But honestly, I no longer know if I have constructed the memory from photographs or the threads of my own needs and actual memories. I loved spending time with Sue's family, an extremely different dynamic from my own. From my perspective, her family was calm, traditional, controlled, strict and 'Leave it to Beaver'-ish. I became one of the family when I walked through their door. Now why I wanted to live by strict rules is a mystery to me at this point, but I cherished time with them. When I walked through their door, I knew her parents goal was to steer their children straight, to be honest, caring and hard working. I knew if I 'needed' correction or reprimand I would be receiving it. Perhaps it was because my own life had been such a fiasco, for so long, that I craved structure.
The love they shared changed my young life. I am sure they were no more ideal as parents as any parents are, but we tend to reach for what is missing in our own life and Sue's parents were certainly that. Seriously, Sue's mother would make her take out a sewing seam over and over until it was PERFECT. There was no coddling for something partially done. I will never forget her mom saying to me (seriously, NEVER!) "you will eat those eggs young lady. You are a part of this family and you eat what is put in front of you". To this day I remember gagging down those scrambled eggs. I haven't eaten one since.
I had experienced camping at Girl Scout camp, but there is a vast difference of platform tents, units, dining halls, the 'latrine' (out house and wash stand) and flag raising with a family of 6 camping in the middle of a field. I am thinking it was a pop up, but I am not entirely sure. Again, if my memory serves me, we were but one of many camping in a Canadian's field turned campground, supporting a few of the 50,000 who ventured to Expo 67.
A standout in my mind was Habitat for Humanity, a model community and housing complex, introduced by an Israeli/Canadian architect. Today this doesn't seem too far fetched as using storage containers to make a dwelling is all the rage, but in 1967 this was crazy. Coming from our tight little suburban community in the states, this would certainly peek one's imagination.
As seen the photo above, our camping set-up was basic. I L-O-V-E to camp, but this set-up must have been a challenge. 4 kids ages 7-12 planted in a farmer's field is gently insane; Sue's parents were STRONG!
Now, look at the photo below:
Seriously consider our attire and what one might wear to a fair today. We were camping and had dresses! Women had purses and 'shoes', there were no shorts or flip flops, no tee shirts. I am pretty sure David and Mr. Oates were on the casual side in this photo, perhaps this was casual day, I do see I had on my Weejun loafers, a MUST in 1967.
- It was the year of the first hear transplant
- The cost of a new car was $2,750.00
- The average house price was $ 3,800.00
- It was the time of the Six Day War with Arab forces attacking Israel forces
- 475,000 troops serving in Vietnam
- peace rallies were multiplyomg
- new safety standard incudeded head rests, shatter resistant windshields and seat belts
- Interracial marriage is declared constitutional
- and obviously so much more...