One Man's Musings

 I didn't have many teenage friends. Some friends were actually schoolmates, while others were members of the Columbus' Squires, an offshoot of the Knight of Columbus. Schoolmates were few, as I dropped out in the eight-grade.  Most of my friends got together at the Knights of Columbus club house, either to attend meetings or enjoy the amenities, like the swimming pool. We also got together at the local Dairy Queen soda fountain. I remember the names of six schoolmates, and a handful of the club cohorts. Perhaps I have a good excuse not to remember their names because I have been away from them for fifty-five years. The aforementioned friends were exclusively male. Schools were not co-educational in organizational form. Sometimes it was a challenge to meet girls of our own age. There were, however, charitable events called Kermesse, attended by teenagers of both sexes. Attending those events often required having the courage to approach gals who one didn't normally know; it...

I have vague memories of Malaquias Fregoso. He was my baptism godfather. He would come to visit my family while we lived in Mexico City. My memory is that of a tall person, always dressed in three-piece suits and walking with the assistance of a cane, with a Doberman carved in the handle. He would bring me a bag a fruit, almost always my favorite, luscious plums. Shortly after my parents passed away, I found an old picture of Malaquias. It depicts a tall gentleman, with a young gal and a lady. Now, the dedication in the back of the picture reads: It is with love that I dedicate this picture of my parents to my dear aunt Maximiana (my paternal grandmother) as they celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary. I assume the adult lady is Nicolasa Madrigal, Malaquias' wife. Signed by Eliza. My genealogical research indicates Eliza to be one of the Fregoso family. Eliza's siblings were Atanasia, Felipe, Jovita, Alfredo, and Roberto. As a side note, I met my cousin Atanasia when I wa...