Several days ago a story started trying to birth itself.
I am experiencing a barrage of memories. After posting twice on Facebook about it I know I need to capture them so for the time-being I will combine them here. And capture/add anything that comes later.
Until I know what's happening - if anything.
IT STARTED HERE!
Facebook July 28, 2017
My cousin sent me a
"message" today with this picture and it unleashed a flood of
memories from my childhood. The address of this house is1942 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC.
My grandmother lived
at 2308... their house was one of the first built in Elizabeth. I grew up in
that neighborhood...A corner house - 2201 - was once our house. Then 8th street. Once we lived on
9th street in a darling house where I remember a good Christmas from Santa and Pearl Harbor - the beginning of war. I hope it is still there. Mama and Daddy moved
frequently and always in the Elizabeth Section - close to my grandmother. Seeing the picture of that
house brought back a deluge of memories.
It was a mega prompt. I sat down and began dictating into the Dragon App. on my iPhone so I can catch the images and the memories. Its a rich gift that is sending me I off into the long ago of my
own story.
The sad note - once
houses are broken up they have taken down the stories as well. Even
though this house is not one I ever lived in it is familiar and reminds me of
the look of 7th Street. Glad Louise Lowry Barr
The way I decided to write - is to keep adding to it -
************************************************************************
Evernote - July 28, 2017
When all the memories began to flow earlier today I was sitting out a heavy rainstorm in the parking lot of Chevy Chase Supermarket. Rather than waste the time or/and lose the train of thought filled with childhood memories I dictated them in the Dragon App on my phone. I am keeping these in Evernote.
Train Memories - The Elizabeth Section - was developed around a train line and crossing - so the sound of soulful whistles was the Musak of my childhood but I did not realize it as that until 45 years later when Jim and I spent a week-end in a B and B off Seventh Street and I heard that music again during all hours of the night and day.
Checking Memories - When you are 81 years old who do you call to fact-check your memories? But better to capture the stories now than never.
The White Cliffs of Dover - The houses I on 7th street had wide porches and we played on them in the hot summer and on rainy days. Or anytime we wanted to "put on a show". A neighbor lady loved hearing me, at age 6, sing The White Cliffs of Dover and she took me downtown to audition for a local radio talent show. It was held at the Visualite Movie Theater. I was selected and the Saturday morning I faced a large audience for the first time I was shaking and scared. The announcer said, "Go ahead, Ellouise."I took a deep breath and sang. I had forgotten all about that morning but when I remembered it the other day I could hear the sound of the applause.
Have to keep thinking about those days in the Elizabeth Section - and Granny and others.
My children or grandchildren have never lived in a house with a porch.
Facebook - July 29, 2017 Waldorf, MD
Winds are tossing the flags. The middle flag is Maryland. I feel a bit tossed myself by waves of memories. Coming down Hwy 5 S took me right by Andrews AFB where Jim was stationed for four years. Our kids were youngsters, our youngest child died in the hospital there, two others swam on the base swim team, several summers I was a Scout leader at a near-by Girl Scout Camp - Camp Winona-- and we rode down Hwy 5 every day for a few weeks...I don't remember the camp songs we sang in the car back and forth but Karen does. Reminded of the historic sites near here.. Surratts House and Doctor Mudd's Home where they took Booth after Lincoln was killed. Definitely coming back to go through those. Maybe I can get son Jim to come down too so that he can use his US Army pass to get on base st Andrews. Would love that. Maybe there is a story here? And then just a bit further down the road is the Union Prison where my great grandfather- a 16 year old boy - was held- after Petersburg. I don't know much about him or his story. And have always wondered if he walked home to NC.
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