It was the year 1958. I’d just finished my army reserve training, and tanned and fit was being returned by the government to civilian life. No more route marches in the middle of the night, no more sleeping exhausted out in the rain, no more doing twenty circuits of the parade ground on the run because some vindictive Sergeant Major had a bender from a … Continue reading Monika

On January 4, 1956 I was conscripted by Australian Defense for what was then called national service obligations. I was just over 18 years of age and a candidate for enlightenment. This experience fulfilled that purpose. I can still remember my Mother standing at the front door wringing her hands as Dad drove me down to the local assembly point. The cold war was just … Continue reading Army Daze

“Mom, Rex has asked me to go with him this weekend. He wants to visit with our friends in Bundaberg.” Claire looked at her eldest son Paul in surprise. It was the mid 50’s and she struggled with normal protective instincts and the desire to recognize her teenage son’s right to make his own decisions. It was the age old conflict Mothers have to face … Continue reading The Great Escape

It was one of those blustering cyclonic weather mornings. No one had slept much during the night as winds alternatively sucked at house moorings then dropped in a fit of rage finding the home securely riveted to the ground. Roofing strained to hang on tightly, watching anxiously as sheet iron from neighbouring house roofs whizzed through the air like gigantic ancient weapons of war. Branches … Continue reading The Flood

It was in first year of High School I met Les. Actually his name was Brian, but for some strange reason I’ve never been able to understand his whole family called him Les. He was a quiet boy; one you’d never suspect of any mischievous intent. He wore his halo with the cool air of the innocent, but lurking deep inside was a hidden well … Continue reading My Friend Les

November 1953 I wrote my last High School tests, cleared my desk and headed home to await results published February 1954 by Queensland University, Brisbane, Australia. I can still remember rushing to the corner grocery store to purchase the Courier Mail newspaper and scan insert lists for results. I’d passed! My Father Eric who loved formality made an official presentation to me as soon as … Continue reading My First Job

There’s no greater feeling than having your parent say, “You don’t have to come shopping with us today.”  To a teenage boy there’s nothing more humiliating than going to a department store to join the family in line behind Mom lingering in the lingerie department while the rest of the brood watch Dad fidget and cast furtive glances around to see if friends are gleefully … Continue reading Home Alone

Above image copyright to Free Horse Graphics http://www.cartoonclipartworld.com We’d been back in town for a couple of years when Ben asked if I’d like to spend the weekend at his place. I’d known Ben but a short while, but had noted he had a very cute sister. Even before I’d had time to think about it I blurted out a quick “yes!” Ben dropped by … Continue reading Bareback Riding

At the age of fifteen I was beginning to realize I’d accumulated great wisdom on entering the terrible teenage years. It was quite apparent parents in general needed counsel from those of us young and intelligent, so they’d be more in tune with the way things should be done in the ‘now” generation. It was only at a much later age I noted with satisfaction … Continue reading That First Kiss!