Short, tall, true, and semi true tales about a young boy growing up in upstate New York.
Firecrackers were THE most illegal and at the same time most sought after item in our neighborhood. The only drugs we knew of were aspirin and cod liver oil. No local hood was gonna ‘bust a cap in yo haid’ to steal your dope, they would much prefer to kick your ass and take your […]
Look!! Firecrackers!! Read More »
Across the Cayadutta Creek, was a mystical country in which there existed a spooky cemetery seated upon a large hill. We would mostly only venture onto the fringes of this cemetery, since it was scary as hell. We’ll talk about the scary as hell cemetery at some future date. We had a few sleds and
Everybody knows him … everybody loves him. Sno Cone Joe was a man with a white truck and a mission. He was the guy with the truck full o’ ice and sugary syrup that froze the brain of every kid from Perry Street to the Arterial. Since my interactions with him were pretty much on
Don’t Mess with Sno Cone Joe Read More »
I know, I know, I’ve talked endlessly about my youth, the good, the bad and the ugly. I’ve talked about good times, bad times, friends, enemies, bullies, adventures, ice cream, candy, soda pop, and little cuddly puppies. But I must now discuss an interaction that haunts me to this very day. Every time I recall
How to Get Your Ass Kicked Read More »
For some reason, in 1968, having an aquarium was a thing. Every damn 10 year old on my block was pining for a fish filled aquarium to show off to their pals. I was no exception to the siren call of the aqueous environment. My good pal Tom had an aquarium filled with wondrously colorful
The Age of Aquariums Read More »
The three of us had a dream. That dream was to circumnavigate our home town on a ship of our own making. The Great Luigi, Melvin Purvis, and your’s truly came to the conclusion that the only way we could accomplish this goal was to build a great sailing ship and travel the length of
The Idiot and the Oddity Read More »
John Luft was both the most fortunate and the most unfortunate kid in our neighborhood. I shall now recount a few high and low lights from the tragic life of John, attempting to clarify the weird paradox that was his place in the world. John owned a vast assortment of toys, gadgets, and motorized vehicles.
The Guy that Had it All Read More »
The Boy Scouts of America is probably one of the most revered organizations in the world, at least by those that have never actually been a Boy Scout. For some strange reason, being an Eagle Scout is considered tantamount to being given the Congressional Medal of Honor. Many great and notable men have been Eagle
Lord of the Scouts Read More »
Evel Knievel was the dude we all wanted to emulate. I mean sheesh, this guy tried to jump the Grand Canyon on a motorcycle … and he lived! We had all heard the stories that he had broken every bone in his body at least once. That must have included the talus (whatever that is),
Walt’s Walk-in, that was the place! Every kid dreamed of a way to tie up Walt, break into the gigundo glass covered candy counter, and make off with a Radio Flyer full of loot. Nobody really knew who Walt was, but we all pictured a jolly fellow, kinda like Santa. There is no way that
