Early Snapshot

One of my earliest snapshots is of Dad playing outdoors in the snow with Alice and me. I don't know if I actually remember these times or if it is the photo that tells me it happened. In any case, I do remember Dad spending a lot of time outdoors with us. In particular, I remember Dad showing us how to throw and catch a ball, as well as how to bat a ball. When I was in Grade 3 Dad bought me my first ball glove, a huge Black Diamond mitt. That year I was the only girl on our school ball team, and I played what was to be my favorite position for many years – short stop.
During my years at home the Kingman Recreation Association put on a skating party every Friday night during the winter months. The rink was an outdoor one. Beside the rink was a shed with a wood-burning stove where we put on our skates. One corner of the shed was a concession which different community members took turns operating. Doughnuts, hot dogs, hot chocolate, and coffee were available at the concession. On the roof of the shed was a loudspeaker through which music was piped for our skating pleasure. This was a family community event. Dad was an excellent skater, and I'm sure all his children had their turn skating with him, arms crossed. As we entered teendom, the big question was “Who will ask me to skate tonight?” Until I was 12 or 13 I had secondhand boys' skates. Then I got my first pair of new skates, a pair of figure skates. A young man whom I had wanted to skate with forever finally asked me to skate . We went around the ice successfully a few times. However, when it came time to stop I caught my pick in the ice and fell down, pulling this young man down on top of me. This was humiliating for both of us and was the first and last time we ever skated together!!