Tag Archives: family culture

Latch Key Kid, Leeds, 1950s

Posted on November 12, 2025 by odeboyz

During the war my father worked brutal hours building bombers. He worked for 20 days and then had a day off. His shifts were 12 hours on, 12 off, which alternated every 20 days between days and nights. He made … Continue reading →

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Cooking for Slackers: When parents come to tea

Posted on September 17, 2025 by odeboyz

Debris in the kitchen/living room must be removed. Not doing so is sub-optimal. To business. Offering a cup of coffee1 is standard unless they’re hard-core and want tea. But you will spring a surprise. There will be wonderful plates of … Continue reading →

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American children on a subsistence farm, 1919

Posted on August 3, 2020 by odeboyz

When not in school the Borlaug children did chores, rising before dawn and working until after sunset. Boys hoed weeds, dug potatoes, milked cows, stacked hay, hauled wood and water, fed chicken, cattle, and horses. Girls tended the vegetable garden, … Continue reading →

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My Multi-talented Father

Posted on April 16, 2020 by odeboyz

Dad hated school and left aged 14 and was immediately employed in a local garage in 1924. He acquired a working knowledge of cars. Our second car was a DAB 36. When it broke down he stripped out the starter … Continue reading →

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Washing on the Front Room Table

Posted on March 29, 2020 by odeboyz

Just before bedtime, We boys had to be washed The bowl of hot water, soap, flannel and towel On the table, waiting for each boy Dad would select one of us Never the same one twice, in line A soaped … Continue reading →

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