The 80’s

In December 1981 we went to California for Christmas. I saw Santa and his reindeer through a skylight in the guesthouse.

In June 1982 Dad brought home a used bike with a banana seat. I rode up and down our road endlessly.

In May 1983 Dad and I went fishing. We walked down the railroad tracks to a ditch in Toto, Indiana. He and grandpa used to fish there.

In July 1983 I found a gray kitten. Mom and dad wouldn’t let me keep it, so I took it to the neighbors across the street. Floyd and Gerry named the kitten Shot. Shot was a mean cat, but she was beautiful, and I cat-sat for her every winter when Floyd and Gerry went to Texas.

In July 1984 Lisa Patton made me a bikini out of scrap cloth. Pickles told mom. Mom was furious.

In December 1984 we ate Christmas dinner in the breezeway with all of the windows open. The California relatives brought the warm weather with them.

In August 1985 Lisa Patton moved, and I bought her blue Huffy 10 speed with birthday and allowance money. I also saved and bought a purple pair of Nikes that year.

In December 1985 Aunt Toots set aside a Cabbage Patch doll for all of the cousins. His name was Boise. He was from Idaho. Boise stayed at Grandma’s, but he is in my attic now.

January 1987 we moved from Knox, Indiana to Bass Lake. I was in the middle of 6th grade and had to move schools. The day we moved in, a mirror broke.