SHORT SUMMARIES OF SELECTED STORIES:
SID:
This story tells of the time when I kept my brother, Sid, captive in the bathroom of our house, under the threat of a BB gun, and other dramas of sibling rivalry. In the end, I develop an understanding and appreciation of him.
THE FROG:
This is the sad story of the capture and killing of “King Frog” at the old pond around Holme Avenue. This was the place where Jim and I met as children and developed our strong friendship. With the accidental killing of the frog, the gentle understanding and wisdom of my father make him the real hero of the story.
THE CHICKEN COOP:
The Chicken Coop was an old shack where chickens provided eggs for the Kennedy family. It was a hiding place from girls and during games of” Hide and Seek.” The coop was the home of Jimmy’s pet “Ducky”who became a meal on their kitchen table.
THE RAFT
The construction of the great raft was the crowning achievement of our engineering feats , during our youth. It consisted of an old door and several oil drums found on the Kennedys’ property. It was more than a vessel to fish from. The raft was a cooperative effort between the Kennedy and Homan families. Even Mr. Kennedy, who was not known for his bonding with kids, helped us in this endeavor. The raft floated for a brief period of time and then disappeared from the banks of the Pennypack Creek. The construction of the raft was followed by the building of the ”Paper Mache Canoe” that immediately sunk on its maiden voyage.
THE BLACK SHEEP
Almost every family has a member who is considered a “black sheep” – ours, was Uncle Mickey. He was a unique man who loved his brother Arthur so much, that during Arthur’s funeral, he fell into the casket and laid beside his brother. My Uncle wasn’t loved by most of the family, but to me, he was a hero. He gave me his most precious possession-a 32 Winchester rifle.
EL TORO:
EL Toro is the story of my father, Sidney Homan, and how he faced down the bulls in Embreeville, the place of his youth. “ I am a country boy son, when you are a country boy you are not afraid of bulls.” He ripped his pants escaping one that day.
WEAPONS OF DESTRUCTION:
When we were young, my friend and I wanted to hunt, trap, skin, and eat animals. In order to do this, we used home made weapons: spears, sling shots made out of old inner tubes, bow and arrows, blow guns, and even zip guns. The extent of our weapons also included rockets powered by “red lead and powdered aluminum.”
THE PAPER BOYS:
“It didn’t matter how we felt or what the weather, we served our papers. Jim and I were taught that if you wanted something in life, you had to earn it and that’s what we did! There is much to be learned about life from being a paper boy.
CEMETERY SUE
This is the story of a special friend and the adventures surrounding the house where she lived, “smack dab” in the middle of Lawnview Cemetery.
GUNNER LOTTS AND LOU LETZ:
This is the story of “crazy” Lou Letz and “girl happy” Gunner Lotts Follow “ crazy Lou” in his adventures with girls in the drive- in movies and Gunner in performing his “ popcorn bag trick” with girls in local theaters. Both were unforgettable characters in our days growing up around Holme Avenue.
PAYBACK TIME
The authors pay tribute to the love and guidance of their mothers.