Different Slants

Seeing the World from a New Angle

The 1967 Big Snow and My Unexpected Love Affair, at 16…by Robert M. Katzman

The 1967 Big Snow and My Unexpected Love Affair, at 16 by Robert M. Katzman

Fifty-Two years ago on January 27, 1967, the Big Snow buried Chicago and I was trapped at my older sister Bonnie’s house because she had a college party and invited me, reluctantly. I was 16 and useless around girls. Shy and clueless. I was so square that I brought some poetry I wrote with me to read in case anyone wanted to hear it. Girls my age weren’t interested at all.

There were maybe 30 people there, half boys. They lived nearby and would have to leave after a while. The remaining 15 girls were from out-of-town and were going to sleep wherever they fell, I guess. I did read my poetry after a couple of hours went by and was amazed that the girls listened and asked me to read some more. One time-stopping girl in particular. Damn!

A little later, all the lights went out. Soft music was playing on the phonograph, same song by Pet Clark, over and over and over and people were pairing up and dancing in the dark. I was sitting alone on the carpet like a third wheel when that same girl came over and asked me, Mr Cool, if I wanted to dance. I looked up. An older woman, 18.

Tall, long strawberry blonde hair, slender, too beautiful to talk to Bonnie’s little brother. Embarrassed (and dumb) I told her I didn’t know how to dance. She told me to just put my arms around her and move a little, in the darkness. I did that.

After a while, there were couples lying on the floor and I was worried I’d trip over some of them. When we were the (actual) last couple standing, she asked me if I wanted to neck. Stunned, I managed to NOT say I had never done that before, but by then, she knew a lot about me, I guess, and since I used to live in that house, I took her up to my old room, which still had a bed. And a door, too. Ok, I wasn’t totally hopeless.

I learned a lot that night. And I learned how good a girl can smell when they are really, really close to you. Oh, and the thing about kissing is that the more you do it, especially with a little help from the other person, you can get better and better at it. And other things, too.

So, I stayed in Bonnie’s house for three days, spending every second with that stunning woman. 72 hours seemed like just five minutes until she had to go back to Southern Illinois. Except by then I was hopelessly in love with suave and tall Miss Perfect who knew everything about making a shy kid feel more confident. Never saw her again.

Don’t even think about her anymore. Except if its snowing at night in January. Or not snowing at night in January. Yeah, she’s forgotten, all right. Hey, Marilyn (no last name, after some heartache), where the hell are you now?

Yes, magic exists. Maybe desperation and acute loneliness appear on certain women’s radar. Hope you all like my story about the one who got away, if you read all the way down to here. She’s still the older woman now, except I’m almost 69 and I guess she’s 71.

Damn it, I was so crazy about that girl.

Damn!

Publishing News! 

Bob Katzman’s two new true Chicago books are now for sale, from him! Vol. One: A Savage Heart  and Vol. Two: Fighting Words

Gritty, violent, friendship, classic American entrepreneurship love, death, heartbreak and the real dirt about surviving in a completely corrupt major city under the Chicago Machine. More history and about one man’s life than a person may imagine.

Please visit my new website: https://www.dontgoquietlypress.com If a person doesn’t want to use PayPaI, I also have a PO Box & I ship anywhere in America.

Send me a money order with your return and contact info. I will get your books to you within ten days. Here’s complete information on how to buy my books:

Vol 1: A Savage Heart and Vol. 2: Fighting Words My books weigh almost 2 pounds each, with about 525 pages each and there are a total together of 79 stories and story/poems.

Robert M. Katzman Don’t Go Quietly Press PO Box 44287 Racine, Wis. 53404-9998                                                                                                                    (262)752-3333, 8AM–7PM

Books cost $29.95 each, plus shipping

For: (1)$3.95; (2)$5.95; (3)$7.95; (4)$8.95 (5)$9.95;(6) $10.95

(7) $11.95; (8) $12.95; (9)$13.95 (10)$15.95 (15)$19.95

Shipping by air to most of Europe, due to the weight of my books is $99.00

I am also for hire if anyone wants me to read my work and answer questions in the Chicago/Milwaukee area. Schools should call me for quantity discounts for 30 or more books. Also: businesses, bookstores, private organizations or churches and so on.

My Fighting Words Publishing Co. four original books, published between 2004 and 2007 are now out-of-print. I still have some left and will periodically offer them for sale on my new website.  My hour-long story reading at WGTD 91.1 NPR Kenosha, Wis is now a podcast. The interview and story can be heard here:

Speaking of Our Words June 30th, 2017 With special guest star and featured writer Bob Katzman. Bob reads his memoir, “Audrey, Pink Bunny Slippers, Her Cat and the God’s Eye”and talks about his life. Your comments are welcome, below, and please tell others I can be found here as a writer. I can also be hired as a speaker for organizations, etc, both here and in Europe. Seeking an agent. robertmkatzman@gmail.com Poet & Storyteller for hire for organizations, schools or private events   www.DifferentSlants.com to view recent and older examples of my work

847.274.1474     Attachments area

Preview YouTube video Speaking of Our Words – June 30th, 2017

Speaking of Our Words – June 30th, 2017

12 Comments »

Comment by Charlie Newman

January 14, 2018 @ 9:21 pm

Nice memory nicely told.

S’what you do, Bob.

Comment by June Cahill

January 15, 2018 @ 11:36 am

Beautifully written. I’m a bit younger than you (by 9 years) and your memory brought back some of mine. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Comment by Nikolaos

January 15, 2018 @ 12:49 pm

Real-life sweet reminiscences.

Comment by Herb Berman

January 15, 2018 @ 3:14 pm

Wonderful coming-of-age story, Bob.

Comment by chuck holden

January 16, 2018 @ 10:27 am

I’m now 67 and was walking back and forth on Michigan avenue to my first “real” girlfriends house during that storm in 67. Your words brought back many typical memories and I enjoyed them immensely.

Comment by brad dechter

January 16, 2018 @ 5:41 pm

Bob,
I was hoping you’d be more explicit- perhaps a “blow by blow”?
My brother Scott and I were trapped while our parents were caught on the northside. He had a great time with a chick that hiked over 3 miles to spend 2 days/nights with him. Me- I got nothing.
Where the hell were your sisters friends when I needed them?
Brad

Comment by Jim Williams

January 18, 2018 @ 4:34 am

I truly enjoyed your story and felt your pain.

Comment by Jim Williams

February 2, 2018 @ 8:36 am

That’s a great story of the one that got away. Hits home because it’s universal,every man and woman can relate to these stories.

Comment by Cindy Travis

February 23, 2018 @ 5:54 pm

We never forget our first love. I think of mine when I hear hear the song My Girl

Comment by Eileen M. Kelly

March 2, 2018 @ 9:14 am

I was in high school on the southside of Chicago during that historic snowstorm, but nothing so romantic happened to me. I remember the struggle to catch a bus and then walk two blocks home.

Enjoyed your stories.

Speaking of the name Bob. Saw a good movie called, “A Street Cat Named Bob” on Netflix streaming.

Comment by scott

January 27, 2019 @ 2:41 pm

Bob-That snowstorm I had similar experience except I knew a little about girls from 8th grade parties. BD and I were stuck at home ( my parents,Marty and Pink were on the Morth side stuck out there.)e I was visited by 2 girls)who shall remain unnamed) at different times and then later one of the girls boyfriends. I also had a very romantic weekend on Bennett Ave also.Then I kicked the boyfriends ass. That must have been a dull moon or something
Scott

Comment by Don Larson

January 28, 2019 @ 12:19 pm

Hi Bob,

Sometimes one–night- stands are just that. Then there is your story when the night turns to day…

We all learn about love in the dark.

I spent that Blizzard event by digging my Mom’s 1967 Red VW out of the snow after two days. That car was the first one on our block to get out , others followed many days later.

It was 1968 was when love bloomed for me — in that 1967 Red VW. After that I made up for lost time…

Don

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