A friend who worked in mental health once told me that whether or not a memory was factual wasn't important. It's the person's truth, and that validates it, regardless of its historical accuracy.
The experiences with my son (he's 50 now) when he was a kid has led him to his life's work. I have great memories of my grandfather taking me fishing in his big old clunker of a boat when I was preteen, out in the middle of a pond catching white perch with just a hook and worm and bamboo pole. My son works for NH Fish & Game and to this day he can recall every fishing trip we ever made together. I'm a firm believer in exposing a child to many experiences, allowing them choose the ones they enjoy. Some times the experiences last a lifetime.
Reading this piece just reminded me of the Blizzard of 78 in Newton, MA. A high school friend of mine was given a snowblower as a gift from his father for Christmas (or Channukah), which seemed like an odd gift at the time.
Apparently his dad had read and trusted the forecast for the winter of 1978 in the Farmers Almanac.
My friend removed the large masses of snow from customer's driveways - Newton homeowners have driveways the size of football fields - with the snowblower and I accompanied him with a shovel to do the detail work. He made enough money in a week to pay for his first year at college. I made enough money to build a pretty formidable music album collection, which included the exact Led Zeppelin album you described.
And yes, I do distinctly recall hearing Robert Plant shout out "It's been a long time since I rock and rolled" for the first time from a 33 RPM in my room versus WCOZ, a local rock radio station in Boston.
It is strange that everything we are, good and not so good, is somewhere in our brains. Some things are never recalled while others, all it takes is a sound, a smell or a word. I remember my dad teaching me to dive off the edge of an inground pool somewhere on our way to Illinois. Even though probably 9 years old, I remember the bathing suit I wore. But please do not ask me what I had for lunch yesterday. The best we can do for children is provide them with the most wonderful experiences life has to offer, big and small. Speaking of Led Z. The first time I listened to music with headphones was Whole Lotta Love and in the library of Glassboro State College (now Rowan U) in NJ. I shouted "Far Out" (not understanding headphones). Remember! Libraries were silent then.
A friend who worked in mental health once told me that whether or not a memory was factual wasn't important. It's the person's truth, and that validates it, regardless of its historical accuracy.
I like that!
The experiences with my son (he's 50 now) when he was a kid has led him to his life's work. I have great memories of my grandfather taking me fishing in his big old clunker of a boat when I was preteen, out in the middle of a pond catching white perch with just a hook and worm and bamboo pole. My son works for NH Fish & Game and to this day he can recall every fishing trip we ever made together. I'm a firm believer in exposing a child to many experiences, allowing them choose the ones they enjoy. Some times the experiences last a lifetime.
That's wonderful Jim!
Reading this piece just reminded me of the Blizzard of 78 in Newton, MA. A high school friend of mine was given a snowblower as a gift from his father for Christmas (or Channukah), which seemed like an odd gift at the time.
Apparently his dad had read and trusted the forecast for the winter of 1978 in the Farmers Almanac.
My friend removed the large masses of snow from customer's driveways - Newton homeowners have driveways the size of football fields - with the snowblower and I accompanied him with a shovel to do the detail work. He made enough money in a week to pay for his first year at college. I made enough money to build a pretty formidable music album collection, which included the exact Led Zeppelin album you described.
And yes, I do distinctly recall hearing Robert Plant shout out "It's been a long time since I rock and rolled" for the first time from a 33 RPM in my room versus WCOZ, a local rock radio station in Boston.
Excellent use of your earnings!
It is strange that everything we are, good and not so good, is somewhere in our brains. Some things are never recalled while others, all it takes is a sound, a smell or a word. I remember my dad teaching me to dive off the edge of an inground pool somewhere on our way to Illinois. Even though probably 9 years old, I remember the bathing suit I wore. But please do not ask me what I had for lunch yesterday. The best we can do for children is provide them with the most wonderful experiences life has to offer, big and small. Speaking of Led Z. The first time I listened to music with headphones was Whole Lotta Love and in the library of Glassboro State College (now Rowan U) in NJ. I shouted "Far Out" (not understanding headphones). Remember! Libraries were silent then.
Headphones is the only way to listen to Zep :)