My name is Spencer Fields. I am a grandson of Corinne Hansen. Below you will find stories that are written in first person by Corinne. These come from an interview I conducted with Gram on November 23, 2007. This was to be the first of five or six interviews. Unfortunately, it is the only interview I conducted. The scope of the interview was intended to be from birth to the age of 12. We ended up covering through high school. Where I have supplemental material that may relate to some of these stories, I will include it with the story as I have time (this could include pictures, documents, or helpful references/supplemental information via external links).

For clarity’s sake I have edited the stories. In doing so I have tried to preserve the voice and tone in which they were shared. Some stories pull information from different parts of the interview. Because of this editing, the written stories may not be an exact quote of what was said in the interview. I had intended to transcribe the interview and go over the edits with Gram while she was still alive. Unfortunately, I did not get around to transcribing this until after her death. I have done my best, as an editor, to preserve the tone and intent behind the stories. To be fully transparent, I have included the audio from the full interview which may be listened to or downloaded below. For each story, I have pulled the relevant audio bites from the interview. This way, you can hear the story in Corinne’s own words.

While this is an imperfect labor of love, I hope that it will help give Corinne’s descendants, and those who love her, an opportunity to connect with her. Though she left this life ten years ago, I know that she lives, and that she has a vested interest in the lives of her family. We can feel a kinship through the gift of stories. In this case, stories that Corinne wanted to share of her early years. For me, this is personal. I want my children to know of her and feel a connection to her. I pray that this will help turn our hearts to those who have proceeded us in this life, and on whose shoulders we stand.

Spencer Fields
Oct 24, 2019

Full Interview

My name is Corinne Hansen. I was born February 12, 1931 in Oakland California. I have a brother, Bob, who was born December 11, 1929. My twin sister, Connie, and I were born in February—fourteen months later. We lived in Oakland until I was 11.

Dad (L Movell Day) worked at General Motors. He upholstered the insides of cars. He had a groove in his front teeth from what was called spiting tacks. He used a hammer with a small end on it that was magnetized. He would put it up to his mouth and get a nail. He kept the tacks in his mouth. That is why he wore a groove in his teeth. We could stand out in our front yard and watch when he came home because General Motors was so close. It was only about two or three blocks away.

I think that one of the earliest memories I have is of a birthday party at the house. One reason I remember it is because we were playing tug-of-war and when the one side let go, Connie's elbow went through the door.

Dad [L Movell Day], every now and then, would go with some friends in the early, early morning while it was still dark and go frog hunting. They used the large flashlights to shine on them and then they don't move when they have the light in their eyes. I can remember Dad bringing some home alive for us to watch. He would put them in the stationary tub, for just a day or two. I remember that the legs were very good to eat. I can remember them in the frying pan.

I remember playing store. Bob, Connie and I all played store together--behind the back door. We'd open it up and make a store in there when there was nothing there. We'd get mom's canned goods and play store in that corner.

It was a two bedroom house—quite small. Bob slept in the bed in one corner--and Connie and I slept in the bed in the other corner. It was just a small bed. One time our cat came in. She could open the screen that was under the window, because it was to the side, and it was just a small one. She had her babies on Bob's pillow because his bed was right there by the window.

There will be more stories and an improved website interface coming. Check back about every week or so for more stories. - Spencer