of my brother’s diary 1947 • Larry’s Diary (age 13) Mar 1  I bought boy scout whistle card and slide. Got radio into my room. Bought new kite and put it together. Got a new lock for door.... Continue

Today I made a $10 payment on a $50  bicycle

Chapter 30: 1947 • Sonora ~ continuation of Larry’s diary 1947 • Larry’s Diary (age 13) Feb 1  Today I took both routes again for Mr. Mouron. I also looked at some bikes as I am hoping to buy one. Bought more stamps for collection.... Continue

My mother gave me her bookcase!

Chapter 29: 1947 • Sonora ~ On his twelfth Christmas, Larry received a small five-year leather-bound diary with room enough on each page for three lines per day. Jan 1 Am just getting over sickness and added a small piece to my room in which... Continue

It was nothing but the best for mom

Chapter 28: 1946 • Sonora ~ My mother, brother, and sisters loved to read. They regularly checked out books from the local library, and in every room at home someone would be sprawled somewhere with their nose buried in one. Larry’s favorites were historical adventures,... Continue

Something happened to Mom, something snapped

Chapter 26: 1946 • Sonora ~ Squatting on the front stoop in the low afternoon sun, Betty, all of six, and Claudia just four, sat wondering what kind of trouble they could get into, when their plans were cut short. An eerie howling, like a trapped... Continue

His moral fiber was as starched as his collar

Chapter 25: 1946 • Sonora ~ Sundays were family days that were spent reading the newspaper comics, going to church, and calling on relatives. The adults played canasta and bridge; the kids, Monopoly and Chinese checkers. They went for drives and had picnics in the country with... Continue

“… might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb”

Chapter 24: mid 1940s • Sonora  ~ No Sunday or Holy Day passed without Dad taking the children to Mass. Some Sundays they attended St. Anne's in Columbia, other Sundays they went to Mass in Jamestown. Sometimes they drove to Tuolumne, during summer camping trips they heard... Continue

Then he fainted

Chapter 23: 1946 • Sonora ~ On a sunny Saturday, Mom brought home six-dozen chicks from the feed store and enclosed them in the safety of the chicken coop. The next day, Carleen, Betty, and Claudia gently carried them from the pen to the front yard, cradling... Continue