Years ago when my four girls were still at home, we lived a couple blocks west of the Navy base here in Orlando. One of the girls was working in the yard, doing penance for some teenage misbehavior when suddenly I hear this commotion outside. Seems it was Saturday morning and the weekend passes were "passing in review." At first there was a group of three and they stopped to chat, shortly there was another group of 3-4 that also stopped to chat. In about a 15 min. span we had a group of near 20 young sailors milling around in the street making small talk so another daughter decided to join the scene, bringing about more smiles and excited conversation. A few minutes later, daughter #3 strolled out(my only blonde) followed by her little sister(now 47). The guys all looked at each other then asked "is there any more like you inside?" From the direction of the front door came the sound of yet a fifth female voice: "Yes, there sure is....me!" The girls mom standing there with her arms folded and a stern look on her face. One guy had the nerve to remove his cap, walk up and introduce himself and shake her hand, comment on her beautiful daughters, put his cap back on and walk away. Turned out he was the only one any of the girls were allowed to date.....and that competition is another story for another time.

Word got around rather fast after that weekend. Seems after that EVERYBODY on base knew where the house was that had all the girls in it. Their steps for the first couple blocks were always rather hurried, but soon as they hit the corner of our block....they moved real slow until well past the house.

I must say, they were well behaved for the most part....not loud or boisterous. If I was working on one of the cars, they often would stop and chat and I'd return the favor. They seemed to like the interaction with someone other than another GI, I know I did when I was going through boot camp many years before. Nothing like raising four girls next to a military base, I could write a book....and not just on the base proximity.
