Those 70ish Girls

I told the Little Murdo Girl that she could write this little wrap up, but I would rather she focus more on the people that make Murdo such a special place. I hope all those reading her stories, will help me out by encouraging her to stay on track…Thank you.

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A person who knows Billy, read my story yesterday and said I was no better than Mom and Billy or their driver, because Suzanne and I stole crabapple from Mr. Mowell’s trees. I don’t want to split hairs, but the crabapple incident wasn’t a mother/daughter caper. You have to watch Mom, she can get you into trouble. Then again, she hardly ever gets caught! I also found out from the “person,”that the other perp involved in heisting corn, was my Aunt Elna, and they were in Ben Dykstra’s corn field.

That wraps up that story, but there’s more. I can’t divulge my source, but Mom and some of her friends went to Pierre. (This all happened before my time.) They also took Billy. He was still pretty young. On the way home, they all stopped at the Silver Spur in Ft. Pierre. They serve alcoholic beverages there, but they just wanted to use the bathroom. Wouldn’t you know it? Billy couldn’t get the bathroom door open right away, which kind of scared him. Well, he finally got out and back to the table where all the ladies were sitting. They decided to stay a short while, because it was cool in there, and hot outside. Shortly thereafter, they headed back to Murdo.

Well, it must have been memorable to Billy, because when he saw Grandpa a few days later, he told him he went to Ft. Pierre, and they went to a place where the cowboys drink their pop.

I told the lady, I realize this won’t be counted as a paper. I just knew you all might be wondering.

 

It’s all a part of growing up. Children should always be encouraged to expand their vocabulary. The Little Murdo Girl is most definitely picking up new words…or…different words. Oh heck, read her story and decide for yourself. Are her new words half-baked, or not half-bad? If I asked you if I’m alldumb? Would you say, poseYa?

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Aunt Ella and Valerie are here for a visit. They’re staying above the store where they used to live. Mom and I drove uptown to see them yesterday. We were both excited, because we have really missed them since they moved to California. Mom made a macaroni salad and everything. I’ve had a lot of fun with Valerie. She’s an only child, and she doesn’t even have a distant big brother like I do.

On the way uptown, Mom stopped at the Texaco station to get some gas and have Jim fix her taillight. She went inside and paid, then we took off to go uptown. I was holding the macaroni salad, so I wasn’t paying much attention, but I thought I heard a noise. I looked around, and I said, “Mom your trunk is up.” We were almost to Sanderson’s Store, so she kept going. We pulled in and got out of the car, and the Texaco guy got out of the trunk. Mom asked him if she could give him a ride back, but he said, “No,” and took off down the hill. Mom said, “I hope he fixed my light.”

Valerie and I reminisced about the time she helped me take care of the sparrow eggs in my incubator, and about the day we herded Aske’s milk cows with our horses. I told her I feel bad every time I go into Super Value and Beulah Aske is working. She is so nice and she doesn’t even know we ran her milk cows all over the pasture.

Then, Valerie decided she wanted to go out on the hot tar roof and suntan. That’s when she discovered she didn’t have her swimming suit, or “bathing suit,” as she calls it. She blamed her Mom for not packing it, and wanted to call Uncle Al, and have him send it to her. Of course, Aunt Ella thought that was a ridiculous idea. Mom and I listened to that back and forth for awhile, then Mom said we had to go pick up the motel towels at the laundromat. That annoyed me, because I wanted to stay and hang around Valerie. Mom said.”It’s your job Mary Constance,” so down the stairs I went.

We didn’t go to the laundromat, because we hadn’t even picked up the towels from the Motel. Most of the tourists weren’t even gone yet when we left. By the way, my towel job is slightly easier since the Motel got bigger, because I don’t have to wash them one load at a time at home. We wash and dry them all at the laundromat, then I fold them. I make a little bit more money, if I keep my nose to the grindstone, and don’t take off too many days.

Anyway, we just walked over to Mack’s Cafe, and I got one of Doris’s cinnamon rolls. Let me just say, in my opinion, there can’t be a better cinnamon roll in the world. While we were there, Aunt Elna came in, and she and Mom started yacking. When they get excited about stuff, they both start talking at the same time, and their voices get kind of screechier. All of the Sanderson’s have similar screech sounds when they get excited.

 

Anyway, there’s a guy that works for Doris named Slim. He’s really nice, and a hard worker. Slim’s mind isn’t quite as old as he is, but he gets along pretty well, I think. For some reason, he has taken a disliking to Aunt Elna. One day when Mom and Elna were in Mack’s Cafe and it was really busy, Mom and Aunt Elna found themselves sitting at different tables. Well, Slim brought Mom a note, and she asked him who gave it to him? He said, “Old bag, Old bag,” and pointed at Aunt Elna.

Remember when I told you that Mom makes up new words? Well, she stole one from Slim. If you’re talking with him, and he agrees with you, he says “PoseYa.” Which means, “I suppose, yes.” I use the word too. I really like it because it’s faster than saying all the other words. It’s like Mom’s word, “alldumb.”

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A few days later

Mom and I took Aunt Ella and Valerie back to the airport in Rapid City, so they could fly back to California. They still weren’t getting along too well. We stopped to eat in Rapid before going on to the airport, and Aunt Ella started talking about some guy getting a viesectomy. Valerie said, “Mom, it’s vasectomy.” Aunt Ella continued with her story and kept saying viesectomy. After correcting her 2 or 3 times, Valerie stood up and said,” VASECTOMY MOM, IT’S CALLED VASECTOMY.” She did that right in the middle of a crowded restaurant. It sure raised a few eyebrows! People were probably wondering why two women and a teenager were talking like that in front of a sweet looking little girl.

Mom couldn’t wait to get home to recreate that story!

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Mother’s Day is over and summer is almost here. The little Murdo Girl’s paper gives us another great example of having fun without funds. She and her friend, Marlene experienced a hair-raising adventure in Alabama without even leaving Murdo. 

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The Motel is open again. I don’t have to work too much, because school’s not out yet. Mom only has Marlene and me rent rooms if she has to run an errand, or fix supper. Business is really slow until all the kids get out of school and families can travel.

Well, one night Marlene and I did something we don’t usually do. We befriended some tourists. A Mom and a Grandma were traveling, and they had two kids with them.  They said it was fine with their teachers, because  they were going to the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore. That made it educational and all they had to do was write a paper about it.

They were kind of fun to talk to because they had been a lot of places. I guess they don’t go to school much. Anyway, they told us they lived in Alabama, and their Grandma had spent her childhood picking cotton. Later in life, she came into some money and was able to buy a pretty nice house. They even had a couple of servants. (After their Mom had them, her husband took off and they really never got to know him.)

This is where it gets interesting. The servants liked them, and they liked the servants too, since they practically raised the two kids. They told us the servants lived in a little house not too far from the big house. Well, one day the lady servant who took care of them, said her Grandma died. I guess it’s a tradition in the South when someone dies, you lay them out in the front room for a couple of days. At night you cover them up with a sheet.

On the second night, the lady servant came screaming up the hill to the big house. She said the Grandma had come back alive, and she was scared stiff . Marlene and I just looked at each other, but we didn’t say anything.

The kid’s Mom knew that it’s impossible for a dead person to come alive, so she wasn’t at all afraid to walk down the hill with the servant lady to check things out. When they walked in the door, the kid’s Mom could see the body laying out with a sheet over it.

Well, imagine her surprise, when in fact, the sheet was moving just like the servant had said. It really did appear that there was a live person under there after all. I was kind of flipping out now, and so was Marlene, but we still didn’t say anything.

You want to know what happened next? The kid’s Mom walked right over to the laid- out body and pulled the sheet off. There was a cat walking around under there, and the old Grandma was still as dead as a doornail.

Marlene and I decided that if  weird things like that happened in Murdo like where those kids live, we’d want to travel around too.

We’d been sitting out on the brick planters with the Alabama kids, when Mom came to relieve us. It was getting dark and Marlene didn’t want to walk all the way home by herself. We finally decided that I would walk her halfway home, which I did, then she took off running to her house, and I ran really fast back to mine.

When I told Mom all about it, she just kept nodding her head kind of skeptically. She got up and walked over to the desk and looked at the guest register. She said, “Well, I thought they were probably just spinning yarns, but according to their registration, they are from Alabama.”

I’ll never forget that story, but I did forget what those kid’s names are.

There’s another reason I kind of believe them. The boy said he ordered a Dick Tracy secret decoder ring that glows in the dark. It got there during the daytime. His Mom said, “That looks like fun. Tonight when it gets dark, you can try it out.” Well, the kid didn’t want to wait that long, so he shut himself in a dark closet. He said the ring truly did glow, but the door locked and he couldn’t get out. It was about 4 hours before they finally found him.

 

Just ask yourself. Would a kid tell a story that made him look stupid like that if it wasn’t true? Besides, If Billy told a big whopper and I knew he was lying, I’d tell on him. That kid’s sister nodded her head the whole time like it was all true.

Anyway, Marlene and I are going out to the Webb’s house Friday night. Sometimes we tell ghost stories and now we’ll have a new one. We’re all getting tired of the one where the Mom sends her kid to the store for liver. On the way back it get’s dark. All the way home she keeps hearing, “I want my liver back!! The voice gets closer…I want my liver back… and closer… louder and louder, “I WANT MY LIVER BACK.” Finally, the man without a liver gets really close. He’s practically breathing down her neck…Then he says…..“GOTCHA!!!”

 

 

 

 

I know the Little Murdo Girl and her brother Billy, really love their Mom. Billy took her to the races for Mother’s Day, but really, what could be better than a heartfelt poem from your daughter?

Hi Mom, I called to…Mary is that you?
Yes Mom, I want to…I called Ella today. I had some “news” to tell. To get a word in edgewise, I really had to yell!
Well, Mom how long…Oh, we talked an hour, and it was on my dime. If she wants to talk again, she’ll have to call next time.
So, Mom…I’d tell you what she said, but it was blah, blah, blah. If you really want the truth, I forgot it, ha, ha, ha.
I only have a minute Mo…I went shopping with my coupons. I thought I’d save a ton. They told me they were all expired, no more two for one. Say, last time I saw you, I was constipated. Did I tell you aloe vera juice is very overrated? I use Metamucil now, two teaspoons to a cup. You should try it dear, you really sound bound up.

I have a question Mo…I have a tickle in my throat. I’m sure that I’ll start coughin. It’s been fun catching up. You should call more often.
I’ve been trying to reach you Mom, but it’s been really hard….
Oh never mind, this Mother’s Day, I’ll just send a card.
I heard her hang the phone up. She was in a tizzy.
I knew, if I called back again, the line would still be busy.
She’d be calling sister Ella, so they can talk in rhymes.
I know for sure that every day, they talk at least 3 times.
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Ella and Loretta Sanderson…sisters and friends

Well, Dad really cramped my style, when he took away my freedom to use the sales tax can money. I needed some cash twice yesterday. I asked Mom the first time and I got 10 dimes. Dad wasn’t home, so I had to ask Mom the 2nd time too. This time I got 15 nickels. I could see a bunch of pennies in my future.

The next day when I asked Dad for money to go to the show, he said, “When you were about 5, you said you were thirsty for gum, and I gave you a quarter. You said you wanted folding money.” Then, he told me about the time Billy saved his money to buy Dad a Christmas present. He was trying really hard not to tell Dad what he got him. Anyway, Billy said, “I’m not going to tell you what I got you for Christmas Dad, but you’re not going to need to use that old knife anymore.” (I think Billy was about 22 then.)

By the time I’d listened to all that, I decided it wasn’t worth it. I was just going to have to get a job. I would have done the towel job, but the Motel was still closed for the winter.

I thought about it, and a few ideas came to mind. Mom washes all Dad’s shirts, but she has a little old lady across town iron them. Well, everytime we go get them, Mom has to re-iron them. She doesn’t want to make the ironing lady feel bad so she keeps taking them over there. She has to leave them for 4 days, then she drives over there, picks up the shirts, brings them home, and irons them again.

I asked Mom if she would pay me to do the re-ironing. We soon came to an agreement. There are usually 7 shirts a week, and Mom is going to pay me  $.25 a shirt. That’s a good start, but I need more than $1.75 a week. Maybe Dad will feel sorry for me and wear more shirts.

Cynthia Bork barters. She loves green olives. She usually gets quite a few jars for Christmas, but it’s never enough to last her all year. She goes around the neighborhood asking people if they have a jar of green olives. If they do, she does their dishes or mops the floor for olives. She does quite a bit of work for my Aunt Elna. That sounds like a good idea, but I don’t like any particular kind of food enough to work for it. It reminds me of Wimpy in the Popeye cartoon…”I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” Besides, I need cash.

Mom went to Pierre today and she said she would buy me something. Have you seen those new poor boy dresses? I really want one. The top part is ribbed knit, and goes down to your hips, then it’s a skirt. The ones I’ve seen have a wide belt that goes around your hips. You can also get a hipster skirt with a wide belt. I hope Mom brings me one.

Mom got me a poor boy dress. Marlene was here when she gave it to me. It was a poor boy dress like in the picture, except it was purple with BIG touqouise polka dots all over the skirt part.  Marlene said, “Eeeeeew! “You’re not going to wear that are you?”

Even if I liked it, which I don’t, I couldn’t wear it after Marlene said that! Then Marlene went over to my closet and pulled out these very ugly shoes. “I know,”she said. “You can wear it with these turquoise shoes.”

When Mom and Dad went to California, and I stayed with Marlene for a month, Mom bought us each a pair of suede shoes with fur on them. They had little heels and no back. I know what you’re thinking, and no, they weren’t even bedroom slippers. I got the turquoise and Marlene got hot pink. Marlene kind of liked hers, but they were too small. Unfortunately, mine fit me.

See what I mean? I need my own money, so I can buy my own clothes!

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Today, (May 6th), is Mom’s birthday…Billy, Mom, Mason (1 of my kids), and Gus

Many of you Murdo folks know Gus. He and Mom were married for 38 years, before she died in 2008. He is a wonderful man. We are all so grateful for him and love him very, very much. He’s living in Ontario California. Bill goes to the horse races with him every Saturday. Gus usually comes to Texas for Thanksgiving, and we go out there when we can.

Mom always said she lied about her age so much, her kids finally got older than she was.

 

How many Mothers, who have 3 children of their own, would be willing to spend all day giving a 12 year old a permanent, or try to teach her how to use a sewing machine. These two ladies deserve recognition on Mother’s Day. I know the little Murdo Girl appreciates all they’ve done for her. I hope her Mother gave them a great big thank you too! 

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Bonna Lindquist gave me a Toni home permanent. She got some pink barrettes, and pinned the sides of my hair back, which gave me a whole new look. I have been cutting my own hair some, but Mom wouldn’t let me tackle a permanent.

Ever since I quit the ringlets, I’ve been having a hard time deciding how to wear my hair. This is the first time someone else has changed me up and I had no idea how it was going to turn out. When I got home, Dad was there, and he just shook his head and said, “I’d rather shave.”

Sometimes, I like how someone else looks, and try to copy it. Remember when I went to see the movie Flipper? The girl in the movie was really cute, and I liked how she looked. She wore plaid button up shirts with jeans or shorts. I took some money out of the sales tax can, and went uptown to look for a plaid shirt. I went to Joy Paine’s store, and Lee Beckwith’s store.  I couldn’t find one, so I have to stay with the same look, until I can get to Pierre. The girl, ( Kim), had long braids, not short curly hair with barrettes, so I can’t really look like her anyway.

Have you ever heard of a “come as you are”party? Mom just went to one this morning at Pat Anshutz’s house. Mrs. Anshutz called a bunch of women and told them to come to her house just like they were right then, and not change anything. She was having a “come as you are” coffee party. Mom was in the middle of brushing her teeth and she only had one shoe on. She didn’t even wash her face or anything. She took her toothbrush with the toothpaste still on it, and carried her other shoe. I didn’t tell her she had really mushed hair in the back of her head. It looked like a rat had built a nest back there. When Mom got home, she said she was the first one there, and all of the ladies cheated, but Pat, Mom, and one other lady who came in her pj’s. She said they had the most fun. I asked her if she got a prize, but she didn’t answer me.

Mom and Dad are going to another party Saturday night at Aunt Irma and Uncle Jeff’s house. I heard Mom say practically the whole town is invited.

I’m going to Roni Poppe’s house to spend the night. They live on a farm over towards Okaton. I’m really excited about going there, because Roni is going to teach me how to sew. I asked for a sewing machine for my birthday and I got a used, portable one. Like Mrs. Theissen said, I need to learn how to do something useful. I picked out a dress pattern and some pink material to go with my pink barrettes. I had to get a zipper too.

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I started this paper awhile ago, and saved it so I could tell you how everything turned out.

Sewing is a lot harder than it looks. Roni showed me how to pin the pattern to the material, and cut it out. She said the fabric I picked out wasn’t the best because it frayed all over the place. We had to sew the zipper in 3 times. The dress has long sleeves, but we only had time to put one in. I wanted to play with her kids some before we had to go to bed. Roni is married to Glenn and they have 3 kids, Glenda, Bobby, and Timmy.

I took the dress home and tried to finish it. When I was done, I tried it on, and I couldn’t get my arm in the sleeve that I had sewn on. I must have sewed it on backwards or something, because when I finally got it on, I had to hold my arm back, like I was getting ready to bowl. I still hadn’t hemmed it, but the bottom was so frayed, I finally cut it off a little, and decided to go with the fringed look.

Anyway, I clipped the pink barrettes in my hair, and went to show Mom. She looked at me and said, “Well, Good Night! What’s the matter with your arm?”

I didn’t tell her about the sleeve being backwards, because I didn’t want her to make me do it over. I tried to put my hand on my hip and act natural. She didn’t like the fringed hem either. I said, “Well Mom, I think my sewing days are over.” Do you know what she said?

Her eyes were snapping, which is never good, and she said, “Not on your life!! You asked for that sewing machine, Mary Content, and I scoured the earth to find a good used one. You just haaad to have it!” Then she left the room.

To tell you the truth, I think she was just in a bad mood. I heard her telling Doris Haugland that at first, everyone had a fine time at Aunt Irma, and Uncle Jeff’s party. They had good food and played music like “The Orange Blossom Special.” A good time was had by all, until they made the announcement that people weren’t going to be able to buy on credit at Sanderson’s Store anymore.

This could be bad for me. I hope Mom doesn’t spend all my sales tax money on food.

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There has been a new development. Mom took Dad’s hunting rifle to the meat locker uptown and traded it for a side of beef. I don’t even want to be around when he finds out. He might even cry.

These don’t have anything to do with this story, but I found another Billy picture. He was home from college. The other is of me operating my first lemonade stand. My customer is Gail Whittaker from across the street. (This was before we moved to the Motel. I’m not sure if I spelled her name correctly.)

Aunt Irma will be wished a happy Mother’s Day in a separate post.

 

 

 

 

 

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and the little Murdo Girl would like to honor all the Mothers in her family. There are so many Moms out there who deserve to be recognized for all they do. I believe all the women who have touched a child’s life in a nurturing way deserve to be commended for the part they play. The Fathers will get their day, but this week, it’s all about the compassionate women who have been part of a child-rearing team.

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There are lots of women in my family who try to help kids grow up right. They don’t even have to be a Mom. Just think about my Great Aunt Tet, who loves all the kids in town. She talks to my brother about baseball, and likes to be there when the kids come into the store before school, or the show. She knows a lot of kids, and I’m sure they will remember her for a long time to come.

Today I’m writing about my Mom

 

It’s getting close to Mother’s Day, so I decided to write my paper about my Mom. If you know her very well, you know that she has a saying for everything. I will try to explain some Loretta-isms to you. I might tell you about a few more new words like “alldumb” too. Mom didn’t make “all” of these up, but if she didn’t, I’m sure they mean something different to her than to most people.

1)Mom and sisters Ella Leckey and Helen Haverberg  2) Elna Miller and Billy  3)Elna Miller, Stephanie Miller-Davis, and Helen Haverberg

1. All the precincts aren’t in. (She doesn’t have enough information to form an opinion.) Example: “Loretta, do you think  Mrs. Blank is acting crazy?” Mom, “I’m pretty sure she is, but all the precincts aren’t in yet.”
2. When you’ve said that, you’ve said it all. (All the precincts are in.) Example: “Loretta, Do you think Mrs. Blank is loonier than a Jaybird?” Mom, “When you’ve said that, you’ve said it all.”
3. That’s enough about me, how did you like my last movie? (She’s switching from one topic (about her), to another topic (about her). No example needed
4. I’ll never forget old what’s his name. (She has forgotten someone’s name, and the story is at the end of it’s run anyway.) No example needed.
5. I can’t throw the dishwater out the door without hitting he/she in the face. (She runs into Mrs. Blank everywhere she goes; or every time she turns around, there’s Mrs. Blank.) You know, those people that give you claustrophobia.
6. Make the story interesting, or don’t tell it. (Learn how to tell the story in an interesting way, or forget it.)
7. We shall see what we shall see. (It’s the same thing as a definite maybe, with a little  mystery added to build excitement.) Example: “Mom, are we going to Disneyland when we go to California?” Mom says, “We shall see what we shall see.” It can also mean..we all look at things differently.
8. If you kids don’t settle down, I’m going to come in there and clean house! (If she has to tell us one more time, there will be consequences.)
9. Water seeks it’s own level. (If you walk like a duck, and talk like a duck, you are a duck.)
10. You spend money like a drunken sailor…you either put it on you, or in you. (She uses this with me. I guess it means, I either buy candy or clothes.)

Mom uses herself as an example sometimes. She said when she was growing up, Grandpa would give everyone a nickel to spend when they got to go into town. Mom would buy candy and it would be gone in a minute. Her sister Ella, would buy gum, then take it home and sew across it with the sewing machine needle. It perforated the gum, so she could break it off in smaller pieces. That way she could add a piece each day, and it would last longer. (This might be an example of #6.)

11. Her eyes look like two burnt holes in a blanket. (She’s tired.)

12. Hellohowarya (a made-up word.) The man at the Graham Motor Lodge says these 4 words allruntogether, to make one word. He says it every time he sees you, and you have to slap your leg when you say it. Mom loves it!

I found out today, Mom doesn’t always know what to say. We were at the Super Value Store, and a little boy ran up to her and said, “Hi! I’m MEAN!” Mom just smiled and said, “That’s nice.” He didn’t call her a name or anything , so I guess what she said was okay.

 

Mom gives me lots of advice too. She says when you reach a certain age, you have to decide if you’re too plump or too thin. You have to decide between your face and your figure. She says she chose her face and sits down a lot. (If your face is too thin, all the wrinkles show.)

MOM..I’m facing the sun here, or Aunt Irma’s got her movie camera with the bright lights on!

 

Good friends stay a part of you forever. The little Murdo Girl has had the good fortune of being able to call so many, her friend. One of the best lessons we can learn in life is, “To have a friend, you have to be a friend.” 

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I think it’s good to make new friends. There was a really good one right under my nose, and I didn’t even know it. We’ve been in the same class since first grade, but we never did much together until now. We played Jacks a lot in 4th grade, and we were both good at tetherball, so we had fun competing with each other, but we didn’t spend time together after school. I know part of the reason we got to be better friends this year, is because I moved to the Motel, and Marlene lives just up the street from us.

My friend’s name is Marlene Rada. Earl Rada is Marlene’s brother. He’s the one Billy rode to California with. Marlene’s Mom and Dad are Ruth and Shorty. Marlene is the youngest in her family. She has one older sister, Jean, and three older brothers, Dwayne, Earl, and Allen.

I love going to Marlene’s house. I have to tell you about one time, when I was over there for supper. We were getting ready to eat and Mrs. Rada was making chili. I was watching Marlene’s Dad cut up a dill pickle and spread it all around his plate. Then he poured chili on top of it. I had never seen anyone eat chili like that, so I tried it. I thought it was really good. While we were eating, they started talking about Allen and one of his brother’s getting really mad at each other. I can’t remember if it was Earl, or Dwayne, but he threw a fork, and it stuck on top of Allen’s head…boyoyoying! He wasn’t hurt, so now everyone can laugh about it. I can just imagine the look on everyone’s face, especially Allen’s.

Mrs. Rada is such a good Mom. She never gets mad, or tells her kids they can’t have someone spend the night or eat there. She has a wringer washing machine on her front porch. I love to watch her wash clothes. She has a separate tub to rinse them, before she wrings them out and hangs them on the line to dry.

I started trimming my own hair, since I decided to wear it longer again. Mrs. Rada likes it, so I started trimming her hair too. One day when I was leaving to go to the Rada’s, Mom asked me where I was going. I said,”I’m going to cut Mrs. Rada’s hair.”

Mom said, “You don’t know how to cut hair.”

I just said, “I know, but Mrs. Rada thinks I can, and she loves the haircuts I give her.” It’s like when I started going to Harold Lathrop’s Barbershop. I liked the way he cut my hair, and what else matters?

Sometimes, Marlene and I go out to Bob and Ione Webb’s farm.  Marlene’s cousins, Pat and Judy live there. We spend the night and do everything, but sleep. One time, we tried to iron my hair to make it straight. It was not a good idea.

When, Mom gets tired of renting out rooms at the Motel, she has Marlene and I do it. We like to make it fun. We do different things, and try not to laugh. We have a contest to see who can make the other one lose it in front of the tourists. We do things like talk with a foreign or hillbilly accent. “Hellooo, kin ah hep ya?” That one cracks me up every time. Once I hid behind the door, where Marlene could see me, but the tourist she was talking to couldn’t. I made funny faces at her, which almost got her to laugh.

Marlene came up with the best one. When the tourists come in, we’re usually sitting down. Marlene gets up and acts like she trips over something, and falls down on the floor. Then, she just gets up and talks to the tourist like nothing ever happened. I don’t know how she does it without laughing, but she does. I always have to run to the back, because I’m laughing so hard.

Sometimes the tourists think we charge too much, so they go look around, then come back. If we’re helping another tourist, we have to keep talking the same way, which might be different from how we talked the first time. They look puzzled, but don’t ever say anything. Every now and then, they laugh a little.

I’m laughing right now, just thinking about it, as I finish this paper for the lady.

 

There are two new kids in our class this year. One is Karen Ferdig, and the other one is Don Edwards. I hear Don’s family bought the Red Top Motel. I already know that Karen is going to be friends with Marlene and me.

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P.S. Marlene was a great friend. She was smart, funny and fun. One summer, we spent one night at my house, and the next at the Rada’s. We didn’t spend one day apart the entire summer. I don’t remember having disagreements. We were both pretty easy to get along with. The Rada’s let me stay with them for a whole month during the school year, while my parents were in California.

My only regret, and it’s a big one, is that I didn’t stay in closer touch with Marlene after I left Murdo.

In order to have a friend, it’s true… you have to do your part, and be a friend.

Today is February 10, 1964, and it’s the day after, the night before. It was one of those events that occur in life, when you remember where you were, and who you were with. It’s as if time stands still. The little Murdo Girl just experienced the assassination of JFK, which profoundly affected her. This is another moment in history that changed our world. Did you watch Ed Sullivan’s really big shew last night?

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Yesterday, I was at Suzanne and Cynthia Bork’s house. We were playing Monopoly at the kitchen table, when someone said, “Come and see who’s on The Ed Sullivan Show. We went into the living room and there they were…The Beatles! They were singing, “All my Loving,”, but we could hardly hear them. Everyone in the audience was yelling and screaming. I have never seen anything like it. They sang 5 songs, but I wanted to get back to Monopoly, because I had Park Place and Boardwalk, plus 2 hotels.

I love music as much as the next guy, but I’m not that crazy about the Beatles. Their hair is too long, and boys with bangs just look weird. The one I like the best is Ringo Starr, and he’s downright homely. George Harrison isn’t much better. He has jug ears. I don’t know if I should have admitted this to anyone who reads my papers. You’ll probably think I’m “alldumb”. Some might say that not being super excited about the Beatles is un-American. I heard they’re from Liverpool, and that’s in England.

My favorite singers are the Four Seasons. Frankie Valli is the leader of the group.  My favorite songs are, “Rag Doll”, “Sherry”, and “Let’s Hang on to What We’ve Got”. The guys all have regular haircuts.

 

Next, I want to talk about books. I love Nancy Drew. She drives a Roadster, and has loyal girlfriends who help her solve mysteries. Nancy is one smart girl, and if I can’t be a star, maybe I can become a sleuth.

 

A boy I know, told me the Hardy Boy’s mysteries are better. Well, he’s just crazy with a capital C. The Hardy Boys are sissies compared to Nancy Drew.

 

There’s another book I like, too. It’s called, The Boxcar Children. I won’t tell you what it’s about, in case you want to read it. I have liked reading, since Mrs. Parks read the Laura Ingalls Wilder books to us in third grade.

Yes, I like to read, and I can’t believe what some kids do. They read the comic book version of a book, when they have to write a book report. If you only read part of a book before writing  your report, you can get away with not revealing how it ends, unless you do it every time. Your teacher will catch on, if you never tell how it ends. You could probably do alright with a comic book version, (which tells the end), and then next time, just read part of the book.

Since I’ve told you I don’t love, love, love the Beatles, I have another confession. I love, “As the World Turns”. Mom and I both do. Well, the other day, Mom and I were watching the show, and it was Friday, so it was the day for the cliffhanger. Nancy, (the Mom), was fighting with Lisa, who is in love with Nancy’s son Bob. Johnny, who is one of my favorites, came on the scene, and guess what? It wasn’t the Johnny I was used to.

I said, “Pugh… that’s not Johnny!”

Dad said,”What?”

I said, “The guy playing Johnny, isn’t Johnny.

Dad said, “Well, if he’s not Johnny, then who is he?”

I was exasperated by then, because this was no time to be catching someone up on “As the World Turns.” I said, “Dad, I can’t talk about it now, because it’s Friday afternoon, and that’s not Johnny.”

To sum it all up, I like The Four Seasons, Nancy Drew, and “As the World Turns”. I had to come up with things to do by myself, since I’m pretty much an only child now.

I miss Billy when we have a snow day. He didn’t mind me being around so much, if I was all he had. When we were both younger, Mom used to make taffy on snow days. Pulling taffy and making taffy ropes is so much fun, and it tastes good too.

I hope I’ve given some of you, who might be reading this, some ideas about different things you can do to entertain yourself. There is never a good reason to be boring.

Yes..My friends, another rerun. I got back from seeing the Wyoming family last night. Today I worked at our Church garage sale. I am a vital part of this yearly event. I was there working ALL DAY. I will be there bright and early tomorrow to give it all I’ve got, then I will probably rest for a few days.

I didn’t really take that many breaks. I’m still recovering from a day of bowling with the Wyoming kids. Apparently, one has to be in good shape to bowl. I hurt everywhere.

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The Early Days

It’s not easy being an unappreciated star. Natalie Wood was discovered in a drugstore/soda fountain just like Mowell’s Murdo Drugs. The little Murdo Girl just needs to find her stage. In a way, she reminds me of Lucille Ball in,” I Love Lucy.” The desire is there, but the talent?…Not so much. (Remember Cleopatra?)

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Dad said he watched Lawrence Welk for two years, but he wouldn’t recognize anyone on the show if he met them walking down the street. He said he might recognize someone on the Ed Sullivan Show, but barely. I know why he tells everybody that.

I like to perform… On Saturday nights, I used to dress up in my red gown or some other outfit, and dance in front of the television. I sang with the Lennon Sisters. (Everyone likes Janet the best, but I like Peggy.) I sang songs with Guy and Ralna, and danced with Bobby Burgess and Barbara Boylan. I always saved my red gown to perform with the Champagne Lady . She wears beautiful dresses. Most of her dresses have tulle skirts, sprinkled with sparkles.

I don’t perform in front of the TV anymore. Dad switched to watching Gunsmoke. It’s a little hard to dance to Gunsmoke. No one even dances in Miss Kitty’s saloon. It doesn’t matter anyway, because I’m getting too old to do that. I still like to perform though.

I play the saxophone, but I begged Mom to let me take piano lessons. All my friends play the piano, and their Mom’s say they’re more apt to use piano skills in later years. I begged so much, Mom finally said okay. We were driving over to Elsa Peck’s house for my lesson, when I figured out I was only going to get ONE lesson. When I complained, Mom told me to stop simpering. (Simpering is a new favorite word of Moms, although, I think it really is a word.) I told Mom, “Just never mind.” She mumbled something about, what was I thinking anyway, we don’t even have a piano.

I guess I didn’t think it through. Before they even began, my piano playing days were over.

I love Murdo, but it’s not exactly the place to live if you want to be a performer. I like to pretend I’m an Olympic gymnast.  Suzanne and Cynthia Bork, and I  have fun judging each other’s routines, but to become a good gymnast, you have to take lessons. I’d probably have to go to Pierre or Rapid City.

The only thing I can think of to be when I grow up, is a stewardess, but as you know, I’m afraid to fly. I’ll go ahead and tell you something right now. I can’t really sing very well either. I think that’s why Dad quit watching Lawrence Welk. It’s a good thing I have a few years to figure it all out.

When you think about it, Billy graduated from Murdo High School and he’s going to college in California. He’s doing just fine. I think he wants to go into the parking lot business. There aren’t any big parking lots in Murdo, so I don’t think he plans to move back. My brother has deep roots here though, and I know he’ll always stay in touch with all those guys he went to school with. He might even come back and go fishing with them once in awhile.

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Fishing near Belle Fourche, SD..Bobby Brost, Billy, and me..Bobby let me borrow his hat. (Grandpa Sanderson pronounces it, Bell Fyushe.) I thought I had a big one, but it turned out to be a leaf. A little while later, I knew I had hooked the biggest fish ever. It was another leaf. Bobby said, “Well, at least it’s a bigger leaf.” I think the fish I’m holding was Bobby’s

Billy and Bobby go on fishing trips at least once a year.