When Phespirit's paternal grandfather died he left behind a faded cardboard folder of essays and articles recalling episodes from his life; the modest writings of a retired working man with aspirations only to preserve his memories.
The essays here relate his childhood and school years; very hard times in comparison with the relatively easy upbringing enjoyed by Phespirit just two generations later.
[ NOTE: Due to the advancing years of the author there are several instances where the original writing is unclear. Phespirit has kept amendments to a minimum, but where additions or corrections have been necessary these have been indicated in square parentheses. The omission of unclear words has been similarly highlighted. ]