Just east of Joliet West High School is Marquette Gardens, a subdivision of small houses which were built in the late 1940's. In the middle of the subdivision is a park where kids played sandlot baseball.   I lived in a house at the west entrance to Marquette Gardens while Mr. Murphy's back yard butted up against the park.​

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As we are about the same age, you might think we would have met at the park.  Apparently, he as was chasing snakes, spiders, and other creatures as I don't remember him playing baseball at the  park. 

He attended St. Paul's while I attend Pershing School. In those days, it was the Catholics vs the Protestants - lol.   We would battle it out on the baseball field and then walk to McDonalds for ice cream.  

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i first met Mr Murphy at a teachers conference for my two sons also had Mr. Murphy for science.  His wife taught at Central School and taught youngest son.  My wife and Mrs. Murphy first met in their teacher's sorority and today are best friends.  

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You can imagine my surprise when at our first (of many) dinners at the Murphy's, we were introduced to his pet 'python' as well as learning about our Marquette Gardens connection!

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As previously mentioned, the Murphys followed us out to Green Valley, AZ.  I, too, accompanied John on a couple of his snake collections, although snakes are not my thing. 

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For a herpetologist, the Sonoran Desert is the place to be.  Thus, Mr. Murphy is one happy camper!​​​​​​​​​

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