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?
1960 Teela Wooket, the Satellite
In August, we were awakened by Ginny in the middle of the night. She yelled at us, "Come outside girls, hurry, the satellite is going over." And so we went out and were able to see Sputnik 5 (with the 2 dogs inside) floating overhead, a sight I will never forget. The Russian satellite orbited for a day and carried the dogs Strelka and Belka, plus grey rabbit, rats, mice, flies, plants, fungi, microscopic water plants, and seeds.