The Richest Poor Kid on my Block
A poor boy with three jobs at 10.53 total reviews
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Wow, you were certainly a busy boy that summer Harry, and well done for being such a go-getter at that early age. No, kids of today don't get that chance. I remember the paper boy and then on Saturday afternoons they would come around and collect the paper money. Well written and stories like this show how much life has changed.
cheers
valda
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2025
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Wow, you were certainly a busy boy that summer Harry, and well done for being such a go-getter at that early age. No, kids of today don't get that chance. I remember the paper boy and then on Saturday afternoons they would come around and collect the paper money. Well written and stories like this show how much life has changed.
cheers
valda
Comment Written 29-Jan-2025
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2025
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Thank you so much Valda for the kind words and great review. I truly appreciate that!
Comment from Anthony Crosbie
Yep, takes me back to simpler and gentle times. I love the pace of the writing and the memories it brought to me. Nice contrast with the army reference but true reflection of the times. Less technology, no pressure, oh, to be 10 year old again!!
reply by the author on 28-Jan-2025
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Yep, takes me back to simpler and gentle times. I love the pace of the writing and the memories it brought to me. Nice contrast with the army reference but true reflection of the times. Less technology, no pressure, oh, to be 10 year old again!!
Comment Written 28-Jan-2025
reply by the author on 28-Jan-2025
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Lol! yes, you are so right Anthony! Thank you for the review. I truly appreciate that!
Comment from Sally Law
Harry Craft, you live up to your surname, Craft. You're smart and industrious. My, what a long day you had earning money. I lost a brother, Steve, in the Vietnam War to Agent Orange related throat cancer. Never a day goes by that I don't miss him. Thank you for sharing your true story.
Sending you my best today as always and blessings for your writing day.
Sally :))
reply by the author on 28-Jan-2025
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Harry Craft, you live up to your surname, Craft. You're smart and industrious. My, what a long day you had earning money. I lost a brother, Steve, in the Vietnam War to Agent Orange related throat cancer. Never a day goes by that I don't miss him. Thank you for sharing your true story.
Sending you my best today as always and blessings for your writing day.
Sally :))
Comment Written 28-Jan-2025
reply by the author on 28-Jan-2025
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Well, thank you so much Sally for the kind words and review. I am truly sorry about your brother too. That was a terrible war!
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You're welcome, Harry. Yes, it was a terrible war. To see my Green Beret brother so thin and emaciated broke our hearts. Amazingly his spirit was still in tact until he passed away.
Be blessed.
Sal :))
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Oh, so sad...
Comment from CrystieCookie999
This is skillful writing as far as pacing and descriptions go. I was born in 1969, but the 1970s in my state were much like you describe. I guess marijuana used to be capitalized when it was newer in the culture.
Suggestions:
I would ride around the neighborhood ringing this bell and kids would come running to me for ice cream.
I would put a comma after bell, since you have two independent clauses there in the sentence.
Today a child could not even get a job like that and forget about riding your bike all over town.
I think I might insert a long dash after job like that. It sounds like 'forget about riding your bike all over town' is aimed at the reader. Another way to put it might be:
Today a child could not even get a job like that, if it involved riding a bike all over town unsupervised.
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2025
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This is skillful writing as far as pacing and descriptions go. I was born in 1969, but the 1970s in my state were much like you describe. I guess marijuana used to be capitalized when it was newer in the culture.
Suggestions:
I would ride around the neighborhood ringing this bell and kids would come running to me for ice cream.
I would put a comma after bell, since you have two independent clauses there in the sentence.
Today a child could not even get a job like that and forget about riding your bike all over town.
I think I might insert a long dash after job like that. It sounds like 'forget about riding your bike all over town' is aimed at the reader. Another way to put it might be:
Today a child could not even get a job like that, if it involved riding a bike all over town unsupervised.
Comment Written 24-Jan-2025
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2025
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Thank you so much Crystie for the kind words, review and your editing. I will look at that. I really appreciate your review!!!
Comment from Lana Marie
I love that concept of the richest poor boy because it was about his contentment and what he did and not about the financial status.
Those were the days like you said were we didn't have to worry about all those creepers out there, they were firing you between now. It seems to be so much more prevalent.
that's really sad about your cousin! That must've been such a horrific time.
Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2025
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I love that concept of the richest poor boy because it was about his contentment and what he did and not about the financial status.
Those were the days like you said were we didn't have to worry about all those creepers out there, they were firing you between now. It seems to be so much more prevalent.
that's really sad about your cousin! That must've been such a horrific time.
Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 24-Jan-2025
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2025
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Thank you so much Lana for the kind words and review. Yes, it was not even about the financial. I thought I was rich...
Comment from Barry Penfold
Thanks for the reminder how simple things were back then.Same sort of scenario over here in Australia. Yes, things have changed and overall, not for the better. A good put together and thanks for sharing.
Regards
Barry Penfold.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2025
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Thanks for the reminder how simple things were back then.Same sort of scenario over here in Australia. Yes, things have changed and overall, not for the better. A good put together and thanks for sharing.
Regards
Barry Penfold.
Comment Written 22-Jan-2025
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2025
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Thank you so much Barry. I truly appreciate you and your kind wordsa and review!
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Hello Harry
I want to complement your skill in writing this story. You use current everyday language to make the events clear in your writing. Your descriptions are vivid and unforgettable. Having been drafted in the sixties, I relate to your perspective. It looks like you've done quite well from there. Nice job.
Robert
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2025
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Hello Harry
I want to complement your skill in writing this story. You use current everyday language to make the events clear in your writing. Your descriptions are vivid and unforgettable. Having been drafted in the sixties, I relate to your perspective. It looks like you've done quite well from there. Nice job.
Robert
Comment Written 22-Jan-2025
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2025
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Thank you so much Robert. And thank you for your service as well! I truly appreciate your kind words and review!
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You're welcome
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Roger that!
Comment from BethShelby
It certainly sounds like you were the most ambitious kid on your block. If money was the object you certainly were willing to work hard to get it. I'm sure your folks were proud of you.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2025
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It certainly sounds like you were the most ambitious kid on your block. If money was the object you certainly were willing to work hard to get it. I'm sure your folks were proud of you.
Comment Written 22-Jan-2025
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2025
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Thank you so much Beth.Yes, my mom was proud of me. As a child it was fun though. I didn't look at it as work like I would today lol! Thank you so much for your review! I truly apppreciate that!
Comment from Cecilia A Heiskary
Harry,
This is a wonderful story. You were a very ambitious young man to say the least. I guess if you wanted your own spending money you had to work for it.
Well done
Cecilia
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2025
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Harry,
This is a wonderful story. You were a very ambitious young man to say the least. I guess if you wanted your own spending money you had to work for it.
Well done
Cecilia
Comment Written 22-Jan-2025
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2025
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Yes ma'am. I did have to work for my own spending money. Mom didn't have it. Thank you so much for your kind words and review. I truly appreciate you!
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My friend you are welcome
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Roger that!
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What branch were you my fellow Vet?
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Three years U.S. Army, 24 years U.S. Coast Guard.
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Thank you for your service my friend. I did 16 1/2 years Navy.
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Well, thank you for your service as well! Nice to meet a Veteran!
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Harry-there are quite a few Navy vets I have met on this forum. It's great.
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Yes, I have too. There are a lot of vets here. I think that is great!
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I do too.
Comment from Sanku
I love to read such posts because they take me back to my younger days .Where we used to live they just threw the newspapers on to our porch. no rubber bands .After my marriage I went to live in Calcutta .The old buildings were two or three floors and the newspaper man used to put rubber bands like you described and throw them up into each balcony .IT was fascinating to watch each newspaper fall accurately on to the balcony of first and second floors!
Another memory this triggered is that of boys selling penuts. From a tray hung from their necks they would sell sweet peanut candies and spiced ones...
You were so right .WE were not afraid to wakl alone ..even at night.
But we didnt have any gizmos .Still we were happy
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2025
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I love to read such posts because they take me back to my younger days .Where we used to live they just threw the newspapers on to our porch. no rubber bands .After my marriage I went to live in Calcutta .The old buildings were two or three floors and the newspaper man used to put rubber bands like you described and throw them up into each balcony .IT was fascinating to watch each newspaper fall accurately on to the balcony of first and second floors!
Another memory this triggered is that of boys selling penuts. From a tray hung from their necks they would sell sweet peanut candies and spiced ones...
You were so right .WE were not afraid to wakl alone ..even at night.
But we didnt have any gizmos .Still we were happy
Comment Written 22-Jan-2025
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2025
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Thank you so much Sanku for your kind words and review. I truly appreciate you!!!
