I don’t know why I write. Isn’t that crazy? To spend so much energy doing something and not to know why. Why does anyone write? To be clear, I don’t have to write. My job doesn’t depend on it. I don’t get paid to do it.
There is a direct correlation between reading and writing and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. And I’m a prolific reader. Which is how the story of the F-word dinner begins.
When I was little, like little little, I wanted to read. I was blessed with two parents who were always reading, so I was surrounded by words. When I turned 4 years old, I wanted to learn how to read. I learned to recognize the words “yes” and “no.” SO EXCITING. I would pore through books and pick those two words out.
Finally, first grade arrived. Which was a rather harrowing experience for me. But the first day of first grade I climbed up the steps of the school bus, excited because I was going to read.
My mother told me, although I don’t remember this, that when she anxiously met the bus in the afternoon I was crying hysterically. Heaven knows what she thought happened. She said that in between gulps and sobs, I told her I didn’t learn how to read. That everyone lied to me. I was told I would go to school and learn how to read. And I didn’t.
Literal much?
But I quickly learned and read and read and read. In second grade I was looking at the New York Times and asked my mother who Crushchief was. She looked at the paper and said oh his name is Khrushchev. And tried to explain to 7-year-old me why his name was in big letters in the newspaper.
I’m not bragging about how good of a reader I was and still am. It’s just my one really good skill. I was the last one picked for a team in gym. Every. Single. Time. I know my strength is not in athletics.
Here’s a good example. First grade in 1959 was not like it is now. We had snack time with milk and graham crackers or animal crackers. Then naptime on blue mats that were stacked in the corner of the classroom. The other kids closed their eyes and drifted away…..or would have except I couldn’t shut up. I wasn’t tired, I’m not good at resting and I love to talk.
Finally, without knowing this would be the Crime-Of-The-Century in my house, I was sent to the principal. I vividly remember sitting in the chair in front of him and swinging my feet because they didn’t reach the floor. He asked me why I wouldn’t stop talking. Well that was an easy question. Because I always want to talk. Then he asked me what I wanted to do because I wasn’t allowed to talk and I didn’t want to nap. Another easy question.
READ
So every day at naptime I dragged my chair and book to the hallway and happily read until I was told I could return to class.
I wasn’t allowed to read Nancy Drew books until 2nd grade. Maybe my mother should have held off another year or two. I’m still almost certain that there is someone hiding under my bed and in the attic with a secret clock.
Reading was my escape, provided my adventures, held problems at bay. Reading held the mystery and then surprise of new words and the ability to try out these new words.
Which brings me to the F-word dinner.
Walking home from the bus stop one afternoon in 2nd grade, I stopped at this little bridge where the road went over a tiny stream, because someone had painted a big word on the side of the bridge. Painted in blue. A new word. An unknown word. I practiced it over and over. I had no clue what it meant.
And in the middle of dinner, as my brother was lifting his fork to his mouth, I said FUCK.
The fork dropped.
Total silence. I looked around the room smiling……until…….I realized……..uh oh.
One of my parents yelled “WHERE DID YOU HEAR THAT” and then yelled at my 14-year-old brother “DID YOU TEACH HER THAT?” As he was looking at me horrified and saying he swore he didn’t teach me that, I was flabbergasted. Little Miss Literal.
“Why do you think someone taught me that? Why do you think I heard it? I read it!”
And there you have it. The F-Word Dinner.
This is why I’m compelled to write.
saneteachers 
Haha great story! On the bright side, at least you didn’t say it for the first time while at school!
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Very true! I left out the part where, when the dust had settled I asked what it meant.
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LOL! This story is great!
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Good read on a Sunday morn for me Barb 😉
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Haha well it’s Saturday night here.
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Haha! There must be many homes in which there is a ‘fuck-expletive’ moment from the youngest child… but I bet those stories don’t have as entertaining endings as yours.
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Lol. I’m pretty sure the lesson I learned was to run things by my brothers before telling my parents!
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Good thinking, that!
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LOL!!!!! 😀 Too Funny. Now that’s classic, Barb!
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It’s funny that I haven’t thought of this in years. I started to write something else and it turned into this memory. Thank you 😁
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So glad you wrote it. What a marvelous read. Have a great Sunday, Barb.
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You too, Paul.
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Very funny, but I also like that you were curious about Crushchief. So was I, but from reading Time magazine, not NYT 🙂
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We think alike!
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Oh, Barb, I loved this post! I remember vividly when I first learned to read, also in first grade, and not on the first day, either. But I have loved to read ever since, for all the reasons you listed. I love that your teacher and principal allowed you to read during nap time! That was rather progression thinking for the time, I think.
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That’s a good point. I never thought about it being a progressive move. What were they going to do, tape my mouth shut? Lol It was a perfect solution all the way around. I was so happy. And then I went home and earned that being sent to the principal was not a good thing. 💟
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Reminded me of the story when my son was in first grade. He came off the bus and whispered to me that he heard them say the “F” word. I asked him what that was. He leaned in closer and whispered “fart”.
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Hahaha that’s awesome.
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Oh my! Laughing out loud here at 4:35 a.m. I read young too…but was lucky rmenough not to discover this word till I was much older.
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Ha! Rather a startling word to drop during dinner, as I found out.
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Thoroughly enjoyed this! I loved reading as a young girl. I still have piles of books I want to read, after life gets out of the way! The feel of books and turning pages does not even compare to reading on a…..kindle? GULP!
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I like books in all formats. I don’t actually use a kindle for reading, because there is too much glare on the screen. I like the nook from Barnes & Noble. Of course, I like “real” books, too, but I like that the screen is lit so it doesn’t bother my husband, and these eyes of mine like that I can adjust the font. Thank you for reading some of my posts! I really appreciate it and love your comments.
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What a delightful and charming story. Out of the mouth of babes, eh? 🙂
Thank you for swinging by the “Ranch.” We 💙 visitors, especially those who are well-read.
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And thanks to you for visiting me! We can be in the mutual admiration society.
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Totally!
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Oh, gosh this was lovely! I read it while my students are writing essays (anything to keep myself from falling asleep on essay days!) and I nearly laughed out loud. I can relate to your younger self so much. I was the same kind of avid reader. Love it!
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Haha I can envision you laughing and the kids staring at you, lol.
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Wow this story is so amazing! I could imagine myself sitting at the dining table and hearing you say it out loud and everyone’s reaction! That cracked me up! Thanks a lot for making me laugh!😁
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lol I think I startled everyone!
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