BHS My Story

What’s my story? It starts on Avenue C.
“What is my story?” asks Mark Carman.
A story in picture and poetry above share a brief biography: My Histro [no longer available], but a version may found here: in docs here or pdf, next:
Note: some pictures are clickable.
And as I learn and grow, I’ve revised and added to “Where I’m From,” included below:
Where I’m From
I am from barefoot in lilac bushes
Shaded hideout and mud pies
I am from crab apples and roller skates
Hide and seek amongst fireflies;
I am from Chatty Kathy and paper dolls
Pebbles and Bam Bam scattered around
I am from basement play in make believe,
Treehouse fort and old rope swings;
I am from playing school in old time desks
Blackboard squeaks and Big Chief tablets
With wide spaces for small scribbles
in new colored pencils and cinnamon markers;
I am from books hugged close
As yellow elm and Russian olive leaves
Dance around in the swirls of autumn
Delivering me to the double doors of Will-Moore School.
I’m from “Dad Call Cindy” as Jeannie’s black lab follows,
In the alley we yell the words; she drops her head to stay
While we wander down to Elks swimming pool
Friends diving for dimes and swimming all day;
I am from splashing and chlorine ’til 5 o’clock closing.
Quick-stepping barefoot on hot black tar
Stopping a second at Dad’s Hedaul’s office
Hoping for help: “Can I have dime?”
Jeannie and I to Dairy Queen each
A Five cent chocolate dip
Finishes our daily swimming trip.
I am from Cousins, cards, and demolition cars
Peanut butter fudge high on the shelf in a bin;
Kids sneak the snack and Aunt Vera giggles;
her fudge frames my sheepish grin.
I am from Fishing, Wind, Toads, Sand
A lakeside cabin; a week of summer fun;
McIntosh, Tents, Hearts, and Solitaire Tournaments
Mosquitoes we slap and
Chipmunks we coax — quietly sitting, sunflower seeds,
presents held in our palms.
I am from Sturgeon, Paddlefish, Northern Pike,
Golden sunsets and sparkling sand
“Bottom’s up” warns each cast
A record fish and Daddy’s delight
Missouri River whirls, twirls,
keep safe from the current fright.
I am from slow, conversation walks through town
Vicki and I from her house to mine;
Empty pockets and time to spare;
On Floor 13 the janitor jokes we love to hear
I am from hours imagining through museum wonders:
Pronghorn antelope, buffalo,
Sitting Bull, Crow’s Heart, Four Bears,
Sakakawea, smallpox, Lewis and Clark,
Learning together on our own
Keeping cool in laughter, morning to dark.
I am from Skateboard down the capitol walk
chased away; always coming back;
I am from Judy and Ellen — we drive and dare
Dances and music; Teen Club midnights;
Catwalk dangers to sandbar capers
Curfew comes quick; watch the porch lights.
I am from Demonettes and Third Chair Drum
Calgary Stampede First Place Band
Summer Tour: Ghosts of the past
Yellowstone and Glacier Park
I am from Sixty degrees below zero
Windy walk wrapped in wool and leg warmers;
I am from one hundred degrees, thunderstorms,
Pouncing through puddles; laughing through leaves;
I am from knowing that through all these,
My mom is at home when help I need.
And now as years
Grow love and fears
I celebrate that I am from more:
I am from
hot, windy prairies
slapping mosquitoes
and skipping in the shade of
city trees
barefooted and free,
driving to refresh
to fish and to swim
in the cool wet shore
in the swirling power
of the Big Muddy;
I am from
bitter winters that
stole your breath
pushing your way
in the icy wind
dreaming
of those barefoot days;
I am from
the wonders of story
read and written,
inspiring
teens and preteens
to pen the power of their
stories and song
in a buzzing classroom
beside the multi-flowered meadow
in the shadow
of Moses Mountain;
I am from
Sharing my history
And love of nature
With two sons
Now men
Strong and caring,
Sharing their “I am from”
I am from
Scott and two
Daughters, now
Delightful mothers–
Chasing their dreams
Filling their lives
I am from
The wonders of ten
Wonderous grandkids,
Cousin camps
Paper-making
Fishing
Boating
Crocheting
Movie-making
Geeking
With grandma
And grandpa
Learning love
And where
They are from..
Sheri Edwards
What’s your story?
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Sheri Edwards View All
Geeky Gramma ~~
Retired Middle School Language Arts/Media Teacher ~~
Writer and Thinker~~
Art from the Heart
What an amazing poem, written by an amazing woman.
Inspired by an amazing man!