Where did you grow up and how has it affected you in life?

I was born and raised in the suburbs about 20 minutes south of San Francisco. But every weekend-summer,winter,spring and fall-we traveled three hours north to our cabin on the lake that my parents built when I was 2. And this is where I live now. Not in the cabin,or even nearby,we live on the other side of the lake. But,oh,would my dad be jealous. He tried for so many years to get my mom to move up here. Didn`t happen though. So I really had the best of all worlds-grew up in the suburbs,very safe and away from the "big city",but could visit the city whenever we wanted. Then on the weekends we had all the freedom in the world to swim,water ski,hike in the woods,whatever. I did have some instability in my childhood as my dad was bipolar-that always causes some issues within the family-but I think the places where I grew up helped balance the bad effects of that out.
 

Mrs. Robinson said:
I was born and raised in the suburbs about 20 minutes south of San Francisco. But every weekend-summer,winter,spring and fall-we traveled three hours north to our cabin on the lake that my parents built when I was 2. And this is where I live now. Not in the cabin,or even nearby,we live on the other side of the lake. But,oh,would my dad be jealous. He tried for so many years to get my mom to move up here. Didn`t happen though. So I really had the best of all worlds-grew up in the suburbs,very safe and away from the "big city",but could visit the city whenever we wanted. Then on the weekends we had all the freedom in the world to swim,water ski,hike in the woods,whatever. I did have some instability in my childhood as my dad was bipolar-that always causes some issues within the family-but I think the places where I grew up helped balance the bad effects of that out.
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How wonderful to have experienced the best of both worlds. I think that makes for a good balance in forming a personality.
 

nwlady said:
I was born in an area with one gas station/store. There was a church, and a school, that was it. Beautiful place though, changed a lot now just from the properties being sold to build houses on. Still just one store etc. though.

We moved a lot because my mom was married 8 times. Sometimes I'd come home from school to a whole, new house. Mom pick us up, my little bro and I, and when we got home it was a different house and a new dad, yuck.

But I did get to live in the country most of my childhood. I got to ride horses, and be outside all day, in the Summers. We got to run free pretty much, but were luckily pretty good kids, didn't get in any major trouble. I was like TG, always the new kid, and it was hard. I'm sure it was hard on my bro too. But like with TG, it made me able to "never meet a stranger" as I got older. I got to be in one, high-school for my Jr. Sr. year which was neat. I actually still have friends from that, right in this area.

My fave memories (well, there are a bunch) but the ones where we camped out were the best, even if in our own yard. We would get to ride horses, always bareback, and we would take them to the creek (big creek with nice, deep swimming hole) and go in right off the horses back:) swim around, and crawl back on:) We always got to have a dog, kitty or both.
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I think yours is a good example of the healing and positives that a background involving closeness to nature can bring. In spite of what had to be challenges with a much married mother, you still were enjoying the simple joys of nature.
 
Gael said:
I just meant that isolation sometimes leads to less ease in meeting new people and interacting in general.
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Although a small island, approx 9x5miles, the population was about 50,000 when I was young, 60,000 these days, so I wasn't isolated from people.
 
Gael said:
And therein is a big difference between kids glued to the pc/tv indoors in this era.
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Oh yeah, so different. I feel we had to use our imaginations to come up with things. It's really like "traveling" places like the high-seas as pirates, army, cowboys/girls, knights and princesses, it was fun, we were very fortunate:) I remember going to gram and gramps, and out in my gramps shop, there were the sticks that would be our horses for the day:) LOL:)Wow, I'd forgotten they had store-bought stick horses, with a head even!! LOL!!
 
nwlady said:
Oh yeah, so different. I feel we had to use our imaginations to come up with things. It's really like "traveling" places like the high-seas as pirates, army, cowboys/girls, knights and princesses, it was fun, we were very fortunate:) I remember going to gram and gramps, and out in my gramps shop, there were the sticks that would be our horses for the day:) LOL:)Wow, I'd forgotten they had store-bought stick horses, with a head even!! LOL!!
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Children are so happy in fantasy playworld and it's a shame when they miss out on that.
 
Gael said:
Children are so happy in fantasy playworld and it's a shame when they miss out on that.
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It is a shame, very sad. I've talked to lots of folks that just look at me in wonder when I tell of the things I got to do as a child. That's good I am thinking of this, more for my gratitude list;)
 
I grew up in Newark, NJ, near enough to NY to get there frequently. It was a tough milieu (intellectually, not physically), which sharpened my curiosity, and my confidence in my own decisions. Most of those decisions turned out to be good ones (happily married for nearly 54 years until my husband passed away four years ago), the decision to have three kids, to get into the computer field back in the 1970's, to retire in the Pacific northwest when we felt impelled to, the decision to return back east eventually to be near at least one of our children.

Interesting question; a lot of the things that happen to us are beyond our control, but a lot of them aren't. How we react to what life throws at us is often conditioned by where and how we grew up.
 
I liked to play cowboys and Indians, but we also played with things left over from WW2. My childhood home was occupied by 13 Germans during the war, when they departed, before the British arrived, they left everything behind, we had real German helmets to wear when playing war games! When I was ten I was in a load of trouble for kicking around a small green pineapple object I had found, it was live grenade! We had a very large attic which hadn't been emptied for about 100 years, when my father got his staff to clear it out in the early 60s they threw everything onto our Nov 5th bonfire! They didn't check to see what was in a large green box. It was packed full of ammunition and when the bonfire was lit it all exploded. Fortunately we hadn't started the Guy Fawkes night celebrations so no one was hurt! The cows in our field were a bit shaken though!:eek:
 
Justme said:
I liked to play cowboys and Indians, but we also played with things left over from WW2. My childhood home was occupied by 13 Germans during the war, when they departed, before the British arrived, they left everything behind, we had real German helmets to wear when playing war games! When I was ten I was in a load of trouble for kicking around a small green pineapple object I had found, it was live grenade! We had a very large attic which hadn't been emptied for about 100 years, when my father got his staff to clear it out in the early 60s they threw everything onto our Nov 5th bonfire! They didn't check to see what was in a large green box. It was packed full of ammunition and when the bonfire was lit it all exploded. Fortunately we hadn't started the Guy Fawkes night celebrations so no one was hurt! The cows in our field were a bit shaken though!:eek:
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Wow, I felt I was sitting on the floor in a circle with other people just listening to your story! Such a good read Justme!! Thanks for sharing it, would love to hear more! Denise PS That perfect touch of humor in my opinion as well, the pineapple and the cows:) You had some sort of guardian angel;)
 
Sunny said:
I grew up in Newark, NJ, near enough to NY to get there frequently. It was a tough milieu (intellectually, not physically), which sharpened my curiosity, and my confidence in my own decisions. Most of those decisions turned out to be good ones (happily married for nearly 54 years until my husband passed away four years ago), the decision to have three kids, to get into the computer field back in the 1970's, to retire in the Pacific northwest when we felt impelled to, the decision to return back east eventually to be near at least one of our children.

Interesting question; a lot of the things that happen to us are beyond our control, but a lot of them aren't. How we react to what life throws at us is often conditioned by where and how we grew up.
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I really admire you Sunny, you not only survived, you excelled! Denise
 
nwlady said:
Wow, I felt I was sitting on the floor in a circle with other people just listening to your story! Such a good read Justme!! Thanks for sharing it, would love to hear more! Denise PS That perfect touch of humor in my opinion as well, the pineapple and the cows:) You had some sort of guardian angel;)
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Thanks!:D My autobiography I am writing is called, 'My Guardian Angel is on Prozac'. I have done many crazy stuff throughout my life, which could have ended in my early demise! My children will probably write the final chapter when my luck finally runs out!:D
 
I wondered if you write, or planned to write a book. I would buy it Justme, keep me posted;) I love the title, lol!
 
nwlady said:
I wondered if you write, or planned to write a book. I would buy it Justme, keep me posted;) I love the title, lol!
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How kind, but if I ever complete it I would give you a copy for free!:)

I have written a good number of articles, which have been published over the years. I also enjoy writing short stories for young children where the child is the hero or heroine of the story. This pleases a child enormously.:D My poetry has also been published too. I really enjoy creating one of my artwork pictures, for free, to make someone happy. I don't want to be pushy, but if anyone would like me to create one for them send me a pm and the colours which are important to them and I will see what I can do when the vibes are right. As the work is digital I can send it by e-mail.

Here is one of my kid's stories.

A VerySpecial Uncle​
(For Quinn,Elliot, Torin, Toby and Amelie)​
​
One upon a Munch time there was a cowcalled Munch. She told the small calves to settle down quietly so she couldtell them this story.

Quinn, Elliot, Torin, Toby and Amelie arelucky children because they have a very special uncle.

Uncle John-Paul lives with Granny andGramps in a farmhouse in the country. He was born with a disability called Down’ssyndrome. Granny and Gramps have to help him with tasks he finds difficult.

Even though Uncle John-Paul can’t doeverything other grownups find easy, he is very happy and kind. He is never toobusy to play games with his nephews and niece. The children love their unclevery much and look forward to visiting him. Sometimes they have an adventuretogether!

One summer Saturday morning, Uncle JohnPaul, Quinn, Elliot, Torin, Toby and Amelie were sitting on the lawn enjoying orangejuice and Granny’s homemade biscuits. Mr Williamson, from next door, camewalking down the drive with a worried frown on his face. He asked them if theyhad seen Spoodles his ginger cat. Spoodles is a friendly cat, but a bit of ascamp. She creeps into the farmhouse and sits on the gerbil’s cage. Granny isalways shooing her out! But that morning Spoodles hadn’t been seen by anyone.Oh dear!

The children and Uncle John-Paul wanted to helpMr Williamson find his cat. They decided to look in the big field next toGramps and Granny’s house while Mr Williamson searched his house and gardenagain.

Uncle John-Paul and the five children climbedover the stile into the field and began looking for Spoodles. After aboutthirty minutes Quinn whispered, “Listen, I can hear a cat mewing!” Uncle John-Paul, Elliot, Torin, Toby andAmelie heard it too. There in the middle of the stream, which ran through thefield, was poor Spoodles looking a very sorry sight. She had managed to get hertail tangled around brambles which were lying in the water. Spoodles wassitting on a stone half in and half out of the water, she couldn’t move! UncleJohn-Paul told the children to wait on the bank, and taking his shoes off hewaded into the stream to rescue the poor cat. As soon as he untangled her tailshe jumped out, none the worse for her adventure! But poor Uncle John-Paul,slipped, lost his balance and fell into the water. It isn’t deep but he gotcompletely soaked. The children all jumped in to help him up!

One wet uncle, four wet boys and one wetgirl stood dripping on the doorstep of Granny and Gramps house. They alllaughed when Granny grumbled, “Spoodles should be doing this”, as she handedout six towels and put their clothes into the washing machine!

After lunch Mr Williamson appeared with a ‘thankyou’ present from Spoodles, a big box of chocolates for the family to share.The chocolates were very yummy.

As the children hugged Uncle John-Paulgoodbye, at the end of their exciting day, Elliot said, “I hope we have anotheradventure next time we visit you!” “But not such a messy one”, laughed Granny.

©RJG​
March 2011​
 
Justme said:
I liked to play cowboys and Indians, but we also played with things left over from WW2. My childhood home was occupied by 13 Germans during the war, when they departed, before the British arrived, they left everything behind, we had real German helmets to wear when playing war games! When I was ten I was in a load of trouble for kicking around a small green pineapple object I had found, it was live grenade! We had a very large attic which hadn't been emptied for about 100 years, when my father got his staff to clear it out in the early 60s they threw everything onto our Nov 5th bonfire! They didn't check to see what was in a large green box. It was packed full of ammunition and when the bonfire was lit it all exploded. Fortunately we hadn't started the Guy Fawkes night celebrations so no one was hurt! The cows in our field were a bit shaken though!:eek:
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That's quite an experience! As a boy, on some of the islands we lived, also found unexploded munitions from WWII. Some kids did get hurt, though. Every once in awhile, the EOD would explode a bomb washed up on a beach. On Guam, in the late '40s, Japanese soldiers were still living in caves and didn't know the war was over.
 
Sunny said:
I grew up in Newark, NJ, near enough to NY to get there frequently. It was a tough milieu (intellectually, not physically), which sharpened my curiosity, and my confidence in my own decisions. Most of those decisions turned out to be good ones (happily married for nearly 54 years until my husband passed away four years ago), the decision to have three kids, to get into the computer field back in the 1970's, to retire in the Pacific northwest when we felt impelled to, the decision to return back east eventually to be near at least one of our children.

Interesting question; a lot of the things that happen to us are beyond our control, but a lot of them aren't. How we react to what life throws at us is often conditioned by where and how we grew up.
Click to expand...

I recall Newark, very clearly. It always was a troubled area. I can easily understand your desire to relocate.

And yes, our roots influence us no doubt.
 
Justme said:
How kind, but if I ever complete it I would give you a copy for free!:)

I have written a good number of articles, which have been published over the years. I also enjoy writing short stories for young children where the child is the hero or heroine of the story. This pleases a child enormously.:D My poetry has also been published too. I really enjoy creating one of my artwork pictures, for free, to make someone happy. I don't want to be pushy, but if anyone would like me to create one for them send me a pm and the colours which are important to them and I will see what I can do when the vibes are right. As the work is digital I can send it by e-mail.

Here is one of my kid's stories.

A VerySpecial Uncle​

(For Quinn,Elliot, Torin, Toby and Amelie)​
One upon a Munch time there was a cowcalled Munch. She told the small calves to settle down quietly so she couldtell them this story.

Quinn, Elliot, Torin, Toby and Amelie arelucky children because they have a very special uncle.

Uncle John-Paul lives with Granny andGramps in a farmhouse in the country. He was born with a disability called Down’ssyndrome. Granny and Gramps have to help him with tasks he finds difficult.

Even though Uncle John-Paul can’t doeverything other grownups find easy, he is very happy and kind. He is never toobusy to play games with his nephews and niece. The children love their unclevery much and look forward to visiting him. Sometimes they have an adventuretogether!

One summer Saturday morning, Uncle JohnPaul, Quinn, Elliot, Torin, Toby and Amelie were sitting on the lawn enjoying orangejuice and Granny’s homemade biscuits. Mr Williamson, from next door, camewalking down the drive with a worried frown on his face. He asked them if theyhad seen Spoodles his ginger cat. Spoodles is a friendly cat, but a bit of ascamp. She creeps into the farmhouse and sits on the gerbil’s cage. Granny isalways shooing her out! But that morning Spoodles hadn’t been seen by anyone.Oh dear!

The children and Uncle John-Paul wanted to helpMr Williamson find his cat. They decided to look in the big field next toGramps and Granny’s house while Mr Williamson searched his house and gardenagain.

Uncle John-Paul and the five children climbedover the stile into the field and began looking for Spoodles. After aboutthirty minutes Quinn whispered, “Listen, I can hear a cat mewing!” Uncle John-Paul, Elliot, Torin, Toby andAmelie heard it too. There in the middle of the stream, which ran through thefield, was poor Spoodles looking a very sorry sight. She had managed to get hertail tangled around brambles which were lying in the water. Spoodles wassitting on a stone half in and half out of the water, she couldn’t move! UncleJohn-Paul told the children to wait on the bank, and taking his shoes off hewaded into the stream to rescue the poor cat. As soon as he untangled her tailshe jumped out, none the worse for her adventure! But poor Uncle John-Paul,slipped, lost his balance and fell into the water. It isn’t deep but he gotcompletely soaked. The children all jumped in to help him up!

One wet uncle, four wet boys and one wetgirl stood dripping on the doorstep of Granny and Gramps house. They alllaughed when Granny grumbled, “Spoodles should be doing this”, as she handedout six towels and put their clothes into the washing machine!

After lunch Mr Williamson appeared with a ‘thankyou’ present from Spoodles, a big box of chocolates for the family to share.The chocolates were very yummy.

As the children hugged Uncle John-Paulgoodbye, at the end of their exciting day, Elliot said, “I hope we have anotheradventure next time we visit you!” “But not such a messy one”, laughed Granny.

©RJG​

March 2011​
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Now this is a revelation from you, Justme! Wonderful to see this creative side of you!! :woohoo1:
 
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