Life and Times of a Nobody: Growing up in the 1950's - Tapa blanda

A classmate recently remarked "That was so long ago I can't remember if I ever had a childhood." Return to those thrilling days of yesteryear - the 1950's - when the big entertainment was at the State Theater, featuring "Ma and Pa Kettle" and "Francis the Talking Mule." This is the true story of life in small town America, one kid's experience of growing up in a large Irish Catholic family of 10 kids with all the required ritualistic Catholic ceremonies. Formal schooling started for this youngster with a 3-year stretch in the joint at St. Aloysius Military Academy, marching to the tune of some of the sweetest old ladies dressed in black. Followed by those exciting days at St. Teresa's, run by two of the toughest Sisters of Charity in the system, Sister Mary Raphael, a.k.a. "Bucky Beaver," the principal, and her sidekick, Sister Augustine, up against Woody and his fun loving instigator pal. It is a fast moving and funny story of numerous mishaps by a carefree fifty's kid. A kid who accidentally freezes his spirited horse, "Shorty", gets canned as an altar boy after one long week, becomes a young entrepreneur selling dirt. There are stories about camping out, Boy Scouts, BB guns, Irish Nannies, Nuns in charge, ringing the holy fire bell at St. Teresa's. Then there is a description of what life was like before McDonald's. There is never a dull moment. It's a childhood autobiography filled with memorable surprises. Learn, as I did, everything you'll ever need to know about f growing up from Woody, the street-smart Italian kid that somehow knew how life really worked. Woody was a true "biker" from the 4th grade on. Enjoy reliving the tranquil 1950's with someone that still remembers being there.

John Malowney was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1944. He was the fourth child in a family of eleven. He attended St. Aloysius Military Academy 1st through 3rd grade, St. Teresa's in Springfield and graduated from Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida, in 1962. In 1963 John enlisted in the U.S. Army. In 1967 he received his Army Aviator wings and was promptly assigned to an Air Cavalry Squadron where he saw duty as a Cobra gun ship platoon leader. After Viet Nam, he commanded three companies in the 4th I. D. at Fort Carson, Colorado. His last assignment was commanding F Company, 40th Armor, Berlin Brigade. He retired in 1976 as a Major. In 1982 John received a kidney transplant from his younger brother at Walter Reed Medical Center. John has a B.S. degree from the U. of Tampa and a M.P.A. from Golden Gate University. He currently resides in Florida.