This is a book about memories, about growing up in Joe Batt's Arm. A typical Newfoundland outport, during the 1930s and 1940s. This is not a bitter social document. I do not whine about the limitations of my childhood. Neither is it a romantic, nostalgic piece, praising the simple lives of simple people. I try to present a balanced picture of my growing up. I mention the deprivations, the hard work, the limited educational facilities, the isolation, and the lack of adequate medical care. But I also speak about the pleasures of my childhood, pleasures that when recalled create intense joy.
