Given the number of moves we made due to my Dad's ascending job arc between 1965 and 1970, my parents very smartly kept me busy and on an even keel with sports and various activities. I was a Cub Scout in Minnesota and for a couple of years in North Carolina, a Boy Scout. Little League-style ball in Minnesota in the late 1960s, YMCA basketball in Durham in the early 1970s. Later, football, soccer, fencing. Though I wasn't particularly talented at any of them, it was all good for me. I did enjoy football and fencing the best -- competitive contact sports. Good training for adulthood.
That's me in the summer of 1969: Mendota Heights, St. Paul. Got a black eye from a flying ball, and broke my arm exploring a pile of pipes on a construction site. Fell and put my left hand out, and crunch. Because I'm left-handed, had to learn to write with my right hand, too. On a closer look, I dig the $500 Reward for Jesse James poster on the wall.
This is a blowup inset from the same shot. It may be the only evidence left of a model I was working on of Apollo 11, as well as a t-shirt commemorating the Moon Landing, July 20, 1969.
Today's Rune: Fertility. A salute to my parents -- & Happy Father's Day! And first day of summer!
7 comments:
Those pictures are great. I wish I had some of my old BSA patches now...
The first boy scout troop in our area started after I was already grown up. Wow, I'm old.
Fencing? I bet you'd be pretty fair in a knife fight.
Hey, you need to scrounge around for a Troop photo. I love those old pics, there's so much potential in each shot. As for fencing, an old friend of mine had a fencing scholarship at Wayne State; he qualified for the Junior Olympics as well. In fact I knew two other WSU fencers. Still, I must agree with TWM, fencing doesn't seem as true to Detroit as a good old fashion knife fight. Your black eye might qualify for something.
Time flies. I remember the week of the moon landing well. Coverage was pretty constant on TV and it seemed like we were really living in the modern age, nigh 40 years ago.
Hey Erik, cute kid. I've always wanted to try fencing. Dane (my son) is a decendant of Jesse James and He had a similar poster in his room!
Geeze...You poor SOB! Did the hospital ever suspect abuse? (KDN.)
Years later I put together a model of the Space Shuttle. I wonder what's next...
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