Nostalgia

What is nostalgia? According to the dictionary, it is a wistful yearning to return to the past. There is more to the definition, but I left out "abnormal" and "excessive" because I knew those two words would haunt me based on comments of other posts I've done. But, I have to admit it is fun going back and reminiscing about my life. And of course what makes it really fun is reading all of the comments that are made about my posts. That is one of the main reason I do this. Another good thing to come about from starting The Florida Branch is I have begun to scan all of our pictures so save them for posterity. I had put it off for a long time, but to keep things going on this post, it has "forced" me to do it. I want to thank you for your comments and making it fun to continue this project.

Now on to bigger and better things. Well, maybe not bigger and better, but at least other things. Over the last couple of posts, there has been somewhat of a controversy about who looks like what frog. Well, to alleviate anymore of this controversy, I have decided to post pictures of myself to end it. So here goes.

My Grandmother Madge holding me at 2 weeks of age.

My mother and I at about a year old.

In my backyard at 2 years of age.
My family lived in this house from just before I was born until just after I entered the Army. At that time my folks sold it and moved to another house in Santa Paula. Since I was in the Army, they thought they could "lose me" by not sending me the new address. Didn't work, because Betty was living with them.
2 Years Old and a professional picture.

In the 7th or 8th grade.

High School Graduation Picture

The late '60's, in the Army.
If you look closely at the insignia on the left lapel, it signifies I was in Military Intelligence, which is NOT an oxymoron. This picture was taken because, if you can believe it, I was "Solder of the Month" at Ft. Clayton, Canal Zone, and second in the Southern Command (I didn't know the mussel velocity of an m60 machine gun, like the Green Beret that won) . It surprised me also.

SSG Hitchcock
I was promoted to Staff Sargent while stationed in Korea, after Panama. I received the only "stripe" sent to the Pacific Theater that did not go to Viet Nam that month. Luckily, I never had to go there. The picture was folded, so that is why there is line across the middle.

In the early '80's, in our house in Bakersfield.

Now that I have "tooted" my own horn, I have a question. How can anyone think that this handsome devil looks like a frog??

I promise not to put you through this misery again.