Back To The Past!

 10/15/2020

You and I are going back to a different time, and a different world. Sounds good doesn't it? Well, it certainly sounds good to me.

I spent the last 3 years of high school, in a small town, where much like the "Cheers" bar, everybody knew your name, as well as the rest of your expanded family. 

My freshman year, was in California, where in my class counted up to more than a thousand. I had a friend. Yes, pretty much only one. It's hard to connect with other students, when there were so many. And, I wasn't in the "in" crowd! Actually, when I think back, to that year, in particular, I did try to fit in somewhere. Thank heavens for Della. Our lunches consisted of a cookie. Not a regular size cookie. The cookies for sale were good-sized, and delicious! 

Dad retired from the Air Force, and we moved back to Illinois, where my Grandmother and Aunt lived. The town was small, and had a lot of farmers, that came to town to sell their products, mostly grains and/or corn.

In the end, visiting Grandma every day before school was a treat for both of us. I loved her very much. And, unlike some future generations, I really enjoyed spending time with both her as well as my Aunt .

My parents "built" (with help) a house  on the same street as both my Grandmother and Aunt lived. I don't actually remember how the house was built. Since Dad wasn't particularly handy, when it came to tools, our house was built. I don't remember, but am pretty sure a contractor was called in for the heavy duty things, like a concrete slab and putting up the walls. 

Oh, back to Fisher. My graduating class consisted of about 42! Yes, you read that correctly - 42. My high school years, were fun and memorable. And, I'm glad that I had the opportunity to live in such a small town.

When I would go to the post office, and it had those little boxes, that locked. I would pick up our mail, as well as for my Aunt and Grand- mother.  The little town had one doctor, a pharmacy, and a little (really little) store, much like a five and dime. The town had a lot of churches and two schools. Oh, and we had, not only a dinner, but a root beer stand as well.

In my class, the 42 of us moved as one. Building the homecoming float - we all turned up. Some of us, hmm myself for sure, were not so handy, but did my best.

A party, again all of us showed up. For Prom night, we all participated in decorating the gym, and we did a fine job.

I had a role in the senior play. My role was "Magda", the servant for a lady, who lived a fancy type of life. Murder was the theme, and we had a jury. Dad, was one of the jury members.

We practiced our roles, in the evening. We put gym mats down, and sat there until it was our turn to be on stage. This was more ridiculous fun. And, if I remember correctly, we all ate, White Castle sliders. The company started making sliders in 1921!

In the days before the internet, all research was done at the library, a few miles out of town. Dad, would take me, and would sit inside, patiently I might add, until I had written down (no copy machines) some more research for an assignment. Interestingly, I didn't drive then, and I don't drive now!

There was an Air Force Base close to town, and in those days, we participated in the USO (United Service Organization) dances and, at that time, there were more men than girls. The men were eager to dance, but to also find that girl, with whom he danced with all evening. The airmen, never stayed at the local base, for very long, before being transferred some place else.

When I think back to those times, just before the Viet Nam war broke out, and young men were drafted - even Elvis was drafted!  Compared to all the nonsense that is going on now, if I could go back in time, it would have tp be my high school years. 

Jeff and I attended one class reunion. Notice I said one. Most of the graduates were still in the area, farming like their parents. The fact that we came to D.C., (no sense talking about the town in which we really lived), my class-mates were nearly struck dumb. The questions were: what's it like living in D.C? Have you been to the White House? There were many questions and conversations about where Jeff and I lived.

Jeff and I felt like the odd man out. It was the one and only reunion I attended. When I search for the local news, I am instantly brought back to my memories. Most of the time, the memories brought up happy times. And, then I remember falling off a trampoline, and Grandma had to come to the school to pick me up.

Starting in Junior High, until my graduation in '67, I took any and all classes relating to business: typing, shorthand, bookkeeping, etc. When it was time for the teachers to recognize the individual who had been outstanding in their classes. Knowing, that I was probably going to be recognized, I stayed home!

Some of you may remember Betty Crocker. While I was in high school, all of us had to take the test. Since I knew almost nothing about the questions on the test, I literally went down and marked each question randomly. And, by some miracle, I won. This, obviously didn't make those girls who were taking cooking, sewing, etc., classes,

And, one particular stands out. I was never asked for a date. I don't know why. Prior to the last reunion, one of the classmates, were calling to check up on each of us. The person who called me, was at one time, married to my Aunt. Don't ask. Daring to take a chance, I asked Jim why nobody wanted to date me. His answer? Because the boys were afraid to do so. Afraid of what exactly? I, was by no means, unattractive, and thanks to my Mother, had clothes that were current. His answer was, that the boys felt that I was unapproachable. Really? He said that I wasn't like the other girls, whatever that meant. 

Closing now, but perhaps I'll blog about clothes tomorrow.

Keep safe everybody. Don't forget to get your flu shot.

P