When I was growing up, we had a neighborhood mom, who let us do anything--Mrs. Caruso.  God bless her. 

We destroyed her basement with our fantasy restaurants, where we would invite the neighborhood kids to enjoy delicious fried baloney sandwiches (!).  We would concoct secret beauty potions, blow up balloons to supplement our undeveloped chests, and go door-to-door to sell the magic as "Avon ladies calling!" Actually, I won't admit to this stunt...that was the "artist" of the family.  I wanted to be a spy, so the Caruso family entertained that fantasy of mine, by (pretending) not to know--did they know?--that I would crawl through their basement window with my girlfriend Susie and spy on the eldest Caruso boy, Jay.  Actually, we spied on everyone and took notes, while sitting in their levered closets (the kind with the slotted doors). 

We played with their pots, their pans, their toys (better toys than the McShane family, by far), and their tools.  Mr. Caruso and Mrs. Caruso fed us and fed us well.  To this day, I remember pasta fagioli from Mr. Caruso.  And, when my grandfather died in our backyard, the Caruso family, whisked us kids away, so my mom and dad could deal with the sadness. 

They took us to a beautiful, sunny pool at the country club (yes, Rocky River had the Westlake country club--where the Caruso boys worked as caddies).  And, the problems of the world did not affect us kids.  Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Caruso.

  So in tribute to the neighbors who put up with me as a child, let me make this offer.  I will entertain your kids.  I will bake cookies.  There is a beautiful century home behind my house and it is for sale.  The house has a double-lot, perfect for a huge, huge garden (fresh tomatoes, please!) and a swing set.  I need to replace the back fence.  I want a picturesque gate between the yards.  Consider the location.  Where else could you find a three-story house, with oak floors, fireplace, convenience to every thing (including good schools)?

A house with great neighbors. 

Laura,

When I was growing up, my Mom had clothes made for me. Even just before she died in 1994 she had two flannel nightgowns made for me. I still wear them.

My mother's family is from Georgia and the small town they lived near was a mill town. The acres and acres of cotton surrounding the town were turned into towels, calico, velveteen, socks and many other textiles. When we visited my grandmother, we often went to the fabric store and I would pick out fabric and patterns. Then my Mom would hire a seamstress to make the clothes. I still have many of the dresses that were made for her and some that were made for me.

Because my parents lived in Japan when I was born (my Dad was stationed there in the air force), my Mom had some really exquisite clothes made for her. She continued this practice of hiring seamstresses to make her clothes when she returned to the states.

In the small town where I grew up in Florida, there was one shop with readymade clothes for many years (before we got a Sears and JC Penney’s). Clothes shopping was a very special Saturday occasion. The shop had a three way mirror flanked by dressing rooms on either side. There was a semi-circular couch where my Mom would sit and watch me try on dresses. I did not initially wade through racks of clothes. We came in, were greeted by the shopkeeper and offered Coca-Cola in those green glass 6oz bottles. We sat and chatted with other store personnel and the shopkeeper brought clothes for me to try on. We were treated like "ladies" so these occasions were always special and few and far between as well. To this day I will remember buying clothes as an extraordinary event. There would be a big decision and the dresses would be worn with pride. There was value in the threads. I can recall my mother inspecting seams (wary of something readymade). Sometimes she would show me where a dress would not wear well because a seam had not been finished appropriately. I still inspect linens and clothes the same way.

Now kids have a homogenous array of options at low-end and high-end shops. They can look like this or that designer. Back then we crafted our own looks and it was a big deal a substantial expense and it was special. Clothes have largely lost their allure for me these days. I stick with a more casual comfortable uniform for my daily wear. But when the occasion calls for it, I have a closet full of vintage options that tell stories of a bygone era when clothes were special.

If you want to experience what I described above as "dress shopping", I recommend Mary at Gems Department Store. It was on Euclid Ave for years, and I heard that she was moving. I'll try to find out where she is now, because Mary is a real shopkeeper - she will know your size, offer you a cup of tea, make you feel welcome and remember you every time you visit the store.

Brooke Nieves and her mom and dad have the best cool clothes store in Cleveland.  A short bike ride away from my house.   And, priced so reasonably.
How do I get the lazy kids to get over there??? 
Powter Puff Boutique
2671 West 14th St.
Cleveland OH  44114
216.274.1220