Ed, Though a thousand or so miles seperated our growing up (I in Dallas in a small rented frame ranch house), our experiences were exactly the same in every detail. It's amazing to find just how similar events were across all those miles in the 1940s when, despite WW-II, things were so much simpler for a kid growing up. JC
This brought back so many fond memories. The summers did indeed seem hotter, but as you said there was no air conditioning. There were five children in our family, three girls and two boys. My sisters and I shared a bedroom with two twin beds, so at night we would push them together and, I slept in the middle. At the time I wined profusely to my mother. That didn’t get me very far. Great story Dr. I.
Nice memories. Always lived on the third floor in Providence. It seemed a bit more cool up there in the hot summer evenings. All the windows would be opened with those expandable screens to keep out insects - There were trees in the backyards - even a cherry tree providing shade in the yards. Those were the days...we thought they'd never end.....
Lived in that three decker from the time I was born until I was eighteen when family moved into another one off Broad Street (3rd floor also). The first appeared to be taller than all the others on the street - it had a squarish flat roof. Perhaps that's why it got a better breeze/air. It doesn't exist anymore. Nor do any of the others on that area of Potters Avenue. It was close to the Jewish synagogue located on the corner of Prairie Avenue and Potters. ....."...misty water-colored memories of the way we were....." : )
A lot of memories of the 3rd floor on Willow Street. More importantly however for was the interaction of your family as working class first generation people who knew who they were, liked who they were and enjoyed life as they knew it. A wonderful piece of nostalgia.
Great job of stirring memories, Ed. Our 3-decker on Rill Street lacked any porches, while the one across the street had one at each level. There was rarely a breeze into my bedroom on the first floor. I used to sleep with my head at the foot of the bed to try to catch what little breeze might come in through the sole window in the room. It must have so long ago that fans hadn't been invented, or at least we never had one. As I write this, there is a little tower fan whirring close by; sure would have been nice to have that next to my bed on Rill Street. BTW, there is a great Rock-a-Billy tune called "Hot Nite in Dallas" by Moon Martin. Ed, your story brought this to my mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwwVZr7OLiM. Anyone remember Moon? Great artist, largely forgotten. Ron DiPippo
Ron, this is such a great comment. I LOVE it. First the fan. Now, as I recall, my father found us a desk fan in an old used car dealership (yep). The fan lacked a protective cover, so " watch your fingers boys" was his mantra. Remember Moon? Until today, I'm sorry to say I never heard of him. And now I love him! Thank you to The Moon.
Ed, I can see you enjoyed the days of your youth even with the heat of the summer. The comfort of your family and the days of fun and pranks with your friends took a lot of the sting away.
Recently, my wife Ann was chatting about some of the old timers would say summer is almost over July 4th is next week. I guess it was a way to psychologically reduce the stress of the heat on those hot summer days.
Nostalgia. Love it
In the oven.
Ed, Though a thousand or so miles seperated our growing up (I in Dallas in a small rented frame ranch house), our experiences were exactly the same in every detail. It's amazing to find just how similar events were across all those miles in the 1940s when, despite WW-II, things were so much simpler for a kid growing up. JC
Yes, John, it all seemed so simple, and safe, and predictable, and full of wholesome experiences. Were we just plain lucky?
This brought back so many fond memories. The summers did indeed seem hotter, but as you said there was no air conditioning. There were five children in our family, three girls and two boys. My sisters and I shared a bedroom with two twin beds, so at night we would push them together and, I slept in the middle. At the time I wined profusely to my mother. That didn’t get me very far. Great story Dr. I.
Thanks, Colleen. Like it happened just yesterday
Nice memories. Always lived on the third floor in Providence. It seemed a bit more cool up there in the hot summer evenings. All the windows would be opened with those expandable screens to keep out insects - There were trees in the backyards - even a cherry tree providing shade in the yards. Those were the days...we thought they'd never end.....
Great note, Mary. Lucky you. Our third floor was an oven.
Lived in that three decker from the time I was born until I was eighteen when family moved into another one off Broad Street (3rd floor also). The first appeared to be taller than all the others on the street - it had a squarish flat roof. Perhaps that's why it got a better breeze/air. It doesn't exist anymore. Nor do any of the others on that area of Potters Avenue. It was close to the Jewish synagogue located on the corner of Prairie Avenue and Potters. ....."...misty water-colored memories of the way we were....." : )
Wow, yes. The three-decker. Iconic. Memorable. Lucky us.
A lot of memories of the 3rd floor on Willow Street. More importantly however for was the interaction of your family as working class first generation people who knew who they were, liked who they were and enjoyed life as they knew it. A wonderful piece of nostalgia.
Absolutely right, Paul. It's that porch chatter that kept them focused, happy, connected and healthy.
Living in Bristol in the early 30’s, we had the luck of opening the windows and be thankful for any whisper of the bay to cool us.
Ah so lucky to live in an oasis.
Touches all 5 senses and the heart. Well done.
Thank you, Christian.
Great job of stirring memories, Ed. Our 3-decker on Rill Street lacked any porches, while the one across the street had one at each level. There was rarely a breeze into my bedroom on the first floor. I used to sleep with my head at the foot of the bed to try to catch what little breeze might come in through the sole window in the room. It must have so long ago that fans hadn't been invented, or at least we never had one. As I write this, there is a little tower fan whirring close by; sure would have been nice to have that next to my bed on Rill Street. BTW, there is a great Rock-a-Billy tune called "Hot Nite in Dallas" by Moon Martin. Ed, your story brought this to my mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwwVZr7OLiM. Anyone remember Moon? Great artist, largely forgotten. Ron DiPippo
Ron, this is such a great comment. I LOVE it. First the fan. Now, as I recall, my father found us a desk fan in an old used car dealership (yep). The fan lacked a protective cover, so " watch your fingers boys" was his mantra. Remember Moon? Until today, I'm sorry to say I never heard of him. And now I love him! Thank you to The Moon.
Great memories
Of wonderful days
Ed, I can see you enjoyed the days of your youth even with the heat of the summer. The comfort of your family and the days of fun and pranks with your friends took a lot of the sting away.
Recently, my wife Ann was chatting about some of the old timers would say summer is almost over July 4th is next week. I guess it was a way to psychologically reduce the stress of the heat on those hot summer days.
Yes, so many of the old timers said that. "4th of July. Summer's over." I wondered why also.
Yep Eddie
I remember every aspect of those days. Thanks for your trec into a forgotten time 60 years ago
Thanks, Greg.
I slept on the third floor during those summer nights, too.