Growing Up in Flip Flops

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In this episode I relate tow talks which I received , which in theory, would have been given to others in identical fashion, except they weren't.  Different messages for different audiences is my only explanation, except with humorous consequences.

And a thank you for a full year of "Growing Up in Flip Flops."  I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have in doing it.

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Growing up near either a wide river or the Gulf of Mexico was a constant call that I heard pulling me to the water.  This is the single thing I miss most of being in Florida, is not the weather or the flowers, but that is being near the water.  Yes, I'm near water where I now live but it's nothing close to being the same as the water in Florida. Give a listen to one of the adventures a young boy could have in Florida.

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It's interesting to me the circumstance of not being aware of or missing something of which others are fully aware or desirous of, but for which you are completely oblivious.   Well, let me introduce you to my sister and I and chicken being served in any form or manner.  And the reason that was so.

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Being in the right place at the right time has its distinct advantages.  In this story, I am definitely fulfilling that requirement.  Sometimes it is better to be lucky than smart or whatever attribute there is besides lucky. 

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My first two jobs that did not involve working on relative's farms or storefront were in my hometown.  Both jobs were memorable for their own reasons, but one shaped my employment decisions for the the rest of my life.  And you never know when past jobs are going to be brought up when applying for a new job.

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Just three houses down from the house in which I grew up was a motel which had both a swimming pool and a shuffle board court.  Both of these were open to my sister and I due to our mother's friendship with the owners.  In addition, we visited another of mother's friends at another motel and those visits are imprinted on my memory.

And it's interesting to me that a fun little escape for me in childhood has remained an interest all these years.

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While we didn't have surfing on the Gulf coast of Florida, (although skim boarding and boogie boarding did exist), we had other activities that kept us heading to the beach. And there were those ever present girls in bikinis that added to the attractiveness of going to the beach.

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Three celebrity encounters are remembered and things I learned.  Not for a moment did I think of asking for an autograph or such, but instead a simply having a genuine conversation on a variety of subjects from types of pizza, to the movie Young Frankenstein, and Richard Nixon saying "Sock it to me." Lots of fun.

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In this episode, I transform from the sweetest image possible to a mean teenager.  I also make a public apology to all the marching band performances in which I interfered.  And please don't use the information that is included in this episode for evil purposes.

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I discover that not everything that happens in our life has a discernable reason that we can readily understand.  Not everyone that has an impact or effect upon our life acts in the wisest or most intelligent or selfless manner.  But, that is no reason to stop living a purposeful and directed and loving life.  Others are looking for someone exactly like you.  Don't stop.