My Real Memoir
Learn how to sign your name! Seriously! Sometime near the end of 2nd grade, I signed my first work of art using an ancient form of chirography called “cursive.” It depicts a rather short Native American boy named ‘Hiawatha,’ as described by a rather tall white man named Longfellow (see what I did there?). Since all of my previous artworks were signed in print, rather than cursive, this makes my ‘Hiawatha’ picture extremely valuable (it’s now a closely-guarded artifact at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.).
Signatures were a valued security device back before fingerprint scanners were invented. But even more importantly, being able to sign my name meant I could acquire a library card at the public library.
And having a library card meant that, for the first time in my life, I was allowed to leave our neighborhood alone (i.e. without a security device called an “adult”), and cross one of the two biggest and busiest streets in the city, Rosecrans (curiously, there’s no crossroad called Guildenstern–see what I did there?). Why did that matter? Because the library was located in the “Fabulous La Mirada Shopping Center,” the virtual center of my little suburban universe!
My world instantly got bigger! Now I could not only check out books, but I could visit:
- Thrifty Drugs, where I would use my hard-earned allowance to buy a “hand-packed” scoop of Rocky Road, ride the coin-operated rocking horse, and eventually make goofy recordings in the “Make Your Own 45!” booth with my buddy Jeff!
- J.J. Newberry’s, where I’d bought my “first girlfriend” her going-steady ring!
- La Mirada Music, where I would eventually buy my first 45s, classics like “The Monster Mash,” and anything by the Beatles.
- Hiram’s Supermarket, via which my other BFF Rory and I would enter forbidden realms!
- Burgermaster, where I would try my first awful pre-fab pizza, sell my first hand-painted Open/Closed sign, a picture of a ghoul both in and out of his coffin (which for some reason they never used).
- And the fabric store where I would pick-up the Singer Sewing Machine-sponsored music contest form that led to my band’s first (and only) national primetime television special!
In other words, so many milestones were passed, simply because I learned…
How to sign my name!
My Real Memoir is a series. To read the next one, click here.
Mitch Teemley 
Names. Signing is like bellying up to the bar, owning our identities and all that goes with that “ownership.” Forging a signature could land you in prison. Identity theft is a profound violation. When I think of the creator willing to sign her/her work, I am overwhelmed with a sense of belonging. And obligation to live up to that name, that identity, that incredible gift….
LikeLiked by 3 people
Nice reflection, Rita. You reminded me of the line from Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible,’ “Because it is my name, and I cannot have another.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
A proud moment for sure! Have a good day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too, Mya!
LikeLike
Good thing you learn to sign your name, because you must get thousands of autograph requests a day …
LikeLiked by 3 people
I hardly have time for anything else! But what can I do, Andrew? My publicist insists.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I get it – you never want your publicist mad at you…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: The Day I Ran Away | Mitch Teemley
But, where is a link to that intriguing Burgermaster story???
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t recall writing anything else about it, Joy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i seen a record player recorder on a television series in the 70s
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yep, that’s what we had back then, Rudy.
LikeLike
i would image someone accidentally recording slapping on records
LikeLiked by 1 person
You were smarter when you were a boy.You really look cute and the signature shows your maturity .Thanks for sharing .Take care.😊🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
On behalf of 8-year-old me, thanks, Francis! ;>)
LikeLike
My pleasure .😊🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thrifty Drugs! I can always count on you to remind me of stuff that proves I lived in So Cal ahem ago. I hope your worls keeps getting bigger!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also, yr world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Likewise, Heather!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, those were heady days!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thrifty drugs had the best ice cream anywhere! You have some very vivid memories. Enjoyed the trip to your past. Looks like fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A nostalgic and engaging post, Mitch. I remember when a new library opened in my hometown. I was beyond excited. It became my journey to other worlds and my sanctuary. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
A librarian changed my father’s life when she introduced him to The Iliad and The Odyssey. And the change trickled down through the generations. A world with books is unlimited.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen to that!
LikeLike
Great drawing! So glad it was saved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hah! Thanks, John.
LikeLike
Second grade here, also. The most difficult letter for me was, of all things, the first letter of my name K. Finally got the hang of it and excelled in many penmanship classes, winning a few Holy Cards, in the process.
LikeLiked by 1 person
:>o (That’s supposed to mean I’m impressed, not shocked.)
LikeLike
Cursive! What a concept. I’m not sure my grandkids know what that is! I hope you still have those 45s!
LikeLiked by 1 person