In that village school, I learned that people can seem different--and it isn’t always about color, it can be about class, education, culture, religion—but underneath, we are all basically the same.
A wonderful tale…thank you for sharing! The castle must have been amazing. As a young girl in the 1960’s, my family stayed in a family run hotel (more like an Airbnb rental, really) in Malta, which was a small medieval castle. My room was in one of the turrets and how I loved running up and down the steep twisting staircase to get to my room. It’s something I’ve never forgotten!
That sounds wonderful! I have other stories that have to deal more with the castle which I will tell one day when I get around to it. It's just nice writing about happier times! It's a nice break from all the heavy stuff.
What a fun and insightful piece! I so enjoyed reading it: Tom, Huck, the French maitresse. (There is a series of illustrated French children's books by Rene Goscinny that you and/or your grandkids might really enjoy -- first one is called Le Petit Nicolas. It has been translated into English, "Little Nicolas." I had to read it in college French class and ended up reading it to our kids. Very funny and not unlike your description of the mayhem in the classroom! Highly recommend.). Thanks for sharing your memories, and for including the photos too. A very nice change from the heavier topics -- perfect for a Sunday piece! It's no mystery you ended up as a kick-boxer! Haha. Love your work!
So true! I didn't get it at the time but many of my life experiences led me to be a fighter. I will check out this books! I wanted to share photos of the cahier and libre but they are on Phoenix and I'm in Los Angeles. Too much of a traveler still! God bless.
The book characters and black/white illustrations are very funny, and the stories are told from the point of view of Nicolas, who is about 8. The humor in his “people” descriptions appeals to adults and kids alike. I think you will really enjoy Nicolas’ take on French school!
Karen, I pray you never tire of sharing your childhood memories. Your life's experiences are so very special to, I'm sure, many of your readers like myself. Your descriptions are vivid, exciting, and honest. I think what I value most is your summation; the lessons learned; the norms and standards that you cherish and value, giving deserved recognition to those that provided you the opportunities and the benefit, i.e. God, family, friends, and others who impacted your development, though often times, through hardship, pain, bewilderment,, and suffering.. It's on the anvil of adversity, where Godly character, virtue, wisdom, respect, and love are forged. I love you sister ! Keep on, keeping on <><
You are always entertaining and informative. I too left Woodland hills with my family in 1969. My parents were brave enough to buy a 300 acre ranch with a mile of river frontage in a little mountain town in Canada. It reminds me of Jackson hole Wyoming, but without all the billionaires. At least English was spoken in our public school...
Mah favor-RIGHT part was how the little kindness (a favor in a sense) ya showed Jean-Pierre, your most brutal "tormentor"--resulted in makin' things RIGHT an' most improbably--a friendship!--an' his sharin' his hidden drawing skills with ya--something possibly discouraged at his home... something that totally changed what seemed an irredeemable relationship--mebbe all along (when he was bein' cruel) it was his wrong-headed idea of him seeking your attention--you'll never know--but that you found something so lovely in common... so unexpectedly too! was such a bee-u-tee-full life lesson. If only more kids had the CHANCE to problem solve as you did!
An' yer troll teacher--oh my lordy what a character--scary, cryptic, brutal, unhinged, but ultimately not without feelings herself...
I love the way ya describe things in such perfect detail Karen--guess ya see them each as full palettes like an artist as really ya "paint them" for us--in all their colors, shades, nuances. Always yer writin's so engagin' an' I think it's because you see so much an' have the gifts ta know how to share it so vividly!
I had one teacher who was physically brutal--this was in the USA in the 70's. Yup, in the USA (it was private school in my case as our public ones got so dangerous they were no longer safe--I had two friends seriously hurt...)
Anywhoo, this teacher (who was the opposite of yer "witch" only in appearance--she wore prim little Mrs Dursley dresses with matchin' shoes an' jewelry an' shrimp-pink lipstick an' her red hair always "done") was a harpie! She screetched an' threatened us kids. She boxed the "unruly" boys ears (twisted 'em, dragged boys BY their ears to the corner UNTIL she injured one boy--I think he needed surgery as there was blood an' a tear so then she stopped the practice. Also, she an' one other instructor (but that one was like 80!) did "wrap knuckles" with a ruler--an' yup we had a dunce cap some were made ta wear while standin' nose-to-corner--includin' myself!
My crime was that I had unruly curly hair! Not quite "Roseanne Rosannadanna" hair--but not that far from it either (ha ha). So this same instructor (Miss Griffin--an' boy golly did she have claws!) dragged me by the hair (standin' up but she'd grab a hunk of hair and pull me by it) at least a couple-few days a week to her desk where she produced some horrifyin' cheap "generic" nylon brush an' would--before the entire class--"brush" my hair (violently tug at it while it snapped and pulled from my scalp!) to "make it neat and proper" often making it snarl as it snapped---while tears streamed from my eyes an' the kids laughed at me or just gaped wide-eyed at the "show." With each "stroke" she insulted me "you stupid girl" or "you slattern" (I had no idear what that meant), an' "your family must be ashamed of you" -- a stream of insults was the general "mo" of these "sessions." She'd call me "unkempt" (my clothes were neat, I came "warshed" an' even my hair was clean hair, just quite curly an' a bit frizzy too) an' as she yanked the brush down over my long-ish hair she also said I must felt myself a "high n' mighty" goin' out like that--like I was some "Lady Jane" bein' so brazen (she wuz from Australia so mebbe it means sumthin' ta Aussies). I was 8 years old an' had zero notions about my hair or myself at that point.
Each time she'd produce some thin rubber bands an' she'd pull my long hair all back hard an' so tight my entire scalp would ache (individually pulled hairs would of course hurt like the dickens!) an' then she'd wrap those rubber bands (a few, never one) so tight to put my hair inta a "ruly" pony tail an' in so-doin' she'd catch so much hair wrapped tight in 'em that my gran'ma would have ta cut'em out every time with a nail scissors every time (while I'd howl as it always made snarls that too would have ta be cut out). She'd also put a few midway-down too for good measure so my hair had no way ta "fluff out" untidily. The school had no "hair code" (we did wear uniforms) but eventually she insisted I wear a "tight neat pony tail" ta school or I could not enter her classroom. Eventually after much ado (an' after gettin' proper ponytail holders) I mastered doin' it nicely enough for her not ta abuse me in front of the class or send me to stand in the corner for "hair infractions"-- back in the day we had no detangler I knew of 'cept J&J "No More Tears/No More Tangles" shampoo which did squat on already clean hair--BUT we had "grownup" DippityDo hair settin' gel and it stunk ta high heaven but it was the only way I could avoid the classroom humiliation rituals from Miss Bonnie Griffin by gooping my hair down into a stiff goo-weighted "tube."
My fambly told me only ta manage it gracefully an' try not ta cry in front of the teacher because I was so lucky ta have that scholarship an' I shouldn't "stir up trouble" about something so petty to jeopardize it an' all the broken hair would grow back the followin' year.
I kept my scholarship an' yes, I did learn, even from that "witch!" an' the followin' year the next teacher had no issue with my "natural hair" an' eventually--it (and I) recovered!
When I finally read the first Harry Potter book an' the description of Hermione--I thought I'd found a kindred spirit!--her unruly curly hair (etc) an' original description as a good student an' kinda nerdy with imperfect teeth made me think that mebbe even JK Rowlin' was imaginin' her ta be a slightly outlier, slightly nerdy, academically enthusiastic, an' (I imagined) possibly jooish girl stuck in a skool with tonier famblies as I was all those things in that skool myself. When she approved the casting of the, tall, elegant, straight haired, ever-lanky, beautiful, waspy, fashion model Emma Watson as Hermione--my heart sank. I'll stick with my untarnished memories of "Harriet the Spy!"
I guess there are always instructors who see beyond the hair--an' others who git so ornery 'bout the surface that they'll never appreciate kids who don't meet their aesthetic standards. Similarly (as you experienced) there are people who "think" they know who you are by certain surface details (Ah, you're from LA you must know Zorro! lol).... but thankfully... others who get beyond the surface an' git ta know...nay appreciated!...the human underneath!
Thank so much fer this Karen--an' fer joggin' my own mem'ries about my own worst instructor. (I too loved Lost in Space--I've shared the DVD's with my kiddos--an' to this day I've always wanted a "bloop!"--which was, of course, an trained chimp in a space suit but then--it was all so special! I think we were groomed ta love robots too--but if all robots were are fun an' mindful as "robot"...I might feel differently today 'about 'em! lol)
(ps was the Lycee much better per your other sibs? I sure felt fer yer brother humiliated as he was...what kinda teachers go inta a profession ta treat kids thusly an' not welcome their strengths instead of shamin' 'em? I dunno but seems like even MORE of these types show up now....)
I love this... so much richness, thanks for sharing this!!
Thank you 🌷
A wonderful tale…thank you for sharing! The castle must have been amazing. As a young girl in the 1960’s, my family stayed in a family run hotel (more like an Airbnb rental, really) in Malta, which was a small medieval castle. My room was in one of the turrets and how I loved running up and down the steep twisting staircase to get to my room. It’s something I’ve never forgotten!
That sounds wonderful! I have other stories that have to deal more with the castle which I will tell one day when I get around to it. It's just nice writing about happier times! It's a nice break from all the heavy stuff.
Karen, I love this wildly beautiful story and it’s many messages. Thank you for sharing this 🙏
You're welcome ❤️
What a fun and insightful piece! I so enjoyed reading it: Tom, Huck, the French maitresse. (There is a series of illustrated French children's books by Rene Goscinny that you and/or your grandkids might really enjoy -- first one is called Le Petit Nicolas. It has been translated into English, "Little Nicolas." I had to read it in college French class and ended up reading it to our kids. Very funny and not unlike your description of the mayhem in the classroom! Highly recommend.). Thanks for sharing your memories, and for including the photos too. A very nice change from the heavier topics -- perfect for a Sunday piece! It's no mystery you ended up as a kick-boxer! Haha. Love your work!
So true! I didn't get it at the time but many of my life experiences led me to be a fighter. I will check out this books! I wanted to share photos of the cahier and libre but they are on Phoenix and I'm in Los Angeles. Too much of a traveler still! God bless.
The book characters and black/white illustrations are very funny, and the stories are told from the point of view of Nicolas, who is about 8. The humor in his “people” descriptions appeals to adults and kids alike. I think you will really enjoy Nicolas’ take on French school!
Karen, I pray you never tire of sharing your childhood memories. Your life's experiences are so very special to, I'm sure, many of your readers like myself. Your descriptions are vivid, exciting, and honest. I think what I value most is your summation; the lessons learned; the norms and standards that you cherish and value, giving deserved recognition to those that provided you the opportunities and the benefit, i.e. God, family, friends, and others who impacted your development, though often times, through hardship, pain, bewilderment,, and suffering.. It's on the anvil of adversity, where Godly character, virtue, wisdom, respect, and love are forged. I love you sister ! Keep on, keeping on <><
Amen to all that Bruce declared, Karen.💕
Thank you so much for your encouragement. Everything you say is so true. It speaks to my heart. May God bless you.
You are always entertaining and informative. I too left Woodland hills with my family in 1969. My parents were brave enough to buy a 300 acre ranch with a mile of river frontage in a little mountain town in Canada. It reminds me of Jackson hole Wyoming, but without all the billionaires. At least English was spoken in our public school...
Wow, that's amazing! What a wonderful upbringing that must have been. And very brave of your parents.
I loved Lost in Space! Thanks for sharing these memories.
😂me too! I can still watch those old shows.
Mah favor-RIGHT part was how the little kindness (a favor in a sense) ya showed Jean-Pierre, your most brutal "tormentor"--resulted in makin' things RIGHT an' most improbably--a friendship!--an' his sharin' his hidden drawing skills with ya--something possibly discouraged at his home... something that totally changed what seemed an irredeemable relationship--mebbe all along (when he was bein' cruel) it was his wrong-headed idea of him seeking your attention--you'll never know--but that you found something so lovely in common... so unexpectedly too! was such a bee-u-tee-full life lesson. If only more kids had the CHANCE to problem solve as you did!
An' yer troll teacher--oh my lordy what a character--scary, cryptic, brutal, unhinged, but ultimately not without feelings herself...
I love the way ya describe things in such perfect detail Karen--guess ya see them each as full palettes like an artist as really ya "paint them" for us--in all their colors, shades, nuances. Always yer writin's so engagin' an' I think it's because you see so much an' have the gifts ta know how to share it so vividly!
I had one teacher who was physically brutal--this was in the USA in the 70's. Yup, in the USA (it was private school in my case as our public ones got so dangerous they were no longer safe--I had two friends seriously hurt...)
Anywhoo, this teacher (who was the opposite of yer "witch" only in appearance--she wore prim little Mrs Dursley dresses with matchin' shoes an' jewelry an' shrimp-pink lipstick an' her red hair always "done") was a harpie! She screetched an' threatened us kids. She boxed the "unruly" boys ears (twisted 'em, dragged boys BY their ears to the corner UNTIL she injured one boy--I think he needed surgery as there was blood an' a tear so then she stopped the practice. Also, she an' one other instructor (but that one was like 80!) did "wrap knuckles" with a ruler--an' yup we had a dunce cap some were made ta wear while standin' nose-to-corner--includin' myself!
My crime was that I had unruly curly hair! Not quite "Roseanne Rosannadanna" hair--but not that far from it either (ha ha). So this same instructor (Miss Griffin--an' boy golly did she have claws!) dragged me by the hair (standin' up but she'd grab a hunk of hair and pull me by it) at least a couple-few days a week to her desk where she produced some horrifyin' cheap "generic" nylon brush an' would--before the entire class--"brush" my hair (violently tug at it while it snapped and pulled from my scalp!) to "make it neat and proper" often making it snarl as it snapped---while tears streamed from my eyes an' the kids laughed at me or just gaped wide-eyed at the "show." With each "stroke" she insulted me "you stupid girl" or "you slattern" (I had no idear what that meant), an' "your family must be ashamed of you" -- a stream of insults was the general "mo" of these "sessions." She'd call me "unkempt" (my clothes were neat, I came "warshed" an' even my hair was clean hair, just quite curly an' a bit frizzy too) an' as she yanked the brush down over my long-ish hair she also said I must felt myself a "high n' mighty" goin' out like that--like I was some "Lady Jane" bein' so brazen (she wuz from Australia so mebbe it means sumthin' ta Aussies). I was 8 years old an' had zero notions about my hair or myself at that point.
Each time she'd produce some thin rubber bands an' she'd pull my long hair all back hard an' so tight my entire scalp would ache (individually pulled hairs would of course hurt like the dickens!) an' then she'd wrap those rubber bands (a few, never one) so tight to put my hair inta a "ruly" pony tail an' in so-doin' she'd catch so much hair wrapped tight in 'em that my gran'ma would have ta cut'em out every time with a nail scissors every time (while I'd howl as it always made snarls that too would have ta be cut out). She'd also put a few midway-down too for good measure so my hair had no way ta "fluff out" untidily. The school had no "hair code" (we did wear uniforms) but eventually she insisted I wear a "tight neat pony tail" ta school or I could not enter her classroom. Eventually after much ado (an' after gettin' proper ponytail holders) I mastered doin' it nicely enough for her not ta abuse me in front of the class or send me to stand in the corner for "hair infractions"-- back in the day we had no detangler I knew of 'cept J&J "No More Tears/No More Tangles" shampoo which did squat on already clean hair--BUT we had "grownup" DippityDo hair settin' gel and it stunk ta high heaven but it was the only way I could avoid the classroom humiliation rituals from Miss Bonnie Griffin by gooping my hair down into a stiff goo-weighted "tube."
My fambly told me only ta manage it gracefully an' try not ta cry in front of the teacher because I was so lucky ta have that scholarship an' I shouldn't "stir up trouble" about something so petty to jeopardize it an' all the broken hair would grow back the followin' year.
I kept my scholarship an' yes, I did learn, even from that "witch!" an' the followin' year the next teacher had no issue with my "natural hair" an' eventually--it (and I) recovered!
When I finally read the first Harry Potter book an' the description of Hermione--I thought I'd found a kindred spirit!--her unruly curly hair (etc) an' original description as a good student an' kinda nerdy with imperfect teeth made me think that mebbe even JK Rowlin' was imaginin' her ta be a slightly outlier, slightly nerdy, academically enthusiastic, an' (I imagined) possibly jooish girl stuck in a skool with tonier famblies as I was all those things in that skool myself. When she approved the casting of the, tall, elegant, straight haired, ever-lanky, beautiful, waspy, fashion model Emma Watson as Hermione--my heart sank. I'll stick with my untarnished memories of "Harriet the Spy!"
I guess there are always instructors who see beyond the hair--an' others who git so ornery 'bout the surface that they'll never appreciate kids who don't meet their aesthetic standards. Similarly (as you experienced) there are people who "think" they know who you are by certain surface details (Ah, you're from LA you must know Zorro! lol).... but thankfully... others who get beyond the surface an' git ta know...nay appreciated!...the human underneath!
Thank so much fer this Karen--an' fer joggin' my own mem'ries about my own worst instructor. (I too loved Lost in Space--I've shared the DVD's with my kiddos--an' to this day I've always wanted a "bloop!"--which was, of course, an trained chimp in a space suit but then--it was all so special! I think we were groomed ta love robots too--but if all robots were are fun an' mindful as "robot"...I might feel differently today 'about 'em! lol)
(ps was the Lycee much better per your other sibs? I sure felt fer yer brother humiliated as he was...what kinda teachers go inta a profession ta treat kids thusly an' not welcome their strengths instead of shamin' 'em? I dunno but seems like even MORE of these types show up now....)
Great story again! Thanks for sharing❤️