Back Growing Up Farmer: Book One ~ Rewritten By Charles Bird (R.I.P.)

Last Updated: March 10, 2023
This is not an autobiography, but rather a story inspired by events in which the author and his friends participated or knew about while growing up in the Napa Valley of California many years ago. Those were different times, different customs and different people from these who now inhabit that once peaceful farming community. Whether that is better or worse is left up to the reader to decide. Charles W. Bird
PROLOGUE My earliest memories probably start just before the beginning of World War 2. My Father was First Lieutenant in the California National Guard so that period was very dramatic to me and my Mother. I was four years old, almost five and had helped my Dad decorate the Christmas Tree, we even put lights out on the front porch of our old farmhouse. My Mother had inherited the farm, it had 300 acres of prune trees, 50 acres of cabernet grapes and about 10 acres of "family orchard". There were assorted barns and farm equipment, much dating back to when our forebearers settled in the valley in the 1840s. I remember going with my parents to church that morning and then coming home, Dad turned on the radio and was listening to the news. He gathered me up and hugged me, tears were running down his face. We took down all the Christmas decorations, I couldn't understand why and Dad was too upset to explain it in words I would understand. Before the next weekend, Dad was gone and we didn't see him again until 1944!

Chapters Status: Complete

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COPYRIGHT © 2011-2012 BY CHARLES BIRD (R.I.P.). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS AUTHOR'S WORK IS FULLY PROTECTED UNDER THE UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAWS © 17 USC §§ 101, 102(a), 302(a). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PLACING OR POSTING THIS STORY ON ANY WEBSITE, OR DISTRIBUTION OF THIS WORK IN ANY WAY (PARTS OR WHOLE) WITHOUT THE EXPLICIT CONSENT OF THE AUTHOR IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. ANY AND ALL COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENTS WILL BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW. ANY AND ALL COMMERCIAL USE EXCEPTING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS REQUIRES THE AUTHOR'S WRITTEN CONSENT.