Comment from Bill Schott

Exceptional

Wow! This story sends chills up my spine as you push this introduction to school with all the suddenly familiar bits and pieces of those long-ago years. I see myself as a James, with cuteness turned to horror, marked as a lovey-dovey. What a day! How does one's psyche survive?

 Comment Written 16-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 16-Jun-2024

Thank you Bill, Shool was a shock to my system. It seems my story triggered some memories for you as well. James stayed shy forever after and he had been such an outgoing little boy. School changed his personality. I hope was schoo, and not just me, who ruined his life. I really appreciate the six stars.

Comment from Ric Myworld

Excellent

I remember a few of those pink panties myself, and no I'm not being a perverted old man. I didn't think too much about them at that age, and I think even less about them now. But I've never forgotten those smacks on the legs or paddlings, as I got more than anyone. LOL. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 15-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 16-Jun-2024

Thank Ric. With the little short dresses we wore how could we not show them. My first teacher was the principle of the whole six grades and she believed in punishing kids for everything. All the little boys got her paddle often. Most girls got other punishments or fewer licks, but I only saw her leave her hand print once.
Beth

Comment from Begin Again

Excellent

Hmmm... and did Miss Chatham's slapping of Patty change your outlook on who she was? Poor Patty, being so young, she came to school to be taught, not just the ABC's but the etiquette of life. I am sure it could and should have been handled differently. Thanks for sharing as usual.
Smiles, Carol

 Comment Written 15-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2024

Thank you Carol. It made me realize that it could be dangerous to displease her but was so nice to me, I couldn't dislike her although Patsy probably did. It should have been handled differently. The teacher was the principle for the whole six grades and she paddled and punished a lot of kids.

Comment from Rosemary Everson1

Excellent

Your school days sound like what we had. But we carried lunches in a lunch box. I remember riding the train to a country school. We would hop on the caboose and ride under we jumped off. We also walked. Great history.

 Comment Written 14-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2024

I think school was like that for most everyone over fifty. I find it fun to write about thosd days.
Beth

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

It is amazing how we all remember our first days of school, after many, many years. As a big city girl, it was interesting to read how a girl from a country setting reacted to something as simple as a toilet. I had the same reading books about Dick, Jane, Sally, and Spot. My mother purchased a book from the school so I could practice at home. I still remember how they all looked. I truly enjoyed reading about your first day of school.

 Comment Written 14-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2024

Thank you for a great review. That Dick, Jane and Sally book was used for 3 decades from 1940 to 1970. I'm she many of us have similar memories of that first day.
Beth

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

I remember the Dick and Jane books. I learned to read with them myself. My boys never did well with naptimes. I don't remember them being a problem. I do remember conferencing with their teachers about it. They didn't nap at home either. LOL Thank you for sharing this memory with us.

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2024

Thanks Barbara. Those book were used for thirty years from 1940 to 1970, My youngest three kids learned to read from them too. I'm appreciate you reading my story.
Beth

Comment from Jim Wile

Excellent

A lot of nice detail made this an interesting chapter, Beth. Although I'm a few years younger than you, I can still remember the similarities to my early school experience--reading Dick, Jane and Sally; the thick pencils and white paste; the smell of the mimeograph pages hot off the press; nap time when I could never sleep either. It was fun hearing about it again.

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2024

Thank you JIm. The Dick, Jane, and Sally book was used for 3 decades from 1940 until 1970 so it no wonder so many remember it. I'm not sure when they quit used mimeographs. I glad you liked remembering those years.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

This sounded so familiar as I was reading it; did you publish something including this before?

Oh, my! They put you in the coat closet as punishment? Maybe Carolyn rifled the pockets of each coat while she was there:-)

Nothing has changed; kids still love to go shopping for those beloved school supplies.

"a inverted" - change to "an introverted"

You tell your story with great sensory detail; notably, the turds floating in the toilet.

I remember naptime from kindergarten; I had a bright pink rug and a pink and white blanket. I never slept either, but closed my eyes and imagined another world.

I love the ending and that last sentence. It's amazing that you still know someone from that far back.

Great story, Beth.

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 13-Jun-2024

Thank you Pam, I appreciate the review. I don't think I've written about first grade before. Carolyn did get into the lunches and if she found anything to eat in the pockets she helped her self. I appreciate the review and comments. I think know Patsy since we were three in Sunday School together. She lives in Arkansas now.

Comment from Marilyn Hamilton

Excellent

Very interesting story. I could relate to much of it but I never considered that there kids who had never used a porcelain potty before! Dick, Jane, Spot and Puff were favorites of mine and I have an old copy of one of those books. Thanks for sharing. Nicely done.

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 13-Jun-2024

Thank you Marilyn. In the forty it wasn't unusual tor country kids to have outdoor toilets so many kids in my class were leary of commode and wouldn't attempt to flush them. I was ten when we had an indoor toilet. I appreciate the review.
Beth

Comment from patcelaw

Excellent

I am always enjoying your stories of your childhood memories. You always write them so well and you're writing is very smooth and very well done your paragraph and your sentence structure are excellent. I wish you a very good day and a good weekend. Patricia .

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2024

Thank you Patricia, I so glad you are continuing to enjoy my stories. Beth