Sifoddling Along

By Marilyn Carnell

I learned my ABC’s when I was six years old. This would be shocking today, but in 1946 when I entered first grade (there was no kindergarten at the time), I was stunned to find that my friend, Mary Rowan, and others had learned this special code. I went home in outrage. It seems that my father, who was a school superintendent, didn’t believe in homeschooling at the time. Thus, this gap in my learning. It was especially odd since he had taught himself to read at age 4. Perhaps he thought I should do it on my own. I will never know the answer to that question.

At any rate, I learned my ABC’s and quickly learned to read. This opened up a whole new world to me. For many years I read voraciously and today I would like to mention books that made an impression on me.

First grade introduced me to the world of reading with the Dick and Jane readers. How I loved discovering words and the simple stories.

I could read! What a thrill.

In the second grade the teacher read to us for a short time each day. My favorite was a scary story about Lazy, Lizy Lizard. The lines: “Lazy Lizzy Lizard, I’ll cut out your gizzard and throw you in the lake.” Sent a delicious shiver down my spine.

When I was about 9, a county library was established and I was given free rein to read any book I wanted except the works of Vance Randolph, a collector of folktales. His books were kept behind the librarian’s desk as they were deemed “dirty” and unsuitable for young minds. (I now collect his books.)

I was 11 when I read Gone with the Wind, A friend informed my parents about my questionable choice and asked if they approved. Apparently, they did as I was not censored in my reading list and I worked my way through the library shelves. I devoured the Civil War books by Bruce Catton bodice rippers (apparently not thought to be “dirty”) murder mysteries, historical novels lives of English kings. I even, read a set of encyclopedias. Anything with the written word on it was fair game. I once missed a plane as I was so engrossed by the book I was reading.

In college I read Greek mythology, science fiction, and classic literature like War & Peace.

Over the years several books stand out as memorable. The Bridge of San Luis Rey, A Confederacy of Dunces, the Tolkien books, Dune, A Canticle for Liebowitz, Dr. Zhivago, The Double Helix, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, a mixed bag, to be sure.

These were a few of the books that had a lasting impression among the thousands of stories I have read in the past 79 years.