Welcome to Chicago’s Southside
"Southside Kid"; pays homage to strong family values, a simpler time at the tail end of WWII. The author recalls his childhood growing up on Chicago’s Southside. The family gathering around Mom’s Philco radio listening to Glenn Miller and Frankie Laine. There’s dancing and drag racing on the East Side. It’s all here, baseball, movie matinees at the Avalon Theater, young love and Friday night dances with the St. Felicitas kids. Moving into the mid-50’s you’ll find yourself surrounded by Rock and Roll and the sounds of Chicago’s jazz joints. Music always played a big part in “The Kid’s” life, and he provides an unparalleled written soundtrack that is bound to provoke happy memories.
Southside Kid’s narrator is the only non-Catholic attending a Catholic school. Young Curt was fortunate and clever enough to make the best of this rather trying opportunity. He tells of his Yankee adventures in the South and a few altercations on Chicago’s Southside streets. This book is a wonderful and wildly fun journey down a memory lane filled with laughter and high jinks that leaves its reader with a sense of longing. Everyone should have a childhood that is this much fun and a life that is this rich. In fact, for L. Curt Erler it isn’t a life, it is a celebration and it is what makes this memoir alternately so touching and so hilarious.
"Mantilla Lady Visits Baseball's Purgatory"
“Mantilla Lady”; will visit baseball’s purgatory taking you into the lives and endeavors of young men that for the most part lack the finer talents necessary to reach the higher levels of their favorite game – baseball!
This story begins on a cold baseball diamond one early spring day on the Southside of Chicago. The gutters across the way are once again running with their slushy gray waters after surviving the Midwest’s brutally cold and inconsiderate winter. A rag-tag team -The Mid-City Zephyrs - will fight and claw their way through a bitter-sweet season of semi-pro’ baseball...saturated with dugout and clubhouse strife and humor!
With this said...this story is really much less of baseball...and far more of people...of places...beautiful music and most importantly...there is a love story hiding between these covers. The story of one young man’s longing for the love and companionship of an elusive young woman. This woman has more than one mission in her young years. She is more driven by her devotion to a loving Mother...a widow...who is in her dying days... and in need of loving care. This...as well as...a devout dedication to her church...her God.
Author – L. Curt Erler offers several original lyrics throughout his story.
These lyrics seem to flow as I sip my warm Cognac and write...
"Sometimes when the street lamps would die...
And dawn would...once again...
Light the morning sky....
~~~~~~~~
Waking from a dream...
Only silence would ring in my ears...
I would talk to you...think of you...
Wondering...do you ever think of me...
When it was quiet...I could hear you sing...”
© L. Curt Erler
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"Heaven Bound In The Dead Of Winter"
Through the eyes and ears of a dying, or maybe dead, Will Douglas, the author's brisk, upbeat style begs that age old question. Are you Heaven bound?
This story takes place in a strange and mysterious old house ~ "Baker House". The cast of characters, hundreds of lost souls are trapped indefinitely in this supernatural structure. So many weary souls are present, all wondering; "Why am I imprisoned here, how long will I stay?"
Written in a straight-forward and simple manner without a lot of religious driven verbiage, the author weaves a rather curious eye opener. You’re strictly on your own with his light hearted, humorous and introspective views of that “Great Beyond".
In the chapter - “An Empty Room ~ Yet So Crowded“- you'll meet many folks trying to find their way. Hopefully, you will find these souls heart lifting - peaceful and inspiring. This effort is intended to heighten the reader’s awareness and offer a window into the varied circumstances in which we all live and die. This diverse cast of characters are preparing for and anticipating God’s final call. Some will linger in their doubts as they wait for that last train. Most will pray and wait. A few, through God's miraculous powers - will travel right before your eyes!
The mix of stories reflects a tapestry of life, some rather unsavory, others, purely inspirational. All are sure to touch your heart. Some characters are complex, others as simple as Mom's apple pie. There'll be visions of angels and demons, dreams and nightmares, fear and doubt, faith and prayers and tears of joy. All the while you'll hear the sound of Angels singing! As you read, you may just find yourself asking: "What will ‘Joan of Arc’ be wearing?”
‹(•¿•)› "Southside Kid"
