Thursday, March 22, 2012
THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE
So this idea that I was expected to go to school EVERY day really took me by surprise...it wasn't even optional....five days every week was a real bother for someone as busy as I was. The big rage around that time was an outdoor log cabin....I think Sears sold them in a kit, and it was about the size of a tree house, but had four sides with windows and a door, and of course I was less afraid to beg for one of those that I was for a black baby doll. My Dad agreed, and soon he and my Uncle were busy putting my new little cabin together in the back yard. Now while I think my Dad was envisioning a sort of an OK CORRAL for his unusual little son, the little son was picturing more of an Enchanted Cottage. Billy next door was thinking we'd use it as a hideout, or a camp for gunfights while I was thinking that it would absolutely charming for afternoon high tea. Susie and I of course prevailed, proper curtains were hung and tied back with cute little ribbons, wall to wall carpeting from a remnant in her gameroom was installed (poorly) by the two of us, and we were looking at windowboxes in magazines when my Dad put his foot down.
One of my friends says that he knew he was gay when one day he heard the news that Judy Garland had died....and he fainted....and he was nine. I knew something was up with me...and maybe my Dad did too...and picturing his son as Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm instead of Hopalong Cassidy might have been a not so subtle hint about some difficult times ahead. What was a tea house without windowboxes and petunias? I opted to abandon the shack until I was about ten and decided to turn it into a roadside shrine in honor of the Blessed Mother and weary travelers. My childhood experiences were beginning to evolve into constant differences between what I was expected to do and what I had absolutely no interest or intention of doing. Except for the constant interruption of that damned school stuff, I was just as happy as a lark.
Comments (13)
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thescarletpumpernickel, March 30, 2012 - 02:24 AM
Wasn't "The Enchanted Cottage" a movie starring that guy who played Marcus Welby?
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thescarletpumpernickel, March 30, 2012 - 02:29 AM
Speaking of "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" I remember a local band named "Rebecca and the Sunnybrook Farmers" playing at the outdoor stage at West View Park during one of my dad's company picnics at West View Park in the sixties.
Ya' doesn't has to be gay to enjoy high tea.
Ya' doesn't has to be gay to enjoy high tea.
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rnm44, March 30, 2012 - 03:07 AM
My first job was selling cotton candy in Kiddieland at West View Park...maybe I sold you some!
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Toadsly, March 30, 2012 - 06:51 PM
Hey, do you guys remember the "Caterpillar" ride at West View Park. Great place to neck, once the cover came down.
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thescarletpumpernickel, March 30, 2012 - 08:44 PM
Gosh, mm44.
These days I'm more of a corn-dog afficianado;I don't remember what I liked as a kid.
I loved the "Yardbird" trains that used kid-propelled power whereby you would hand crank your way around the railraod track. And I liked the "Cadillac" kids' cars, as well as the tractor ride on the hill.
The Little Dips scared the hell out of me. Later I got to like the Big Dips at West View. Remember them as being as exciting as the Thunderbolt.
My dad's company picked West View over Kennywood because Kennywood is a "dry" park, while West View had the air-conditioned "Bavarian Room", where all the dads would spend their day, handing-out money and tickets to their kids.
These days I'm more of a corn-dog afficianado;I don't remember what I liked as a kid.
I loved the "Yardbird" trains that used kid-propelled power whereby you would hand crank your way around the railraod track. And I liked the "Cadillac" kids' cars, as well as the tractor ride on the hill.
The Little Dips scared the hell out of me. Later I got to like the Big Dips at West View. Remember them as being as exciting as the Thunderbolt.
My dad's company picked West View over Kennywood because Kennywood is a "dry" park, while West View had the air-conditioned "Bavarian Room", where all the dads would spend their day, handing-out money and tickets to their kids.
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thescarletpumpernickel, March 30, 2012 - 08:45 PM
The "Caterpillar"?
The urban myth was that one summer season when the park opened a nest of copperheads that was in the canopy fell on some riders.
The urban myth was that one summer season when the park opened a nest of copperheads that was in the canopy fell on some riders.
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thescarletpumpernickel, March 30, 2012 - 08:59 PM
mm44 -
Speaking as a parent, kids find their own way and develop their own interest, not just with sexual orientation, but with everything.
As a parent it took me some time to reconcile myself to the fact that my son(s) had no intention of growing-up to be a mini-me.
But that's a good thing. It means that they are free to be their own person, and to become comfortable in their own skin.
Speaking as a parent, kids find their own way and develop their own interest, not just with sexual orientation, but with everything.
As a parent it took me some time to reconcile myself to the fact that my son(s) had no intention of growing-up to be a mini-me.
But that's a good thing. It means that they are free to be their own person, and to become comfortable in their own skin.
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ceejai, March 30, 2012 - 09:47 PM
We had the Ionia Free Fair. The Scrambler was my favorite. I also liked the Tilt-A-Whirl and I think there was an elevated version. You were strapped into a small screened cab with your little brother and the thing swung you around up in the air at an angle and the little cab ended up every which way including upside down. Most of the time your little brother waited until you got off to throw up but not always.
My Dad was estranged from his father until children arrived on the scene and Grandpa K C wanted to get re-acquainted along with his third wife who, in retrospect, was the "trophy."
I was about to turn six when a big box arrived in the mail and my Mom told me Grandpa sent it but I couldn't open it until my birthday. My eyes got very big and I asked her what was in it. She considered for a moment and said, "Chocolates, I think."
It turned out to be a dollhouse. A one-story aluminum ranch-style house with an aqua blue swimming pool painted on the surface of the patio. I
Why didn't I keep the darn thing? Could anything be more 1950's than that?
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Jersey Joe, March 31, 2012 - 07:17 AM
scarlet,
without a doubt my two favorite rides in west view park were the hand cranked rail cars and the caddies.
I do not remember cotten candy or any food in kiddieland.
Copperheads in west view someone is feeding you too much pumpernickle.
I liked the whip as well.
without a doubt my two favorite rides in west view park were the hand cranked rail cars and the caddies.
I do not remember cotten candy or any food in kiddieland.
Copperheads in west view someone is feeding you too much pumpernickle.
I liked the whip as well.
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Jersey Joe, March 31, 2012 - 07:19 AM
I would hope this small crowd likes baseball or a real gathering
HEAR YE HEAR YE HERA YE
ITS THE MEET THE MARTY23516 GATHERING.
Saturday APRIL 21.
Its also a first for gatherings, this will be our first
tail gate gathering.
It will be anchored by my small 25 feet motor home to be easily found.
Lots of news to follow.
For now only this, we welcome back JAL as Sargent At Arms.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME
HEAR YE HEAR YE HERA YE
ITS THE MEET THE MARTY23516 GATHERING.
Saturday APRIL 21.
Its also a first for gatherings, this will be our first
tail gate gathering.
It will be anchored by my small 25 feet motor home to be easily found.
Lots of news to follow.
For now only this, we welcome back JAL as Sargent At Arms.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME
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thescarletpumpernickel, March 31, 2012 - 09:32 PM
I like "the whip" also.
It keeps my libido in check, like as in the Savage in "Brave New World".
It keeps my libido in check, like as in the Savage in "Brave New World".
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rnm44, April 01, 2012 - 05:06 PM
Dear Joe
I'll have you know that our little trailer sold cotton candy...ice balls and popcorn.......and we worked our tails off....for nine dollars a day...which was enough to keep gas in my 1958 red chevy Impalla convertible....you must have been too busy on the rides...we were right next to those little cars things.........
I'll have you know that our little trailer sold cotton candy...ice balls and popcorn.......and we worked our tails off....for nine dollars a day...which was enough to keep gas in my 1958 red chevy Impalla convertible....you must have been too busy on the rides...we were right next to those little cars things.........
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Jersey Joe, April 05, 2012 - 10:39 AM
R N M,
Now that you describe it I do remember it. Three amusement park foods I never liked much were cotton candy, ice balls, and popcorn.
I remember the cotton candy down in the main park which was close to one of the egg smelling water fountains.
I remember that cause my mom liked cotton candy and eventually she would get one.
About as close to the dips that I ever was the turtle ride.
.
Now that you describe it I do remember it. Three amusement park foods I never liked much were cotton candy, ice balls, and popcorn.
I remember the cotton candy down in the main park which was close to one of the egg smelling water fountains.
I remember that cause my mom liked cotton candy and eventually she would get one.
About as close to the dips that I ever was the turtle ride.
.
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