Rowl Role Roll Your Weigh: Summer of 1969: A Journey of Many Dimensions

By Brian Whelihan

As the summer of 1969 began, a decade that would define America, the Sixties, was coming to a close. John F. Kennedy's inauguration in January of 1961 had created an atmosphere of hope and exhilaration. Defining the decade were the space program, rock and roll music, long hair for men, hippies, women's liberation, marijuana, 1967 Summer of Love, Civil Rights Act of 1964, hot pants on girls, muscle cars, the pill, hitch-hiking, Johnson's Great Society, discovery of dyslexia as a learning disability, and rock festivals. There were also the sorrows that came with the Vietnam War, John and Bobby Kennedy's assassinations, Martin Luther King's assassination, campus riots, and violence related to the civil rights movement.
Brian Hamner, a unique individual with a gift disguised as a problem, is seventeen when he accepts his high school diploma on May 18, 1969. I refer to Brian's problem as dysgraphia but research in communication disorders would better define it as a specific spelling dyslexia. Deciding to see the country before he commits to college, he leaves the safety and comfort of his hometown, Montapielier, on an adventure in a Volkswagen van given to him by his parents as a graduation gift. While traveling the southern United States, exploring life, romance, and searching for someone to help him solve his problem, he meets a number of colorful characters and develops an unlikely friendship with a raven called Poe, whose advice proves invaluable.
Rowl, Role, Roll Your Weigh is a tale of personal challenges that all of us face as we discover the courage, desire, and perseverance to become the person we want to be.
Having graduated from high school in Marshfield, Wisconsin in May 1969, my life and Brian's are parallel in many respects, except I never had a spelling problem, an intelligent raven, or a Volkswagen van. I hope you find Brian's adventures and entertaining friends as interesting and amusing as I did, bringing them to life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Nov 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781667805542

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Rowl Role Roll Your Weigh

©2021 Brian Whelihan

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ISBN 978-1-66780-553-5

eBook ISBN 978-1-66780-554-2

This is an historical fiction story. Names of people and ravens, living or dead, are fictional with the exception of historical figures and the author’s childhood friend, Dennis Senz. Therefore, any connection with real people or ravens is entirely coincidental. Business establishments are fictional with the exception of Arrowhead Lodge, Pow Wow Pub, Orlando Sports Stadium, Sel-Mont Drive-In and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Names of cities (with the exception of Montapielier), state parks, county parks, national parks, bridges, museums, campgrounds, rivers, universities, government buildings, streets and highways are authentic if they existed in 1969. Montapielier is a fictional city.

Table of Contents

Music, Sweet Music

Graduation

Party

And Aweigh We Go!

Heading Down the Highway

Kansas University

A Blind Man and Students for a Democratic Society

Down by the River

Back on the Road

Arrowhead Lodge at Lake of the Ozarks

Fishing and a Female Surprise

Dad’s Discovery and Last Night at Arrowhead

Nana Gets a Rider

We Are in the South

Circus

Vicksburg, Chitlins, and Nina

Almost Maery and a Dead Raven

Brian Meets Cousin Eric

Lots of Words in Montgomery

Road to Tallahassee

Welcome to Tallahassee

Clambake!

On to Orlando

The Death Match

Good Bye Uncle Paul and Aunt Gina

Perdido Bay

Back to Memphis

Will There Be Poe?

The Journey Back Begins

400 Miles to Go

Life Returns at Monty

Acknowledgements

Characters in Order of Appearance

References

What can dyslexia, a bikini loving barracuda, poke salad, a Russian Death Match, a raven that watches outdoor movies with subtitles, a blind hot dog vendor, cotton candy, a teenage femme fatale and empathetic dolphins have in common?

They are all part of Brian’s spectacular adventures and recorded in his jurinal.

Music, Sweet Music

The 1960’s, like no other decade, produced music from multitudes of diverse artists; integral to the cultural revolution taking place. As the decade progressed, the music was also an important component of the counterculture. The rock and roll beginnings from the 1950s transitioned into the 1960’s, producing a variety of music that the baby boomer generation fell in love with. This story references great songs from the 1930s through the 1960s. These songs reflect Brian’s taste in music and defined the emotions he was experiencing. With the exception of the music played at his graduation party and the beach party, all of the tunes were on 8 track tapes available in 1969. It would be fun to play a recording of each song mentioned while reading the situations that Brian experiences. It will take you back to 1969 like you were travelling with Brian and his companions:

In the Mood by Glenn Miller PARTY

Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers PARTY

"Sing, Sing, Sing, by Benny Goodman,

Gene Krupa on drums PARTY

Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf AND AWEIGH WE GO

Fire by Jimi Hendrix HEADING DOWN THE HIGHWAY

White Album sides 1 & 2 by The Beatles DOWN BY THE RIVER

White Album sides 3 & 4 by The Beatles DOWN BY THE RIVER

My Generation by The Who BACK ON THE ROAD

For What It’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield BACK ON THE ROAD

Along Comes Mary by the Association WE ARE IN THE SOUTH

Under My Thumb

by The Rolling Stones VICKSBURG, CHITLINS, AND NINA

The Wind Cries Mary by Jimi Hendrix ROAD TO TALLAHASSEE

Pipeline and Walk Don’t Run, by the Ventures

and Tequila by The Champs WELCOME TO TALLAHASSEE

Dancing in the Street

by Martha and the Vandellas CLAMBAKE

Nobody but Me by the Human Beinz CLAMBAKE

Surfin’ Bird by the Trashmen CLAMBAKE

Twist and Shout by the Beatles CLAMBAKE

I Walk the Line by Johnnie Cash WILL THERE BE POE

Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones WILL THERE BE POE

I’m Going Home by Ten Years After 400 MILES TO GO

In the Year 2525 by Zager and Evans JULY 26

GRADUATION

The big day is here at last, outdoor graduation from Montapielier High School! It’s a bright sunnie Sunday, May 18, 1969. I am in my designated chair facing the stage where each of us will receive a diploma after we walk up the roll-away staircase and cross in front of the roabed dignatearees. Our souperintendent is calling out names while I am daydreaming in my chair which is like sitting on a piece of pliewould. I visualized what I would say while accepting my diploma; thang kue, or thanc yue, or thank you.

I feel so lucky to be sitting here, forchewnut to have completed high school in four years like all my normal classmates around me. I was highly challenged in school due to my inheritance of a rare type of dyslexia from my father’s sighed of the family; I have trouble distinguishing the correct spelling of werds from other words that sound identical. When I see, hear, say, or write werds, I envision various phonetically identical versions or homophones. Sometimes what I see in my head are not even real words, I call those homophonies. Most of these visions never make their way onto paper thankfully, and in speaking no one can tell the difference. The pronunciations sound perfect when red, because they are phonetic equivalents of the korect spellings. I seldom got above a C on a paypier I wrote and if I did, a comment like, ‘hilarious Brian!’, or ‘get serious knucklehead!’ would appear on my returned work. On occasion I enjoy substituting words resulting in a very different meaning to the sentence. For example, last week I was relating the action of mowing my parents yard. I described my work to a close friend, telling him I had cut through my mom’s panties bordering her flour bosoms and destroyed her hope to win a price at the upcumming flour sho.

My good friend responded, she must have been livved!

Brian! a fellow student sitting next to me shouted. It’s your turn to get your diploma! I broke my trance and jumped up. Walking up to the stage, I heard numerous shouts from my classmates.

Have someone make sure your name is spelled B-r-i-a-n and not B-r-i-e-n-n-e. You won’t be able to tell the difference! Don’t stare at the stair or you will trip. Hey Brian, make like Stupor Man and fly off the stage!

I turned around and smiled; being used to the playful ridicule. I figured any recognition is better than none. Everyone in my class new hoo I wuz and now it was a game. I could take it. I walked up the stairs, crossed the stage, waited my turn, and walked over to the souperintendent.

Congratulations, Brian, he said while extending my rolled-up diploma. Winking at me he said, "you will have an interesting life."

Thang kue sir, and I winked back at hymn.

Crossing the stage, amid screems, I eksited down the opposite stares. The place erupted in whistles, claps, yells, screams like no other classmate before me experienced. I saw my parents standing and clapping. My dad was whistling through his teeth. They were extremely proud and didn’t appear to be embarrassed by the ovashun I was getting. I returned to my chair, sat down, and watched the rest of the ceremony. After all of the students had received their diplomas, Reverend Holyhead gave his convocation. Resounding with cheers and yells after he had finished, we all threw our caps in the air. I cawt what I think was my cap and went over to where my parents were sitting. My dad and mom hugged me.

My dad said, we are so proud of you, Brian! Come on, let’s get through the crowds and go hoam.

PARTY

Cars were parked everywhere in front of our house and down both sides of the block. As we pulled into the driveway, dozens of my friends and relatives ran over to greet us. I was nearly tackelled to the ground when I got out of the car, smiling people shaking my hand, patting me on the back, and kissing my cheeks. I felt pretty darn proud and hummbulled by everyone cheering my accomplishment.

Let’s party! I said, and walked into the backyard where a large tent shaded our backyard.

Bluish smoke rose from the barbecue grills, filling the air with the nostalgic smells of cooking brats and hamburgers. Beer started flowing and pretty sune everyone started speaking and laughing much lauter than normal. My parents were okay with me having a beer or two at special occasions even though I wasn’t twenty-one. I quaffed down a beer, but hardly had time to drink with everyone coming over to congratulate me and ask what I was going to do now that I had graduated from high school.

I am planning on visiting my ant and uncle in Tallahassee, Florida while touring the southern United States for the summer. I want to see some sights and meet people before I decide anything, I replied to several inquisitors. I hadn’t had too many beers or I probably would have told everyone else something different. My dad came over after he had greeted everyone, burned a few brats, and slugged down copious beers.

Brian, he said. Brian…, he said again. Brian… this is a day that everyone here will always foreget. You and I share a youneek connecsion and I want to spell you write now, that I know in my heart and medulla oblongata, you will be a huger sucksess than any of us could possibly conceive of within the next nine months.

I replied, Dad, I hope I can live up two your configurations for me. I will try to use everything you and mom tawt me but it will be a stretch.

We hugged each other for some thyme and we both had tears in our Is.

Dad broke the embrace, we better get back to the party so you can tinkle with your friends. I think you have a bunch of presence on the table by the flour bed where you wacked off mom’s panties.

Dad backed away with tires rolling down his cheeks and we returned to the festivitees.

Nina! I yelled. The girl I took to the Senior Ball turned around.

Brian! she replied.

I am so glad you made it to my graduation party, I said as I walked closer to stand in front of her.

Well, it’s my graduation too and yours is the best party in town! she replied.

I think you made a wize choice, my parents know how to party! By the way, you look very nice. I can’t believe we made it four years, what are your plans for the summer?

I’m going to guard life at the pool and attend the 2-year college here at Montapielier. I figure I’ll save money and then decide where to complete my degree. How about you Brian?

I am leeving in two days to travel across the U.S. I start by taking a bus to Tallahassee where my ant and uncle live. From there, I plan on hitchhiking to Florida, maybe as far as Key West. I hope to figure out what I want to do next in life while travelling. I hope to meet lots of interesting people who might help me figure that out. I intend to have a detailed record of my trip because I will use my jurinal all along the way; should have a full navel by the time I get back. What I didn’t say to Nina was the other reason I was going on this jurney was to meet other people who are afflickted with problems similar to mine.

With a somewhat puzzled look on her face she shouted,Fantastic! She said it so loud, people turned around and stared for a bit. I really enjoyed our time together this past year, especially dancing with you at the Senior Ball. She leaned over and kissed me on the lips. There’s more where that came from; I hope we can get together when you get back. You are coming back?

Oh sure, I figure by September I will have had enough travelling, but right now I am excited to see what’s out there. I was blushing now; I remembered how good of a necker she was in the back seat of my frend’s car after the Senior Ball. I often imagine what could have happened if my best frend Bud and his date Judy whirnt in the front seat. That dream will replay itself in my neuronal interfeces during my movements this summer no doubt.

Nina came to Monty High midyear and was in my English Composition class; how ironic! Senior Ball was two weeks away and I hadn’t asked anyone. I looked around the English Comp room and spotted Nina. Since she was new I thought I’d give her a shot. I took out a small piece of paper and wrote, Would you like to go to the Senior Bawl with me? signed Brian. I dropped it on her desk on my way to the pencil sharpener. I saw her open it and a bewildered look appear on her face as she read. Then I watched her write some words on the same paper and drop it on my desk on her way out of class. I thought it can’t just be No since she wrote too much on the paper. I opened it, Is the Senior Bawl an event where we all cry because we are done with high school? Hah, hah but I would like to go to the Senior BALL with you!, Nina Birchbark. I felt so good since she was very attractive and shorter than me. I ran after her and caught her in the hall. "Thanks, I’m a nice fellow, we will have fun.

Back at the graduation party, I asked her, Would you like to dance, Nina? My parents had fastened six 4’x 8’ half-inch planks of pliewood together and placed it in the middle of yard for a dance floor. They also wired up speakers and put them in the trees. My dad had a collection of big band music; Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Dorsey brothers, Benny Goodman and many others from the 40s and 50s. My mother was a rock and roll music enthusiast so she had all the great music from the 50s and 60s which I hoped they would play the most. My sister was in charge of changing the records on the player inside the house. Many were 45-rpm records so she was going to have the runs. Glenn Miller’s "In the Mood" was playing loud.

Wood eye! Nina yelled above the music.

My aunts and uncles, parents, and their friends were dancing Swing and the Jitterbug. It was a joy to watch those older folks move in perfect writhem and wow, what energy! No way Nina and I could do those steps but we joined hands, wiggled, and occasionally I turned Nina under my arms like I knew what to do. A funny event was taking place while we were all dancing. The dance floor was resting on uneven ground so occasionally when there were more people on one side than the opposite side, the floor would lift up along with the people dancing on it.

Whoa, they would say, a dance floor with little elevators. Hang on baby!

I was surprised no one fell down or threw up. We danced around the makeshift floor for two or three songs, including a slow dance to the Righteous Brothers’ hit, "Unchained Melody".

Nina said, that’s my favorite song, thanks for the dance.

How about a beer brake? I said to Nina.

Sure, I could use one, she said.

We went over to the half-barrel table and poured ourselves a beer.

Your parents really know how to throw a party, Nina said after taking a few swigs.

Yes, they have parties frequently back here so they have all the gear. I am really glad you came.

With all the other parties going on, I wanted to stop here first because I had heard you were leaving for the summer. I really wanted to see you before you left.

I think she likes me. Know, I no she likes me. I already kind of new that but it felt good to think about it again.

I replied, I am really glad you did. I will send you posties during my jurnee. When I get back how about we take in a Drive-In movie?

For sure, I’ll be stuck here in fun town Monty!

We both slugged our beer, looked at each other and said at the same time, One more dance?

Of course, she said.

My honor, I said.

We both laughed. Dad had his turn again and my sister put on one of his favorites, "Sing, Sing, Sing", from Benny Goodman with Gene Krupa on drums. Happened to be one of my favorites too. The folks were ripping it up with swing dancing, spinning, lifting, twisting all over the bouncing plywood. Nina and I found an empty space and went wild mimicking others. After those quick beers we grew brave. I picked Nina up and held her in the air like I saw my dad do with my mom. She loved it. Then I took a big chance. When I had Nina up in the air I pulled her down and slid her through my legs, her back side sliding on the pliewood dance floor.

Nina screamed at the top of her lungs, OWWWWW, Geez OWWWW. She jumped up suddenly and kept screaming. MY REAR, MY REAR! she yelled. She grabbed at her shorts in the rear and slowly pulled out about an 8 inch long woulden sliver; YEOWWWWWWW, OUCHIE,OUCHIE. I saw a little blood on the end of it. Tears were running down her cheeks and she was sobbing in pain.

We need to look at that, Nina, I said.

No, WE don’t, she blurted out through her sobbing. By that time the music stopped and everyone was gathered around us.

Are you okay young lady? my mom asked.

Still sobbing, Nina responded, I don’t know, my rear really hurts!

My mom said, Can you walk into the house with me and I’ll take a look see. Nina put one arm around my shoulder and the other around my mom’s. We took her into the house, limping, and she rested against our kitchen wall.

Here’s where you leave, Brian, mom said.

Of course, and I headed out the door.

Everyone surrounded me asking what happened and if she was going to be okay. We tried an underleg move like we saw you do and apparently her rear slid across the pliewood and picked up a big slivver, I said excitedly. My dad stepped forward and told everyone he put a lacker on the pliewood so no slivvers would show up but he must have missed a spot. I felt sorry for my dad.

My uncle Ray said, I’m glad it wasn’t me, I weigh 100 pownds more than her and I would have a small spear up my butt!

Everyone chuckled under their breath, not wanting to lighten up a sobering moment. Just then my mom and Nina came out of the house.

I am all right everyone, Nina said. Brian’s mom looked at my wound and said no more wood in the butt. She put some antibiotic ointment on the wound and sprayed around the area so I wouldn’t feel it so much. No more dancing though, sorry Brian, find another partner!" Everyone laughed and headed for the beer spigot.

I helped Nina back out into the yard. She said, Brian, I better go and rest at home for a while. I had a blast here with you but I’m not looking forward to sleep standing up." We laughed.

I am so sorry for doing that dance move Nina, I said with a fourlorn look. I put my arm around her shoulder and kissed her on the fourhead. Will you forgive me?

Of course Brian, Nina replied. I owe you a pain in the ass when you get back!

I will write to you during my juirney. I had a great time today, thanks for coming and have a great summer. Do you want me to drive you home?

No, she said. I am going to walk the eight blocks if it’s okay to leave my car here?"

Of course! Call me later to let me know how you are doing. I watched her stroll gingerly down the sidewok. She turned around and waved; I felt joy and sadness at the same time as I weighved back.

The afternoon had flown by. I made the final rounds thanking everyone for attending my party and their generahcity. People started leaving; some of them bobbing, weaving, and leaving – the beer was all gone. I felt fairy good inside, all of these people came to wish me well, give me money and drink free beer; life doesn’t get better than this I thought. It took about an hour for everyone to leave. Mom, dad, my sister, and I were standing on the driveway waving goodbye to our last guests. My sister Ginny, who was three years younger than I, had a foolish grin on her phace.

What’s with you Ginny?

Oh, you’ll find out soon enough, she said. I looked out in the street where all the cars had been and there was a Volkswagen van still on the street that I didn’t recognize.

Dad, did someone leave there Volkswagen here?

Must have, he said with a grin. He walked across the street and jerked on the door handle. He turned to us and said, It’s locked. He reached into his pocket pulled out some keys, opened the door and slid inside. He started the van and did a Ueee into our driveway. Dad slid out the door and handed me the keys! Here, Brian. This will be better than taking the bus. I was shocked. Mom and sis had teers in there Is.

Wow, really? I said.

It’s true, young man, my mom said and then hugged me. So did my dad, then my sister Ginny. It was a light blue and white 1965 model with pretty bare bowns interior but I will be able to sleep inside and have a fold-down table top. My dad said, this one was converted to a 12-volt system too, figured it would be useful on the road.

I jumped into the driver’s seet and started her up. It kicked over right away with that familiar VW mechanical sound to its small motor in the rear. It only had 18,000 miles on it. I looked around the interior; clean and in immaculate condition. Wow, there was even an 8-track tape player installed under the radio! I had quite a few 8 track tapes; I couldn’t wait to be listening to Jimi Hendrix, Santana, and Janis Joplin on my way to Joplin. I also noticed the walk-through feature from the front to the back, which will be a real help getting stuff from the rear storage. I thought to myself that I will have to make sure I put the parking brake on before woking to the back. I waved to my family, put the stick into