Introduction

Introduction

While I was born in 1951, sometimes I feel like I was born in 1914. My father told me so many stories about growing up in Philadelphia, and occasionally even about his family, that I feel some sense of at least one person's life in those years before I was born. While my mother, of course, wanted a child, I'm not sure that my father did. I think there was a part of it all that scared him, so they waited quite a while to have me. I hope I was "a relief" to my father, and I think I worked hard to be a good son. Looking back, especially at those few older pictures I have of my father, I think the very best part of his life was the first half - back when things were simple, he had good friends, and the burdens of adulthood were not yet upon him. Looking back, I feel like the best part of my life was the first half, largely due to my parents. It was a time when life was simple, controllable, and when I was actually organized! I'm sure my father found many good things in his entire life, as do I, but I believe we had this in common - that there is nothing better than growing up in Philadelphia. So, do not find the title of my new blog in any way depressing, my friends, its just a perspective that I've found interesting to investigate.

I'll start by writing about my family. I realize we are nothing special, but as we've learned from millions of pages of memoirs written and published, there can be much to be learned from those who came before us.

As I get past some family stories, this blog may be of interest to anyone who grew up in the Delaware Valley/Philadelphia/Delaware County in the 1950's and 60's, or to anyone married/partnered to one (if you are, there is much you need to understand before the two of you can communicate!).

Please check out my book, Saturday Night at Sarah Joy's. All proceeds go to the Hurricane Sandy NJ Relief Fund. Information is available at: saturdaynightatsarahjoys.blogspot.com.

Thank you!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Why Kids Turn Out the Way They Do

I know that those of you who know me were always curious why and how I turned out like I did.  I think it is clear that events and influences in my early life shaped me, and I also think I can identify many of them.  So here are my recommendations, if you'd like your kids to turn out like me.

1.  Surround them with technology.

Maybe I did have to go to the bathroom - I forget.  You need to focus on the piece of furniture behind me - state of the art black and white TV on one side, a combo AM radio and record player on the other side - this thing was amazing.  I quickly became the house expert on how to use it, and used to spend my days playing my Mitch Miller record, and my soundtrack of The King and I.  I knew all the words! It has come in handy so many times, I can't begin to explain.

2.  Let them buy Comic Books

OK, so maybe this needs to be updated, maybe not.  For me, Comic Books had an obvious influence.

I decided to become a chemist as a young boy, when I watched Element Lad try to change the cosmic eye into something other than Uranium.  Obviously he never became a part of the Legion of Super Heroes, but he tried.

I did all of my personal shopping through ads in comic books.  While my friends all had interesting stamp collections, mine was special because they all came from pirate strongholds.  Seriously.  My thanks to the pirates who sold those great treasures to me.


Of course I wanted to be the life of the party, and while 25 cents was a lot of money, I did save up and get my own giant catalog.  It was the world's greatest.  These amazing magic tricks were expensive, but I did buy "change nickels into dimes" and was prepared to be the life of any party I was invited to.  I don't recall many parties, but I'm sure there were and I'm sure I was.

From the age of about 7 on, people would comment on my spaceman-like body.  I can now tell you that it was all thanks to the American Bodybuilding Club.  Nobody suspected that I worked out every day with a space-man fulcrum bar-bell.  Lets just say that no one kicked sand in my face - at least not directly.

3.  Feed them well.

One of my hangouts - the Strathmere in Strathmere.  We ate much better then than we do now!


Lets see, I'll have the cup of snapper soup for 35 cents, a cup of joe for 10 cents, the broiled lobster tail for $3.50 (with potatoes and cole slaw), and I'll have to toss a silver dollar to decide whether I want the bisque tortoni or the spumoni (they're both 30 cents).

4.  Make available others who can provide the advice and wisdom they need.



For a penny, a wise grandmother in a machine on the boardwalk gave me, personally, this card.  She even told me my lucky numbers, and as a bonus reminded me of what are the appropriate gift types for wedding anniversaries.  Her predictions were all correct.  I just wish I'd have had another penny, since she offered at the time to tell me more.

5.  Encourage the pursuit of the joys of music.  It's important.

I apparently started drumming in 1959; it's unclear when that career ended.

6.  Encourage youthful experimentation.  It's always better to know and understand something than to not know and to fear it.

7.  Let them experience disappointment and learn how to deal with it.  Let them follow Philadelphia sports.

It was 1964.  They told us that the only way the Phillies can NOT be in the world series was if they lost 10 out of their last 12 games!  Hahahaha.  That would be impossible.  Hahahahaha.  Lets start selling tickets now!  Hahahahaha.  OK, now lets try to figure out what to do with all of those World Series Tickets we sold!  Rain check!  Hahahahaha.

8.  Hope that they will speak softly and carry a big gun.


Dirty Harry?  Big deal!

© 2012 John Allison

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