Unfortunately, my memory is not of the sort to recall events of almost thirty years with perfect clarity (I can’t remember my name with perfect clarity). Therefore, when I decided to write up my “Park Friends” stories, I relied more on general feelings and impressions of the event and then improvised a bit to round out the story. For example, I think Tom (Super-T…He probably hates that nickname) and I may have spent more than one snow/ice day together (teenagers in close proximity will drift together and maybe even outside their normal comfort zone if there is no transportation available). In fact, if I remember correctly, those snow days might have been the impetus to restart our friendship during his last two years of high school, but he would remember more than I on that point. So, when commenting on the park mentioned in the first two stories, he sent:
“….By the way, the name of the park is Moss Park. Believe it or not, Sunset used to practice football there yrs ago. Another thing I distinctly remember was sledding on the ice, starting at the Barton's house (across from mine), going west on 10th street, going down the hill, making a right on Cavendar heading north towards your house. Invariably, we could go all the way until we hit Jefferson.”
Well…I didn’t think the park had a name.
See what happens when you start asking questions? You learn a little more about your own background. Although I don’t believe I ever went sledding on the route he mentions. I was too big of a chicken and, additionally, wouldn’t have been able to stop my “sled” in time and subsequently been squished on Jefferson.
****
My first story is about time spent with my friend, Kristi, or K-squared. Kristi is full of great stories and information of her own. Talk about a good memory!
She wrote:
“Here's an Oak Cliff park story I'm sure you don't remember. I had just moved to Dallas, and Mrs. Butler was our 5th grade Sunday School teacher. she took us to Lake Cliff Park to play on that rocket slide. While we were there, a news crew came and filmed us. I was so excited to be on the news in Dallas! When we got home and saw it on the news that night, the story was about child abuse and child abandonment.
There was also a park called something like Pecan Grove on Kiest. We had Y-Teen events there, and you and I dominated in the three-legged race every time.
Surely, I can come up with more than that.”
Yes, my dear, I bet you could come up with more than that…..much more than that. You are one of the best storytellers around.
By the way, I do remember the slide at Lake Cliff Park because they installed it when I was quite young and it seemed so incredibly tall to me. I did climb it, but it was a pretty scary experience for little Laura.
I also remember the original Polar Bear Ice Cream store across the street in all its fake white stucco/snow glory.
*****
Last, but not least, it turns out Susan (Sweet-S) has been absolved!
Okay, I need to backtrack a bit. When I decided to write up her story, I called Sus on the phone to get her permission to post it and to talk the story over with her. Well…I thought she had “steering problems” only a few times at the infamous spot, but when we rehashed it she revealed it was actually three or four. This made us laugh and laugh, but Sus insisted there was an oily patch on the road which contributed to her problems. I was a little bit skeptical (Sorry, Sus!), but Kristi just happened to run across DC’s mother (Mrs. Ch. and Kristi still live in Oak Cliff) and had a little conversation with Mrs. Ch. Kristi reported:
“Well, I hate to admit this because it takes away from Susan's notorious driving reputation in the little red Bug. Last night, Mrs. Ch. (DC’s mother) told me that there had indeed been a slick spot in the road for years, and many people had wrecked in front of their house. After several "little old ladies" smashed into the same light pole, she got the city to resurface it. Other neighbors got the city to add roads humps. I'm (Kristi) thinking of placing my own little "Susan G. Cautionary Speed Bump" plaque there.
I responded: “I love it! Can I chip in some of the funds? And better yet, Sus has finally been vindicated. Awesome.”
And Sus gets in the last word: “Yeah Kristi for clearing that up. Lol! I'm jealous that I missed on ice cream and sledding. It sure sounds like it was fun.”
Moreover, with Susan’s story I exercised quite a bit of artistic license as I did with the snow day story. I mean...who knows what I thought at the time, but I’m sure I wasn’t developing theories based on divine intervention or magnetic polarity.
I guess that’s the joy of story writing…getting to work your creativity.
I LOVE it!
Guess what else I love? I love my friends. I’ve been blessed with many good friendships over the years.
I have much for which to be thankful.
Lisa, Tom will have to answer your first question. I'm guessing he is referring to a time which was "before your time". :) I love seeing the pictures of the park. It's nice to know the neighborhood still seems to be vibrant and family-oriented. Additionally, I found the discussion thread on the Ravinia Mansion fascinating. Talk about a mystery! I particularly liked the comment which contained a long description of the house in the 70s.
Thank you for your additional information and your kind words. I appreciate you! :)
Posted by: Laura | Dec 11, 2010 at 02:31 PM
Now I have a question about Moss Park. I thought Moss Park was the one with the very old metal swings and slide next to the Reservoir. But I thought the Sunset football team worked out at the practice field across the street from Lida Hooe. Or did I get the two confused? Or maybe that was even before my time?!! (I'm guessing it's the latter.) By the way, the neighborhood put in new playground equipment at Moss Park. You can see some pics here: http://kesslerplaza.com/Scrapbook/july42009/july4parade2009.htm . I drove through the neighborhood a few weeks ago and I was surprised (again) by how small the lots are!
One more tidbit: Dallas also has a Moss Park in Lake Highlands.
You have wonderful stories of times spent with your friends. I don't think I have the same wealth of memories of hanging out in the neighborhood with friends. Although Cindy and I did a lot of bike-riding near the back entrance to Ravinia Mansion, hoping to catch a glimpse of the people who lived there. :) (Kind of like the Radley house in To Kill a Mockingbird. Do some neighborhoods still have creepy houses with mysterious occupants?)
Hmmm, look what I found: http://www.symmonline.com/phorum/read.php?2,24136
Posted by: Super Bluebonnet | Dec 10, 2010 at 08:41 PM