Saturday, April 20, 2013

A-Z April Challenge R is for My Secret Fantasy

What do you want to be when you grow up?  
Like all kids, when asked that question, I probably answered many different ways.  But growing up in the late 1950's and early 1960's, I'm sure my answer was NOT policeman, fireman, doctor or lawyer.  
During that era, I most likely would have chosen teacher, "MAD Men" executive secretary or Mommy.
But, I did have a secret fantasy.  Perhaps, because of my affinity with story telling, I was drawn to the glamourous world of newspaper reporting.  
Okay, I admit it.  It had nothing to do with my made up "once upon a time" stories.  It was her.  It was Brenda Starr Reporter.  She was my inspiration.

Typically, young women of my generation, would most likely marry our high school sweet heart, after he finished college or completed his stint in the armed forces.

But, do you know how you have that one teacher, the one who sees something in you that no one else has seen before?

That teacher for me was Clarence Jolly, Jr.
Mr. Jolly was my high school English teacher.

When I shyly answered his question of what I wanted to do after high school, he told me that I absolutely should pursue a career in the field of my choice because I had the skills to do it.
 
My father had other plans for me, though.  College was not an option.  "Besides, he said, you got such good grades in Typing and Stenography."
"You should become a secretary."
Also, of course,  there was Larry, my high school sweetheart.   Our plans included waiting for him to finish college, serve his mandatory time in the military and then we would marry.

Well,  newspaper journalism was not in the cards for me, but, neither was Larry.

My memories of reading the daily comic strip have faded along with my Brenda Starr Reporter fantasies.  But, she did capture my imagination and filled, this then young girl, with dreams of  maybes and what ifs.

And I will never forget Mr. Clarence Jolly, Junior.

The following excerpt was taken from Wikipedia




Characters and final storylines

Brendacast.jpg
Brenda has always been a modern woman, noted for her exotic adventures and steamy romances. Dale Messick and later artists concentrated on keeping Brenda contemporary in clothing and hairstyles. Before Messick retired, Brenda finally married the mysterious Basil St. John, whose eye patch and black orchid serum have been a regular plot element Shortly thereafter, Brenda had Basil's baby, a girl named Starr Twinkle St. John. Brenda and Basil divorced, and sparks flew when they met again. During one of Basil's reappearances, Brenda discovered Basil had a son, named Sage, with the talk show host, Wanda Fonda. That marriage also ended in divorce. Brenda and Wanda became good friends. Eventually, Brenda was promoted from reporter to editor.




I am participating in the A-Z April Challenge.
Today's letter is R.
Lynda Starr Reporter

21 comments:

  1. Oh, I'd forgotten all about Brenda Starr. I loved her too! One thing I miss about living in a metropolitan area is having a big city newspaper. I read the LA Times growing up, started with comics, but then I grew into the columnists and news.

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    1. I actually worked for the Wall Street Journal for 20 years, but no where near the news department.

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  3. Oh, what a sweet story. I'm glad you had that spark in you, even then. I can't imagine not having the expectation that you would go to college, etc. (Though sometimes I think we've overdone it in that respect). I remember my mom (who was born in 1942) telling me that what she really wanted to do was go to art school. Of course her Dad laughed at her and told her no way, and that was it. It boggles my mind.

    Happy Blogging!
    Kaye Draper at Write Me

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    1. Thankfully things have changed for the better over the years. I feel fortunate to have personally experienced a good number of them.

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  4. You found another way to be a writer. So, that's a win, right?

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    1. This is true, Liz. I thought about that as I was writing my post today. Mr. Jolly would be proud :)

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  5. You're still a writer..so in a way your fantasy fulfilled itself :)

    Damyanti @Daily(w)rite Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2013

    Twitter: @AprilA2Z
    #atozchallenge
    AZ blogs on Social Media

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    1. I began to write because the words would not stay inside. This wonderful blogging community gives me the encouragement to continue.

      This A to Z Challenge renews my motivation.

      Thank you for visiting and for the work you are doing as a co-host.

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  6. I have no recollection of being asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. That's probably a good thing because I have no recollection of wanting to be anything. The irony is that teaching would have been the LAST thing that I wanted to do, and yet, I taught in the middle school and loved it. Go figure. I sure enjoyed reading about Brenda, though I do not remember having encountered her before. Fun post!

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    1. Somehow you were led the way to do what you discovered you loved. I'm sure there is a story behind how you found that path :)

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    2. When the little two-room school up on the mountain was in danger of being dissolved, due to local politics, I went back to school to get my credential. I felt that I was in the best position to do this. When our little school eventually fell apart, I made the transition to town. That's my story.

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  7. New follower.

    I've always wanted to be a writer/editor when I grow up- ever since 5th grade. I'm now exactly what I wanted to be.
    ~Summer
    My Blog Post

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    1. It makes me happy to know that you were able to do what you always knew you wanted to do. I think that is great!

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  8. Do you remember reading a Scholastic book about Nellie Bly, the reporter who went around the world? She set my imagination on fire. I thought how cool would that be. I pursued it in high school, by working on the school paper, but by college journalism classes I realized that it was not for me. I'd lost my courage to ask people questions during critical moments of their lives. Still, I have had a long career in writing nonfiction. Thank goodness for Scholastic publishing a tale about Nellie Bly.
    Don't be a Hippie
    Take 25 to Hollister

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    1. Nellie Bly does sound familiar. It is always interesting to hear how dreams are inspired. It is also inspiring for me to know that those dreams have been fulfilled in some way.
      Thank you for visiting.

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  9. What a fun post! The Sunday funnies were a big deal in our house. My sisters and I fought over them. Found your blog through the Challenge, and I'm looking forward to returning!

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    1. I think I should get back to reading the funnies. I’ve been through a rough time lately, I could use a little smile.
      Thank you for visiting.

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  10. This was fun! I know the name Brenda Starr, but most of my formative years were spent overseas so I haven't actually read any of the comics. I think it's great that she inspired you to want to be a reporter!

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  11. Oh, I loved this. I am a bit younger than you and grew up in the '70s but even then I remember being five and thinking that my options were teaching or nursing. Around that time, I saw my first female MP on post at Ft. Bliss in Texas. The idea that women could be police officers was exciting and new. In fourth grade, when we had to do a worksheet on what we wanted to be when we grew up I put "author" and then under what I hoped to make for money, I wrote "1/3 of sale of books because 1/3 would go to publisher and 1/3 would go to bookstore, which leaves 1/3 for me." I still like that math, but I don't think that's the way it usually works. ;)

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    1. You are too much, MM. First the fact that you knew that you wanted to be an author in the fourth grade is amazing. But your business acumen at that age, well that is pretty astounding. :)

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