Author Archives: Janet Eriksson

My First Trip Overseas

Traveling Family Growing up, I traveled a lot. My family was very willing to hit the road, visit, explore. And because my dad worked for Eastern Airlines, we got to fly for free anywhere in the United States. We flew to see my sister when she lived in various locations. We also visited family byContinueContinue reading “My First Trip Overseas”

Seeing My Global Future at The Fontainebleau Hotel

Growing up in a Multicultural City I was blessed to grow up in a culturally diverse city. Miami in the 1970s opened a window onto a much wider world. My classmates represented countries from Costa Rica to France, Korea to Venezuela, Spain to Jamaica. Our elementary school classrooms were like the United Nations. I lovedContinueContinue reading “Seeing My Global Future at The Fontainebleau Hotel”

Helping in the First Grade Classroom

In sixth grade at Miami Shores Elementary School, I had a special privilege: I was chosen to be an assistant in a first grade classroom. The program was called Teachers of Tomorrow, most often known as TOTs.  Becoming a Teacher of Tomorrow Sixth-grade students were selected for a TOT role or a Safety Patrol roleContinueContinue reading “Helping in the First Grade Classroom”

A Passport, a Piccolo, and a Summer I’ll Never Forget

In 1982, I was in 10th grade at Winter Park High School. Back then, high school in Florida started with 10th grade. I played flute and piccolo in the band. The annual district solo and ensemble music contest was a big deal, and I had experienced that scene for two years in junior high. InContinueContinue reading “A Passport, a Piccolo, and a Summer I’ll Never Forget”

Big Screens and Bigger Memories: My 1970s Movie Adventures

When I was young, my grownup cousin, Sandra, tried to describe what a movie theater was like. She said a bunch of people could sit in rows, all facing the same direction, and somehow everyone could watch a movie on a giant screen.  How could they see over each other’s heads? I couldn’t picture it.ContinueContinue reading “Big Screens and Bigger Memories: My 1970s Movie Adventures”

Frozen Pillows and Porch Ice Cream: Summer Evenings with Mom, Dad, and Taffy Cat

Summer evenings in Miami were hot and muggy throughout my childhood in the 1970s. The hotels along the beach blocked the ocean breeze. The inland neighborhoods wilted in a steamer. But we had a beautiful evening rhythm in our home, buoyed by the sweet scent of the jasmine hedges that wandered through our neighborhood ofContinueContinue reading “Frozen Pillows and Porch Ice Cream: Summer Evenings with Mom, Dad, and Taffy Cat”

Hurdling Hedges and Finding My Voice: A 1970s Miami Summer

The hedge that enclosed our side yard seemed too tall for me to jump over. But every summer morning, I took a running start and cleared the hedge on my way to the rec center across the street. No one could figure out how I hurdled that hedge—even when they stood there watching. But IContinueContinue reading “Hurdling Hedges and Finding My Voice: A 1970s Miami Summer”