Her life has shifted. There was a rite of passage, clear as day. She is no longer a child. Not in habits, not in routine, or responsibilities. She is still pinning for Benny: On the way home thought I saw Benny. I wonder? Oh, will I ever get over him. When I’m alone I think…
Author: transcribingmemory
Writing Wednesdays #1: Sucker for Alteration
This is the new weekly installment: Writing Wednesdays! Why? Because I am a sucker for alteration? No. Because I can feel myself filling up, flooding with concepts, inspirations, and ruminations on this craft of mine that I still know nothing about. Because I write to learn, mostly about myself, and I need to reflect and…
Miss Drude
I waited for Babu to graduate before writing this post but I’ve been gathering data on this and thinking about this post for a while. I was a teacher for 10 years so I pay attention to her teachers and what education was like in the 30s. (It seems pretty much the same, by the…
The Dark Side: In Honor of Norma Harry
I write a lot about contrasts in this blog. That is life. The good and evil. Sometimes just the kinda good and kinda bad. As a writer, I look for structure. I look for patterns and the way this life story is told. It’s eerie that those patterns happen, in non intentional nonfiction. She isn’t…
Sunday Share: 500 Cats and Crumpled Paper Cranes
One of the first blogs I followed when I started this journey was Crumpled Paper Cranes. I was pleased when I finally took the time to scroll through my “Reader” feed and a post from this blog popped up. With everything going on I have had barely enough time to post, let alone read other…
Blessed Life! But What Comes Next?
I often wonder if Babu realized how privileged and blessed she was. Her teenage life is one of constant dances, experiences, friends, clothes, and comfort. I know, she’s lonely and insecure. She doesn’t understand why she faces constant rejection, but still! I look at her life and feel pretty jealous. This is THE GREAT DEPRESSION…
101 Things to do in 1001 Days One Month Recap
I can’t believe that it has been one month since I made these goals. 1001 days are going to go by fast. This list has been an inspiration for me since, in writing it, I sought to challenge myself and encourage self care and relaxation in balance. By reviewing this on a regular basis, I…
July, 1937
There is much to celebrate in the heat of July. Babu says that she will “melt like a piece of wax one of these days,” yet things move along swimmingly. (Kind of.) All About Benny: The month begins with the sentence: I guess I needn’t have worried about Benny. She didn’t know if he would…
Sharing with Babu, Less is More
Taking care of someone who is nearly 99 takes constant readjustment. What she can do, what is good for her and in what amounts, differ even during the same day. I shared some passages with Babu again, and this time kept it shorter, telling her that’s all I had for today rather than asking her…
Dull Days
Some days she has no events, no near tragedies, no brushes with moments of history. Some days she stays around the house and she will confess that those days are “dull days.” Yet sometimes, her dull days entertain me very much! Sunday, June 6th, 1937 Went to high mass. Zosh has Andy’s watch and says…
The Case of the Peanuts
Thursday, June 10th, 1937 We went to the circus (Cole Brother’s) tonight, Benny, I and Ernie and Charles, Lincoln, and Budson. Oh! It was wonderful. We had three pounds of peanuts, but we got there late to feed the elephants, so we fed ourselves. After the show we went to “Dutchland” for ice-cream, and thence…
Sunday Share: Free
Why The Traveling Pumpkin? I haven’t figured it out yet. But I stumbled upon this blog and my need to escape was triggered. A girl can dream, right? Here is a post I thought was right on point and well said: 7 Reasons Why You Should Travel Alone At Least Once