Growing Up in Flip Flops
Stories of a young boy growing up in small town 1960’s Florida.
Episodes
Introductory episode of Growing Up in Flip Flops. I introduce Mr. Alexander to you and how he had a wonderous impact on me and started my interest in history and literature. And , you never know what your child might learn while you are grocery shopping. Wonderous things.
As a first grader, I consider the implications of celebrating Christmas in Southwest Florida devoid of snow and cold weather. And what happens when you have a chance to see real magic happen!
In an effort to keep an elementary school without air conditioning cool, open windows had a very unintended effect upon me. And one which results in something that still remains a mystery to me today.
My mother proves in a very direct manner that she is not someone with whom to be trifled or bullied. And I receive an early indirect lesson that I shouldn't push my mother on issues on which she was firm. Whether or not this qualifies her to be a "Southern Belle" is still debatable.
I learn the truthfulness of Stevenson's comment that, "Sooner or later, everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences." I learned how quickly that "banquet" can arrive and how loud and embarrassing it can be to attend it. The result being I that I never wanted to visit that banquet hall ever again in my life.
My mother did everything right in preparing for a hurricane. And then the unexpected happened. But, even when the worst is happening around you, perhaps one day you'll look back, and even that day will be pleasant to remember. At the very least, it will make a great story to tell.
Never ever underestimate a child's curiosity. And know that curiosity can be a very powerful motivation.
Confession is good for the soul, especially if the statute of limitations has run out.
Sometimes you will witness a fleeting example of something extraordinary which you will remember for the rest of your life. It can be something historic, such as where you were when you learned of the 9/11 tragedy, or something mundane, but still a surprise or a shock.
Here I remember something I witnessed on an elementary school playground during recess. Which I still count as one of the most remarkable event...
Growing up in a garden surrounded by a variety of citrus and fruit would seemingly be a dream situation for most people. Not for me. And growing up in that garden has had a surprisingly long lasting effect on my tastes.
Assuming that I was just attending a charity basketball game results in one of the more amazing experiences in my life. One that is unlikely to ever occur again for anyone. And why I was the lucky one for it to happen to, I have no explanation.
This is not about how I spent a summer, but instead how I spent summers from about age six to 13. It was in all likelihood, done out of necessity by my mother, but I learned a lot about people and myself during those summers. Some aspects were difficult, but I'd live them all again if I could.
As a great philosopher once wrote; Visions of good times that brought so much pleasure makes me want to go back...
I see a dazzling display of lights in my bedroom in South Florida that reminds me of my teacher's description of her first experience upon witnessing the Northern Lights. It seems the same except the colors are different than what she saw. It was years later that I finally figured it all out.
Every time I set our supper table before dinner with plates, glasses and silverware, there was always the addition of a large serving spoon beside my mother's setting. And every time I saw that serving spoon in its spot, I knew its dual purpose; both table implement and instructional tool. In later years, a different kind of "serving spoon" served as an instructional tool for me. I haven't forgott...
In a regular Sunday morning Methodist church service, the unusual happens. Which in and of itself, is noteworthy, but this particular occurrence was very different. And it also demonstrates how long memories can last.
One definition of comedy is "A tragedy viewed from the wings, " that is, it's funny when it's not happening to you. I smile today thinking of the heart ache, hurt feelings, ...
As a young boy being forced to iron cloths or scrabble eggs, all I saw was work and one more thing my mother was making me do beyond my usual chores around the house and yard.
It wasn't until years later I learned the why of her actions. That "why" is something for which I am forever grateful to her.
It has always amazed me how the truly best things that happen in our lives are largely unplanned, in spite of ourselves. And the greatest things we do in our lives don't show up on a resume.
The best advice I can give to anyone is to walk through the open doors life provides for you. You never know what great and wonderful things you can do when given the opportunity.
Simply wanting to share a moment with my father ends up having a very long lasting memory and impact on both my behavior and tastes. These moments come along unexpectedly, and when they do, you will remember them.
I remember a weekly column in our local newspaper and the information that was shared. But, the interesting point is my realization those people weren't as naive as I thought in comparison to our obvious sophistication today.
For a number of years after my father passed away, I remember two couples of snowbird renters who stayed with us. They became simply extended members of our family to my sister and I. The interesting thing is they were willing to spend time and talk with a curious young boy and I took advantage of that time. I learned from them and remember to this day the stories of a World War One fighter pilot. We have similar op...
I learned the valuable and painful lesson that has stuck with me all these years from my mother that "sorry" doesn't cut it. Excuses for the cause of the "sorry" don't matter to the hurt or wronged individual don't matter either. Making the injured party whole is the responsible, and unfortunately too uncommon, response. It took me awhile to get to the point I understood this lesson...
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