Missed December 20, 1975 Was Saturday

Oh, what a night! As I read my diary a smile grew on my face. It was high school, and of course, all was right with the world--there was a DANCE. Not some sock hop thing or such, but a dance either in this church basement, which were about weekly, or out at the Amory. Whichever it was--a big, BIG deal. Long before cable TV, video games--iPhones--when you had to actually go out and do something! I recall, my BFF at the time, had yet to venture to one of these affairs. I really think we were falling apart as friends by then.

I was more the the extrovert and refused to be bored, while BFF was content to study and possess melancholy thoughts of the whole world which were darker than the midnight sky. To look back, I believe BFF suffered from depression. However this was the 70's and her behaviour would be thought of probably as teenage angst. After all, a boy had broken BFF's heart, yet the boy didn't know it. Anyway, on this Saturday, BFF, me and another possee member, were in a grocery store. A good looking guy who graduated the year before, came in. He asked if we were going to the dance. We told him we were trying to talk BFF into going. He offered to buy her admission in-which I think was two bucks. And so off we went.

Now, the main thing is, in high school I kept a Kiss List. Every guy I kissed-and I mean on the mouth, I added their name on the list. Even if I kissed the guy several times, he was on the list but once. I did this, I think, to garner me some confidence with the boys. You see, I was only two of the black students in a student population of 650, and the movie "Jungle Fever" had yet been made. I'm sure the movie's male lead, actor Wesley Snipes, was probably a couple years behind me in high school, at the time.

I digress.

So at the DANCE, I did dance the night away, after drinking beer I legally wasn't able to drink yet (the age was 18, and I was few months shy) and kissed #25 (I quit the list at 153). I smile when I read of this night because I truly forgot I'd ever kissed this guy. And years later, like about 1999, while I was in Iowa for Christmas, I had a car issue. I took my car to this GMC place and there he was. Told me about his wife and kids. Time flies.

And what did I do on Sunday December 21, 1975?

Talked about oh, what a night that night before had been--of course!

April 22, 1971 -Earth Day- was Thursday

Earth Day was two years old as I curved to the end of my 7th grade year. Honestly, I can't recall hoopla for Earth Day in 1971. I'm sure there was. To save our planet, when I bet there was more of it to save, in 1971, struck a cord-like it does now.

I do remember in some class we drew posters for Earth Day. And that might have even been the day, my mom drove my best friend and me to school. About two blocks away from the junior high, my best friend and I realized we were suppose to WALK in celebration for Earth Day. So Mom dropped us off and we journeyed the two blocks. Laughed about it too, as 7th grade girls do. .

I do remember two things from that day: A longer walk and Boys.

Since I was in 7th grade, things began to look good. Boys, that is--NOT the longer walk

The entire junior high, which numbered about 300 or so, were released early so we could walk to our town's park for an Earth Day Celebration. Folks spoke how significant the day was and I believe the celebration concluded with a tree being planted.

I stood there, during celebration with hurt feet. Blisters had puffed up on the back of my heels. Plus, the bottom of my shoes were slick, hence I slipped alot on the pavement. Since my best friend and I forgot to walk to school, I hadn't worn better walking shoes. If I stepped just right, I'd slip. A couple times I had to catch myself before I fell.

And boys. The other thing I DO remember. Had such a gi-normus crush one guy! In fact, I've mentioned him in one of these entries. Anyway, as we began our trek home after the celebration, I got so giddy, because the object of my desire walked just steps from me. He and a couple other guys called me by my nickname at the time: Mad Dog (that's another post!). Heaven! True HEAVEN, I was! The guy smiled. So did I. Me: all smug, flirty and show off.

Right up to the moment I slid and the pavement introduced itself to my butt.

The object of my desire laughed. My best friend laughed. And I tried to laugh it off. Yet secretly happy I wore culottes (you're 'seasoned' if you know what they are!)instead of a skirt when I hit the skid.

After all these years, I may still have a teeny scar from that fall. I could have broken my leg for all I cared, because the object of my desire flashed the biggest smile and I just knew it would be the start of something BIG!

OK. So it wasn't until 20th High School Reunion before our first ever date.

I digress.

Trees take their time too.

Take care of our Earth. It's the only one we've got.

I snapped this picture in 1972. Alot of Earth's great gifts!