The Old Man and Me - Book Review

Author RC Larlham has recorded an unforgettable time capsule in his memoir, The Old Man and Me.  His collection of short stories about growing up in the 1950s on a small midwest farm will open readers' eyes to the rigors of this often seen as an idyllic time in America. The author introduces his earliest memories as a toddler and young child, thus setting the time frame and location for his following stories. Told in first person, the reader can feel the author's angst and misery as he struggles through the stages of growing up.

The author, known as Charles or Chuck, introduces his father, Dick the Old Man, and his Mother, Hattie, better known as Pat, through vignettes of love, family, and chores on a small farm before television. His younger brother and sister are paramount in his life.  Chuck's musical inability with disastrous piano lessons gives him a break from endless farm chores. A beloved pony is his introduction to the sorrow of losing a pet.

A twelfth birthday summarizes a unique father-son relationship with an unexpected outing, a fabulous surprise gift, and the knowledge that there will be no more birthday celebrations as he grows older. Magical Christmases and a hilarious Thanksgiving are memorable. The boredom of repeated farm chores is offset with tales of pranks, hunting, and seasonal jobs like blackberry picking. 

Berry picking in the thorny thickets left Chuck's and his brother's arms scratched and looked like they'd been in a catfight and lost. The pain was quickly forgotten with Mom's homemade blackberry cobbler hot from the oven and topped with cream and the jars of preserves on the shelves for winter. The many chore-related stories will surprise today's  generation of youth, but as the Old Man said, "farms that couldn't make a profit turned into subdivisions."

The description of being a school crossing guard is a great story about how to get blamed for something you didn't do. A lesson even for today's school students.

Chuck's work ethic was developed not only by farm chores, but he took other odd jobs to make extra money.  He received no allowance but was expected to tackle whatever jobs his father or mother assigned. Work was an escape from boredom in the tiny farm village and schools. Grumbling and feeling miserable were tolerated, but work was paramount. 

The stories of automobiles quickly date the time frame. "An attendant filled the tank, cleaned the windshield, and checked the oil and tires." As Chuck grew and matured into a teen, the stories of his cars and driving adventures prevailed. 

The author's stories minutely describe this time period with more interesting detail than any history text. This delightful book should be assigned reading for middle school history for students who don't know a Phillips from a flathead screwdriver. Senior readers will relate with "I remember…" while young adults will probably react with denial. "No way"  could their grandparents have lived like this.