A Past Worth Telling

By Mary Ann Niemczura PhD

A Past Worth Telling presents a collection of poems by author Mary Ann Niemczura that recounts her childhood in rural Western Massachusetts in the 1940s and early 1950s, a time that offered carefree, innocent days of playing, learning, and exploring with minimal adult supervision. It was a time and place that children appreciated nature and its creatures, when children savored horehound drops, penny candy, Mary Ann cookies, crackers, and pickles from the barrel at the Old Sturbridge Village General Storewith the wooden Indian chief outside.

This poetical memoir recalls fond childhood days as seen through the eyes of Niemczura and her sisters. She also recalls life in Colorado, Germany, and Central New York. These memories are documented for future generations and for anyone interested in such experiences.

Her writing is joyful and uplifting but poignant at times. To her credit, she covers lifes winding road with humor and reality.

Jerome F. Melvin, PhD, retired school Superintendent of the North Syracuse Central Schools in North Syracuse, New York

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abbott Press
• Release date: Feb 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781458212979

Mary Ann Niemczura PhD

Mary Ann Niemczura was born in Massachusetts and reared in Colorado but lives in Upstate New York. A consummate professional with a passion for teaching, she has taught German for forty-seven years and also taught in Germany as a Fulbright exchange teacher. She is married and has two children

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Copyright © 2014 Mary Ann Niemczura, Ph.D.

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ISBN: 978-1-4582-1299-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4582-1298-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4582-1297-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013921593

Abbott Press rev. date: 2/21/2014

CONTENTS

Dedication

Epigraph

Foreword

Introduction

PART 1 - Massachusetts Memories

It was complicated

A Gardenia Corsage

Laundry Basket

Twenty-five Snowmen

Surprise Gift

Little Blue Mouths

Pretty Red

Sitting on the Card

The Blacksmith

Penmanship Class

Inkwells

Old Snellville School

Much to her Chagrin

Three little Kittens

Frogs Jumping

It Slithered

Sat with a Friend

White Silk Stockings

What was Dad thinking?

Big, Black Bicycle

First Time

Professor LaForce

Under the Umbrella

Ambidextrous

Cedar Street

Homage to Uncle Joe

Four Seasons

Precocious

Outside My Window

Turn of the Century House

Oxygen Tent

Decision Time

Don’t Go Into the Bushes

Hidden Pockets

Red Handlebar Moustache

Skunk Cabbage

Daddy Long Legs

PART 2 - Colorado Chats

Time to Move the Hose

Tumbleweeds

Long Blond Braids

Cowboy Performer

Never Ever

Fancy Duds

Frosted Mugs

Former Days

Muffins

Short Notice

Not Yet

Purple Ribbon

Yeast Bread

Waste Not

Don’t Switch Pans

By Accident

Dragging the Gut

Drive-in Movies

Mystery Meat

Getting Ready for Church

The Niemczura Sisters

Church Music

Erasers

Aging is the Pits

No Spraying

Engineer’s Daughter

It Defied Logic

All Good Things Come in Threes

Wheelbarrow

Hopping Mad

The Hardwick Music Studio

Six Hands at the Piano

Learning Experience

Dumbfounded

New Words

PART 3 - Musings from Upstate New York

Cat Duty

Skunk

Frozen Silence

Just died

Uninvited Guest

Beauty and Warmth

Routine Eye Exam

Eye Chart

Solution to the Problem

I Am There Now

Collards

Under the Apple Trees

Gone Gathering

Things Are Not as They Appear Sometimes

Love’s Duty

In a Hurry

Another Note

Hold On

Hidden Life

To Piano in a Blizzard

Yearnings

Next Best

The Whistler

Two Canes

Parts Wear Out

PART 4 - Teaching Experiences

I teach

Who goes there?

Alone

Never Again

Our Second Family

The Golden House

Stefan

Sex Education

Swim Lesson

My Little Native Speakers

Fairy Tale Wedding

Mike - a Love Story

The German Toyshop

High Security Area

Fresh Parsley

Incredible Journey

The Kulak

In a Town called Jachymov

About the Author

DEDICATION

I dedicate this to my husband, Russell, whose love, patience, and advice were most valued in the writing process. You are a pearl of great value as my mother once remarked. Your cover photo of Beaver Lake Nature Center evokes fond memories.

To my children Tom and Emily who offered inspiration and gave encouragement along the way. I love you dearly, my honey cake and sugar plum. Thank you for cheering me on.

To my sisters who read some of the poems and gave me ideas for others. Sheila and Jean, you are the best. We had good times together.

To all my family, friends and colleagues along life’s journey who read the poems and offered positive feedback, especially Jerry. Thanks for supporting my efforts.

EPIGRAPH

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

(from Mother Teresa’s Anyway Poem)

FOREWORD

Today, more than ever, there is a greater understanding of the importance of the family and its