Pee Wees (Childhood Memories)

It was the mom and pop grocery store we went to before the big box stores took over. My mother made a list and we followed it. It wasn't very big but seemed to have everything we needed.

Sometimes we brought the groceries home in a wagon and once I remember a sled. I imagine both with disasterous results.

There was a boy who delivered groceries and when there was an order for delivery the cashier would hit the floor with her broom stick to signal him.

There was a gumball machine by the door that we liked to check in case someone forgot to collect their gum or left a penny behind. Hope springs eternal.

To Caz Pool on a Summer Day (Childhood Memories)

It was a near daily trek. A way to break the monotony of summer vacation and cool off during the hot humid summer Bflo. weather. 

It was free to get in the pool but perhaps there was a charge to rent a basket to hold your valuables in the locker room. When we left the locker room to enter the pool we had to pass through a cold shower: a shock for sure. 

The pool was always cold but we didn't mind much. The diving pool had three boards . I never made it to the highest one. The concession stands held the forbidden fruit. We could smell the popcorn and cotton candy but never had money to buy. I don't know anyone who did. 

I think I remember the walks to and from the pool the best. We met up with friends along the way and some not so friendlies. I remember a group of older girls chanting,' a quarter for the poor.' I guess they figured it wasn't worth shaking us down because they wouldn't get anything and left us alone after awhile. One nasty cuss picked up the coin (a nickle) that a friend had dropped and challenged her to recall the year if the coin were to be returned. She could not and it was not.

P,S, we were not allowed to go to Caz pool  at night, I was sure the water was warmer then but I'll never know,

Running Away from Home (Childhood Memories)

I think we watched one to many 'Leave it to Beaver' and the idea of running away from home piqued our interest. 

Our mother or older in charge sib never seemed to notice our disappearance and I don't believe our departures lasted too long. 

Our escape route was always the same. Depart by way of the alley on the side of our garage. I can remember packing light and using a pillow case to hold our valuables. 

Our destination was the dead end street behind ours (Juniata) where there was a creek. It seemed to be a whole different world; a green valley uninhabited by adults where our imaginations could run wild... that is of course until we reminded one another that supper was at five and we were catapulted back to reality.

Christmas: Children, It's not about the presents.(Right!)

As a child when I had a hard time going to sleep my older sisters would tell me think of something good. That something was most likely to be Christmas, our once a year family reunion, or Crystal Beach (more about the latter two later). No matter how many times I was reminded that Christmas was about giving and about the birth of Jesus it's hard for a child to think of anything more wonderful than the surprises of Christmas morning.

We rehersed our performance throughout the year. Who was going to assure that we were up on time? We certainly couldn't depend on our parents or the older siblings for this important task. We practiced sliding down the bannister very quietly. An efficient technique was of utmost importance. If my parents heard us on the stairs and yelled that it was too early, 'Go back to bed!' we measured the displeasure in their voice. Once we had made it down the stairs and into the front room we were home free. There was no stopping us now and my parents reluctantly relented that another Christmas morning had officially begun.

It wasn't so much about how much we received but the fact that we were sufficiently surprised that mattered most. When writing our 'dear santa' letters we always were reminded by older siblings to add that request in case the items we had requested weren't available. We were also given the evil eye if our requests were deemed excessive and reminded about the evils of greediness by our 'been there,done that' older sibs.

And so, although I think it is important to remind our children of the true meaning of Christmas I don't fault them nor do I think their excitement and concern with things other than spiritual are harmful or should be discouraged. It is with maturity, age, and intention that we gain a deeper perspective of what the holiday represents and are capable of appreciating this understanding as well as accepting where our children and others are in their spiritual journey.

Introduction

Above: Patty and Dad

Neil and Moey

I fancied myself a cheerleader ( St Teresa's didn'

Front: Neil, Moey( on Tim's lap) Mary holding Patty, Denny holding Joey,Colleen  Back: Peggy, Joanne

t share my enthusiasm) and practiced at home in front of the living room mirror. Unfortunately the inappropriate attire I chose caused me to get my feet stuck in my nightgown and I fell on my rump when attempting a jump.

I made some pants for Patty out of drapes that Grandpa Farrell's dead beat renter left. They were a bit scratchy,a tad large, and  the stripes went in different directions. I was always on the creative side!

Joey got the waistband of his pajamas bottoms caught on the doorknob probably when attempting to run after saying or doing something BAD. Mom and Moey were the  the only witnesses.

I started this site because I want to record some of the memories I have of my younger years. I have heard that we sometimes create memories so I'm not certain if these memories have any basis in reality or not but I'm hoping that some of them may be verified by others. I also want my children to be able to read about the old times because I know they get tired of hearing my stories. Some day perhaps they will be of interest to them.

I welcome others to share their stories of life in South Buffalo or to comment /dispute my interpretation of reality. I realize time and distance have separated me and your clarity may be helpful in recreating a richer, more interesting, and informative retelling of an event.

I grew up on Sage Avenue off Seneca Street and attended St. Teresa's. When I come to Buffalo I enjoy sharing these stories and the happiness and companionship they provide. I also find myself trying to vividly recall not only the structural components but the visceral and sensory elements associated with these places, events, and situations.