Thoughts of a 60s teen

Chapter 4

Sept 14, 1966

Dear Molly,

How do you like that name instead of Dear Journal? Much better I think...I don't know.

It was raining all day today. I woke up to dad singing while making pancakes for breakfast. It was his usual song that he sings when he wants us to wake up.

Grannies in the cellar

Oh lordy cant ya smell her

Cooking biscuits on that darn old greasy stove

In her eye there is some matter that keeps drippin in the batter

And she whistles whale the (sniff) goes down her nose

That song is so gross...I'd rather not eat anything dad makes when he sings that song. Tonight on the news and the news caster said that the Philippines have 'established a headquarters in South Vietnam.' I don't know if that is good or bad but I don't like this war. So many of the senior boys at school have been ether drafted or have signed up to go. I don't really understand why we are fighting it. I should but to be honest, I just don't.

After school Stephanie and I went to the coffee shop and hung out listening to folk musicians. Judy couldn't come because she promised a family friend that she'd watch their kids after school. Lucky duck. Oh to have a job. Dad said I can't get one until I turn sixteen, and even then it can only be in the summer. When I got home, even though I asked Brian to tell dad where I went I got the third degree from him as soon as I walked in the door. It was the normal questions.

Were where you? Who where you with? Stuff like that. Dad doesn't like it when I hang out at 'Hippie establishments.' He thinks they're all trying to turn kids onto drugs or something. Yeah, okay dad. They're not though I mean, maybe some of them are....but a majority of them aren't I don't think. Somedays when he asks that question I really want to say

"I've been out with my new friends Dawn and Bark and they gave me some kind of weird cigarette and now we're going to go to the west coast." But I don't think Dad would find that funny nor mom come to think of it.

Homework calls.

Susan.

Sept 17, 1966

Dear Molly,

You know...I don't think I like the name Molly for you....hmmm I'll have to think of a different name. Saturday today! A three day weekend because of a teacher thing at the school on Monday.

Yesterday there was talk on the news about the wall in Germany separating East and West Berlin. It was just a little blip so I don't know much about why it was on the news.

Jen has her friend Martha over tonight for a sleepover. At the supper table they were talking about who they like the most...both of them like Davy, they think he's cute, but Jen said that Peter is a close second for her. Martha wondered if he really got stars in his eyes when he finds a girl he loves. I choked on my milk when she said that. Jen said the thing I was thinking.

"Of course not...do you see anyone in real life getting starry eyed when they see someone do you dummy?" only I wasn't thinking the dummy part. Dad got after her for calling her friend a dummy. Martha said that just because you don't see someone get stars in their eyes doesn't mean it can't happen. I finished my milk and asked to be excused from the table so I wouldn't get dragged into their argument. I put a Bob Dylan record on that I borrowed from Kathy. I like most of Bob Dylan's stuff. I really like his song 'Like a Rolling Stone' but the whole album is great. He's not bad looking either....but sometimes his songs can be a bit I don't know....hard to hear. I think it's because of how he sings them. I think Stephanie would like his music...maybe I'll get this album for her for her birthday.

I wonder if Anthony likes me. Oh Gods, please don't make me sound like one of those girls who whine about why a guy doesn't like them....I find them annoying.

Got to go, I just heard the theme music for Jackie Gleason.

Susan.