Friday, February 15, 2008

CHRIS AND HARRY


This is a picture of our friend Chris and her dad Harry taken on Christmas Day, 2007. It’s a good picture. I’m glad she shared it with us.

My first memory of Christine is at kindergarten registration in Orofino, 1954. We were sitting with our mothers at the VFW building. I remember being somewhat surprised that my mother talked with Christine’s mother, Mary Lou, as if they knew one another. I had never seen anyone in that place before. Both mothers spoke in reassuring tones to two little girls embarking on a new experience. It seemed to be anticipated that we would be friends and indeed friendship blossomed easily. Christine and I have always had common interests. When Chris’ dad built their home on Walrath Avenue (I’m guessing that was 1956 or 1957), she was then within walking distance of my house, and we were playmates for sure. We moved easily and safely between the two houses. Her house was just a block from the swimming pool, and Mary Lou made sure we learned to swim. She would take us to swim lessons and then take us to the pool to play and practice during family hour in the late afternoon. Because of Mary Lou, the experience of learning to swim was not traumatic for me. If it hadn’t been for Mary Lou, I might not have learned to swim. And now Chris and her husband Dan live in Moscow, and I'm happy to say that her parents still live in the house her dad built in Orofino -- one of the few remaining constants from my childhood. And the story of friendship goes on from there -- and continues. It is good!

7 comments:

Hallie said...

That is a very nice photo. Thanks to Chris for sharing! I wonder what Chris remembers about swim lessons? I also wonder if Chris was a piano student?

Anonymous said...

Swim lessons: I remember freezing!!! It seems to me our lessons started around eight in the morning in June. And after your mom and I passed beginners, we didn't feel at all ready for intermediate and were much relieved when they announced they would start an advanced beginners class. Whew!! Mom didn't know how to swim and took adult beginners about the same time (probably to encourage us), and would come to the pool at 4:30-5:30 to practice. Kathy and I usually went much earlier in the afternoon and loved being able to stay after 5:00 when children under twelve weren't allowed to stay unless with an adult. I remember going home *starving* after a whole afternoon in the water and eating anything I could lay my hands on.

Kathy--remember how we'd sit on the bottom of the pool?

Thanks for posting this picture. It's become my favorite photo.

And yes, I was a piano student. First of Dorothy's and later of Vance's. I haven't played in years--like about forty.

Kathy said...

Yes, I remember sitting on the bottom of the pool. I also remember that big jump from beginners to intermediates. It seems like Nancy Oud talked to Mom about it – said that I had passed beginners but wasn’t ready for intermediates. They started advanced beginners – and I was never ready for intermediates. I tried but couldn’t swim the required laps or under water far enough. I don’t think you were there, Chris, when I tried to take intermediates. I felt so alone. I don’t remember how old we were when Harry went to work for the Forest Service and the Cummings’ family began spending summers at the Canyon Ranger District. That was traumatic for me because I no longer had a friend at swim lessons or the pool. In our rural community there were not other girls in our neighborhood. I can see that now but didn’t understand it then.

I also remember being really hungry after swimming. For this little round girl it was quite a problem. I remember Mary Lou and several other women diving from the side of the pool at the deep end. The adult swim time was absolutely my favorite. I felt so privileged to be included. The pool was just an exciting place to be.

Since I struggled with swim classes, I have always been proud of the fact that my children learned to swim and are good swimmers. Milo went all the way to lifesaving and became a lifeguard. I can’t remember if Hallie took lifesaving or not, but if not she stopped just short of it. Clint finished the program except for lifesaving, I think. Of course, Mike is a strong swimmer.

Hallie said...

I took "Shark" lessons and was the only one in the class. I never took lifeguarding. I don't really like being wet or sitting in the hot sun. Definitely not a candidate for saving lives at the pool.

Kathy said...

I consider myself fortunate that Hallie never wanted to sit by the pool or at the beach. Interesting that we're talking about the pool. I thought we'd be talking about kindergarten. Chris, do you remember when my Great-Aunt Bessie came and went to the pool with us? The pool was new when we were little. They burned it to the ground last year. I don't believe Orofino has a pool now.

Anonymous said...

Yes!!! I do remember your Great Aunt Bessie coming to the pool!!! Wow, that's a way-back memory.

Okay, kindergarten. I don't remember registration day at all, but I do remember playing behind the piano with you and I remember the stick/bell band. I had to play sticks and I felt bad that I wasn't good enough for the bells or triangle. I also remember wearing dresses and long white stockings which attached with garters to an elastic (for want of a better word) "frame" that went over my shoulders with a cross piece over my chest and another over my back. No tights in those days. Since Mom didn't drive, I always walked from our home which was a duplex downtown (now the flower shop). I think probably I walked with Tim Musiel and Tim Neumeyer as they lived down the street. You came from the opposite direction.

You are correct about the date of our house--we moved in December 27, 1956. And our first summer at Canyon was 1962. I must admit I never really missed town in the summer. It was so hot and since I was never "popular" I didn't mind missing the pool or all of that. I truly loved every moment at Canyon. Letters from you were always anticipated though. Remember the summer we wrote in Jane Austin and the Bronte sisters' style? I wonder if I still have those letters tucked away... Which reminds me, I have never looked for the doll and her dress. Well, actually, I sort of did, but it would have taken both Dan and me to dig our way in and he has been too busy lately. One of these days I'll get to it.

P.S. No pool. Nothing to show it was ever there. Sad.

Kathy said...

Wow! We’ve got a lot of info going here. I thought about starting another blog but since we’re in the middle of discussion that might not work so well.

I remember when tights became tights – like panty hose. Until that time I wore anklets with my clunky old oxford shoes and my legs were bare – and cold in winter. I don’t remember what I played in the rhythm band, but I wasn’t impressed either. I suspect instrument assignment didn’t have anything to do with talent, but isn’t that typical of the impressions kids form? Nina was in her senior year at the high school when I was in kindergarten, and she walked me to the VFW building on her way to school. Sometimes we wore our matching white corduroy skirts and blue sweaters. I remember that fire caused extensive damage to the VFW building and we had to meet in the basement at the Methodist Church while repairs were made? And I had a green rug and a plaid stadium blanket for nap time. Nap time? How long did they make us lie there?

From my perspective, it was quite an adjustment having Chris gone during the summer, but we were getting older and things were changing. That’s just inevitable – a part of any life. In this day and age kids get jobs. I would have loved having a job – but my mother had her perceptions on that. Anyway, I don’t think there were jobs for young females.

Yes, it is too bad about the pool. Old pools are such a problem these days – obsolescence, exorbitant maintenance costs for our cities.

I also enjoyed the exchange of letters – and I am preparing a new blog entry on that subject.