Dick Foran Singing "My Little Buckaroo" (1937)

During my first NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in 2007, I gathered many stories from my mother by phone that I incorporated into a first draft of a novel. During those daily telephone sessions, songs and music would often come up and spark her memory. On one occasion when she was talking about her early days as a new mother after World War II, she mentioned that my Dad would often sing this song to my eldest brother when he was a baby.

My Mom thought that Dick Foran was handsome and reminded her of my Dad, both in looks and in his singing voice. My Dad could croon a tune. So, a lullaby for all of the little buckaroos out there, a memory from my Mom....

1950's Nostalgia

1950's Nostalgia, originally uploaded by confections.

Another photo of my Mom, my brother and me, circa spring 1955. In a similar photo I had posted yesterday, my brother's stuffed toy chimpanzee, "Zippy", was not very clearly visible. So, herewith, Zippy in all his glory.

Circa 1955

 

My Mother, my brother, and I, circa spring 1955. My Mother was pregnant here, probably with my brother who was born in August 1955. I always seemed to have a doll at hand in childhood photos; my brother is proudly holding his stuffed toy chimpanzee, "Zippy".

My Mother, 1925 - 2010

My Mother, 1925 - 2010, originally uploaded by confections.

On my birthday, December 10th, 2009, my sisters, my Mom, and I celebrated at our favorite tea shop, Tea-upon-Chatsworth in San Diego. We all sported tiaras for the occasion.

I lost my Mother on Valentine's Day. Rest in peace, Mutti.


"Song"

by Edward Coote Pinkney, 1825

Those starry eyes, those starry eyes,
Those eyes that used to be
Unto my heart as beacon-lights
To pilgrims on the sea!

I see them yet, I see them yet,
Though long since quenched and gone--
I could not live illumined by
The common sun alone.

Could they seem thus, could they seem thus,
If but a memory?
Ah, yes! Upon this wintry earth
They burn no more for me.
♥