After high school, before marriage, the California life. My mother would talk about her girlfriends, but she always tried to hide her boyfriends. I never found any picture of my father from this time period.
1935
The childhood home of my mother (but a recent picture).
1935
High School graduation. She went to Hollywood High School, a 30 minute walk from her home.
1934
I’m guess that this the beach at Santa Monica, because it is the closest beach to the Hollywood home of my mother. Her address was 1408 N Orange Grove Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90046, 12 miles from the beach.
1935
Becoming the young lady. She liked to drew up.
1934
Together with her high school friends. Like a lot of high school friendships, they lasted a lifetime. She always looked forward to the few occasions that she could meet up with her old friends. At the same time, she didn’t share much of this with her children. Many of these pictures she hid in a special photo album, that Bob got after her death.
1934
Hollywood High School. She spent a lot of time on the beach. Too soon to be a female surfer.
1933
Here on the beach in Los Angeles, hiding behind a friend. She was shy about her body all her life. I don’t think I can remember but one time I saw her in a bra, and never anything less. Fortunately for me, I grew up during the “sexual revolution.” I didn’t end up with any of her shyness or conservative beliefs about a human body. I have always been the biologist, when it comes to nature. Doesn’t matter if it is a tree, or a human. It’s biology.
10 years old
Blond, Swedish blond. None of her children ended up with her blond hair. Usually started that way, and then darkened.
9 years old
I like the bottom picture. I really can’t remember my mother looking so happy.