Figure 1.--

I am retired now, and the early years are difficult to recall in detail. There are so many hours now I reflect, I have recalled some general descriptions of my youth and several rather specific memories. My parents were separated most of my childhood, from when I was about 6 to 12 years of age. My maternal grandfather was a wealthy man and did much to support my mother's desire to have a high end/profile lifestyle. We had a live in nanny/housekeeper even though we lived in an apartment. And it was just two of us kids, my older sister and me. The apartment was very nice upon reflection. Our Nanny had her own room. Grandfather arranged for us to stay at sea side resorts in Florida in the late fall and during the Easter time. My sister and I had a tutor as we were out of our regular Catholic school for weeks at a time, several times it was a month or even more. And in the summer, we stayed at a very upscale resort on a lake in the upper Midwest, several large rooms. We were there a month or so at times. My mother wanted to show us off, to show she had 'class' I think. We were always dressed impeccably. Unfortunately for me, this meant I was dressed extremely traditional in very classic/old school styles. In time era terms, this was about 1961-1969, I was born in 1954. I can write more about being formally dressed for bi-annual portraits that were taken.

My Family

I am retired now, and the early years are difficult to recall in detail. There are so many hours now I reflect, I have recalled some general descriptions of my youth and several rather specific memories. My parents were separated most of my childhood, from when I was about 6 to 12 years of age. My maternal grandfather was a wealthy man and did much to support my mother's desire to have a high end/profile lifestyle. We had a live in nanny/housekeeper even though we lived in an apartment. And it was just two of us kids, my older sister and me. The apartment was very nice upon reflection. Our Nanny had her own room. Grandfather arranged for us to stay at sea side resorts in Florida in the late fall and during the Easter time. My sister and I had a tutor as we were out of our regular Catholic school for weeks at a time, several times it was a month or even more. And in the summer, we stayed at a very upscale resort on a lake in the upper Midwest, several large rooms. We were there a month or so at times. My mother wanted to show us off, to show she had 'class' I think. We were always dressed impeccably. Unfortunately for me, this meant I was dressed extremely traditional in very classic/old school styles. In time era terms, this was about 1961-1969, I was born in 1954. I can write more about being formally dressed for bi-annual portraits that were taken.

Easter Searsucker Suit

One memory stands out in my mind and I recall it very clearly. We were in Florida, I think in Palm Beach. The Breakers? was that a resort back then? I recall having to go on this long walk up and down a street looking for what was called an Eton Suit for Easter I think. I think I was too big for what was available. And I recall somehow winding up in a seersucker (I saw a photo, though black and white.) It was a seersucker outfit, Eton type lapeless jacket and short pants. I recall having a fit. The first time I wore it I ws dressed up for church then brunch. I wore it with aa Peter Pan collar blouse. It may have even been one of my sister's outgrown Catholic white school blouses. I wore the collar outside the jacket. I must have been beside myself. but nonetheless, there I was wearing this suit. I wore it with knee socks, but not saddle shoes. The worse part of all was the strap shoes, just like my sister's shoes.

Sailor Suit

I do have other memories that might of interest, but kinda trivial. I eecall being in a sort of navy outfit in a holiday, like the 4th maybe. I do recall having a navy type shirt/blouse, but it was round in the back not square like a sailor. I was aware of this. Vaguely remember, but know I had on some form of navy shorts with that blouse. I would have been between 8-and the most 10 wearing that at the Lake.

Created: 11:02 AM 11/21/2016
Last updated: 11:02 AM 11/21/2016