Gail Black

Wow, when I think of all the things I've done in my life...and then think about trying to list them here. It's a bit mind boggling.

During the 'Great Depression', my family (farmers) moved from Texas to Charleston. I'm not clear about why they moved. I was born in Charleston, S.C.. My mother was 40 when I was born. I was the last of eight children. Three of the eight died at birth or shortly there after. I had sisters, 19, 14, 10 and a 4 year old brother when I was born,

My father was an 'Air Raid Warden' (too old to join the service) until he became ill with Hodgkin disease. When he couldn't work any longer he stayed home with me; being a 'stay at home dad' in the 40s had to be difficult. My Mother was a 'Rosie the Riveter' in the Charleston ship yard.

After the war ended or maybe shortly before, my dad became too ill and went back to Texas alone; where his cousin took care of him. The rest of the family moved back shortly after. Which, from what I've been told was an incredible journey. Some of the family went by car and some went by train. After we moved back to Texas, My Dad died when I was three.and a half..

I grew up in Texas. Seven of us lived in a one bedroom, one bath homestead house. Yep, we were poor. Of course at the time, I didn't know we were poor, I thought everyone lived as we did.

My Mother was an extraordinary woman; you might say she ran a tight ship; kept a clean house and expected everyone to do their share. No alcohol. No cursing. Mom worked for Levi Strauss. Everyone old enought worked some sort of job. Hard times for a single mom. However, as hard as it was, we were happy.

My Mother didn't re-marry until I was maybe 12. That's a whole other story. Suffice to say I had a strong dislike for my step father. I had been living alone with my mom for awhile and now all of a sudden I was having to share her.

College was never talked about when I was growing up. Graduating from high school was a big deal...don't think my family thought I would make it. So, I didn't think about college to fairly late in life. I was in my thirties when I attended UCCS in Colorado Springs, CO. During this time I worked part time at the Audio Visual department and at Health Food stores. I majored in organizational communication, psychology and film making.

You can read more about my escapades at The Way of Animals