Tag Archives: family life

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 →

Posted in Humour | Tagged | 1 Comment

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

The Bottom Shelf

Posted on October 24, 2016 by odeboyz

For more than half a lifetime Mostly ignored over the years Dads old sheet music Had been lost to my ears. There it languished, paper slowly rotting Forgotten, those lovely words and melodies Piano music, difficult for me I would … Continue reading →

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Do modern children know the magic?

Posted on August 18, 2016 by odeboyz

In my younger days, near every school, there would be a “tuck-shop” usually called the ‘sweet shop’. Most of those shops were decked out in shelving that supported row upon row of big glass jars with large screw top lids. Each … Continue reading →

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The Old Shove Halfpenny Board

Posted on May 20, 2016 by odeboyz

Years ago I didn’t know that most pubs kept a “shove halfpenny board” but when I was ten I had no idea what it was all about. So it was somewhat of a surprise when, one evening, Dad came home with a board … Continue reading →

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Housing

Posted on June 5, 2015 by odeboyz

1972  to 1990 Note: All names  have been changed to save rows and recriminations. I had been married to Angela for eighteen years and thought we had a good life together, but out of the blue one Saturday, a mutual … Continue reading →

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Such Happy Times.

Posted on November 26, 2013 by odeboyz

When young,my happy secure home…Rang with laughter. The radio light programme, trilled from the corner sideboardAlmost all day,I rememberMum singing along.“ I can’t tell a waltz from a tangoI never know what my feet are goner dono I can’t tell … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Humour, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments