Sneaking Down the Scaffolding

Edwin had a scaffolding to the upstairs of the house and when Denece needed a break, they’d put the kids upstairs for a nap.  Edwinna told them a story all about Never Neverland.  She would dress all the kids up in costumes.  Edwinna would wear her mother’s full net slip. 

One time she helped all the kids out the window and down the scaffolding and away they went.  They were in the ditch along the road waiting for a rainbow when the neighbor saw them. The neighbor called Denece and asked if she knew where her kids were.  She was sure they were upstairs.  The neighbor told Denece to check again and she would keep an eye on the kids until she got there to get them.  Boy did they get scolded.

(1962 Edwinna, Delbert, Darlene, and D.Ann Perkins)

 

Rocky and Bullwinkle

D.Ann liked the cartoon Rocky and Bullwinkle.  She asked Santa one year for two flying squirrels for Christmas.  Her parents talked her out of asking for a moose.  Christmas morning came and she was a little disappointed when there was just an empty cage.  The squirrels came later and they were fun.  One time one got loose and they found it in Edwinna’s closet.  They were trying to catch it when it ran up Edwinna’s leg and up into her dress.  She did quite a dance as she squirmed and giggled as the squirrel moved around in her dress. 

(1965 Edwinna, Darlene, and D.Ann Perkins)

Monkeying Around

In 1969, Edwinna was asked by neighbors Al and Gaylene Thurston to watch their monkey.  They had a big dog that they would shave it's body except for around it's face so that it would look like a lion and the monkey would ride it's back sometimes.  The monkey was very smart.  He used the toilet and if they tried to put a diaper on him, he'd get it off in a heart beat. 

One day he got out of the house and climbed up the big cedar tree.  Edwinna and Del were sent to try to get him out but it didn't work.  They spent the day trying to talk him down, instead that monkey spent all day in the tree eating bugs.  He ate so many that his stomach was bulging by the time he finally came down.   

Another time, he was feeling very mischievous and got a hold of the peanut butter.  He knew  he was in trouble and played chase with the kids while holding a handful of it.  He got it all over the tops of the curtains.

He also got a hold of the butter one day, and he painted the top of Edwin's bald head with it.

That little monkey also enjoyed eating lipstick.

 

 

(1969 Delbert, D.Ann, Edwin, Edwinna, Billy Joe, Darlene, and Denece Perkins)

 

 

The Ferry Run Away

When Del and Dora came out for D.Ann’s blessing the family decided to go on a ferry boat ride.  They got out of the car, and went up top, the boat engine started and frightened Darlene.  Mom and Dad’s arms were full with the rest of the kids.  Darlene took off like a shot.  Luckily the Captain was at the back of the boat and caught her.   By the time Denece and Edwin caught up, she had scratched and bit him so much that he said, “She’s a little hell cat isn’t she?”

 

(1960 Darlene Perkins)

 

 

(1960 Delbert, Edwinna, D.Ann, and Darlene Perkins)

 

 

(1960 Seattle Ferry)

Kids with Kids

Louise and Lamar called Denece and Edwin, the kids with the kids, because they were so young when they first got married and started their family so young.

 

 

(1967 Elaine, Louise, Evelyn, Lamar, and Edwin Perkins)

 

 

(1969 Delbert, D.Ann, Edwin, Denece, Billy Joe, Edwinna, and Darlene Perkins)

 

 

A Long Night

Mom (Denece Argyle Perkins) had many adventures.  One time, in 1964, she was driving home to Bancroft.  She had just the kids with her.  Dad (Edwin Perkins) had just gotten new tires put on the car.  It was late when the tires started to wobble.  The lug nuts were loose and by the time she noticed, they were stripped.  She found a gas station in Pendleton, Oregon.  It was closed though, so they spent the night in the parking lot.  Bill was a baby and knew something was not quite right and started crying.  It was one long night.

 

 

(1964 Edwinna, Darlene, Denece, Billy Joe, D.Ann, and Delbert Perkins)  

Tomato Juice

When Denece was expecting Darlene in the Summer of 1956, she was ill, so Dora came out and put up tomato juice.

 

(1956 Edwinna, Denece, and Delbert Perkins)

 

 

(1957 Darlene Perkins)

A Helping Hand

1963 One time when traveling to Idaho when Billy Joe was a baby they were driving through the night but everyone was tried.  Edwin could not find a motel so they drove down a residential street and stopped to sleep awhile in the car.  A woman who was just getting off work from the railroad heard the baby crying and insisted the family come up to her apartment.  She made hot chocolate and beds for all the kids on the floor and gave Denece and Edwin the couch and bed. 

 

(1963 D.Ann, Denece, Billy Joe, Delbert, Darlene, and Edwinna Perkins)