I wouldn't like to compare my impressions of the 1920s with those of historians. All I know is that my parents kept their sons fairly ignorant of whatever worries or troubles they might have had. The only time they spoke Norwegian was in heated arguments or discussing things that"didn't concern us"! So when the depression hit (I was in the 5th grade) my father explained to me that "things wouldn't be as good as t
hey had been." I guess I wasn't too depressed because as a 10 year old, I didn't think things were all that great anyway! We suffered no unemployment during these years, but a teacher's salary was minimal then; so my mother's meal budget was always tight. Home Economics really meant something then; and my mother was an expert!My earliest radio memory was in the West River Road house. The whole family gathered around a tiny crystal set that one of my mother's brothers had, to hear the St.Olaf College choir! Their cousin was in that choir and they all agreed, that through the headphones, they could hear her voice in that tiny, quavering sound. I also remember, at a slightly later date, and on a tube radio, the Jack De
mpsey- Luis Firpo heavyweight broadcast, which Paul and I enacted while it was in progress. I forget which one of us was the unlucky Firpo!By the time I was seven or eight, and we lived in the Macalester St. house, radio seemed a regular part of our family life. Though few households depended on broadcast news; newscasts were seldom over 15 minutes long, music and comedy were the main attractions. I can't remember the family sitting around the radio, staring at the little light, for anything but certain serious speeches and programs like Amos and Andy. We had both the morning and evening newspapers; these were the real news sources then. There were afternoon programs like Renfrew of the Mounted and Little Orphan Annie which were really kid programs.But I really liked only the comedians and Gopher football broadcasts. In our teen years, Paul and I shared a radio in our 'homework room.' Lights Out, a mystery program, was popular with both of us!
My brothe
r Paul and I were so close in age (and size) you would think we'd be as close as twins in interests and activities. But we couldn't be. We could compete on certain levels, but each would excel with his own abilities. But our talents were so different that we avoided any appearance of interest or competition in the other guy's activity. My excuse for not being a scientist or an academic whiz! We fought regularly, it became more serious as we grew,until I had finally outgrown him and violence became a stupid way to settle differences, (because now I prevailed).You asked me if I ever ran away from home? Yes, as a six year old whose angry mother stood in the doorway with a hairbrush in her hand, expecting me to come in and willingly sacrifice my backside! I believed I had reached the age of reason so my choice was not to enter such a hostile environment. So I walked and walked in the summer darkness, as far as the Ford plant, where fate would have me meet a 19 year old neighbor, a favorite of mine, who was just coming off his shift at the plant. He talked me into accompanying him and of course he was walking home. My father had notified the police and before I reached home I was 'discovered' and threatened with "a trip to the station." Which horrified me; I told the policeman that "I have to go to school tomorrow." I think my mother and I both learned something that night.
In answer to some of these other questions; I would say that we brothers were closer, in terms of association, to my maternal grandparents than any of their other grandchildren. My mother was their only daughter and the caretaker in their last years. I was 60 years younger than my grandfather, exactly the same as Jamie is to me, but there is nothing else similar in the relationship.The generations were too far removed in those days. I owe him much though, it was his generous contribution that allowed me to start Pratt Institute and eased many things for our family.
And as for your comment about lutefisk? I can't remember it ever being prepared by anyone in my family. That was served once a year at church (Lutheran) suppers, where people proved their Norwegian heritage by their apparent enjoyment of this delight. My father, because he was born in Norway was expected to be especially delighted.
And as for your comment about lutefisk? I can't remember it ever being prepared by anyone in my family. That was served once a year at church (Lutheran) suppers, where people proved their Norwegian heritage by their apparent enjoyment of this delight. My father, because he was born in Norway was expected to be especially delighted.
