12/24/2024
Little Miss Judy’s Believe it Or Not”
“Christmas in the Fifties with Dear old Captain Dad!”
As a child, like most, I loved Christmas. I knew that Santa Clause was the real thing and that hopefully he was going to visit my house. Every year my father would tell all of us children that he was going to set a trap to catch old Saint Nick. In this department I wasn’t too popular with the neighborhood kids. Since Daddy was a great hunter and could possibly have set a trap that just might work. So, as you can see, we were all in a dilemma during Christmas time.
We would talk about it among ourselves and come up with some convincing reasons why we shouldn’t worry too much about Daddy’s old trap. The number one reason was that we knew for a fact that Santa was very smart. So therefore, he would see right through any trap. The other and best reason was that we knew for a fact was that if Santa could get into houses without chimneys he could easily escape.
After a few minutes us six-year-olds would get tired of worrying about this and basically forgot about it. At least until Daddy brought it up again, which was quite often on Christmas Eve!
As an only child I was very fortunate to get a lot of things during the year. So therefore, when Christmas arrived I needed more after all a child needs lot of things to survive. Back in the old days we received only a few catalogs. Not like today where your mailbox is packed full every day. For months before the big event, I would always be anxiously waiting for the “Levy’s” catalog to arrive. This was my Christmas list in picture form. My father would tell me that I could circle what I wanted, and he would pass it on to Santa. Now this is the funny thing. He always told me not to spend any more than $25.00 on all my gifts. So, the process began. I spent a lot of time choosing items, then adding their costs up with the hopes that what I wanted wasn’t over the designated amount.
Until I got older, I didn’t understand what money and Santa Clause had in common. After doing all this work and making my final decision I would hand over my picture Christmas list to Daddy. He would hopefully, as he promised, pass it on to Santa Clause. However, I never forgot for one moment that he might catch the rascal before he got to our house. I wasn’t the only child worried about this.
Finally, Christmas morning arrived. I jumped out of bed, ran into the living room, and got a big letdown. There wasn’t any presents or toys to be found. I couldn’t believe it Daddy had actually caught Santa Clause. I ran to daddy’s bedroom almost in tears and woke him up. He rose up half asleep and asked, “What’s wrong?” I replied, “Santa didn’t come!” He quickly replied, “Oh Santa and I got to talking about fishing and he left all of your presents in my closet!” This put Christmas morning back on track!
About picture number 1:
After I got all of the presents out of my father’s closet this is how I set them up! I think I did a pretty good job! Don’t you?
There are few things that I would like to bring to your attention in regards to this picture!
In the back left upper corner there is a picture of my mother. Unfortunately, she had been killed in a car accident the month before. Her picture is sitting on a state of the art stereo sytem then and a vineage piece of sound equipment now. It was so cool, all you have to do was to pull on the k**b and the turn table just folds out! Then it is ready to play a vinyl record. The first time I pulled the turn table out about $1500.00 in cash fell out on to the floor! All my father could say was, “I think you mother hid this money for safe keeping!”
And now I have to talk about black cermic pig, which was bascically a big bank. It was so cool! Why? When it was filled up, the only way to get your money was to take a hammer and bust the pig!
About picture number 2:
Photo by Captain Sherman Helmey or maybe Santa Clause!
Here I am early Christmas morning with doll in hand, eyes closed half asleep, and just happy as can be that daddy didn’t catch Santa Clause!
Here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
And thanks for all of the continued support!
Captain Judy
Miss Judy Charters provides Inshore fishing, Offshore fishing, and Gulf Stream fishing charters.
