Frankly My Dear Principal, I Don't Give a Damn

Early 1940's in Keokuk, Iowa (a small city along the Mississippi River)


Characters:
MAXINE- A twenty something young woman working as head bank teller in Keokuk, Iowa.  (She is also my mother.)
NANA- Maxine's mother (my grandmother) who has raised four children through the Great Depression, and now has two sons overseas fighting in WWII.
PAPA- Maxine's father (my grandfather)
HAROLD- Son of Nana.  He is a soldier in the Army deployed somewhere in Europe.
FRANK-   Son of Nana.  He is in the Navy as the photographer on the Qudualin.
MARGE-  Daughter of Nana


I have changed some of the characters because like all families each member adds personality to the story.  It is impossible to write Maxine's story and not include how family dynamics helped form Maxine.  So this Maxine's Story might end up longer than I intend.  My sister, sometimes describes our mother's family as being bohemian.  And that sounds right.  Papa was an artist.  He painted oils, carved figures, built furniture and made grave stones.  Nana had her garden with her cow and chickens.  But she also had jobs, off and on.  She worked in a tomato factory and a telephone operator.  The local doctors would refer patients to her because she worked wonders with medicinal herbs.

There were five children.  Norman died at the age of two.  As a child I could hear the tinge of sadness in Nana's voice when talking about Norman.  Frank was the oldest child.  He was a talented artist, but sometimes those skills get him into trouble.  Maxine was next in line and then her sister Marge.  I always wondered what it would have been like to live in the shadow of Maxine.  Marge was quiet, smart with figures, and loved her nieces (Linda and Me).  Harold was the youngest, so kind and was as sweet as Frank was mischief.

Speaking of Frank, here is an example of why having him as an older brother, might have been difficult for Maxine.  Here is a picture of my grandparents with Frank, their first born.

Nana, Papa and Uncle Frank

While in high school, there was an issue with the principal that had the students in an uproar.  I am not sure what it was,  but the students were furious.  (Maybe this is where I should create a reason to spice up this story, but no, I will not embellish.  I must stay with the facts that I remember hearing.)  Frank was never one to stand on the sidelines when trouble brewed, but shouting and complaining was not his style.  When he got home from school,  he went to his room.  Nana was impressed to see him working so diligently on his school work, so she did not let the rest of the children disturb him.

The next day, Nana received a phone call from the school.  She needed to come immediately.  There was a major problem.  Her son, Frank, was in trouble.  Nana rushed out, wondering what had happened. This sounded much more serious than his other escapades.

Walking into the school, Nana noticed that the secretary could not keep eye contact with her.  A tight subtle smile was trying to burst into a laugh, but she kept it in check.  Nana was escorted to the Principal's Office.   Frank was sitting, head bent, looking at his feet.  The principal was glaring at him and continued that glare to Nana.

"Mrs. Carlson,  look at what your son posted on the main bulletin board this morning."

This is where I wish we had the picture.  All I can do is explain it, and it is really not very nice.  Frank had drawn a caricature of a donkey with its rear end facing the front.  The donkey is looking around as if to check what is behind it.  Instead of the head of a donkey, Frank had drawn a perfect image (with the usual exaggerations of a  cartoonish face) of the principal.  The caption below read:  "Which end is the real ass?"

Nana looked at Frank and said, "I am really disappointed in you, Frank.  If you would spend time doing your school work instead of drawing this kind of stuff, you would not be failing your classes.  We will deal with this when you get home."

"Well, Mrs. Carlson, Frank will be spending three days at home, so maybe he can do his work then.  We can not allow this kind of behavior."

Frank left the office, but Nana remained.  "I understand why you are upset, but you must admit, he did draw your face perfectly."

The principal looked at her, grinned and said, " I hope you don't mind, but I think I will keep this picture.  I think my wife would find humor in it."

I have not idea what happened to Frank when he got home, probably nothing but a lecture.   Word must have gotten out about the picture because later that year, for a school festival, the teachers asked Frank to draw caricatures of each of them to display in the halls.  He would then have a booth to draw caricatures for a dime as a fund raiser.

Frank agreed, but only if the teachers signed a letter saying no punishments would be given if they did not like the end product.

Here is one of Frank's pictures that I found that he had published in the Kwaj-Line news letter.  He was the cartoonist for the ship's news letter.  I am sure this man is one of the sailors on the ship, probably one of the officers.

Step Right up to the Carlson Circus!

I could not let Mother's Day pass without another Maxine story.  Born in 1919, she experienced living through the Great Depression.  Her family, like many at that time, was quite creative in entertaining themselves.  One summer (and I think this was continued for couple of years) they put on a circus.  Everyone in the neighborhood and surrounding area was invited.  Each family member participated.

Signs were designed to advertise this event.  "Come to Carlson's Circus!"  "See Daring Acts that Defy Gravity!" "Laugh, Eat, and Gasp!"  "Have Your Palm Red by a Fortune Teller"  "Enjoy the Trained Wild Animals"   The signs were colorful and looked like smaller versions of Ringling Brothers' Circus signs.  My grandfather was an artist.  He drew the pictures and Maxine and her siblings colored them.  I wish I had a sample, but none has survived through the years.

The children set out to distribute their signs: Frank, the oldest, (13), Maxine (11), Marge (9) and little Harold (6).  The park across the street had a bandstand where they posted their largest poster.  The rest of the posters found homes on telephone poles and the small neighborhood store window.  The word was out!  Time to prepare!

The Carlson Children, Frank, Maxine, Marge and Harold

All of the Carlson children had learned acrobatics from their father.  They practiced routines and soon it was The Big Day!  The backyard was the venue.  People came and sat on the ground in a large circle.  Here came the Carlson Children playing kazoos, a toy street organ and a drum.  They were dressed in costumes that my grandmother had made.  Their dog had a lion like collar around his neck. and little tufts above each paw.  Marge was carrying, Hank, the cat who jumped from her arms and ran into the makeshift Fortune Teller's tent.  Small bags of peanuts were passed out to the audience.

Harold, stepped forward and announced the first act.  Leo the Ferocious Lion did typical dog trick like sit, roll over and shake hands.  The crowd loved it...or maybe they just enjoyed watching a little boy trying to get his a 'lion' to jump through a hoop.  Maybe something frightened Hank, the cat, because he ran out of the tent, through the hoop, distracting Leo.  Leo set out after Hank dragging his ruffled mane.  They disappeared down the ravine path behind my grandfather's workshop.  After the dog...oops...the lion act, Harold bowed and introduced the acrobats.

Of course, Maxine was the star.  She began by doing forward flips to the center and then standing on her head.  The rest did flips and cartwheels around her.  Maxine then flipped up, did a few jumps and landed in the splits...hands raised and smiling at the crowd.  She was loving the attention.  Frank was not so much into the acrobats, so after a few forward flips he picked up the drum and did a drum roll.  The excitement was growing...what was next?  Maxine climbed a ladder to a bar that her father had suspended from some sort of structure.  (He was a carpenter as well as an artist.)  She swung to the middle and did a few stunts...and then....there she was...hanging by her heels, swinging high above the ground...and still smiling at the crowd.  The applause was deafening.  (Maxine always blamed her bumpy heels on this....that she would hang from her heels...but I always thought cause was her refusal to wear shoes large enough...and stuffed her size 7 foot into a size 6 shoe.)

  Maxine, Frank and Marge disappeared into three different tents.  Harold announced that his mother had baked  pie, for refreshments and made tea or lemonade for drinks.  After the final act everyone would be invited to enjoy the food and the side acts.  He pointed to the row of slumping tents; "Get Your Picture", "Have Your Palm Red", and "See the Bearded Lady". " But NOW"....he sang out...."Ladies and Gentleman....please, be quiet and stay in your seats....The Amazing Mr. Frank Carlson...my father....is about to risk his life for your entertainment.  Look up!  There he is!"

And yes, there he was...my grandfather walking the tightrope.  Back and forth...standing on one foot...then the other...turning quickly...oh no!  He slipped!  Ah...he caught himself...he is chuckling...was that on purpose?  He was truly enjoying himself...as was the crowd.  He grabbed the tightrope with both hands, swung down, did a small flip and landed on his feet with a sweeping bow to all.

The last part of the Carlson Circus was to visit each tent.  In the first tent was Marge....face covered with fur.  She was a bit shy, so just sat there as people passed through her tent.  Next was Maxine's tent.  She was the fortune teller, dressed in full costume and jewelry with an upside down fishbowl as her crystal ball.  Only one person at a time was allowed in the tent...and they had to leave out the back.  Once inside, Maxine would ask to see the person's palm.  Holding the palm in her hand, Maxine would use red lipstick to write a small red X on the palm...and then said, "Now, you have had your palm red. Please step out the back to Frank's tent for to have your picture made."

Frank's tent was open on one side.  There was a long line.  His tent was the most popular.  Each person sat down across from him as he drew a quick caricature.  Of course, some of them were much more comical than others...as he usually would exaggerate some facial feature...but everyone would recognize each drawing.  And...of course...if some pretty young lady come in...her picture always looked beautiful.

This is an example of Frank's work after he was older.

The circus was over but many stayed longer to visit with friends.  My grandfather lowered the tightrope and formed a slack line where he gave tips on how to do this. Neighborhood children loved trying their skill and balance.  Adults would attempt and soon realize how difficult it was.  Everyone was comparing the pictures that Frank had drawn.  Everyone had red palms. Everyone was full of good food.  Everyone had a fun afternoon at the Carlson Circus.

A Maxine Story

 Early 1940's in Keokuk, Iowa (a small city along the Mississippi River)

Characters:
MAXINE- A twenty something young woman working as head bank teller in Keokuk, Iowa.  (She is also my mother.)
NANA- Maxine's mother (my grandmother) who has raised four children through the Great Depression, and now has two sons overseas fighting in WWII.
HAROLD- Son of Nana.  He is a soldier in the Army deployed somewhere in Europe.
WILBER- Maxine's fiance.  He is in the Army and will be deployed to Europe soon.  Maxine and Wilber became engaged before he leaves.
MRS. H-  Wilber's mother
MORTON- A soldier in the Army with the nick name of, The Senator, given to him by his Army buddies.

There are many other characters, but these are the main ones for the beginning of this story.   Let's go back to when Maxine had graduated from high school at the age of 16 in 1937.  The Great Depression did not hinder her from getting her first job in a box factory.  Oh how exited she was.  It was loud and dirty, but Maxine was excited to make her own money and be able to buy fancy clothes.  This is the only graduation picture I can find of Maxine.  It is a bit blurry, but I think the pose is all Maxine.

Maxine's job was making lids for containers.  These containers would be for things like ice cream and cottage cheese.   During slow times, Maxine would draw pictures on the insides of the lids.  These were innocent pictures of women wearing clothes that mother had designed.  On one lid she decided to write a note.  How did she know if others enjoyed her pictures if no one could write back to her?  So, she wrote, "Hi, this is Maxine.  If you like my picture let me know."  And of course, she added her address.  Here is a sample of what she drew on the container lids.

We must remember, that Maxine is only 16.  The Depression has been dreary and difficult for everyone.  This is her first step into the real world.  She really did not expect a reply, and if she did get a reply, she did not expect the one that came in the mail a month later.  Maxine never told me the exact message, but I think it would be rated XXX and not for the eyes of an innocent 16 year old.  Nana burned the letter in the old kitchen stove.  For the rest of her time working at the box factory, Maxine continued drawing pictures in some of the lids, but never again did she write a note.  Here are a few of early pictures of Maxine.

Maxine is on the right.  I am not sure what play this is but she is in a costume she designed.

A year later, Maxine changed jobs.  She was now the stationery department clerk at F.W. Woolworth.  Now she would wear pretty dresses to work and not worry about getting dirty.  She was responsible for ordering greeting cards, stationery, writing utensils and other various items found in such a department.  She loved it.  She liked making the displays pretty.  She liked meeting people and helping them.  I found this picture of her while she was still working at F.W.Woolworth, August 16, 1940.   She is top row, second from the left.  I am sure she wished that she had smiled more.

Maxine is top row, second from the right.  This is F.W. Woolworth Co., 1940

Her favorite part about working at Woolworth's was subbing at the soda fountain.  This is where she learned the proper way to dip ice cream out of the container.  "Do not dip deeply into the carton making a big hole.  You must start at the top and go in layers."  (It has something to do with the air in the ice cream.)  People began to notice when Maxine was subbing.  The root beer floats were perfect and the ice cream sundaes were amazing.  Maxine made them just the way she liked them with lots of toppings.  She always added extra hot fudge and whipped cream.  Banana splits were her favorite.  Strawberries, chocolate and marshmallow cream would be poured on just full enough but not overflowing the dish.  Then she would pile on the whipped cream, nuts and not one, but three cherries (one for each dip of ice cream) topped these delicious creations.  There were always the most customers waiting in line when Maxine was subbing at the fountain.  Finally, the owner of the store told her that she needed to stick with the recipes because they were making no profit when she subbed.

This is the end of this part one.  How long will Maxine be employed at F.W. Woolworth?  When will she meet her true love?  Is he really her true love?  These will be answered in the next chapter of this story with no title.