Spring 1942

It was the spring of 1942 and my mom is holding me outside our apartment on Earl Street in St. Paul, Minnesota. We were to live there throughout the war. I was five when we moved. I learned many things from her then and later. Here are just a few of the things she taught me:
1. Ophthalmology: "If you don't eat your carrots you'll become blind.

2.  Receiving justice: "You are going to get it when your father gets home!!!

3.  Roots: "Shut that door behind you and take off those muddy boots. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

4.  Extreme weather:  This room of yours look as if a tornado went through it."

5. Hypocrisy:  "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

6.  Geography:  If you don't eat your rutabagas think of all those starving children in China  who don't have any...."

7.  Analytical Forecasting:  " If you fall out of that tree and break you neck, you're not going to the store with me."

8. Irony:  Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about."

9. Logic:  "Because I said so, that's why."

10. Stamina:  "you'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

Thanks Ma.  Love you....