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Lakes and Rocks Rock Creek Lake in Iowa, was the largest body of water I'd ever seen, when I turned 6. I'm pretty sure that was where I first attempted skipping a rock. At that age, I was better at collecting rocks than skipping them.  I felt like I was 6 again, on a recent trip to Lake Michigan. I'd forgotten the fun of filling hands and pockets and bags with rocks. Every rock I spotted, was my new favorite. Playing with Rocks Before narrowing down the number that I planned to pack in my suitcase, I had a little fun on a picnic table, beside a willow tree. (Willows have been my favorite since age 6!) I attempted some rock art, keeping the rocks shiny with splashes of water.  My rock art was not impressive, but I did amuse myself with my little Petosky Man. His body was made with a fossilized coral stone, called a Petosky! I kind of love him.
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The Staten Island Ferry I can remember the sounds and smells of the "Fairie Boat", when I was 6.  They were building the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge that very year, when we lived in Staten Island, so we rode it often. I remember hot dogs and sauerkraut and fumes from the cars. I loved eating popcorn and feeding the seagulls. A Ferry in Michigan Last week we took the ferry to Mackinac Island. I was determined to enjoy with my 6-year-old spirit. I let the wind whip at my hair, I grinned down at the foamy spray and I tossed a little popcorn out for the seagulls.  I'll need to go to NYC to really conjure up those old memories, though. This ferry held no cars and there was no Statue of Liberty for me to wave to. But it was a good mini celebration, just the same.
My 6-Year-Old Idol! When I was 6, I "simply adored" Eloise! Eloise was also 6, (in the Eloise books) but she never spoke like one. I was living in an apartment in Staten Island and my fictional hero lived in NYC's Plaza Hotel.
She was spunky and gutsy and a little untidy and I loved her. I had to wait about 40 years till I finally stepped inside The Plaza, where I could imagine her nutty antics. That short visit only allowed for a brief photo op with her portrait. My Stay at The Plaza Last month I got to spend the night at The Plaza Hotel.
Only, I wasn't in New York. This hotel was in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas in New Mexico. Celebrating With Eloise! I knew I needed to perform one of Eloise's many stunts, for one of my 60-Celebrations! I guess I kind of wimped out by doing a headstand. Eloise did much crazier things at The Plaza.
I was glad to find out I could still do a headstand. However, I refused to cross my arms. I can be a little stubborn, just like Eloise!
In Iowa and Wyoming The drawing below, is an illustration from my autobiography. Since I wrote my life-story at age 11, my memories of playing cowboy with Diane, were still quite vivid.  When Diane and I were 6, we spent many of our days in cowboy garb. Our costumes were basically snow boots and bandanas. I think we borrowed holster sets from our little brothers.
Playing Cowboys at The Virginian At least now, I own some real leather boots and a couple of western shirts. Diane lives too far away to come play, but Don is always game to dress up. We recently put on a little western gear, when staying staying at The Virginian Hotel in Medicine Bow, Wyoming. Beer drinking wasn't part of our cowboy play back in Iowa, but I needed to merge my 6 year old celebration with my 60 year old self. The Virginian Hotel required a little something to soothe the nerves. Our overnight stay was a tiny bit creepy! In Need of Bath Toys I wanted to skip the bath when our creepy Wyoming hotel only had a claw-footed tub. But I was as dusty as a cowboy, so I embraced my 6 year old self and filled the tub with bubbles.
It would have been more fun if I'd had a rubber duck, but I never had one of those anyway. I used to have soap filled, "Soaky" bottles, shaped like Bullwinkle and Rocky. I had Crazy Foam and washcloths to make hairdos and costumes.
Okay, I didn't play long in the Wyoming tub, but I did clean behind my ears! |
Sixty
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