By Dorothy Wilhelm Note: This column first appeared in the Tacoma News Tribune on SEPTEMBER 05, 2015. School was different then. Cleavages were pretty much the same. My classmate found a new shortcut on the first day of school. Unfortunately, he had to crawl under a freight train to use it. The trains then were steam driven. They ran day and night through our tiny … [Read more...] about Lesson From the First Day School
Heritage Questions – Family Research
Did You Hear The Story?
Did you hear the story about the jackass that ran for public office and won? I’m not talking about this year’s selection of candidates. The election I’m talking about took place in the friendly town of Milton, WA in September of 1938. The candidate in question was a brown, long-eared mule with the very formal name of Boston Curtis. According to the record, this unlikely … [Read more...] about Did You Hear The Story?
Tradition!
by Dorothy Wilhelm We sat on the cellar door and waited for the root beer to stop exploding, Every year, my mother brewed root beer for Independence Day and every year it exploded. Traditions are very important. The one room General Store in our tiny town of Warland, Montana (pop.100) didn’t carry root beer. The small, dark sales area offered such … [Read more...] about Tradition!
See-through Situation Not Covered By Self-help Books
By Dorothy Wilhelm NOTE: I HEAR FROM MANY READERS ASKING ME TO RECALL “NORMAL TIMES.” SO LET’S JUST STEP BACK A FEW MONTHS WHEN WE KNEW WHAT “NORMAL” MEANT - FOR A LITTLE SELF HELP. “There are no self-help books in this library!” A glance at the neatly organized shelves at our local Senior Activity Center told me the library volunteer was right. There were lots … [Read more...] about See-through Situation Not Covered By Self-help Books
JUST THE TICKET
Last Sunday morning, I received my very first speeding ticket, after maintaining a spotless driving record for 55 years. I’m really upset. I never had a ticket before. I saw the police car parked near the road that connects Joint Base Lewis McChord to Lakewood (in Western Washington State.) People who live out here know that military roads are enthusiastically … [Read more...] about JUST THE TICKET
THE FACTS OF LIFE
The Facts of Life by Dorothy Wilhelm The facts of life came in the mail in a plain brown envelope. It was brave of my mother to send for the book it contained, “Where Do Babies Come From?” The magazine ad promised it would explain the beginnings of life in a clear, easy-to-understand way that mothers and daughters could share. That kind of sharing was very … [Read more...] about THE FACTS OF LIFE
CHAPTER TWO: I’VE GOT PLENTY OF ADVICE AND I AM GOING TO GIVE IT RIGHT NOW!!
JUNE 13, 2020 BY DOROTHY WILHELM It was 66 years ago last June that my husband-to-be sold his 1942 Chevrolet to put an engagement ring on my finger. The ring had what I thought was an incredibly huge diamond — almost a quarter of a karat, a guarantee of prosperous times to come. Deliriously happy, I said to my father. “How do I keep my ring looking sparkly for years and … [Read more...] about CHAPTER TWO: I’VE GOT PLENTY OF ADVICE AND I AM GOING TO GIVE IT RIGHT NOW!!
2020-06-19 Fathers Day
In those days, the father-to-be sat, penitent, in a littered waiting room, clutching a paper cup of coffee, staring down at a growing circle of spent cigarettes, and slowly withering under the glare of passing nurses. He was never allowed near the delivery room. The general opinion, frequently expressed by senior nurse or nun, was that he’d already caused enough trouble and … [Read more...] about 2020-06-19 Fathers Day
Chapter One: Personal Wearable Device
There was no need to make a fuss about it. The police were very understanding once the situation was explained. Throughout the whole trying incident I behaved wisely and responsibly. I hope you’ll mention that to my children if you happen to be talking to them. I hate to let the kids find out about these inevitable little kerfuffles. Next thing you know, they’ll be saying, … [Read more...] about Chapter One: Personal Wearable Device
Across the Fence: Dorothy Wilhelm tells Sound history
From The Suburban Times MARCH 22, 2019 BY SUSANNE BACON If you feel that you have heard all of Puget Sound history and nothing could surprise you anymore – think again! For the other day, I finished reading legendary author and humorist Dorothy Wilhelm’s latest book, “True Tales of Puget Sound”. And I just wish history in school were taught as lively and interspersed with … [Read more...] about Across the Fence: Dorothy Wilhelm tells Sound history