Tag Archives: family life

A Holiday Scare

Posted on October 23, 2019 by odeboyz

In 1980 my Mum had booked a holiday where we shared the cost of a rented house near Hastings. Dad drove Mum and Auntie Hilda (Mum’s sister) and I followed with Anne, our daughter Rita, my son Terry and Lucky … Continue reading →

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Back in time for the family

Posted on May 29, 2019 by odeboyz

This past bank holiday weekend, my wife and I went to her sister’s house in Billericay. This time Aunty June came from Wolverhampton, with her two sons Andrew and Michael and their families. June was born in 1926 making her … Continue reading →

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The Two Obadiah’s

Posted on December 17, 2018 by odeboyz

When just a boy, I asked Dad What’s the oldest song you know? He pulled the music stool out And while playing he began to sing. It turns out that when Dad was a boy He asked his own Grandad … Continue reading →

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Rodin’s the Thinker: or was it called the dreamer

Posted on September 27, 2018 by odeboyz

Back in the mid to late 50s, our teachers only addressed us children by our surnames or more usually as ‘You boy’, or, ‘You Girl’. I’m afraid on many occasions I was told “You boy, pay attention and stop your … Continue reading →

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1951 – Cherry Pie

Posted on July 23, 2018 by odeboyz

Replete with dinner, just eaten Mum brought a golden pie in from the kitchen The jug of custard quickly followed, “Be careful, the cherries have stones Just leave them round the side of your dish”. Soon after we, three boys, … Continue reading →

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Yes- That’s my wife

Posted on March 23, 2018 by odeboyz

The police came to my front door last night holding a picture of my wife. They said, “Is this your wife, sir?” Shocked, I answered, ” Yes.” They said, “I’m afraid it looks like she’s been hit by a bus.” … Continue reading →

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Sit wide eyed in wonder

Posted on January 1, 2018 by odeboyz

It’s Christmas, kids all over the land call out As soon as morning awakens them The little ones still believe; Perhaps older ones aren’t now quite so sure. Noise of excited children as presents Wrapped so gently in previous weeks … Continue reading →

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A lad who had to grow up fast

Posted on April 14, 2017 by odeboyz

Fred Rouse, was a typical Cockney lad. Stroppy at times, a lean, tall, gangling boy. He and my older brother became good friends when they both started senior school together, Queens Head Street School, Islington aged eleven. Over the next … Continue reading →

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Halcyon Days

Posted on January 16, 2017 by odeboyz

Most Sundays, Mum would cook lunch, we called it dinner She spent hours perfecting it I would stand by her side and marvel How such pleasure was choreographed. No fancy measures, no stress She would explain, “Yorkshire pudding” must be … Continue reading →

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How wonderful were my early days

Posted on November 24, 2016 by odeboyz

Mid 1940s to 1953 I lived at 59 Gibson Square in Islington. Each month the rent collector Mr Beetle (yes, really), would arrive on the doorstep to inspect the property and collect the rent. The rent not only Mum and Dad paid, … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Economics, housing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment