WINTER
I become ill with a temperature of 104°. A doctor makes a house call and gives me a needle in my bum—an antibiotic for scarlet fever. It takes me almost a week to fully recover.
The Official Blog of the Author
His Name Is Love- Original lyrics and music by Michael Woodhead (1969).
One of the songs from my Crucified With Christ lyrics and lead sheet music book available on Amazon.
[This is the music-only version until I get an opportunity to add the vocals]
After we’ve lived in the boarding house for awhile, I notice the woman in the apartment next to ours seems to have a different male visitor almost every night...
One day, I’m throwing darts at a board hanging on the back of the apartment door. My sister suddenly walks in, and I barely miss hitting her in the face with a dart...
From what I remember, I believe dad and mum slept on a pull-out sofa bed while Margaret and I each had a folding cot. Mine was opposite/behind the door to the apartment.
Unable to find a job as a painter and decorator because he is apparently 'overqualified’ and no one wants to pay him what they think he's worth, Dad eventually finds work at Sunnybrook Hospital as a male nurse.
Mum also finds part-time work at the hospital.
SUMMER
Mum finds a part-time job at a United Church summer camp for underprivileged children. She's allowed to take Margaret and me along so we can join in the fun and activities with the other kids.
During the camp:
■ I win first prize for shooting a bull's-eye in an archery contest.
Although I was never really into sports when I was growing up [I broke my glasses twice trying to catch the ball while playing outfield in baseball when I was in high school], I did enjoy archery later when I was able to do it at a gun and archery range during my teen years in France.
■ I get a small part [as a servant?] in a play about Damon and Pythias.
This second incident began a continued interest in theatre productions, several in which I would perform over the coming years.
■ My teenaged cabin counsellor invites me into his bed one night and molests me.
This latter incident had a profound and lasting effect on my life: it ignited a curiosity about, and fascination with, sexuality. Whereas most people who are victims of molestation seem to have negative effects following the experience, I became intensely interested in sex. Whether one deems that ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ is, of course, a matter for debate, and one with which I wrestled for many years.
My sister and me in the Fall
MARCH
For a short while, we stay with my aunt [Mum’s sister] and uncle until it’s time for us to leave for Canada.
Residence:
Cypress Street
Haslingdon, Lancashire, England
31 MARCH
Tuesday
Dad receives an ‘Emigrant to Canada Special Allowance’ of £20 from the Midland Bank in Rawtenstall. A short time later, he sails to Canada by himself to find us a place to live.
28 MAY
Thursday
Mum receives an ‘Emigrant to Canada Special Allowance’.
1 - 12 JUNE
Monday – Friday
Mum, my sister, and I sail from Southampton to Quebec aboard the Cunard Lines' R.M.S. Scythia.
5 JUNE
Friday
We attend a celebration dinner on board the ship in honor of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth.
Despite the sumptuous meal they offered, the only parts of this dinner I remember are the fresh, hot, soft dinner rolls, and the curlicues of shaved butter nestled in bowls of crushed ice.
12 JUNE
Friday
We dock at Quebec, and they give us Canadian immigration identification cards.
We take a train to Toronto, Ontario, and go to a place that dad was able to find—a main floor apartment in a boarding house.
After living for a short time on one side of Dundonald Street, we move across the road into another one-bedroom apartment in a boarding house.
Residence:
Dundonald Street
Toronto, Ontario
This house, amongst others, was subsequently demolished and there are now apartments and/or office buildings in this spot.
He's The Lord- Original lyrics and music by Michael Woodhead.
One of the songs from my Crucified With Christ lyrics and lead sheet music book available on Amazon.
[This is the music-only version until I get an opportunity to add the vocals]