Photos and Excerpts From the Book
Bernice, Arthur, Agnes, Elva, and David, 1935-1936
Bernice, Arthur, Agnes, Elva, and David, 1935-1936
Bernice, Arthur, Agnes, Elva, and David, 1935-1936
All twelve of us kids didn’t live at home at the same time. There were too many years between us. By the time Elva and I were born, most of my brothers and sisters had already moved out on their own. Back then, kids tended to move out on their own when they were younger, well before they were eighteen. The five youngest kids—David, Agnes,
All twelve of us kids didn’t live at home at the same time. There were too many years between us. By the time Elva and I were born, most of my brothers and sisters had already moved out on their own. Back then, kids tended to move out on their own when they were younger, well before they were eighteen. The five youngest kids—David, Agnes, Arthur, Elva, and I—were the only ones home with Mama and Daddy while I was growing up.
Arthur and Friend, Pleasant View School, 1948-1949
Bernice, Arthur, Agnes, Elva, and David, 1935-1936
Bernice, Arthur, Agnes, Elva, and David, 1935-1936
Arthur was handsome and always cheerful. He was fun to be around—always singing or whistling a tune. Elva, Arthur, and I walked about three miles to Pleasant View School. There were no school buses. I graduated from eighth grade at Pleasant View Junior High School in 1947 and then went on to high school there until Daddy built a house in Pueblo and we moved again.
Bernice Outside the Home She Helped Build
Bernice, Arthur, Agnes, Elva, and David, 1935-1936
Bernice Outside the Home She Helped Build
It was all dry land, with weeds growing and tumbleweeds blowing between Sam’s house and where our house would be built. There wasn’t even a street going to the place where we were building. We used to go to Sam and Pearl’s house and then drive up the side of their property to get to our place. We had to make our own driveway. When we firs
It was all dry land, with weeds growing and tumbleweeds blowing between Sam’s house and where our house would be built. There wasn’t even a street going to the place where we were building. We used to go to Sam and Pearl’s house and then drive up the side of their property to get to our place. We had to make our own driveway. When we first got there, all I could see was a big square hole dug out in the middle of some dry, dusty land.
Bernice in Daddy's Cadillac
Bernice and Butch With Their First Baby
Bernice Outside the Home She Helped Build
“How about if we just borrow your dad’s car without waking him up?”
“I don’t know.” I wasn’t sure this was such a bright idea, but I didn’t say as much.
“What choice do we have?”
I shrugged. I really didn’t want to wake up Daddy in the middle of the night.
“Do you have any idea where they might keep the keys?” Butch was convinced his idea was
“How about if we just borrow your dad’s car without waking him up?”
“I don’t know.” I wasn’t sure this was such a bright idea, but I didn’t say as much.
“What choice do we have?”
I shrugged. I really didn’t want to wake up Daddy in the middle of the night.
“Do you have any idea where they might keep the keys?” Butch was convinced his idea was the only solution.
“Daddy’s the only one that drives. He usually just throws them on the table, I think.”
“I’ll walk you up to the house. Try not to wake them up and just bring me the keys.”
Bernice at Sixteen
Bernice and Butch With Their First Baby
Bernice and Butch With Their First Baby
Butch had brought me into his circle of friends. There was a whole group of us that would meet up at the nightclubs in Pueblo. All the guys were Italians from the farms on St. Charles Mesa. I think Chris was the only girl who was Italian. All the guys were in their late twenties and older than us girls. I was around sixteen years old and
Butch had brought me into his circle of friends. There was a whole group of us that would meet up at the nightclubs in Pueblo. All the guys were Italians from the farms on St. Charles Mesa. I think Chris was the only girl who was Italian. All the guys were in their late twenties and older than us girls. I was around sixteen years old and Butch was twenty-eight.
I had no problem telling people I was eighteen when I was actually only sixteen. I was never asked for ID. I never saw anybody asked for ID. In those days, they just took your word for it. It didn’t matter much anyway because I just drank pop, listened to music, and danced the night away.
Bernice and Butch With Their First Baby
Bernice and Butch With Their First Baby
Bernice and Butch With Their First Baby
Butch wanted me to get an abortion.
My sisters wanted me to go to a home for unwed mothers.
I didn't tell Momma and Daddy until later in the pregnancy.
For some reason I just knew it was going to be a boy. I didn’t even have a girl’s name picked out. I think Butch was glad we had a son. Our relationship was pretty good, and we got along well
Butch wanted me to get an abortion.
My sisters wanted me to go to a home for unwed mothers.
I didn't tell Momma and Daddy until later in the pregnancy.
For some reason I just knew it was going to be a boy. I didn’t even have a girl’s name picked out. I think Butch was glad we had a son. Our relationship was pretty good, and we got along well. Having a child together somehow strengthened our relationship.