In the Nick of Time

Ahhh dear friends. As you recall I did threaten to bore you with the story of my name- JesseRay. And sure it’s easy for you to forget as you get warmly inebriated with Justin’s sunshine stories of California. (and having been a SoCalite one time myself I DO understand.) But time slows for no one- even with Jetlag.

When I was a kid I was intrigued….no, make that mesmerized, by the funny names so many of my family were known by….. Dolly, Joe Bundles, Windy, Eddie Six Bucks, The Rebel…… Strange names….particularly since I knew them as Aunt Adele, Uncles Joe, Marino and Eddie…and my Dad….

Came to find that they were nicknames…..something apparently quite common in my parents day, but hardly in existence in mine. And as interesting as the names were, it was the stories of how they had come to pass that was even more interesting.

My Uncle Frank was overweight so ‘Fatty’ naturally fit him. (and he did wear it with affection.) Turned out my Dad was quite the contrarian (Hmmmm) and so “The Rebel/Reb” was also pretty clear cut.

My Aunt loved to have lovers lavish clothing on her…dress her up so to speak, So “Dolly” it was.

On the other hand, my Uncle Marino was as quiet as a church mouse so they hung “Windy” on him.

My Uncle Ed never had more or less than Six dollars in his pocket at any given time…..so “Eddie Six Bucks” was his lot.

Now my Uncle Joe used to deliver laundry as a kid- so he was “Joe Bundles“…. But it also was important to be able to distinguish him from Joe Bananas, and Mustache Joe…..

Well that will be part one for now…………….