Childhood Memories

1959 Mack Fire Truck...isn't she a beauty?

 SHIFT 45...There's probably a space in your memory/reflection as a kid for many events that are cemented within the recesses of your mind. Such was the weekend morning circa 1967 or 1968 while helping my childhood buddy, Danny Stoneking, with his paper route. Though I never had my own route, I loved joining Danny on his. Even as a kid I remember admiring his diligence to rise early in the morning to deliver the papers. So at times (hey I needed my sleep) I would join in the 'adventure'. This particular morning we were stopped literally in our tracks as from a distance of several blocks we could see the 'plume' of smoke against the morning sky. As we rushed to petal our small Schwinn bikes toward the plume I'm sure that our hearts raced as fast as our feet. What is it about a fire that brings excitement to the viewer...less of course it's your own property. We pulled our bikes across the four-lane street to watch a large building fire (I think it was a church building) fought by the Hawthorne Fire Department. Though the pictures that I've added are not actual from that event, they do represent much of what I recall. I don't remember just how long we spent watching, but I'm sure there were some angry folks, a cup of hot coffee poured and waiting for their typically early paper to arrive. Let's hope they got over it:)

Like most childhood friends, I have long since lost connection with Danny. While in LA in 2007 I actually drove by his house and was able to recall some of those memories, and just in case someone from those days, 40 years prior, might still be around. For myself, I'm not sure if this is my link to my career, but it is fascinating just how fresh the memory still remains.