Early 50s. Hitchhiking back toward New York after spending some time cutting brush along the Pamunkey River in Virginia. Passed through Baltimore, down by the waterfront, because that's where my ride had let me out. Thought I might wash a few dishes in a waterfront diner to get a meal and a few bucks. Met a handful of young toughs who didn't like my general appearance and thought to change it some. Guess I looked like a stranger on their turf. Fortunately, a couple of stevedore stalwarts decided to take my side in the discussion. All ended well, but my memories of Baltimore could be more pleasant.

Sharon, CT, is where I live, not where I come from. I was conceived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and born in Jacksonville, FL, son of an itinerant government Coast and Geodetic Surveyor. In my youth I lived in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Washington (DC), New York, New Hampshire, Maine, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Washington (state), Hawaii, and Kansas. Met my wife in California, lived with her in England, Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, Vermont and, now, Connecticut. Sharon may not be Palookaville, but it ain't so bad. The Buckleys have left the premises since we arrived, so my urge to alter the image of the place has grown less intense of late.

Well, someone did ask, and that's about as brief as I can make it.

Sandy