The Cowsills In Magazines

There is an old saying that goes: "To really know someone/ you must live with them." Brothers and sisters share many special secrets as they grow up together. They know things about each other that have never been confided to anyone else. Some of the memories are happy, and perhaps there are a few painful ones, too. It's amazing how many famous brothers and sisters there are, and in this monthly feature they will be sharing some of their special times together with you!

Having lived with John and Barry for ten years now, you might think I know all there is to know about them, right? Wrong. Every day they come up with something new! Just when I'm sure I know what to expect, they come up with the unexpected!

Of course there is a lot I do know about them, and that's what I'm going to tell you! Both John and Barry were born in Rhode Island and the similarity doesn't end there. Since there is only two years difference in their ages they get along well most of the time and can groove on sharing the same things—experiences, clothes, games and even a bedroom! You name it and they've probably shared it!

IS IT BARRY OR JOHN?

Although Barry is older than John, he doesn't win out in the height contest. John is two inches taller than him and weighs about fifteen pounds more! The difference isn't enough to matter though when it comes to clothes, and they both borrow each other's all the time! It works out well, since they both like jeans and jersey tops. The only thing wrong with it is that sometimes if I think I see John coming up the walk it turns out to be Barry!

John is drummer for our group and drumming is one of his favorite pastimes. His fondest dream is to acquire his own solid purple drum set. Ever since I can remember John has always loved drumming. He's become an expert and in fact he got so good, that he was playing all the time—and driving us other Cowsills out of our minds with his constant beat! Finally our Mom had to call a stop to it and Dad won't allow it in the house anymore unless we're rehearsing!

THE QUIET ONE

You might call John the quiet one of the family, though sometimes he can really jabber away if he gets upset about something. He doesn't like to associate with people who talk all the time which must be why he always leaves the room shortly after I come in! He likes girls who are quiet too, and once in a while when he brings a girl home for dinner she hardly says two words the whole evening!

I think John really believes that "silence is golden!"

Of course according to Mom, John is at a very awkward age for a guy and I hope he doesn't sock it to me when he reads this! He's always dropping things or bumping into something. Only last week he tripped over the telephone cord and fell against the coffee-table. Paul and Mom and I were watching television and we had cookies and milk out. Luckily Mom caught the milk carton, but the cookie became crumbs on the carpet!

Mom says it's something John will outgrow shortly, but sometimes I wonder! I mean, just last week he spilled a can of green paint all over the upstairs rug! Dad wasn't home and everyone chipped in to help clean it. It was quite a job, but with all of us taking turns we managed to get it all out!

That's one of the best parts about having a large family that really does care about one another No one wants to see anyone else get into trouble.

VERY HONEST

Spilling paint isn't one of Barry's characteristics, but he has enough of his own! One of the strongest is his very direct approach to things. By that I mean if he wants something or if he doesn't like something, he'll come right out and tell you. He doesn't mean to hurt anyone, but he will always give his honest opinion if someone asks for it. He never tries to be something he isn't!

Once in a while this gets him in deep water, like I time our next-door neighbor asked him what he thought about her rose garden. He told her the flowers were nice but you could hardly see them because the weeds were so high! She was angry about it for a while and wouldn't speak to any of us for some time! Everything's alright now though and Dad mentioned the other day that she had finally weeded her garden!

TAKES THINGS PERSONALLY

I think Barry's main fault is that he sometimes feels sorry for himself. Once in a while you can find him moping around the house or just sitting alone in the back yard

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contemplating all the troubles he has! Usually he won't go to anyone for advice or counseling. He can be pretty independent and likes to work things out for himself. Even if it means not speaking to anyone for a while!

GREAT SINGERS and good sports are just two ways Susan describes her groovy brothers Barry and John!

Although Barry has a great sense of humor, he can be very sensitive! Sometimes he'll laugh at himself, or about a joke someone has played on him, but he doesn't like to be criticized or put-down. He takes things personally once in a while so you have to watch what you say if he's in a sensitive mood.

I must admit though that Barry's a really neat guy! If you're nice to him and you like him for himself he's a wonderful friend. His greatest interest now is astrology and anything having to do with the mystic! In fact, if you're looking for him and you can't find him about, you'll probably find him in his room communicating with his Ouji board!

He's also a good one for playing practical jokes! I remember one night I was coming downstairs in the dark, and who should jump out at me but Barry dressed in a Frankenstein monster mask! Good grief, he practically scared me out of my shoes!

THEY BETTER WATCH OUT!

As far as brothers go, I don't think I could ask for any better! I guess I sometimes get on their nerves, always wanting to tag along, but I'm pretty much of a tomboy and can keep up with them most of the time!

Sometimes they take advantage of me, since I'm the youngest and a girl, like borrowing my bike before asking. Or they'll gang up on me and toss me into the pool!

This is fine if it's a hot day but they better watch out if it's cold 'cause when I get my temper up I'm likely to think up something terrible to do back to them! It's not too often that they get this mischevious streak, so at least I don't have to be on guard constantly!

I guess I probably tag along a bit more with John since he's only three years older than I am and can still put up with some of the things I do. Sometimes if I have a problem I can't figure out, I'll go to him first, and, if he can't help me then I usually try Barry. They're both good sports about it and try to help me as best they can!

THE DIFFERENCE IS GIRLS

Often when John and Barry are going out for hamburgers they'll take me along—if they're going alone that is! They both dig root beer and french fries and lots of hot sauce, so they never have to worry about where they want to go. If one suggests a special place, the other is more than likely to agree!

The biggest difference I can see in John and Barry from my point of view is girls! What I mean is that Barry, being older, is naturally more interested in girls than John. Neither of them have steadies, but Barry does bring home girls more often than John and has many more dates. But they both have their eyes open for the right girl and though they aren't even ready to think of marriage, what guy doesn't keep his eyes open anyway?

You might say I'm proud of my brothers, though I don't often tell them so. They're both accomplished musicians and great singers and they treat me as an equal when it comes to our work! They don't try to put me down and they listen to my opinions and ideas just as intently as they listen to Paul or Bob! For this I am grateful and I really appreciate it. In fact I think it's just super of them!

Sharing a family with John and Barry is quite an experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything!