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A timeless tale that captures a "kid's" perspective of family, friends, nature, progress, and the world-at-large in relatable, funny, and sometimes tragic stories.
When this eight-year old needs feathers for his Indian tribe, he uses "kid logic" to concoct an elaborate plan to steal them from Mr. Gilberte's pigeon coop, but after terrorizing the pigeons and almost getting shot with a 12-gage shotgun, he finds out all he needed to do was ask. People are kind and generous. Not like he imagined.
Things I Never Told My Parents contains 22 stories that merge into one entertaining tale of family, friendships, growing up, and the ever-present relationship with his dog, Wings, who was always there for him. Growing up in the 1950s and 60s, this kid learns something from every experience. He begins to develop insight and values. And all the time he enjoys life. Well, almost always. Sometimes he feels heart-wrenching pain.
Maybe those times were not as idyllic as reported. Yes, it was a simpler time without cell phones. In some places, nature was still somewhat intact, and neighbors stuck together. On the other hands, things were changing.
When the new interstate highway cuts through his town and destroys nature, you get a kid's point of view. Walking through his grandfather's swamp and seeing all the birds, frogs, muskrats, and snakes he then notices sewage backup and plants dying, he thinks, "I felt like I lost an old friend."
His experience of amusement parks, professional wrestling, roller derby, and junk food show the absolute delight that these things can provide. But they also make him uncomfortable. Putting himself in a crowd where people lose their sense of self-control just seems wrong. And manipulative. He realizes, "There is never enough of something that doesn't satisfy you."
And what about girls? He's very confused about girls. And religion? It's not what it seems. And family? The word dysfunctional didn't pop up until high school, but that's what it was.
And yet, his adventures, challenges, and out-right heartbreaks help him grow and learn. And there is always some joy to find in the world. You just have to invite it into your life.
The postscripts for each story add a great deal because they provide, in retrospect, a point of view based on later insight, information and research.
Funny, insightful. And at times sad, this heartfelt memoir may even motivate you to tell stories of your own. And that's the point!
When this eight-year old needs feathers for his Indian tribe, he uses "kid logic" to concoct an elaborate plan to steal them from Mr. Gilberte's pigeon coop, but after terrorizing the pigeons and almost getting shot with a 12-gage shotgun, he finds out all he needed to do was ask. People are kind and generous. Not like he imagined.
Things I Never Told My Parents contains 22 stories that merge into one entertaining tale of family, friendships, growing up, and the ever-present relationship with his dog, Wings, who was always there for him. Growing up in the 1950s and 60s, this kid learns something from every experience. He begins to develop insight and values. And all the time he enjoys life. Well, almost always. Sometimes he feels heart-wrenching pain.
Maybe those times were not as idyllic as reported. Yes, it was a simpler time without cell phones. In some places, nature was still somewhat intact, and neighbors stuck together. On the other hands, things were changing.
When the new interstate highway cuts through his town and destroys nature, you get a kid's point of view. Walking through his grandfather's swamp and seeing all the birds, frogs, muskrats, and snakes he then notices sewage backup and plants dying, he thinks, "I felt like I lost an old friend."
His experience of amusement parks, professional wrestling, roller derby, and junk food show the absolute delight that these things can provide. But they also make him uncomfortable. Putting himself in a crowd where people lose their sense of self-control just seems wrong. And manipulative. He realizes, "There is never enough of something that doesn't satisfy you."
And what about girls? He's very confused about girls. And religion? It's not what it seems. And family? The word dysfunctional didn't pop up until high school, but that's what it was.
And yet, his adventures, challenges, and out-right heartbreaks help him grow and learn. And there is always some joy to find in the world. You just have to invite it into your life.
The postscripts for each story add a great deal because they provide, in retrospect, a point of view based on later insight, information and research.
Funny, insightful. And at times sad, this heartfelt memoir may even motivate you to tell stories of your own. And that's the point!