Bill and Bob, Where Did You Come From (LaFond, Gehring, Imes ...

ig Oakland Hotel en route. This was the time of World
War 1 and everyone was inspired to do something for
the cause. My project was to knit a washrag. Although
1 made some progress, fortunately for the troops
it was lost as I climbed over the iron grated fence
when I happened to be late for school.
Our yard had a large persimmon tree in which
climbed. Once near the top of the tree my feet slipped
off a limb, and the upper limb which I was holding,
broke with my ·weight. By some quick trapeze maneuver
my hands were able to grasp the lower limb where
my feet had been, thus preventing a serious fall.
San Leandro
When we bought a house and moved to 2242 82nd
Avenue in San Leandro, the school was some distance
from our home. Through the PTA, to which my mother
belonged, I was loaned a clarinet. It was my first
introduction to music. Although it was fun, I did not
exhibit much talent. One trouble was that the thin
bamboo reeds would break and they were expensive
(35¢). Some of the higher notes were beyond my ability.
In the back yard we had a see-saw on which Lois and
played. Once when I was in the up position Lois
moved sideways causing me to fall off, landing on
the palm of my hand and breaking my left wrist. The
bones were completely severed and my hand hung at
right angles to my arm just above the wrist. I i m mediately
grasped my arm, straightened it out and in so
doing, reset it. My parents placed a splint around niy
arm and it eventually healed beautifully but the setting
was not a professional job and the bones retained
a 20° offset.
Imperial Beach
In 1921 we moved to Imperial Beach for a six month
period and bought a 10 acre ranch to set up my grandparents
in the chicken business. I was enthralled with
the ranch -- the numerous wild squirrels and birds,
and especially the nearby beach. The sand, shells, seaweed
and breaking waves were new and interesting.
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