Hilo Days: The Summer of ‘52

Every summer was an adventure—some fun, some not so fun—when I expanded my little world. I wrote about the summer of 1952 in my old website, Hilo Days (now defunct). I'm reposting it here for you s you can reminisce about your good ol' days ... and laugh at me.

My Super Tricycle

Santa was good to me that year [1951]. And good thing too, because during the summer vacation that followed, that rat Michael broke the news that there was no such person as Santa Claus.

I got this real neat tricycle that was big. I mean it was about three feet tall, and about four feet long with pedals and a chain-drive that made it a cross between a kiddie tricycle and a full-fledged two-wheeler.

I'd join the neighborhood kids pedaling up and down the street—up the hill and down again—always about 50 yards behind, sucking up their dust. Of course I got no respect from those with two-wheelers, but I was the envy of all the ones who had no wheels at all—Reggie, Michael, Laureen and Billy Boy.

One day I smashed into a junk pile at the bottom of our driveway and flushed out a big rat. The kids reacted in one of two ways. Half the kids screamed and ran away, and the other half joined me as I picked up rocks and started pelting the poor creature.

I was pretty brave until Michael informed me that all rats have this bug that carries a disease and if you get too close, it would jump on you (the bug would) and bite you until you die. I believed him.

He may have been stretching the truth a little bit, but I believed him. I don't know why. He was a couple of years younger than I was. In retrospect, he must have been talking about the plague.

There was one time I had a hard time believing him. We were sitting on the front steps of my house during the summer of 1952, when out of the clear blue sky he asked if I believed in Santa Claus. Of course, I said. Well, he said, there's no such person. Santa Claus is your daddy.

Talk about being crushed! I called him a fricking liar, and all the small-boy swear words I knew. The nerve of that little twerp telling me there's no such thing as Santa Claus. Boy! I never realized at the time what a wise kid Michael was. I never broached the subject with Mom and Dad; I guess I was afraid of what their answer would be.

I was beginning to grow up and I think I made giant strides in that direction during the summer of '52.

California Munching

Whenever we visited family in the East Bay Area, we made it a point to eat breakfast (and sometimes lunch) out when our grandson was in school and his parents were at work. I’m continuing that tradition. It’s a good one.

Here’s what I ordered on my most recent California vacation:

Bill’s Cafe, Fremont: Chorizo Omelet (Mexican chorizo, avocado, onions, cheddar cheese) with freshly made salsa, hash browns, and 12” flour tortilla

Classic ‘50s Diner, Fremont: Three-Egg Texas Chili and Cheddar Cheese Omelet with onions, potatoes and rye toast

Dina’s Family Restaurant, Fremont: Pork Chops and Eggs with hash browns and wheat toast

Wake Up America G-T, Newark: Salmon Benedict with fresh fruit and country potatoes

Mil’s Diner, Milpitas: Country Fried Steak and 3 Eggs Special, with country gravy, hash browns and toast

Dino’s Family Restaurant, Fremont: New York Steak and Eggs with country potatoes and toast

Jack’s Restaurant and Bar, Newark: Bananas Foster French Toast with Linguiça Sausage

Panera Bread, Fremont: Ham, Cheese and Roasted Tomato with Over-Easy Egg breakfast sandwich, and Seasonal Fruit Cup

The Country Way, Fremont: Hamburger Patty and Eggs with country potatoes and sourdough toast

Black Bear Diner, Fremont: Shasta Scramble (avocado, spinach, tomato, onion, bell pepper and jack cheese) with fresh fruit and a biscuit

Bill’s Cafe, Fremont: Mexicali Benedict (pulled pork carnitas, avocado, tomatoes and freshly made salsa) with country potatoes

Dino’s Family Restaurant, Fremont: Pancakes with fresh strawberries and a side of linguiça sausage

* * * * *

A few times, I had lunch out:

Local Cafe, Cupertino: Fish Ball Noodle Soup with Honey Lemon Iced Tea

Scoma’s, San Francisco: Fried Combo Platter (sea scallops, prawns, sole fish sticks). Condiments (l-r): ketchup, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, pickles

The Trident, Sausalito: The Trident Cioppino (salmon, crab legs, prawns, calamari, mussels, clams, vegetables, tomato broth) and Garlic Bread. Plus (below), "Breakfast Appetizer" ... Deviled Eggs with Bacon