vixmom I think one of the most touching things in the Kritzer books is the loss of freedom and innocence and sense of adventure children had back then. It seems children a locked so much inside and are forced to grow up so fast. In our fear of molesters, we stick our kids inside in front of televisions and game boys and computers that also steal their innocence and sense of play and imagination..and interaction with others. Or we micro-manage their activities with dance classes, art classes, structured play time, soccer, this sport, that activity...to where they never get any down time to just explore the world and their interests on their own...to be taken where their inclinations lead them...
In the summer we would always be out playing in the neighbourhood,walking to the drugstore, swinging on vines in the woods,or playing wiffle ball or badminton in someone's backyard. Or playing our records or going to the movies. I think one of the sounds I miss most his mothers shouting from back doors for kids to come home for supper or because it's getting dark.
I'm rhumba-ing to Brazil as tinkled on the ivories by Carmen Cavallero in the EDDIE DUCHIN STORY.
