At Home in Mississippi
Viewing comments for Chapter 26 "School Days in the Forties"Growing up in the 40 and 50 in MIssissippi
19 total reviews
Comment from LJbutterfly
I began school in the fifties in Philadelphia, a big city. It's amazing how first graders are concerned about the same things regardless of where they grew up. I love all your honest observations and details, like the library cards. Our were exactly the same. I appreciate you sharing your early childhood story.
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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I began school in the fifties in Philadelphia, a big city. It's amazing how first graders are concerned about the same things regardless of where they grew up. I love all your honest observations and details, like the library cards. Our were exactly the same. I appreciate you sharing your early childhood story.
Comment Written 26-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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Thank you for reviewing this story. I guess kids are kids wherever they are. You'd think city kids would have different worries. But we all had to learn the same skills no matter where we grew up.
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
Hi Beth,
You have done a great job of describing life in your school in a small Mississippi school. You described the other children even the outsiders, including the very poor children and the Gypsies. You liked reading so much, you made journeys to the library that included trips through the courthouse. That must have been interesting and influence you to this day. I like the part about the girl whose name appeared in many of your books, but you didn't see until the third grade. Where had she been until then? Did they have homeschooling back then?
Great job,
Rhonda
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2024
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Hi Beth,
You have done a great job of describing life in your school in a small Mississippi school. You described the other children even the outsiders, including the very poor children and the Gypsies. You liked reading so much, you made journeys to the library that included trips through the courthouse. That must have been interesting and influence you to this day. I like the part about the girl whose name appeared in many of your books, but you didn't see until the third grade. Where had she been until then? Did they have homeschooling back then?
Great job,
Rhonda
Comment Written 25-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2024
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Thank you Rhonda, Jo Ann's family lived out in the country with her grandparents until she was in fourth grade and I think there might have been a county school in operation. Her dad owned a business in town and bought a house and move into town. Her family had more money than most.
Comment from Thesis
Times were certainly different then, as were people. Your post shows your fondness for the simpler time when there was honesty and trust. It also looks like your love for books and writing started at a young age.
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2024
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Times were certainly different then, as were people. Your post shows your fondness for the simpler time when there was honesty and trust. It also looks like your love for books and writing started at a young age.
Comment Written 24-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2024
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Thank you for the nice review. Yes you are right. Books have always been a big part of my life. I'm glad I grew up in a simpler time but I'm also glad I still around for whatever exciting thing may happen.
Beth
Comment from patcelaw
This is a very well written story of your school years and I enjoyed listening to it very much. I wish you the very best with all of your writing and I also wish you a very good week. Patricia
reply by the author on 24-Jun-2024
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This is a very well written story of your school years and I enjoyed listening to it very much. I wish you the very best with all of your writing and I also wish you a very good week. Patricia
Comment Written 24-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 24-Jun-2024
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Thank you Patricia. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope you have a good week as well.
Beth
Comment from joann r romei
Another great story, I appreciate the honesty and feel so terrible for those children no one cared about , what a little bit of attention or care a teacher or adult could have made in their lives, sad thing is there are so many more in the world, generation
reply by the author on 24-Jun-2024
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Another great story, I appreciate the honesty and feel so terrible for those children no one cared about , what a little bit of attention or care a teacher or adult could have made in their lives, sad thing is there are so many more in the world, generation
Comment Written 24-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 24-Jun-2024
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Thank you Joann. I'll always regret that someone didn't do something to make those kids feel welcome. It breaks my heart now to know how they must have felt.
Beth
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
Didn't all first graders eat their boogers? I seem to recall it was an epidemic at my school.
My family had a cat named Snowball too; he never came home after we let him out one day, and we always assumed a cayote got him as they traveled in packs through our neighborhood.
I remember the rare child at my school who only showed up often enough to keep the law happy about their attendance. I always heard these kids were needed to help out at home. We just let them come and go without much comment.
I hope you write more about Jo Ann; she's like a mystery to us now. I remember when you could see who checked out a book before you - I used to love to look at that list of names on the library card.
An interesting look at your school days, Beth.
xo
Pam
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2024
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Didn't all first graders eat their boogers? I seem to recall it was an epidemic at my school.
My family had a cat named Snowball too; he never came home after we let him out one day, and we always assumed a cayote got him as they traveled in packs through our neighborhood.
I remember the rare child at my school who only showed up often enough to keep the law happy about their attendance. I always heard these kids were needed to help out at home. We just let them come and go without much comment.
I hope you write more about Jo Ann; she's like a mystery to us now. I remember when you could see who checked out a book before you - I used to love to look at that list of names on the library card.
An interesting look at your school days, Beth.
xo
Pam
Comment Written 24-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2024
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Thank you Pam. You will definitely here more about Jo Ann. We had half day off from school in August and September for those who needed to pick cotton.
Beth
Comment from Wendy G
Another lovely story. Yes, we too had library books with pockets in the back for the library cards. How different these days! I enjoyed your memories, but I agree, kids can be very cruel, not only by what they do but by what they don't do. The difference betweeen Shirley Sue and the poor children - that's the price of friendship. Thanks for sharing.
Wendy
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2024
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Another lovely story. Yes, we too had library books with pockets in the back for the library cards. How different these days! I enjoyed your memories, but I agree, kids can be very cruel, not only by what they do but by what they don't do. The difference betweeen Shirley Sue and the poor children - that's the price of friendship. Thanks for sharing.
Wendy
Comment Written 24-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2024
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Thank you Wendy. The children were ignored and avoided back then. Now the bullies have gotten more physical and cruel when they get on the social media sites. I appreciate your reveiw and comments.
Beth
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
Once again you've crafted a vivid account of your childhood, this time your schooldays. I found it fascinating to read about the children who didn't fit in and your acknowledgement that you could have shown them more compassion. But that's not easy when you're young and it's instilled into you by adults that these individuals are different from the norm. The great thing about your autobiography is that you never shy away from the truth of your feelings. And this is what makes the read so compelling and appealing. Well done, Beth. Take care Debbie
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2024
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Once again you've crafted a vivid account of your childhood, this time your schooldays. I found it fascinating to read about the children who didn't fit in and your acknowledgement that you could have shown them more compassion. But that's not easy when you're young and it's instilled into you by adults that these individuals are different from the norm. The great thing about your autobiography is that you never shy away from the truth of your feelings. And this is what makes the read so compelling and appealing. Well done, Beth. Take care Debbie
Comment Written 23-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2024
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Thank you Debbie, As alway I enjoy your reveiws. I'm glad you are continuing to read my stories. You write wonderful reviews. I say what I feel but some probably think I have no filter and put in too much information. lol
Beth
Beth
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That's what I enjoy so much! I love to hear people opening up and being straightforwardly honest! If we can't do that here, where could we?
Comment from royowen
Although I only had daughters who were different from other girls I've encountered, plus I'm very fortunate to have a very wise wife, but I've learned from teaching the very young, through to the older girls in children's church the differences and shortcomings of both genders, as my 7 year old grandson opines, 'I'm not going to have a girlfriend, they are too complicated' such much wisdom, but perhaps he'll meet a girl like his mum or Nannie. Thanks so much Beth, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 24-Jun-2024
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Although I only had daughters who were different from other girls I've encountered, plus I'm very fortunate to have a very wise wife, but I've learned from teaching the very young, through to the older girls in children's church the differences and shortcomings of both genders, as my 7 year old grandson opines, 'I'm not going to have a girlfriend, they are too complicated' such much wisdom, but perhaps he'll meet a girl like his mum or Nannie. Thanks so much Beth, blessings Roy
Comment Written 23-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 24-Jun-2024
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It is true. Women are more complicated than men, but that's the challenge that makes the pursuit worth while. Your grandson will change his mind. Thanks for the review.
Beth
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Well done
Comment from jim vecchio
You earned my last sixth star. There were so many good pieces today. Much of your upbringing was like mine. Our school was integrated, but just barely. There were rarely more than two Black males in the class, and they sat in the back. There were also one or two females, but they generally sat with the rest of the class. One very sad moment , I recall clearly. The teacher was making a choice, and said, "Eeny meeny miney moe" and used the "n word". Then she apologized and said, "We're all white at heart." That would never be tolerated in today's schools.
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2024
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You earned my last sixth star. There were so many good pieces today. Much of your upbringing was like mine. Our school was integrated, but just barely. There were rarely more than two Black males in the class, and they sat in the back. There were also one or two females, but they generally sat with the rest of the class. One very sad moment , I recall clearly. The teacher was making a choice, and said, "Eeny meeny miney moe" and used the "n word". Then she apologized and said, "We're all white at heart." That would never be tolerated in today's schools.
Comment Written 23-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2024
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Thank you, Jim. I remember that rhyme with the N word. Catch a N by the toe. It definitely wouldn't be tolorated now. I try to save my sixes. I only gave out one. I really appreciate you giving me one.
Beth
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I have to save mine more than I have. I let my emotions do my thinking sometimes.