Chapter Three - Early Days in Topeka

Chapter Three
Early Days in Topeka

The first home we moved into in Topeka was a short block away from Central Park Grade School where both Gary and I went to school from kindergarten through sixth grade. A few things I remember about school there were cutting my head on a mud scrapper, piano lessons, late for class because of trying to get a ride in a jeep and my first crush on a girl.

A mud scrapper was a very simple but not child proof device to scrape mud off the bottom of your shoes. It was a vertical blade like device that was at ground level with an inverted U shape bar by which you could hold on to while scrapping the mud off your shoe. The problem was the U shape bar was also an inviting apparatus to perform gymnastics on. Which I attempted to do and fell hitting my head on the vertical blade and putting a nice gash in the top of my head. I did survive though.

I remember that both Gary and I took piano lessons from a teacher that lived in the same block as we did but closer to the school. Mom was all for her boys learning the arts. I believe that I did perform in one recital but just as I was about to progress to playing cords with the left hand I got tired of playing "Here Come the Postman" and I quit. I don’t remember whether I quit before Gary did or after. In later years I think we both regretted we didn’t stick with it longer. I know I regret it.

By the time the ride in a jeep incident occurred we had moved to our home on Fillmore Street which was two to three blocks from Central Park Grade School and our route to school took us through Central Park. One day on our way to school, Gary and I were going through the park when we noticed pieces of paper falling from a small plane flying over head. We of course went chasing after the falling papers. They were kind of a ticket for a free jeep ride at some kind of a military show or display on the grounds of the capitol building. We figured that chasing after the tickets was a legitimate reason to be late for class; however, our teachers didn’t see it that way.

Ah, now for the first crush on a girl. I don’t really remember too much about it – not even her name. I was a shy lad and I finally got up enough courage to express my feelings for her. As I recall, she expressed similar feelings for me. At least looking by through my "rose colored glasses" that’s the way I remember it. We didn’t get married though.

Another emotional type experience that probably benefits by questionable memory capabilities was when a somewhat of a bully, Quentin by name I believe, was chasing me around the school yard for some reason that I have forgotten with intent to do me bodily harm. However, by the time he caught up to me he was too tired to do anything.
I lived in Topeka from grade school through graduating from high school; so most of my young years and their memories come from there. So, next chapter more of early life in Topeka.

Coming soon...
Chapter Four - Capitol Page and Schwinn
Chapter Five - Steam Locomotives to Space Shuttles
Chapter Six - Emporia