As a kid, I was very protected. My dad in particular was very strict. He really guarded his daughter’s! I tended to be argumentative. Because of my mouth I used to be on restriction quite a bit. It’s not that it was bad, but in 1970 talking back just wasn’t done.

I still have friends from high school and sometimes will chat about something and I’ll say: “I don’t remember that!”

They will say: “you are on restriction!”

One time my dad and I were arguing about something and he told me: “that’s a week’s restriction, Rikki. Do you want to try for two? All it takes is one more word…”

All I said was: “but…”

And my father said: “that’s two! Do you want to try for three?”

My father sure taught me self control.

But it was very important for me to please my parents. The worst thing my mother could say was: “Now Rikki Lynn, I trust you.”

“Shoot!” When she told me she trusted me, that was the worst.


I Wasn’t a Rebellious Kid (But I did Talk-Back!)

My mother had radar. If I went somewhere other than where I was supposed to go, she knew. I don’t know how she knew, but she knew.

I don’t think I have her talent, but my kids tell me that I have pretty good radar.

I went to Hilltop high school and graduated in 1972. I played in the band, which is probably why I never got into trouble. I played the flute. I had a very good circle of friends and we had a lot of fun. I wasn’t a rebellious kid, but I did talk back.

I never went out and did dangerous things. I wanted to stay safe; I’m pretty chicken!

I did have some friends and acquaintances that ended up as sad cases. But my close friends and I all felt pretty much the same way.


When My Father Died, I Left Childhood Behind and Became an Adult

I had hopes of going to Chico state and getting into the nursing program but my dad got very ill during my senior year in high school. He had cancer and he died. He was very young; he was only 42.

That was one of those moments when you really grow up. At that moment I left my childhood behind and became an adult. This was a really hard time in all of our lives.

I was the oldest; I was eighteen. My brother was two, almost three. So instead of going away, I went to community college.