ONE OF MY EARLY BABYSITTING DAYS
(This is my brother, Randy, in the mid 1960's)
(This is my sister, Shirley (l.), and me (r.) in the mid 1960's. Fashionistas in the making!)
In the earliest days of my older brother, Randy, and me being allowed to babysit, it was always for comparatively short periods of time, during daylight hours. Mom would run out to do a quick errand; we would beg her to allow us to ‘be in charge’ while she was gone. We knew we didn’tneed want a babysitter. I must have been 11-years-old and Randy, 13.
One such time, shortly after Mom left, my younger sister, Shirley, started to run a fever. I took her temperature and it was around 100 degrees, so I gave her baby aspirin (good, right?), expecting instant results. I mean, Shirley had to be cured by the time Mom came home. I was determined to prove myself to be a competent at my new position!
Fair-skinned Shirley, usually on the pale side, was flushed and sweaty. Randy was happy to quickly relinquish his leadership responsibilities, but I maintained a capable air. I decided to take further measures to cool Shirley down while waiting for the aspirin to take its sweet time working.
I went to the bathroom cupboard looking for the perfect cure and there it was! Cold cream! I figured if I rubbed it on her face and arms, it would make her cold! Needless to say, moments later Shirley was a greasy mess (and laying on the living room sofa, no less!) So much for truth in advertising! Yup.
Then Mom came home, Shirley recovered and we all lived happily ever after.
Always looking forward, PJ
