Time Capsule 1988: Revisiting 1988: A Year of Iconic Moments in Pop Culture and Personal Stories

A Look Back at 1988: A Year of Change and Pop Culture

1988 was one of those years that seemed packed with significant moments and cultural highlights. Let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the standout details.

Cost of Living 

Median yearly income (all families): $32,191 

Minimum wage (per hour): $3.35 

College tuition: $6,725* (*Average annual cost of tuition, room and board at a four-year institution) 

Median cost of a new home: $112,500 

Postage stamp: $0.25 Gas (1 gallon): $0.90 

Gold (1 oz.): $437 Coffee (11.5 oz. can): $1.49 

Post Grape Nuts (24 oz. box): $1.99 

Coca-Cola (6 12-oz. cans): $1.79 

Movie ticket: $4.11

Politics & Population: Ronald Reagan was the U.S. president, with George H.W. Bush as the vice president. The U.S. population was around 244.5 million, while the world population was estimated at 5.1 billion.

Pop Culture Highlights: 1988 saw some notable cultural moments. 

• Wrigley Field in Chicago hosted its first night baseball game under the lights.
• At just 17, Debbie Gibson became the youngest artist to write, produce, and perform a No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Foolish Beat." 
• The League of Women Voters stopped supporting presidential debates, citing concerns about the debate format. 
• An Aboriginal man planted a flag on the cliffs of Dover, claiming England for the Aborigines. 
• In Rio de Janeiro, a popular monkey received over 400,000 votes in the mayoral election due to citizen dissatisfaction with politicians. 
• Sadly, "Pistol" Pete Maravich passed away from a heart attack at age 40 after a 10-year NBA career.

Notable New Products: Some cool new products that hit the market in 1988 included:

• Calvin Klein's Obsession for Men
• Lunchables
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figures

Major News Events: 

• January 26th saw the opening of "The Phantom of the Opera," the longest-running Broadway musical ever.
• On March 16th, former national security adviser John Poindexter and former National Security Council aide Oliver North were indicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government. 
• April 5th marked the hijacking of Kuwait Airways Flight 422 en route from Bangkok, Thailand, to Kuwait. 
• NASA scientist James Hansen testified to the U.S. Senate on June 23rd, stating that man-made global warming had begun. 
• The Iran-Iraq War ended on July 20th, with a million lives lost over nearly eight years. NASA resumed space shuttle flights with the space shuttle Discovery on September 29th, after grounding them post-Challenger disaster. 
• A wildfire in Montana expanded into Yellowstone National Park on September 30th, burning nearly 800,000 acres. 
• Finally, on November 2nd, the Morris worm, one of the first computer worms distributed via the internet, was launched from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The October 1988 to April 1989 TV season featured several top shows, including "The Cosby Show" (NBC), "Who's the Boss?" (ABC), "Roseanne" (ABC), "Murder, She Wrote" (CBS), "A Different World" (NBC), "Cheers" (NBC), "Empty Nest" (NBC), "60 Minutes" (CBS), "The Golden Girls" (NBC), and "Anything But Love" (ABC).

The 1989 Academy Awards honored films released in 1988. "Rain Man" won Best Picture, with Dustin Hoffman taking home Best Actor for his role in the film. Jodie Foster won Best Actress for her performance in "The Accused." Kevin Kline received Best Supporting Actor for "A Fish Called Wanda," and Geena Davis won Best Supporting Actress for "The Accidental Tourist." Barry Levinson was awarded Best Director for "Rain Man."

1988 saw the premieres of several iconic TV series. On January 19, "48 Hours" debuted on CBS. January 31 brought us "The Wonder Years" on ABC. February 7 marked the start of "America's Most Wanted" on FOX, which later moved to Lifetime. "In the Heat of the Night" premiered on NBC on March 6 before later transitioning to CBS. April 26 saw the debut of "China Beach" on ABC. In the fall, "Empty Nest" premiered on NBC on October 8, followed by "Roseanne" on ABC on October 18 and "Murphy Brown" on CBS on November 14.

Several beloved TV series also came to an end in 1988. "9 to 5" concluded on March 28 on ABC. "Magnum, P.I." and "Truth or Consequences" both aired their final episodes on May 1, with "Magnum, P.I." on CBS and "Truth or Consequences" in syndication. May 7 saw the end of "The Facts of Life" on NBC and "Spenser: For Hire" on ABC. "Max Headroom" wrapped up on May 12 on ABC, and "St. Elsewhere" concluded on May 25 on NBC.

Some of the most popular movies of 1988 included "Rain Man," "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," "Coming to America," "Big," and "Die Hard."

In the world of sports, 1988 saw the Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series, while the San Francisco 49ers claimed victory in Super Bowl XXIII (determined in January 1989). The Los Angeles Lakers were the NBA Champions, and Stefan Edberg and Steffi Graf won the Wimbledon singles titles. The Kansas Jayhawks were the NCAA Basketball Champions, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish took the NCAA Football Championship. Barry Sanders, running back for Oklahoma State, won the Heisman Trophy. Sandy Lyle won the PGA Masters Tournament, and Rick Mears took first place in the Indianapolis 500. Winning Colors was the Kentucky Derby Champion, and the Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup.

Some of the top Billboard hits of 1988 included:

• "Faith" by George Michael
• "Need You Tonight" by INXS
• "Got My Mind Set on You" by George Harrison
• "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley
• "Sweet Child o' Mine" by Guns N' Roses
• "So Emotional" by Whitney Houston
• "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" by Belinda Carlisle
• "Could've Been" by Tiffany
• "Hands to Heaven" by Breathe
• "Roll With It" by Steve Winwood
• "One More Try" by George Michael
• "Wishing Well" by Terence Trent D'Arby

In the world of books, 1988 brought us popular titles like "The Cardinal of the Kremlin" by Tom Clancy, "The Sands of Time" by Sidney Sheldon, "Zoya" by Danielle Steel, "Alaska" by James A. Michener, "The Queen of the Damned" by Anne Rice, and "One" by Richard Bach.

When it comes to toys, kids were all about the Barbie TV Game Show Set, Airless Hockey, Cricket Doll, Power Wheels Fire Truck, Gerry Giraffe Rocker, Transformers Optimus Prime, Playskool Kitchen, and the Tastybake Oven.

Popular vehicles in 1988 included the Ford F-Series pickup, Honda Accord, Ford Mustang 5.0, Chevy C-K Series pickup, Ford Escort, and Chevy Corsica.

1988 was also a year marked by the loss of many notable individuals. We said goodbye to:

• Basketball legend Pete Maravich (born June 22, 1947) on January 5
• Pappy Boyington (born January 4, 1912) on January 11
• Child actress Heather O'Rourke (born December 27, 1975) on February 1
• Richard Feynman (born May 11, 1918) passed away on February 15
• Performer Divine (born October 19, 1945) on March 7
• Musician Andy Gibb (born March 5, 1958) died on March 10
• Author Robert A. Heinlein (born July 7, 1907) passed on May 8
• Jazz musician Chet Baker (born December 23, 1929) died on May 13
• Author Louis L'Amour (born March 22, 1908) passed away on June 10
• Writer Raymond Carver (born May 25, 1938) died on August 2
• Actor Ralph Meeker (born November 21, 1920) on August 5
• Cartoonist Charles Addams (born January 7, 1912) passed on September 29
• Actor John Houseman (born September 22, 1902) on October 31
• Finally, we lost music legend Roy Orbison (born April 23, 1936) on December 6

In terms of what's on the newsstands: 

• TIME Magazine's July 4, 1988 issue focused on the Midwest suffering through its worst drought in 50 years, raising concerns about global warming. 
• People Magazine's September 12, 1988 issue crowned John F. Kennedy Jr. as the Sexiest Man Alive. 
• Vanity Fair Magazine's June 1988 issue highlighted the success of the TV series "Moonlighting" and Cybill Shepherd's return to the movies.
• MAD Magazine's March 1988 issue featured a Michael Jackson parody titled "Bad."

1988 was also the birth year for several notable individuals:

• Skrillex (January 15)
• Charlie Barnett (February 4)
• Clayton Kershaw (March 19)
• Colton Haynes (July 13)
• Zosia Mamet (February 2) 
• Stephen Curry (March 14) 
• Alicia Sixtos (May 27)
• Julianne Hough (July 20)
• Rumer Willis (August 16)
• Jeremy Lin (August 23)
• Alexa PenaVega (August 27)
• Katrina Bowden (September 19)
• Kevin Durant (September 29)
• Glen Powell (October 21)
• Emma Stone (November 6)
• Zoë Kravitz (December 1)
• Vanessa Hudgens (December 14)

A Look Back at 1988: A Personal Reflection of 1988 (This will get dark)

As I looked over many of the facts from this time capsule, it jogged my memory of a lot of personal things going on within that year. So I thought I might expand that time capsule and throw my memories and a little bit of my personal story of the year into the universe just because.

1988 was one of those years when so much happened in my already short life. My sister was a senior in high school, and I was a 7th grader at Pace Middle School. I encountered my first bully situation due to my status as an LGBT person, although I hadn’t a clue at the time that I was different from the other kids. From that bullying experience, I met my friend TK, who helped me work through some of the frustration. I struggled to play the clarinet in second year band—an instrument I hadn't chosen myself, but rather what the band director, Mr. Riggs, convinced my parents I should play.

1988 was also the year that I fell in love with the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling and professional wrestling. Though I loved listening to all of the Madonna tapes released up until that point, I was also hooked on albums like Whitney Houston's "Whitney," George Michael's "Faith," and every song by Debbie Gibson that played on the radio. My weekends often involved visits to the Skateland Skating Rink in Milton, Florida, where my dad would take me. Roller skating to tunes by Trinere, Debbie Deb, and Exposé became a mental release for me.

I experienced a significant shift in my life when the person who had been causing me harm, who lived just a few doors down, began to leave me alone. This change brought a sense of relief, though it also left me with lingering concerns about what might have happened next. It was a secret I carried with me until my 40s, when I finally felt ready to share my story.

That same year, I transitioned from Webelos to Boy Scouts, hoping for a fresh start. Unfortunately, the following year at Boy Scout camp, I faced another traumatic experience. Despite these challenges, I kept these painful memories to myself for many years, only finding the strength to open up about them later in life.

1988 was also the year that I came home from school one day to find my English Springer Spaniel, Pickles, gone. I was told that she was too aggressive towards the neighbor kid, Will McKenzie, who kept putting his hands through the fence. That wasn't her nature at all; Will was just taunting her. No matter how much I tried to convince my parents that I had seen Will tease Pickles countless times, sometimes even getting their collie and Pickles to fight for food through the fence, they wouldn't change their minds. Pickles had been given to me in the first grade after my dad had used his rifle to put my beagle, Chip, to rest due to an unfortunate rattlesnake bite in our yard. I was heartbroken. Just before Christmas, my dad took mercy upon me and let me pick out a puppy from a litter being sold at Bonnie’s Pet Grooming in Pace, Florida. I chose a black and white Cocker Spaniel with the same sort of markings as Pickles. I named her Peaches.

My review of Elphie: A Wicked Childhood" by Gregory Maguire

Gregory Maguire is back at it again with "Elphie: A Wicked Childhood," a prequel to his amazing "Wicked" series. Set to be released on March 25, 2025, this book dives into the early days of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West.

As someone who orders books for my store, I was lucky enough to get early access to "Elphie," courtesy of HarperCollins. And let me tell you, it's a fantastic read!

"Elphie" gives us a peek into the childhood of Elphaba, who is just as intriguing as you'd imagine. Growing up with a wild mix of a free-spirited mom and a super strict dad, she faces all sorts of family drama. Plus, her green skin makes her stand out, but it's her cleverness and strong will that really make her shine.

Maguire does an awesome job of blending themes like love, loss, and the search for who you really are. Elphaba's interactions with the Animals (the talking creatures of Oz) and her rocky relationships with her siblings, Nessarose and Shell, add layers to her character that you might not have expected.

Even though "Elphie" might tug at your heartstrings, it's definitely a must-read for any "Wicked" fan. The backstory it provides really helps you understand why Elphaba becomes the way she is. You'll see the events that shape her into the iconic Wicked Witch.

To sum it up, "Elphie: A Wicked Childhood" is a fantastic addition to the "Wicked" world. It sheds light on the early experiences that made Elphaba such a captivating character. Fans of Maguire's work are in for a treat with this prequel. It's both enlightening and emotionally engaging.

Flora-Bama Polar Bear Dip: A 12-Year-Old's Bar & Beach Winter Adventure

The year I was in the 7th grade, Mama and Daddy became friends with a lady they worked with at Hackbarth Delivery Service named Angie. Angie was a very sweet lady of Mexican heritage who loved painting ceramic figures, a hobby my mom picked up from her. Mama loved any sort of crafts; she had learned tole painting from my classmate Kerry Ferrell's mom, Judy, years before and passed on her knowledge of tole painting to Angie.

My dad and Angie were better friends than what we all thought, but that's a story covered in my second book, if it gets published and no doubt future blog entries.

Angie was married to a biker type named Butch who was super nice. Though his name didn't really fit his stature—short and skinny but definitely rough—Butch was a cool man. He gave me my first hit of weed, and I knew even at the age of 12 that it was not for me. The smell of it reminded me of the time that I got skunked, and I just couldn't get past the odor. Every other weekend, I would stay with Angie and Butch at their house in Pensacola, riding their dirt bike and my go-cart in the area behind their house. Butch and Angie also had motorcyles, which were always fun to take a ride on.

My parents had plans for New Year's Eve and didn't want me to be alone, so they decided to send me to Angie and Butch's house on an odd weekend.

Butch had a son a few years younger than me named Chris and a daughter a few years older than me named Francine, both of whom he didn't have custody of. They would stay with him every other weekend. This was one such weekend, and I slept on the couch rather than in the room Francine stayed in during her visits.

They had all been talking about the Polar Bear Dip and how much fun it would be. I honestly didn't know what it meant, but I was all in. They made sure to tell me I needed to bring swimwear. Cool, I guess. It had been raining a little throughout the day, the high was in the 60s, but when we arrived at the bar, Flora-Bama, it was in the lower 50s.

We went inside. It wasn't the first time I had been in a bar, but it was the first time I was in a bar with other kids. Francine instructed Chris and me to secretly (not letting adults know what we were doing) look for random cups that were left around the bar that were still over half full, as well as beer cans. We found a good bit of them. Francine took it upon herself to drink from the cups with colored beverages. I chose to drink from one of the beer cans because it felt like it was barely touched. Chris' can of beer not only contained a good bit of leftover beer, but someone had obviously used it as an ashtray because his second drink from the can brought out a cigarette butt. He promptly spit it out, and I put my can down and found Angie and asked her if she could get me a Coca-Cola.

When the sparse crowd began to head out of the bar and down to the beach, we followed. Just as everyone was doing, I took my shoes, socks, and shirt off and headed into the water. It was pretty cold, but it was brown and just as dark and cloudy as the sky. I thought we were all going for a swim and that we would get used to it, but once we were all in, everyone turned around and got out. I thought there might have been a shark or something, so I followed. I was confused.

Once I got out, the cold air hit my saltwater-soaked body, and I was ready for a towel down and proper clothes. I got my shirt, socks, and shoes back on but could feel sand in my socks—a feeling I still hate. I thought we were all going to go back into the bar, but Angie and Butch headed to their truck, so Francine, Chris, and I followed them. They turned the truck heater up as far as it would go, and we were on the way to Pace, where they dropped me off before going back to Pensacola. Though it was a Thursday and I love spending weekends with Butch and Angie, I didn't car much for Chris and I didn't like sharing Angie's attention with anyone else and Francine was not really that nice to me.

I was really confused about the point of getting into the water, but apparently, I had just taken part in an annual event known as the Flora-Bama Polar Bear Dip. Did I have fun? Nope. If I were more informed, would I have done it? Nope. Would I do it again? Nope.

As an adult, I look back on that experience with a mix of amusement and bewilderment. The idea of willingly plunging into icy waters, though not exactly icy, on a cold day just doesn't appeal to me anymore. The thrill of the Polar Bear Dip is something I can appreciate from afar, but it's not an adventure I need to repeat. Some memories are best left in the past, and for me, the Flora-Bama Polar Bear Dip is one of them.

I often wonder what became of Angie and Butch after their divorce, as well as Chris and Francine. I have a vision that Francine may still be a party girl over 30 years later, and I hope they are all doing well. As I stated, I may share stories about my time with Angie before she was told that she was no longer welcome in my family's lives not too long after this day. While she was no longer welcome, she and I had some great times together.

A New Year's Eve to Remember: My New Years Kiss with a Real Boyfriend

"AI Alex" stepping into the chilly Gulf water

The following story is from the first draft of one of the books I am writing about some of my life experiences. Since it’s New Year’s Eve, I thought I would share the story of my first New Year’s Eve spent with an actual boyfriend. But before we dive into that night, I need to give you a bit of backstory.

When TK and I met in the 6th grade, we quickly became friends who hooked up more than just occasionally, but we never became boyfriends. We had an agreement that if either of us hooked up with someone else, we wouldn’t tell each other. We always played the part of the inexperienced one with new partners. However, I was searching for something more meaningful.

During my 10th grade year, I met Alex. My relationship with Alex was definitely interesting, especially with my mom being completely overbearing and overprotective. Now, let me take you through that memorable New Year’s Eve night with Alex.

Towards the end of December, Mama decided to go to Kissimmee with a friend, leaving me under the supervision of my dad. Although my sister, Becki, wasn't living with us at the time, she would still come by occasionally. Becki was very close to my dad and would visit frequently just to see him. Daddy wasn't as overbearing and didn't mind when I would come and go, as long as I wasn't hanging out with Jon Lawrence anymore and I let him know where I was going and how long I would be there.

I had informed Alex that my mom was going out of town a week before she left. On the day Mama departed for Kissimmee, Alex called me and asked if there was any way I could get away for New Year's Eve. I had no idea how I would make it happen, but I said yes and began figuring out a plan.

Alex was a great guy. I was 15, and he was 21 or 22, so the age difference didn't seem too significant to me. Besides my friends Costa and TK, I had an affinity for older guys. But to my mom, Alex might as well have been 50. She thought he was straight from the devil, out to corrupt me. Little did Mama know, a neighbor—a 40-year-old man she was friends with, and the father of a girl in my grade—had already contributed to the delinquency of her son from the ages of 9 to 12 years old.

When New Year's Eve morning arrived, I lied to Daddy and told him I was going to spend the night with my friend TK, and he was okay with that. I actually had Alex pick me up a few houses down from my place, just in case Daddy was looking out the window, which he did frequently due to being super nosey. Alex and I drove over to Fort Walton Beach from Pace and checked in at the Red Roof Inn.

Alex made sure he grabbed everything we would need: drinks, snacks, and some provisions from the adult section at Spencer's. It sounds funny now, but aside from pharmacies where you could get basic stuff like KY Jelly, Spencer's was basically the only place in Pensacola that sold lube and toys for adult activities at the time.

Alex had a friend who invited us to a party where there were no adult beverages or substances, which I really wasn't interested in at the time because I was there to enjoy my time with Alex. I wanted to be lucid and not waste our time together or forget it. We had a great time at the party, though in my mind, I just wanted to be alone with Alex.

When Alex and I left the party, we stopped off at a park by the beach and went down to hang out by the water. I love going to the beach at night; something about it has a completely different feel than the daytime, plus it seemed romantic. The outside temperature was around 46 degrees, but with the wind and the fact we were next to the water, it felt even colder. Alex actually took his shoes and socks off. I wasn't complaining because, hey, he's already stripping down for me. I think he thought it would be fun to get his feet wet, but when he stepped into the water, he quickly stepped out, drying off his feet as best he could with his sweater sleeve before putting his socks and shoes back on. While the water was most likely around 60 degrees, which is normal for the Gulf of Mexico in December, the 40-degree air probably made it seem way colder.

While I'd like to say we made out by the beach, it was far too cold for that, and I'm sure Alex's cold and sandy feet didn't help matters. We just kissed a few times on the beach before heading back to the hotel. At the hotel, we stayed up most of the night enjoying each other's company, watching basic cable and cracking up at the "flavors" of the three lubes he had bought at Spencer's, with Strawberry being my favorite. The night was incredible, and I told him I wished we had one more night to hang out. By the time the sun came up, it was over. He had to get back to work the day after New Year's Day, and I was pretty sure my dad would get suspicious if I stayed out one more night.

When I returned home, my dad already knew I wasn't where I was supposed to be. I knew I should have called TK to tell him to cover for me, but I didn't want him to know I was out with someone else, as per our agreement on not telling each other about our hookups. TK had called to wish me a Happy New Year, which tipped my dad off to the fact that I wasn't at his house. In fact, no one knew where I was, which probably upset him. But something about my dad was that he knew which battles to fight with my mom over, and I was not one of them.

Daddy told me to be honest about where I was, and I don't know why, but I told him I was with Alex and that Alex was not the person Mama thought he was. He told me he wouldn't tell my mom, but unfortunately, somehow my sister knew. My dad probably called her to ask if she had seen me, and when my mom returned, I was already ratted out.

My relationship with Alex ended a few weeks later, not because we weren't getting along—it was quite the opposite. My mom didn't want us to be involved with each other. She met Alex over coffee and threatened him, which I didn't find out about until many years later. As much as it hurt, I see the end of our relationship as a blessing in disguise because had it not ended, I probably would have never left home and never made my way to New York and experienced all the things I did from May 1992 to March 1993.

Flash forward to December 31, 2024, and Alex and I are still friends and still appreciate the great memories of our brief time together. While this wasn't the first time I enjoyed a New Year's kiss with someone, it was the first time I enjoyed one with a real boyfriend rather than TK, my friend who was just a boy.

Potato Cheese & Corn Chowder: A Winter Comfort Food

Now that winter is in full swing, I thought I'd share my favorite winter comfort food recipe just in time for all those winter storms we may or may not get. No matter what, it's an amazingly easy and delicious recipe.

I toyed around with the recipe in the old Better Homes and Gardens recipe book and found ways to improve upon it, developing my own version of chowder. My version is pretty much foolproof. In the BH&G recipe, the milk is one of the first ingredients added, and unfortunately, 99% of the time, I burned or scalded the milk, which ruined the entire batch. My version saves that step until it's safe to go into the mix.

Ingredients:
7 medium potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
32 oz chicken broth
1 cup milk
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
1 16 oz can whole kernel corn
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

• Boil the potatoes until tender. Drain.
• Reserve 1 cup of potatoes and return the remaining to the saucepan. Mash the reserved potatoes, then return them to the saucepan.
• Stir in the broth, garlic, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk the milk and flour together until smooth, then add to the saucepan, stirring constantly.
• Stir until the mixture thickens, then add the cheese and corn. Stir until the cheese melts.

Bacon and chopped scallions make great additions as garnish.

This is comfort food, not for a calorie-counting day for sure. Enjoy!

Childhood Game Nights With A Built In Babysitter...my sister

My sister and I were very close when we were young. Despite the six-year age gap between us, I was a quick learner and could play games meant for older kids even at the age of three. This often meant that my nine-year-old sister could make up her own rules to ensure she wasn't bested by a toddler. When she was old enough to stay home alone, she became my built-in babysitter. What better way to entertain a child for hours than to play games?

At that time, the Atari 2600 was hugely popular, but we didn’t get our first one until many years later, just before they were discontinued to make way for the 5200 and 7800. Our family didn’t have a lot of money, so my mom discovered the joys of yard sale shopping. This was before thrift stores became as common as they are today, at least the ones people would actually shop at.

Yard sales, flea markets, junk markets, and trading posts were regular occurrences and treasure troves for a struggling family. New toys and games were reserved for Christmas or birthdays. Why spend $8 or $9 on a new game when you could buy the same game for $1? Aside from the tattered box, the contents were usually as good as new. These inexpensive investments became our go-to activities when we were bored, stuck inside on rainy days, or had no money for outings.

The family games, which excluded me due to my age, were Monopoly and Scrabble. Monopoly, intended for ages 8 and up, is a classic board game where players buy, trade, and develop properties to bankrupt their opponents. Scrabble, also for ages 8 and up, involves creating words on a game board using letter tiles to score points. I wasn’t interested in these games because their boards lacked the bright colors of the games my sister and I played together.

When my parents began to go out more, usually to places like the dog track or local restaurants, my sister and I would pull out the board games from the closet. These were the perfect times for her to rule supreme and beat me at games I only half-understood. We would sit in our small dining room with nicotine-stained yellow curtains that my mom made, at our round Formica table, on black iron straight-back chairs with pleather-covered cushions, playing my sister’s interpretation of the rules.
WABB blared from her top-of-the-line (sarcasm) Soundesign stereo system from K-Mart, located in her bedroom two rooms and a corner away. Our snack layout usually consisted of the cheaper version of Doritos, cheese-flavored Tostidos, along with French onion dip. Our beverages were generic sodas, not store brands but white-labeled products simply labeled COLA, GRAPE, DIET, or ROOT BEER in big, bold letters. GRAPE would fizz in three different colors as you poured it, but the liquid was always purple.

In my adult life, I've often talked to people about the games we played as children. Two games that frequently come up are Candyland and Chutes & Ladders, which my mom either never found or didn’t think we needed. Candyland, designed for ages 3 and up, is a simple race-to-the-finish game with brightly colored paths. Chutes & Ladders, for ages 4 and up, is a game of ups and downs, where players climb ladders and slide down chutes.

However, I became a fierce competitor at Yahtzee, intended for ages 8 and up. The Yahtzee cup was too loud for my liking, and my sister would shake it vigorously, knowing I hated the sound. Despite that, I loved the game. Our box was old and faded, with a bit of discolored hot glue stuck to it, which my sister convinced me was dried pee from when I was really little. I was gullible enough to believe her.

We also played:
Payday: For ages 8 and up, this game simulates a month of financial transactions.
The Game of Life: Also for ages 8 and up, this game involves navigating through life’s milestones.
Connect Four: Intended for ages 6 and up, this is a strategy game of aligning four checkers in a row.
Operation: For ages 6 and up, this game involves removing "ailments" from a patient without touching the edges.

Cousins' Games
My cousins had the Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud board games, which seemed more fun than the ones we had. Perhaps it was because they were TV games, giving me the impression of interacting with actual game shows, or maybe it was just a case of the grass being greener on the other side. They also had Simon and Perfection, but they wouldn't play those with me because I would get so anxious that I would have to pee, I actually had an unfortunate and unforgettable accident while playing Perfection.

Now that I’m almost 50, I wonder how many of those original games still exist in my sister's house from when we were kids. What do you say, Becki? Wanna challenge me now that I know the rules to all those games? 😉

Hooray for Hollywood!: The True Story of the Original GLOW Girl - A Memoir

Nashville, TN – Dec 27, 2024 – Step into the ring of 1980s professional wrestling with Hooray for Hollywood!, the captivating memoir of Jeanne "Hollywood" Basone, the first hired and original GLOW girl. This inspiring tale not only chronicles her life in wrestling but also unveils the behind-the-scenes scoop and the groundbreaking impact the internationally syndicated 80s hit TV series Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling had on women in sports entertainment.

In her memoir, Jeanne reflects on her childhood dreams and the aspirations that led her to audition for GLOW’s creator, David McLane, in 1985. This pivotal moment catapulted her into a cultural phenomenon, where she and her fellow GLOW girls broke barriers and shattered the glass ceiling for an entire generation of female wrestlers. With GLOW airing in over 100 major markets across the U.S. and broadcast internationally, Jeanne’s journey became a beacon of empowerment for women in the wrestling industry.

Featuring insights from fans, GLOW girls, rock ‘n’ roll rollers, award-winning producers, directors, and photographers, Hooray for Hollywood! offers a rich tapestry of experiences that celebrate the evolution of women’s roles in professional wrestling and sports entertainment.

Jeanne has been a media darling, gracing the pages of esteemed publications such as The Hollywood Reporter, New York Post, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, and People magazine. She has also been featured in influential books on wrestling history, such as Sisterhood of the Squared Circle, and was named a “Lethal Woman” in her Playboy pictorial. Her journey has taken her around the globe for appearances, inspiring countless individuals with her story.

Join Jeanne in this incredible journey and discover how one woman’s story can ignite the spark of inspiration in us all.

"Fans of the squared circle, sensational behind-the-scenes storytelling, and all things pop culture will not want to miss one of the best memoirs ever written by a once-in-a-generation talent."
– A.J. Devlin, Screenwriter, author of award-winning “Hammerhead” Jed pro wrestler PI mystery novels.

"Hooray For Hollywood! will be enjoyed by book lovers, women’s wrestling fans, wrestlers, and industry professionals."
– Bob Harris, Writer and women’s professional wrestling archivist.

Hooray for Hollywood! will be available in bookstores in 2025 and online at Amazon and directly from Etsy store: glowhollywoodmerch.etsy.com.

For more information, to schedule an interview, or to request a review copy, contact: Jeanne Basone - jeannebasone@gmail.com jeannebasone.com

Saturday GLOWcase: James Paul Maher: A Devoted GLOW Fan from New Jersey

 

Welcome to the Saturday GLOWcase! In addition to featuring the wrestlers, cast, and crew of GLOW, I also highlighting the original fans of the show. Without the dedicated viewers, GLOW wouldn’t have thrived for the four amazing seasons that it did. Today, I am celebrating one of those loyal fans who made GLOW the iconic show it is.

James Paul Maher, circa late 1980's

James Paul Maher found GLOW purely by accident. One Saturday at noon, while flipping through channels, he stumbled upon WPIX Channel 11 airing Season 3, Episode 5, where Vicky Victory faced MTV. From that moment, James was hooked and watched every episode he could find. Although he caught Season 3 twice, the show was eventually dropped from his local station, so he never knew Season 4 existed. Hollywood, Sally, and Thunderbolt quickly became his favorite wrestlers, each leaving a lasting impression on him.

James always wished he could’ve gone to Las Vegas to see GLOW live. The closest he got was calling the GLOW 900 number, which cost him $20—a charge that initially got his dad in trouble until his mom called the number herself and found out the truth. Even though he wasn’t allowed to record GLOW on VHS, James got creative and recorded the raps from the TV using his radio, despite his dog barking in the background. His dad eventually helped him set up a better recording method without the noise.

AI James preparing to record the GLOW raps

James’s dedication didn’t stop there. In 1998 or 1999, he bought his first GLOW DVD from eBay, but without a DVD player, he watched it on his computer. He joined the original GLOW message board run by Ursula, where he chatted with other fans and even Hollywood, who sold him some personal videos. Hollywood was always very sweet to him, as was Tiffany Mellon, who sent him an autograph photo.

Through the message board, James also connected with PJ DiGiacomo from Somerville, New Jersey, and bought all four seasons of GLOW from him. PJ likely got his footage from Manzerman, who sold wrestling tapes online. James spent around $400 on his GLOW collection and kept adding missing episodes thanks to Ursula’s releases and his own hunts on YouTube for better quality footage. He transferred all the VHS tapes to DVDs, making a mostly complete collection with only a few missing skits, ending credits, and one televised match from Episode 91 of Season 4 (Roxy vs. Daisy rematch), which he has yet to find.

Hollywood and James

GLOW was a bright spot in James’s life when he felt like an outcast without many friends. It was a show where he could escape and forget his troubles for an hour. GLOW became an important outlet for him, especially since he wasn’t very close to his parents. He never imagined he’d meet his favorite GLOW girl, Hollywood, who has been incredibly sweet to him. Hollywood has visited him in Florida, picked him up in Tennessee for lunch, and done so much for him. In fact, today she picked him up for lunch while he was visiting Tennessee with our mutual friend and fellow GLOW fan, Rick Howard Jr., a few weeks ago. Hollywood’s kindness and generosity have shown James the beautiful person she is inside and out, and he couldn’t have asked for a better friend in his life.

James representing Hollywood with his GLOW belt

Over the years, James has also met several other GLOW girls, including Beastie and Lightning. He and I have been online friends for many years, and we finally met in person this past March on a GLOW cruise with Hollywood and Lightning from Miami to the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, Tortola, and the Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. We became even better friends and made many great memories on our trip, with hopes for many more in the future.

James as his CHARMING-GLOW alter-ego Malachy MacCharm

James’s story shows the lengths fans would go to engage with GLOW, despite the challenges. His dedication and creativity in capturing GLOW's essence highlight its enduring appeal. James’s journey from discovering GLOW by accident to becoming a devoted fan showcases the show's lasting impact and legacy.

A Disapppointing Christmas Surprise: The Casio PT-80 in Third Grade I wanted a real piano instead

As a kid, I loved visiting my Aunt Joan for many reasons, but one of the highlights was her Baldwin Fun Machine, which we all affectionately referred to as an organ. It was so much fun to play. The neighbors a few doors down from us, the Richardsons, had a piano that I loved to bang away on whenever I was over at their house. The mom, Karen, who played the organ at our church, promised one day that she would teach me how to play properly. From the age of 5, an organ or piano was always at the top of my wishlist to Santa.

When I was in the 1st grade, my mama told me that if I wanted a piano, I needed to commit to lessons before I could get one. I promised that I would and said Miss Karen would be the perfect teacher—and she might very well have been. However, I didn't get a piano or organ in the 1st grade. During my 2nd grade year, Mama said Santa was looking for a piano for me, and I believed her. But instead, I ended up with a new Huffy bike, just like my sister did.

We moved to Florida, and our house was slightly smaller, so we didn't have room for an organ or piano. But I still managed to keep them both on my wishlists. That year, I hoped once again for a piano-like gift from Santa. When Christmas morning came, I found a Casio PT-80 keyboard with a ROM-pack that had four pre-programmed MIDI-like songs under the Christmas tree. I was excited at first, until I tried to play it, or at least a few weeks later when the novelty wore off.

The Casio PT-80, while a thoughtful gift, didn't quite match my dreams. Its compact size and limited capabilities left me wanting more. The keys were perfectly sized for my fingers, but the keyboard was designed to be monophonic, meaning it could only play one note at a time. I couldn't create the rich, layered music I longed for. The pre-programmed songs were fun for a while, but they quickly became repetitive and dull, even after mama bought me a few more ROM-packs at Panhandle Music in Pensacola.

Though I tried to make the best of it, my disappointment was hard to hide. The Casio PT-80 was no match for the Baldwin Fun Machine or the Richardsons' piano. I yearned for a full-sized keyboard or piano, something that would allow me to truly explore my musical potential. My parents promised that one day I would get a full-sized instrument, but deep down, I knew it was unlikely.

Despite my initial disappointment, the Casio PT-80 played a significant role in my musical journey. It was my first real introduction to making music, and it sparked a lifelong passion for musical instruments. Every time I hear the electronic chirp of an old-school keyboard, I'm transported back to that Christmas morning in the 3rd grade, unwrapping my Casio PT-80 with a mix of excitement and longing.

So while my journey to a full-sized piano or organ took a few detours, the Casio PT-80 was an important stop along the way. It taught me the joy of music and the importance of improvisation, not just in melodies, but in life as well.

As the holidays roll around each year, I can't help but remember those childhood wishes. If you're ever thinking of the perfect gift, musical instruments, and gear hold a special place in my heart, especially an upright piano or perhaps a Baldwin Fun Machine in decent condition. Sometimes, the simplest sounds can spark the most profound joy.

An Unconventional Christmas Dinner at Chopsticks China Bistro

I hope you guys had a very Merry Christmas. This year, Terry and I decided to forgo our usual Christmas dinner traditions. I'm so used to cooking a turkey, dressing, and all the other fixings, but with our current medical issues and work schedules being a little out of sync, we needed a change of pace—something a little more relaxed and stress-free. So, after I got off work, I headed home to change, and we made our way to Chopsticks China Bistro in Peachtree City.

Chopsticks China Bistro has always been our go-to spot for a good meal, but we had never thought of it as a place to celebrate Christmas. As we walked through the doors, the familiar aromas of savory dishes greeted us, and a sense of calm washed over us. The restaurant was tastefully decorated for the holidays, with twinkling lights and festive decorations that added a touch of Christmas cheer.
We were quickly seated at a booth, and the warm, inviting ambiance made us feel right at home. The menu was filled with delicious options, and we decided to start with some classic appetizers: crab rangoons and egg rolls and crispy calamari. As we enjoyed our starters, we reminisced about past Christmas dinners and how different this year felt.

For the main course, Terry ordered the Curry Chicken with fried rice, a dish he could never resist, while I opted for the General Tso's Chicken, one of my all-time favorites since my sister first introduced me to it in my teens. The food arrived promptly, and the flavors were nothing short of amazing. The tender General Tso's Chicken was a symphony of flavors—crispy, sweet, and just the right amount of spicy. Terry's Curry Chicken, paired with the perfect blend of savory spices, made me momentarily forget all about the traditional Christmas turkey and ham. Though I'm sure I will miss the week of leftovers and everything I make with them, like turkey salad and soup.

As we savored our meal, we couldn't help but feel grateful for this small, yet meaningful, change in our holiday tradition. It reminded us that Christmas isn't just about the big, elaborate dinners or the perfectly decorated trees—though we have one hell of a decorated tree at home. It's about being together and finding joy in the little moments, even if that means enjoying a delicious Chinese feast.
We finished our dinner with a couple of fortune cookies, which seemed fitting for our unconventional Christmas celebration. The fortunes inside were simple yet poignant, reminding us to cherish every moment and look forward to the future with hope and positivity.

This year, our Christmas may have been different, but it was perfect in its own way. And who knows—though I do love my traditional turkey dinner—maybe this will become our new alternate holiday tradition. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best memories are made when you least expect them.

A Christmas Memory: The Gumdrop Tree and Family Traditions

Merry Christmas!!! Christmas Day has arrived and over the course of this month, and part of last month, I have shared so many Christmas memories of my past—some from the books I am currently writing and others just related to the holiday. I will continue to share a few more Christmas memories until the end of the Christmas season, January 6 though maybe not as frequently. 

Christmas seems to have come so fast this year, at least for me. Today, a random memory from when I was very little came to mind. It’s from a time when some traumatic events happened in my life, so the details are a bit spotty and pieced together.

There was a period when my parents split up briefly when I was between two and four years old. My mom packed up and flew with my sister and me to stay with my grandmother for what was meant to be a vacation but with the intent to stay in Texas. However, that story is for another time. This story, which happened before I began kindergarten, is a significant memory for me. I'm not sure how long we were living in certain places because, in a short time, we lived in a few houses. We lived in a rented house off Cody Road, where I have a strange memory of possibly getting abducted by something like aliens sneaking in through a hole in the wall behind my chest of drawers. I might share that story in a future blog. We also lived at my granny's house on East Drive in Mobile, Alabama, my grandmother's trailer in Rockport, Texas, our little yellow rented house on Easter Lane, as well as the house we rented from the parents of my sister's friend Laura Moon, just two doors down from the yellow house.

After my parents got back together, we all ended up in the little yellow rented house on Easter Lane. This was shortly after we experienced Hurricane Frederick while staying with my granny until my dad found the yellow house. When we moved in, Daddy did everything he could to try and make amends to my mom, except buying her a replacement wedding band for the one she had lost many years back. When the Christmas season came along, Daddy took us all out to a few places to look for Christmas trees, something that became a tradition. Back in the 70s, places like department stores and hardware stores didn't carry real trees like they do now, and you basically only had three choices: an artificial tree from a department store, a Christmas tree farm, or stands that were usually set up in random parking lots or a vacant area next to a gas station. I know it sounds weird, but this was definitely a thing. Since I moved to Atlanta almost 30 years ago, the only business I recollect that still sets up like this each year is called Big John's.

This particular year, Daddy was going out of his way to make us all happy and wanted this Christmas to be special for us all. We didn’t go to a tree farm but to one of the aforementioned places that had trees set up in a parking lot, or next to one. I don’t remember how the decision was made, but I remember being able to pick out a tree, which I thought would be the one in the living room, but my dad had already picked one out. We all got back into Daddy's pickup truck and headed home, making a stop at TG&Y to buy some Christmas lights and some more decorations. When we got home, Daddy pulled two Christmas trees from the bed of his truck—one taller than the other. The taller tree went into a tree stand, and the other was not cut at the bottom. It was in a planter, complete with its roots—it was a live tree.

The cut tree was placed in our living room, where Mama and Daddy strung the lights and put the star on top before we decorated it. The second tree was placed in my bedroom next to my bed and strung up with a set of our older Christmas lights, the colors a little faded and slightly pastel but pretty all the same. Daddy let Mama decide on how to decorate this one with me. Mama asked what I wanted to decorate my tree with, and I said “candy,” not realizing there really weren’t candy decorations at the time. Nowadays, you can buy decorations molded from candy and ones that look like candy packages. Mama worked her magic, jumped into her yellow Pontiac car, and came home with bags of spice and gum drop candy. Mama was always a creative lady and very much loved making something ordinary into something extraordinary. She also bought silver decoration hangers and took me to my room to begin decorating the tree. Mama showed me all I needed to do was bend the bottom of the hanger slightly and push the bottom of the spice and gum drops onto the wire, then hang each one on the branches. This was really fun because, as tedious as the work was, the fact that we could eat our decorations as we went along made it go quicker. Once we were done, Mama asked if it was missing anything, and I told her a star. We didn’t have the money for a new star, and our actual star was on top of our living room tree, so Mama went into her bedroom and came out with something that resembled a baby doll but with wings and a cord coming from behind—it was an angel. This wasn’t just any angel; it was one from when Mama was a little girl. She got a chair, carefully put the angel on top of my tree, and plugged it into the end of the string of colored lights. While it looked pretty old and dated, I thought it was beautiful. When Mama asked if there was anything else we could add to the tree to make it even better, I said popcorn. We were country people, and I remember seeing popcorn strung on other trees, so it seemed like it might have been a good addition. Unfortunately, Mama said we didn’t have any popcorn because we didn’t have a popcorn popper. Keep in mind, these were the days before microwave popcorn was made. Most people, including us, didn’t have a microwave in our homes. I don’t think my family even knew what one was.

Throughout the Christmas season, I spent more time in my room, laying in bed and looking at the Christmas lights in the darkened room, insisting they stay on all night in place of my nightlight. I also wanted to make sure Santa knew there was a tree in my room. When Mama wrote my letter to Santa, I told her to make sure he came into my room to see it. I was so proud of that tree, and to this day, I still have visions of it. After Christmas, my Daddy dragged our living room Christmas tree to the back of our yard where there was a wooded area, but my Christmas tree was put on our front porch and watered each day until the ground was warm enough to dig a hole. My daddy planted my tree in the corner of my mama’s vegetable garden. Every time we went out there to pick cucumbers, cantaloupe, or something else during the summer, I would remind Mama of our gumdrop tree.

Regarding the popcorn idea, even though we couldn’t put it on the tree, Mama mentioned to my dad what I asked for and how much she missed popcorn. On Christmas morning, an unspoken Christmas wish came true thanks to the Christmas tree in my room. My mama opened up a box to find a brand new West Bend Popcorn Maker. She used that popcorn maker for years and probably still had it up until she passed away. Mama’s popcorn maker was a staple in our house. She would make popcorn for us to snack on at night, make popcorn balls for school functions, and sometimes just make popcorn during the day, just to have some.

This memory is a cherished part of my childhood, a blend of simple joys, creativity, and the warmth of family traditions. Each Christmas, I am reminded of the love and effort my parents put into making the holiday special, despite the challenges we faced. The little gumdrop tree in my room symbolized not just a festive decoration but a gesture of love and a source of lasting happiness.

Christmas Treasures: The Best (and Worst) Gifts of My Lifetime

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! I find myself reminiscing about some of my favorite Christmas presents over the years. While every gift carries its own special sentiment, there are a few that stand out and bring back a flood of fond memories.

Before I started kindergarten, in the house at the end of Easter Lane, Santa brought me a purple AM radio with a three-foot hardwired cord and a purple and white microphone. It didn't get very loud, but I adored it. The batteries went dead pretty quickly, and my parents never replaced them. I think it's because I only used the microphone to hum into. Even without batteries, I loved lipsyncing to Olivia Newton-John, Juice Newton, and Dolly Parton records. That little radio holds a special place in my heart.

From the early 1980s to the present, I've received Masters of the Universe action figures as gifts from Grandma Manning, Santa, mama, daddy, and Terry. These figures have been a constant source of joy and nostalgia, keeping the magic of childhood alive.

When I was in the 4th grade, we got a Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computer for Christmas. It was awesome, and I still appreciate the experience of learning programming on it. It was my first introduction to the world of computing, and it sparked a lifelong interest in technology.

Among the best gifts I've ever received were my beloved puppies—Chip the beagle, Pickles the English Springer Spaniel, Peaches the Cocker Spaniel, and Pat the Golden Retriever. Each one brought immense joy and love into my life, even though, sadly, they were taken from me too soon. Animals are the best gifts because they offer unconditional love.

One year, I received a fish tank full of black mollies. My mom ended up taking over their care because I didn't have the time to invest in them, but it was a fascinating gift nonetheless.

In the 6th grade, I got an Emerson CTR932 dual cassette boombox. I carried it around the neighborhood, blasting out Madonna's hits. It was the ultimate symbol of coolness at the time.

Another cherished gift was a Nintendo NES system with a bunch of games from Santa when I was in the 6th or 7th grade. Those games are still some of my favorites. That same year, my mom gifted me a pair of fancy parakeets, Petey and Penny, that the next-door neighbor decided to get rid of. While I wasn't very fond of birds and my mom ended up taking care of them, it was still a memorable gift.

My sister always knew how much I loved music. She bought me The Bangles' "Walk Like An Egyptian" 45 record when I was in elementary school, and later, my very first CD, Michael Jackson's "Dangerous."

In the late '90s, I started building carnival ride models and had purchased a few kits made by IHC Hobby. Terry really went all out and bought a bunch of awesome carnival models for me. I still have them and plan to feature them on my blog in the future.

In 2010, Terry gave me a 4th generation iPod Touch. I used it for over a decade until I made the switch to listening to music on my phone, mainly because I could load up over 128 GB of music on it compared to the iPod's 16 GB. I still have that iPod and occasionally use it at home. It's a reminder of how much joy music has always brought me.

Dolly Parton's "Songteller" book, given to me by Terry, is another treasure. It's filled with stories and songs that showcase the incredible talent and journey of one of my favorite artists. It's a gift that keeps on giving.

One of my all-time favorite gifts has to be the FlashPad 3.0 that Terry gave me for Christmas a few years ago. I still love it so much! The way it combines light and sound in a game that's both challenging and captivating is simply brilliant. Even years later, it never fails to entertain me.

Growing up, my least favorite gifts were clothes, especially those from K-Mart and Walmart during my middle school years. However, looking back, I appreciate the practicality and thoughtfulness behind these gifts. While they might not have been as exciting as toys or gadgets, they were certainly useful and a testament to the love and care my family put into making sure I was well-dressed and taken care of.

Reflecting on these gifts, I'm filled with gratitude for the thoughtfulness and love that went into each one. Every present, no matter how big or small, played a role in shaping my holiday memories and reminding me of the joy and warmth of the season. 🎄✨

In a Holidaze at Aunt Joan's: Christmas Eve Memories and Dysfunctional Family Tradition

I loved going to my Aunt Joan's house as a kid, it didn't matter what time of year but the holidays were the best.

She lived on Garris Drive in Mobile, off Repoll Road. From our house on Easter Lane, there were two ways to get there. The first was the short route, driving from Tanner Williams Road and turning onto Eliza Jordan Road, which was long, bumpy, and dirt-covered. (It’s been paved since then). The second way was my favorite, usually taken if we had to stop off and pick up something from the store, usually K&B. A red-haired man I had a crush on worked there, as well as a cashier my dad was overly friendly with. The K&B stop wasn’t the highlight for me, although I did enjoy the purple neon glow of the store and the jolly eye candy of the red-haired man.

The real reason I loved the long way was that we would circle around and pass the Mobile Regional Airport. I absolutely adored the glow of the blue runway lights in the darkness, a shade of blue I always associated with Christmas. Nowadays, LED technology has taken over the runway lights, and the blue in modern lighting just doesn’t have the same magic.

When we finally arrived at Aunt Joan's house on Christmas Eve, there would usually be smoke billowing from her den's chimney and a few cars sitting in her driveway, with my uncle Billy's confederate flag proudly waving on the flag post in the corner of her yard. The smell of country cooking filled the air, not just from Aunt Joan's house but from all of the neighboring homes.

Aunt Joan's Christmas tree, from what I remember, was always a smaller artificial tree decorated with colored lights, a star, garland, and colorful ornaments—nothing over the top, but just enough to say "Merry Christmas."

Christmas Eve at Aunt Joan's was a big affair for the family. Her house was a large three-bedroom with two bathrooms, a spacious kitchen that opened into a large dining room, a mid-sized living room in the front, and a huge den, known as the family room, built onto the house. There was also a large gated back porch where we usually hung out during the summer when we weren't running around the 13-acre property. The dining room table was always filled with Christmas fare and plenty of country sides: turkey, ham, dressing, mac & cheese, fried squash, fried okra, turnip or mustard greens, black-eyed peas, and a lot of other dishes, plus Aunt Joan's amazing cornbread. My mom would bring along her specialty homemade sweets: fudge, divinity, peanut brittle, and pies—pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, and pecan pie.

Over the course of a few hours, the house filled with not only Uncle Billy and Aunt Joan, but my cousins Lynda, Marie, La Shea, and Missy; my Aunt Beverly and Uncle Gene, their sons Brian and Darrin; my Uncle Mike and Aunt Cindy, their son Mikey; my granny; and of course my mom, dad, sister, and myself. Things would be festive and peaceful during dinner, but my uncles and dad enjoyed their alcoholic beverages, mostly starting with beer, though whiskey flowed a bit too, especially as the night drew on.

After dinner, everyone would gather in the den. Christmas albums by Alabama or another country artist played on Aunt Joan's huge console stereo as the gift exchange began. Since the family was so large, each person was assigned to give a gift to someone else. One year, my mom was chosen to give my cousin Lynda a gift. At the time, Lynda was into Legos, but my mom, not realizing the difference between Duplo and Lego—or possibly making a decision based on price—gifted Lynda some Duplos, much to her disappointment. I remember one year my granny gave me a gift: the Mickey Mouse Disco record, which I actually love to this very day.

As I mentioned, alcohol was flowing, and we all knew it was only a matter of time before something would break up the gathering. Usually, shortly after we all opened our gifts, just like clockwork, it happened: a fight. It started with screaming and ended with someone burning rubber out of the driveway, which was dirt and clam shells. By the way, this is one of the reasons, besides rattlesnakes and cottonmouths, that none of us ran around the yard barefoot throughout the year. If you've ever walked on clam shells without shoes, you will never forget the feeling.

Anyway, back to the fight: somehow, my Uncle Mike, who I loved dearly, was usually at the center of the argument. The more he drank, the more brazen he became. I usually sat oblivious to what was being said, usually in what I call the "Holidaze" but I always knew when it was time to go home. The moment the wrought iron gate on the back patio swung shut and we heard the shells in the driveway flying as the engine of Uncle Mike's vehicle roared and lulled in the distance before disappearing, my sister and I knew Christmas at Aunt Joan's was over until next year. It was time to go to the car, head home in silence, then go to bed and hope Santa didn't forget our house.

To this day, I think of the effort Aunt Joan made to make Christmas special for all of us. Even though it usually ended in disaster, we all still had a great time. As dysfunctional as we were, we loved each other very much and looked forward to getting together each year. The year my Aunt Joan and Uncle Billy moved out of that house and into a trailer next to their newly built gas station, Garris' General Store, marked the end of our family get-togethers. But those twisted, yet great memories live on.

Christmas Caroling??? Adventures: A Scout's Journey

When I joined the Scouts, I went straight into the Webelos, but one of the requirements before I could officially cross over, at least according to the scoutmaster, was to complete the courses in the Cub Scout handbooks for Tiger, Wolf, and Bear. It was a sort of crash course in scouting skills, and while I learned a lot, some of the tasks, especially those from the Tiger book, felt a bit redundant.

One of the skills I needed to master was essentially Community Training. The idea was to do something for the betterment of the community as long as it brought joy to people. Since it was Christmas and I was in the elementary school chorus, I decided to go Christmas caroling with some of the other scouts. Unfortunately, none of the other scouts showed up, so it was just my mom and me.

It was cold that night. Bear in mind, we lived in Florida, so the temperatures probably weren't that bad, but to us, it felt freezing. We bundled up, and I even wore a knit hat under my Webelos cap, which I technically hadn't earned yet. Months earlier, I had been trick-or-treating, so I knew where most of the older people in our neighborhood lived. I strategically avoided any houses with people I knew. The game plan was simple: knock on the door, and the moment it opened, Mom and I would start singing "Silent Night." Mom was my witness and had to sign off on all my tasks. She could have made it easy, but she didn't.

Things didn't go as planned. At the first house, no one opened the door. The second house was answered by a kid with snot hanging from his nose, who told us his mom was throwing up, which we could hear. The third door belonged to a grumpy old lady I remembered from a school fundraiser in the third grade. She snatched the door open and screamed, "WHAT THE F*** DO YOU WANT?" I started crying, and Mom, trying to console me, called her an old biddy as we walked home.

After that, Mom took mercy on me. She signed off on my task and spent 30 minutes making up stories about how we entertained the masses with our voices. Even though things didn’t go as planned, it's a memory that makes me smile because mama had a way of making things seem better when things went wrong.