Ha’pennies and Happenings is the author’s memoir covering the years of childhood, adolescence, and early manhood. The history of its making is recounted in the Introduction (below) and the track of his growing up spreads to include the search for the father he never knew. Along the way he describes the environments in which he lived, and the people who inhabited them. There are also sidesteps into items and matters encountered at various points in that life (bananas, seamed black stockings, WWII Allies’ invasion of Sicily and transistor radios – to mention a few among many). Finally, and unexpectantly, the unknown father is traced – to great surprise. And that discovery then opens other mysteries.
Ha’pennies and Happenings will be published by Elm Village Arts later in 2026. Until then, you are free to look into the excerpts carried below. Just click on the button alongside the title of each excerpt to open those pages.
Introduction
Adjusting the Vertical