13 APRIL
Monday
I perform in the King's County Council of Home and School Association Music Festival, and I receive a very favourable review: “Small voice - of pleasing quality - will develop considerably with use - High notes good - has confidence pleasing rendering".
Monday
I perform in the King's County Council of Home and School Association Music Festival, and I receive a very favourable review: “Small voice - of pleasing quality - will develop considerably with use - High notes good - has confidence pleasing rendering".
At that time, I had a boy soprano voice, and this year I seemed to have gained my confidence for performing. I also entered the piano competition for which [I think] I played a tune called 'The Grasshopper'.
Shortly after this, my voice broke, and I became a baritone. I was devastated because I enjoyed singing the higher notes, and people seemed to be impressed by it. Later, as a teenager, once I started to write songs and learned to play the guitar, I would wish even more that I had retained my higher voice range.
JUNE
I pass Grade 6 at Kingston Bible College Academy.
Shortly after this, my voice broke, and I became a baritone. I was devastated because I enjoyed singing the higher notes, and people seemed to be impressed by it. Later, as a teenager, once I started to write songs and learned to play the guitar, I would wish even more that I had retained my higher voice range.
JUNE
I pass Grade 6 at Kingston Bible College Academy.
I remember thinking during the last months of Grade 6 that I wished there was some sort of trade school where I could go to learn how to draw and paint instead of moving into Grade 7. Becoming an artist was something I really wanted to do at the time.
SUMMER
While climbing a tree, I accidentally lose my grip [or miss my footing] and fall backwards. Tree branches snap as I hit them, and then I slam against the ground so hard on my back it forces every bit of air from my lungs. I try to get up. Can't. I try to breathe. Can’t. My lungs have stopped! I struggle harder, and I force myself to draw in fresh air. Suddenly, I begin breathing again. Gasping for air, at first, I gradually return to normal. Or, at least, a trembling normal. I’m terrified and feel as if I’ve had a close brush with Death.
This may also account for my continued fear of heights which oftentimes even manifests itself in my dreams.
SEPTEMBER
I enter Grade 7 at Kingston Bible College Academy.
DECEMBER
Dad tells us we’re going to move once more, this time to an R.C.A.F. base in France. I'm both dismayed and nervously excited at the same time for two reasons: -
■ I'll be going to another new school, and I’ll have to meet new kids again, and probably endure more taunts about my last name.
■ I've heard some of the other kids from the neighbourhood sing a small ditty—
"In the north of France
Where the naked women dance..."
Where the naked women dance..."
—and I shiver with anticipation because I wonder if I'll get to see any of those ‘naked women’.
By this time, although still relatively naïve, I was beginning to understand more about sexuality or, at least, the differences between boys and girls, men and women. However, I’d not yet seen any females naked, nor had I experienced my first orgasm. I’d had erections, of course, but I don’t recall associating those with anything sexual.
WINTER
My scout troop makes a visit to the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children.
I have my picture taken while I’m there, and later, it’s put on the cover of the Boy Scouts’ Annual Report for 1959.
By this time, although still relatively naïve, I was beginning to understand more about sexuality or, at least, the differences between boys and girls, men and women. However, I’d not yet seen any females naked, nor had I experienced my first orgasm. I’d had erections, of course, but I don’t recall associating those with anything sexual.
WINTER
My scout troop makes a visit to the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children.
I have my picture taken while I’m there, and later, it’s put on the cover of the Boy Scouts’ Annual Report for 1959.
