1927 MODEL T PICK-UP: MY PARENT'S FIRST CAR

My parents first car was a 1927 Model T. At least that is what I was told. It was a pick-up truck that my father bought from his brother shortly after my father came home from the army. Cash was hard to come by and jobs were very hard to come by and a new car was something that most WWII veterans would have to wait for. In fact, most manufactured goods were in short supply because of the need to have the economy completely taken over by the war effort. Waiting lists for anything new was not uncommon.

WWII had just been won. This pick-up had seen better days and my mom's brothers nick-named my father "the bailing wire mechanic" since my dad used whatever piece of metal or wire or pipe he found to keep this vehicle on the road. He did not have much money then so a real mechanic or a good car were out of the question.

U.S. STAMP COLLECTING

Many people in my family were and are stamp collectors. I started collecting stamps at age six and along with my second grade teacher, started a stamp club at my grade school. I also started a chess club.

Collecting U.S. stamps is a great way to get to know history. Many U.S. stamps help to tell stories about wars, slavery, women suffrage, science, and all forms of art. Those little pictures will often have behind them very in depth lessons of the hardships and perseverance of those that came before us that you can never quite understand from the dry text of a modern history book.

MY PARENT'S BOAT HOUSE

After my parents bought a boat they then had to find a place to store it. It took almost one entire summer but they finally completed this boat house located on Manistee Lake in Kalkaska Michigan. I was expected to help build it and I remember mixing and hauling a lot of concrete for the long boat launch that was built from the back of the boathouse and stretched out into the lake. Having a speed boat was a lot of fun for a teenager. Now I have a small tin boat that I use for fishing. My electric motor has two speeds; off and on.

MY DAD'S VOLKSWAGEN CAMPER

I remember back when my dad and I went down to the local German made car dealership in Midland Michigan way back in 1972. I liked the really nice Mercedes convertible that was on display but my father who fancied himself to be an outdoors-man, bought a pop-top Volkswagen camper. It had a refrigerator, two beds, a slide out table and all types of places to hide fishing and camping gear for trips into the wilderness. I still liked the Mercedes the best and although I live in the woods today I still do not like to go camping.

RURAL MICHIGAN FAMILY PORTRAIT

These of some of my relatives who lived in rural Mid-Michigan. I believe this picture was taken in the early 1930's. This is a very typical large American family found all over Michigan prior to WWII. I am not sure where this photo was taken in Mid-Michigan however, the background suggest it is a summer picture especially since everyone appears to be wearing light clothing.

It is so strange at how a mere eighty years could make such a difference in how people look and live in this country. Rural life still exists in Mid-Michigan but, in the picture it is hard to find anyone answering their cell phone and it is doubtful that anything on this property is made out of plastic.