Happy Holidays

 Christmas  at 38 Lunness was a special time. From childhood to adulthood I love being home at Christmas.  So msny fond memories.  🌲🍵🍪🍺🥢🍴 Merry Christmas and Happy Holudays all

My Grandmothers

 Both my maternal and paternal were a major force in my early years. Grandma Ewing died just before my eighth birthday. Breast Cancer. Grandma Atkinson passed when I was 16.

I grow African Violets to honour both. My book 38 zlunness will explore my relationship with them.  They both left me with enduring memories and lessons.

Drive-In Memories

 Friday nights, the work week is over,  and the weekend has finally arrived. Some years back this meant that if it was a pay week, I had a few bucks in my pocket, at least enough for a tank of gas, and the price of admission for two to the drive-in theatre. Snacks are a must for a drive-in is simply not a drive-in without food.

The first was to see the movies; well that was the cover story anyway.

The drive-in provided the privacy of being in your own space with your companion which was very important when you were still living at home with mom and dad and had little personal space.

Even when I was first married we still made regular trips to the drive-in. there was simply something special about the whole experience.

When I was in my early 20s in southern Ontario, there were 2 drive-in theatres within a 30 minute drive of where I lived.

One was only 10 minutes away but it was finally closed as the new Toronto Airport, now known as Pearson international Airport grew. I remember planes flying so low, the drive-in was on a flight path that they seemed to almost touch the screen. The sound drowned the audio for a few minutes.

That theater closed and we traveled a bit further to the next one. It was at that time we discovered a third drive-in about an hour away from hoem which we visited less often.

At least we still had a choice although what was playing was often a secondary concern. There were double bills and some Friday nights they would have a triple bill, three movies for the price of admission and the snack stand stayed open later.

The food, a foot long hot dog, a hamburger, fries and a large coke that was the regular fare. If I had of known then what I know now I may have not eaten so much, but then that was half the fun.

In order to avoid standing in line for too long I’d leave the car about 10 minutes before the picture ended, get the food and be back before the break between flicks. I could watch the film as I walked to the stand.

We often went with another couple but in separate cars. Often we’d get there early so that we could park close to the snack stand but not so close that there was a regular stream of people walking by or the intrusion of the bright lights on the stand.

I also got quite good and getting out of the theatre before the lien up got too long and you sat and sat in your car waiting to exit.

The weather sometimes worked against us. One evening we had gone to see Audrey Hepburn in Wait Until Dark and about 30 minutes into the film the fog rolled in so heavy that you could not see the screen. We sat there waiting for it to lift but no luck. It was a challenge to navigate our way out of the drive-in and find the way back home but we were young and it was all an adventure. We went back the following weekend and saw the film.

The drive-in is were I began a long standing relationship with Dr. Who. The first movies on this particular night was Dr. Who and the Dalecks with Peter Cushing. It was low budget quirky but struck home and I enjoyed the TV series for a number of years.

I look back on those days with find memories.

Scrappy

 My parents presented me with a puppy before I even knew what a dog was. She was my friend and guardian for my first 15 years.  My book 38 Lunness will have Scrappy tales

Update: 38 Lunness

 Much has changed since I began to write my book.  Covid-19 has shaken the world and exposed much, The climate catastrophe and systemic racism are real .

How did culture shape me? The answer to this will be woven into the tale.

The period between 1948 and 1968 was historically vital. I plan on  exploring the social history of this period through the lens of  my personal history.  Growing up on Lunness Rd in Alderwood. stay connected,

Excerpt: 38 Lunness

"Our backyard was an active place. BBQs, picnic, croquet, badminton and even lawn darts. Picture this, tossing a steel or metal-tipped, plastic finned, dart-like object into the air. Why? To hit a target placed some distance away Like horseshoes but pointy. What could go wrong?"

From: 38 Lunness

38 Lunness

I lived with my parents, Syd and Marion, along with my Grandmother, Mom's Mom, on 38 Lunness in Alderwood from 1948 to 1968. My sister Marlene joined us about 7 years later. I am working on a book 38 Lunness that chronicles that period.

38 Lunness: Intro.

These are the first paragraphs of my book, 38 Lunness. Still, a long way to go but getting help from Etobicoke Historical Society and others. All will be acknowledged in the book.

"I never thought I’d have a heart attack. But my body disagreed. One night, in early January, about 3:12 am. I could not breathe. My wife, immediately, dialled 911. The paramedics arrived quickly and saved my life.

Sixteen days later, after a triple bypass, I was home. I do not recall the first two days at home. I do remember the fear that assaulted me when I first laid down. As soon as my eyes closed, fear woke. The dread dissipated when my partner of 41 years, Jocelyn, talked with me. Together we walked around singing Bob Marley’s, “Three little birds”.

I begin this tale with this because, during the first week, a major change took place. My life and future health are now intrinsically linked to medication.  I was sitting at my dresser, where the bottles were lined up like Nutcrackers soldiers and a memory broke, like an angry wave cascading through my whole body.  A connection awakened." 

 Etobicoke Historical Society

38 Lunness Rd.

Good day, I have begun a book which I am titling 38 Lunness.  Why? In June 1948, my family, Mom, Dad and I moved to 38 Lunness Rd after living with Dad's parents for my first 13 months. The years 1948 to 1968 were formative years for myself and for the world. The book, while focusing on Lunness and Alderwood will look at cultural events, such as music, movies and, yes, politics. These cultural journeys will be short but I feel they will place my memories into a greater context.

I plan to post regular updates here, seeking your comments, concerns and questions.

 Photo courtesy of the Etobicoke Historical Society