Category: Camp Followers – Somewhat True Stories

Camp Follower

2017-10-28

I’m a Camp Follower. I’m a base brat because my father joined the army. This beautiful illustration by artist Nathan Caro Frechette, can be found, with other wonderful pictures, in my book : “Camp Follower One Army Brat’s Story” by Michele Sabad.

Roadtrip

2017-04-28

In the heat and sunshine of Virginia, doing the historic Gettysburg and Williamsburg and Jamestown and Yorktown and Virginia Beach. Had to drive south till the butter melted. At Yorktown American Revolution Visitor Centre, they had a recreated military camp set up from the Revolutionary war (1780ish), it had a mockup of where the wives and families – … More Roadtrip

Christmas 1965

2016-12-08

When my Army father was posted to Germany in 1965, we were supposed to move in the summer with the rest of his Battalion. But my baby brother had eczema and couldn’t get his vaccination shots until he was cleared. So, we moved at Christmas instead. Lesson: It’s only with the passing of years we … More Christmas 1965

Strange New World

2016-11-19

Another installment in my “Camp Followers” memoir series. Enjoy.   1977, Brantford, Ontario. My young new husband is playing his last year of Junior hockey for the Brantford “Aragon” (named for the restaurant sponsor) Penguins and working at a ShopRite catalogue store. I’m working full-time as a swim instructor at the Brant Aquatic Centre, now … More Strange New World

Hockey Mom Incident #1

2016-10-20

My future daughter-in-law Haley and I are sitting on bleacher-style seats inside the stuffy auditorium; my husband Bryan is wandering the halls while we wait for the commencement ceremony to begin. My son, Brandon, is graduating from Buffalo State College today. Excited but bored and fidgety, Haley has asked me about Brandon’s early hockey life. … More Hockey Mom Incident #1

Locker Room

2016-10-11

The young women weren’t threatening me, not exactly, not yet. I’m just back to the locker room, around the corner from the showers, towelled up, at the end of the late shift with my co-lifeguard, Claude, who had already closed up and gone on his way to the men’s. My dripping speedo is where I … More Locker Room