Monthly Archives: January 2011

What’s in a Name?

Posted on January 31, 2011 by sputterpub

When I was born my parents named me Marilynn Renée Cohn. My mother was particular about the two “n’s” in the first and my father had strong feelings about the accent in the second. They intended to call me Lindy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Question | Leave a comment

Instructions

Posted on January 28, 2011 by sputterpub

   When I was 11 or 12, I got an effective demonstration of why it’s a good idea to at least check out the instructions before starting a written test. I think it was 7th grade. I’m having trouble recalling the … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, School | Leave a comment

Exotics

Posted on January 27, 2011 by sputterpub

     When I was 5 we had exotic neighbors. We moved into the house in Glen Cove in 1953 and they may have lived there then, but they didn’t make big impressions on me for a couple of years. We left … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Poetry | Leave a comment

Best Neighbor

Posted on January 26, 2011 by sputterpub

     When I was 9, I met Jeff. He was my platonic friend. His family moved in next door to ours, one similar house to the west of us, and stayed long enough to become close neighbors before they took … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons | Leave a comment

Rapunzel

Posted on January 25, 2011 by sputterpub

     When I was 10 the Shirley Temple Storybook show was on TV every Sunday for awhile, and I was a fan. A bit later my parents gave me the storybook itself, a collection of about a dozen famous fables, … Continue reading →

Posted in Legends, Poetry | Leave a comment

Albert

Posted on January 24, 2011 by sputterpub

     When I was almost 15, my next door neighbor gave me a kitten. My mother was not into pets but Dad prevailed earlier that year, and the family acquired a beagle we named Becky. Mom wouldn’t let Becky the … Continue reading →

Posted in Critters | Leave a comment

Emperor

Posted on January 21, 2011 by sputterpub

     When I was 9 I was asked to leave Sunday School because I became obnoxious about my questions. When I was around 11 I got into a fight with a ruffian, because I kept talking to her on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Legends, Lessons, Poetry | 2 Comments

The Record

Posted on January 20, 2011 by sputterpub

When I was 10 and in fifth grade, the teacher showed us something I’d never known. It was an afternoon in early spring. Mr. Borup wanted us to hear a piece of music, which was not unusual. He walked over … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, School | Leave a comment

Hot Pink

Posted on January 19, 2011 by sputterpub

   When I was 14 I had a vivid demonstration of the paint chip illusion. The paint wasn’t actually chipping. The term referred to small squares of color on strips of light cardboard, with dramatic names printed below them. Stores that … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Poetry, Writing | Leave a comment

Blowhard

Posted on January 18, 2011 by sputterpub

     When I was 11, a swastika was painted on our driveway. I have a muddled memory of the event now, but I immediately understood that it was bad, it was for me, and it was frivolous. I saw it … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons | Leave a comment