By Charles McLaughlin I need to back up a little bit to complete my story concerning Grandma Pettye. The last time I saw or spoke to her was in 1945 […]

By Charles McLaughlin In 1944 at the age of 16, I joined the Merchant Marines, received training at Catalina Island off the shores of Southern California and then shipped out […]

By Charles McLaughlin Today I’d like to make some comments about my brother, Harold, and sister, Jeane, as they influenced me in various ways while growing up and have important […]

EDITOR’S NOTE: I hope you are enjoying Chuck’s stories as much as I am … if you are new to the series, this is #8, and links to the previous […]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Here’s more about Chuck’s childhood, and if you’ve missed a story – see the end for links to more Ramblings. By Charles McLaughlin Grandpa Lee Seymour had an […]

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is #6 in Chuck McLaughlin’s series of stories about his life. If you’ve missed one, see the links at the end to “catch up.” By Charles McLaughlin […]

By Charles McLaughlin Ok. When we last talked about Bakersfield, Mom had just driven us there from San Francisco in her 1932 Chevy. Why did she decide to leave such […]

By Charles McLaughlin Well, getting back to Stanyan, at its base the “76” car turned westward and hauled paying passengers and rascals alike to the incredible Fleishhacker Pool, the largest […]

By Charles McLaughlin I’m picking up here, guys and gals, talking about what it was like living in San Francisco. Well, unlike poet Rod McKuen, Stanyan Street held no sorrows […]

EDITOR’S NOTE: And the stories continue … here’s the continuing saga from Chuck McLaughlin about his early days as we meander through the McLaughlin history book.  See link below for […]