~ Growing Without Roots ~

My childhood was amazing and unique. In fact, it ruined my life in many ways. I remember when I was seven, listening to the radio in my parents' room in Australia, eyes closed, lying on the rug with my head on a pillow, the sound of the branches and leaves blowing in the wind outside. I often wonder, is this a dream and am I still in Australia? Will I wake up and be able to do it all differently? Or is this my life and my memories will always be an albatross around my neck?

1955 Port Arthur, Janis

I went to school with Janis Joplin, it’s true. She was 4 years older than me, and of course, she wasn’t famous at the time. I doubt I ever saw her. My dad vaguely knew her dad, they were both engineers at the Texaco refinery.

Many years later, when I lived in New York, I was talking to a friend about this and she said it was funny I brought that up. When she first moved to New York a few years before, she had a roommate who would not stop singing, and she was loud. My friend said that finally she couldn’t stand it anymore, and asked her to move out. It was Janis.