Chapter one:
March 11 will always be a memorable day for me. It was on that day in 1971 that I ran away from home.
All through high school, I was a lonely girl. I was chubby, acne faced,painfully shy and never had a date. I went to the prom with my big brother. I didn't have a future. College was not an option as I hated school and didn't want any more of it. Living in Wisconsin in the 60's, a girl's choice (at least for me) were slim. Marriage or factory work... Then I met a boy...He actually liked me...He saw something in me no one else had. He was a nice boy, a decent boy from a nice loving family. He had been in the Army, didn't go to Vietnam but was stationed in the States..He had just been released. He was a hippie. I fell head over heels for this boy. He had lots of friends. Because of him I was finally in a group and they were the cool people that I had always seen in the teen bars, wearing plaid shirts, jeans, hiking boots, long hair, nodding to the music by the front of the stage, going into the parking lot during breaks..I finally belonged. I was in love. It was wonderful.
Then one day he told me that he was going to see his brother in California. Did I want to go along?Well without thinking or planning or wondering what would happen once I got there, or where we were going to live and what we would we live on, I said yes. I told my parents.. they were not happy.. I said I was going... " how do I plan on getting to California" my father asked? Why, we're hitchhiking!! I replied..
And so, many years ago, in a time that now seems so innocent..I left home. I was 19 years old. In the biggest snowstorm in years, with my mother locked in her room and my own father in tears, I walked out that front door with one suitcase and a guitar. With no plan. Terrified but excited. And on a snowy interstate with the boy I loved, I began a new life. On my way to Venice, California.....A place I never heard of and knew nothing about.
16 comments:
Gee C, you paint a great picture, you brave thing you.
=0)
Those were the days, alright. Can't wait for the next chapter!
Oh you've just given this mother a heart attack. Thank goodness mine is now 24 and not living at home but I can still imagine what I would have done. I am also intrigued to hear how the adventure continues. Here is yet another something we have in common, my father is from Wisconsin.
I want to know the following chapter too!hugs Catherine ( thanks for your visit!)
wow. waiting for the next part...
halloo there, sooooo warm i´n my heart of your kind words f my blog! yes im living in stockholm the capital of sweden, glad that you found me so i found yours!
warm hug lotten
You are much braver than I was at 19! It's good to be young and spontaneous! And then.....?
Rouen is in NORMANDY, hugs Catherine
What a fascnating blog you have and how well you write!!! I am somewhat fearful of new technology and know just enough to get by. I really admire you for jumping in, boots and all.
Thanks for visitng my blog and leaving a comment. I appreciate every single comment I get but even if I get none I would keep blogging as it's such a great way to keep a record.
Angex
You've got me hooked. I'm adding you to my sidebar so I don't miss the next chapter!
jj
Hey there!!
I think like everyone I am waiting for the next chapter.. you writing has momentum and inspires my curiosity ... I'm certainly reading to get to the next page...
Love your last couple of posts too... I have the same mac as you.. just changed over from pc to mac.. actually it was in a box for 6 months waiting for me to have time to set it up... serious work hours last year.. hence I now call it 'MAC in the box'.. and I too was away from photography for about 15 years... not that I ever learnt but agree couldn't be bothered with waiting for film to be developed..
Ok.. will be back soon... need to turn that page!!! have fun xx Julie
oh... also.. I love Venice Beach.. have only been there once but it really captured my heart..
Looking back WE think Can't believe I did that. Young people have no fear, As you get old you have seen more. I see a country pillaged and raped by politicians and I am scared for us all.
So you must have loved Venice.
On Uncle Charlie I don't know where to start. He had no children. yvonne
You always make my day with your blog..and it is Incredible how much in common we have! I ran away from home at 17. Went to Germany..a long ways away and I thought nothing of it. From Monterey California to the next 7 years in Europe. Loved every minute.
Sure wish I could morf myself over to visit and see your space. Love your work as you already know. Am going to request a special necklace that is longer (no accent to my aging calihippy neck) with aqua in the beads. Feel free to email me I think I sent my address to you.
Oh...I should check my stash I bet I have some beads you would love. Cheers and hugs! cindykay
Whew...I was sitting on the edge of my seat as I read this Cynthia...you were so BRAVE! I can totally relate to your teenage years...I was excrutiatingly shy and had pimples too. I never did go to prom but at 17 I left home and moved half way across the country too but I wasn't as brave as you...I went to visit my mom whom I hadn't seen since I was 7. I never stayed with her but I never went back to my home town either. You on the other hand REALLY took a chance...GOOD FOR YOU! Enjoy your weekend....Maura XX
I'm dangling off the edge of the cliff....I hope you give us the next chapter soon!
I waited until I was in my mid 30's to make a big change. By then I had two kids but the three of us left my hometown on the road to CA. I never looked back.
Truly courageous...my sister did a similar thing at exactly the same age.
Post a Comment