15 Comments

You made me wistful and nostalgic this morning. You also reminded me of a question for which I’ve never found a good answer: why were so many outhouses two seaters?

Expand full comment
author

Me, too, re 2-seaters. I remember thinking at the time as a 7-8 year-old that going out two at a time saved opening the house door as often to the cold during winter. Was glad we didn't have an outhouse.

Expand full comment

I enjoyed your reminiscence of the times you had with your uncles. Your Uncle Dale's life is interesting, but sad. I wonder if his experiences in war caused him to isolate? How fortunate that you were able to secure some of his belongs as keepsakes. Wow, Uncle Charlie was quite a character who died doing what he enjoyed. Your description of your granduncle's farm reminds me of how rustic parts of the country were not that many years ago. A pet monkey: a boy's dream come true---until you got one. Thanks for sharing these wonderful memories, James.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, K.C. I was surprised as I thought back over those times how much I remembered but hadn't thought about for so long. It was a good ride back into "the old days." And now, my memories are also "the old days." Thanks again.

Expand full comment

Your story reminded me of my own uncle Ernie, a guy who could fix most anything...

Expand full comment
author

Hi, Jim. I guess that ability is innate and further enhanced by learning and poking around at it but I do admire it for what it is. These folks invent and make things work. Thanks for commenting!

Expand full comment

Great stories, James Ron! As a former glass artist I loved reading about Uncle Charlie and your Grandad's glassblowing activities. My own genre was decorative glass beads - more torus-shaped than spherical - making marbles that are completely round is incredibly difficult!!!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Rebecca. And very cool re glassblowing! Seems a lot of timing involved with the melted glass to get it to do what you want. It escapes me but it is beautiful and what artists can do with it is amazing.

Expand full comment

It was such fun! Yes re timing - and it’s quite hard work to keep even a drop of molten glass turning constantly so that it’s nicely balanced.

Even though I stopped practising my craft four years ago I still have very muscular hands from all that turning!

This is what I used to do: https://rebeccaholden.substack.com/p/21-reigniting-the-flame

Expand full comment

These are great memories, cowboy, as only you can tell them. I smiled all the way through and I'm still smilin'

Someday maybe we'll swap motorcycle stories. I've ridden and sworn-off and ridden again. I recently bought a new "adventure" bike. I might have forgotten to get permission first. Ooops.

Also want to hear more about your time on Cape Cod--my old neck of the woods.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you very much, Jim. Re "motorcycles" and "Cape Cod," a get-together one day to swap stories would be fine. I'd really like that. Cape Cod is a special place! I'd like another m-cycle but just three years ago I finally got my left knee replaced, the result of one misadventure early on. I think if I fell again I would shatter instead of bounce. I, too, should get permission. : )

Expand full comment
Aug 30Liked by James Ron

Great memories well shared!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you very much, Bob!

Expand full comment

What a pair! Your fondness for them shines through your retelling. Thank you, James Ron

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Sharron. They were a lot of fun to be around.

Expand full comment