Bingo - J. Edgar Hoover & Clyde Tolson

Finding These Photos Document Some of My Recollections.

If you thought I was losing my mind, or exaggerating, I understand. Thank goodness I just unearthed some photos that document some of my childhood memories.

Looking at these photos makes me increasingly annoyed that I don’t know their backstories. And, in all probability, no one ever will. What a shame because they would make for interesting listening and perhaps even offer some insights into history.

So I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. In this case, they’re worth more than 1000 words.

Seeing the above photo of my grandparents’ house in Miami was akin to having a Rorschach test and yes, it caused me to remember the good, the bad and a bit of the ugly.

It unlocked so many memories about the time I spent there. I actually remember learning how to ride a two-wheel bike there and being allowed to explore the neighborhood with the little girl next door. This was really exciting for someone who lived in an apartment building and wasn’t allowed to go anywhere alone except downstairs to wait for the school carpool driver.

The photo of the dock unlocked the memory of my fishing, not that I remember ever catching anything in spite of having to put a worm on the end of the hook.

It caused me to recall picking a banana off the tree in the courtyard each morning. Joseph, the houseman, would lift me up so I could choose my own. Then we’d cut it up and put it on my cereal. I remember hanging around the kitchen with his wife, who allowed me to watch her cook.

I also remember reading a lot of books because the adults were busy doing other things and quiet was important. “Being seen and not heard” was the family mantra.

Our house was located on Indian Creek Island which was exclusive because of its being a gated community. But it wasn’t grand in the 1950’s. There were lots of (very nice) houses that were situated close to one another allowing children to go to each other’s house to play.

Now the island is known as Billionaire Bunker and is home to the likes of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner and celebrity neighbors such as Tom Brady, Julio Iglesias and Jeff Bezos. They’ve acquired multiple properties and combined them so there are many fewer houses that accommodate exclusively the very rich and famous - and their staffs.

I don’t know whether or not celebrities lived on the Island then. I do know the Viner family hosted its very own famous guests, although I had no idea they were famous then. I remember meeting Clyde Tolson even though I don’t think we played Gin Rummy. I don’t remember if he and Mr. Hoover shared the same bedroom in spite of the rumors of their being partners.

Not that I would have known or understood anything about homosexuality then and I don’t remember even hearing the term until late in my teens.

Leonard Viner, Ray Viner, Clyde Tolson, Harry Viner and J. Edgar Hoover

J. Edgar Hoover was simply a tiny part of my life and yes, he and Clyde Tolson sent Mother and me letters noting special occasions. I didn’t keep mine but Mother kept her’s.

Looking at them now, I see they were signed by the same person. Yes, clearly Hoover’s right hand woman, Mrs. Gandy, orchestrated the greetings.

All I can think, it’s a tiny bit of history that few people know. And I wish I knew more.