Cry…

 I should cry. I really want to cry. You may say I NEED to cry. But I won’t.

You see, my husband has gone many times to the hospital and then to rehab. He has been gone for days…weeks… months, and he is gone again. 

For how long? Only God knows. And I should cry. I should go to sleep feeling sad and lonely. But I don’t. 

I pray for Duke all the time. But my prayers go far past healing to return home. I pray that he not only heal from his last episode, but that he get strength that he has not had for years. I don’t just pray that he can walk and move around the house. I pray that he will be able to walk with only a cane, go to dinner and church again and maybe even someone’s house.

I know I should be just thanking God that once again Duke was injured but not so severely that they are writing him off as incurable, unable to get rehab. But I thank God and ask for the miracle I know only he can produce.

I know I should cry… but I am afraid that my tears will be from guilt for wanting so much when I deserve so little. 

And as I am writing this, I finally cry.

Because God is good we can be too.

 It’s now 10 days into January and 12 days since Duke has been home. He broke his ankle on 12/30/23 and has been in the hospital since. He will have surgery and then to rehab for a while.

Now the reason I am saying this is because many people have said, “Oh, I’s so sorry” or “You two have had to endure so much” or similar things that really mean…”glad it’s not me!” And I get it.

First: there is no way anyone should have all the problems Duke has. BUT I believe the reason is that he has an incredible support group of family and friends who love and enjoy him.

Second: Duke’s health history touches many different issues – strokes, back problems, seizures (to name a few) and every one he survives is a message to others that life doesn’t end when you have problems.

Third: every time Duke gets rehabbed and back home he is reminded that he is alive; that God loved him enough to send Jesus, His son, to endure pain for him; that even in the worst case scenario he will be lifted to eternal life by his faith and beliefs.

There is no way any of us can ease the pain and problems of others, but if we truly care and show empathy and kindness, we are doing the best we can.

It’s 2024?

 I can’t believe it has been three years since my last blog. Well what do you expect with my schedule?

I go to work… I come home… I watch tv… ok. I really don’t do much but maybe I can do a few pieces this year. 

I will be 70 this fall. I look in the mirror and usually see a regular adult woman. Occasionally I see a twenty year old, ready to settle into married life. I feel so young and eager to see how things develop for me.

And then there are those days where I am the oldest person in the world. My joints ache. My wrinkles are like deep furrows. I could plant wheat I have such deep wrinkles. My gray hair is growing out and I need to add color regularly. Or wear a hat.

But I can now address a common perception about aging.

I am getting taller. 

They say when you get older you shrink, but the older I get, the taller I get. Lately, when I drop something on the floor and bend to pick it up, it seems like floor is so much lower. The only reason I can think this is happening is that I must be growing. 

That’s my story and I am sticking to it. 

No more birthdays for me...

 

When I started my job in May of 2002, they told me that their calendar year started on the first of January and although I would be working there the equivalent of one year in May of 2003, my benefits were based on annual employment. I would get benefits based on my first fiscal year… hence, on Jan 1, 2004 I would qualify for vacation and other yearly benefits having achieved 1 full year as an employee in 2003. (just so you know, I did get benefits on 1/1/03 based on 7 months employment… not a bad deal for a new employee.)

January 1 is a new year even though it is not my new year.  

On October 3^rd I started my life and my first year. I didn’t have to wait till 1/1 to begin aging, or growing… I didn’t have to wait a year and 3 months to have a birthday. As a result, I find that is why I love birthdays and don’t care all that much for celebrating each new year        .

I appreciate every moment of my existence. God put me here to serve but He didn’t tell me I can have 3 months prep time. God didn’t give me any probationary period before I could get benefits. He put me here and started rewarding me immediately. He gave me loving parents, a great older sister (then more siblings after)… He gave me good health and a positive attitude… He gave me warmth and protection, friends and associates… He blessed me with so many gifts, including the opportunity for eternal life.

So why am I having a Happy Birthday and a Happy New Year when they are one and the same.

So no more birthdays for me… from now on, on October 3^rd, wish me “Happy New Year!”  I will restart my life with a complete year finished and a new one to begin.

thank you for tomorrow

Dear Lord above, who gifted me with each day, I thank You.

I thank You for the days of sun and light. 

I thank You for the days of clouds and rain.

I thank You for the days filled with success and smiles.

I thank You for the days filled with failure and tears.

When the new day begins, I thank you for yesterday and however it went.

When the day is done I thank You for all the good and bad of it.

I thank you that yesterday is gone and today is here.

But most of all, Dear Father, I want to thank You for tomorrow.

I want to thank You today for whatever greets me in the morning.

I want to thank You today for the hope of another day.

I want to thank You today for the chance to fix what I screwed up.

I want to thank You for the time to enjoy the blessings You bestow on me.

I want to thank You for the promises I will be able to keep.

I want to thank You for the opportunity to put today behind me.

And if there is no tomorrow for me on earth, 

I want to thank You that I can face Your judgement having known You and Your great mercy.

With life having occurred or happening right now, we take it for granted. 

But because of the mystery of the future, enhanced with Your unending love,         

I thank You for tomorrow. 

who is curing you?

Many many years ago, God watched His chosen people take all He had to offer and then turn their backs on Him, finding gods who were easier to serve with less give back on their parts.

And God got angry and turned His back on them, letting them lose in battle and suffer with disease and loss.

Then the people asked God to pretty please save them because they know He is really God and merciful… yadda yadda yadda. And God heard them and saved them; over and over again.

Now we are facing a health crisis around the world, and we are pleading with God to help us and keep us safe. And if He does see that we are trusting in Him and humbling ourselves before Him, we will see His hand at work and feel His mercy once again.

After a week or two, we will be congratulating doctors for their care, commending the business owners for fast action, talking about the chemists who suddenly created a cure and treatment, and patting ourselves on the back for weathering the storm.

As usual, we will forget about the God who gave the doctors their skills, gave the business owners success and common sense, and blessed the chemists with the gift of discovery and perseverance.

And He knows this will happen and He will do it anyway. I may not understand Him, but I sure am grateful that He is the way He is.

I love nature - just keep it out of my lane of traffic

In the morning, I encounter all kinds of wild animals on my way to work.

I don’t go through major rural areas, but I do have woods that border some of the nicer properties in Brookfield, WI and a large pond in Menomonee Falls. Add to that the nature preserve just south of Mill Road and you have a breeding ground for all sorts of wild critters.

I have a few words for my wild friends.

Deer – look both ways, please. If you see a car coming, DON’T CROSS. I know that “suicide by car” is the dream of every deer who is suffering from low self-esteem or depression, but not my car, please.

Geese – (and ducks) YOU CAN FLY!!! Why you have to walk across the road is inconceivable to me. To make it worse, you walk single file and sometimes not even straight across. There is nothing more tempting than seeing if you can squish a whole line of geese with one swerve of wheels.

Wood Cranes – you are big and mean and I am really tired of watching you watch me while I go past. I don’t trust you and am sure you can run up and attack my car if you want to. And you did just that once and are lucky I didn’t panic and have an accident. Stay in the marshes and long grass and leave the pavement alone.

Coyotes – please, go away. You look sort of cute like dogs from a distance, and I would never hit a dog, but then you look mangy and disjointed once I get closer and I wouldn’t feel guilty tapping you to make my point. If you are hungry and looking for food, there are plenty of geese, ducks and wood cranes walking the roads to give you a feast for a while.

Joggers – oh yes, you are on the list too with walkers.  When there is a lane for running, biking and walking, please don’t go in the traffic lanes. If you want to be in the car lane, get a car, drive to the gym and run on a treadmill. If there is no lane for your activity, please walk towards traffic so you know when drivers are coming. And I figured out that the group of 4-6 women that I pass regularly, purposely put the one woman that is doing all the talking closest to the cars because it is obvious that 1) they don’t like her and 2)if someone has to go, let it be Chatty Kathy! On the bright side Chatty Kathy, the people at your funeral will be in very good shape.

Bicyclers – you are the best and the worst. If you stay to the side, are adequately illuminated and obey the traffic laws, I challenge you to run over the animals of my previous rant. If you are one of those who has no protective equipment, no reflective gear and think you are a car to be anywhere in the lane you want, you are a scourge on society and I hope you hit gravel, fall over and skin your knees.

Don’t get me started on other drivers because we all have our quirks. The difference is that the other cars can complain about me too so I won’t even open that can of worms.

It’s so nice to get this out of my system. I feel better.

What a snoozer! (not the dog - that's a schnauzer!)

After reading my recent blogs about me, I have reached a conclusion. I am really boring.

I am not saying this to get you to contradict me or try to make me feel better. In fact, I may erroneously interpret those comments as encouragement and then there is no stopping me. We all know this would not be a good thing. .

I have to face my minuses and pluses and then figure out what the total is. In all honesty, I feel every day that my total is growing because every person I meet, every assignment I finish – those are pluses. But in a different way, every burden I overcome, every mountain I climb and every problem I solve… those are pluses too. The acts of living and being free to succeed or fail are pluses because one is active and the other learning. The acts of being hurt or disappointed or sad are pluses because they require me to think and analyze and put values on the reason I was hurt or disappointed or sad, and the awareness that I still stand regardless.

As it stands, I don’t feel bad about having a boring life. Not everyone can be the interesting one. I believe each of us was designed by God with a purpose. Being boring doesn’t mean I am not special; just not memorable. Being interesting doesn’t make you more special; just different.

Someone once told me they liked to visit me because there was no stress. I didn’t insist that we play games or take walks. I was just as happy sitting with them watching a movie than doing something active.

So I may refer to things in my life that have happened, but not in the “read about me” way I have addressed my earlier years. I need to keep the perspective that my life has been mine for a reason and everyone I meet or write about is part of me and probably more fun to read about because of my skewed view of life and problems.

My life is a compilation of experiences with people, places and things and while I am a ME ME ME person, I prefer to create a picture of people who have made me the wonderfully boring person I am.

So be prepared to meet the real me, as I tell you my stories; even the ones that don’t involve me.

for Nancy - when she talks to God

They say I’m sick – I’m feeling bad.

It’s just too much. It makes me sad.

                                                                                I heard – let’s talk – you shouldn’t fear.

But you don’t know – it’s scary here.

                                                                                But that's why I am here to talk.

                                                                                You can’t forget, with you I’ll walk.

Some days I carry such a load.

                                                                                Like a Cross being carried on a dusty road?

Some days the pain just makes me cry.

                                                                                Like thorns on a head – a spear in your side?

But pain? How can you understand?      

                                                                                See the holes in my feet and hands?

But so many think my days are done.

They look at me like I’m already gone.

                                                                                Remember when they jeered My Son

                                                                                Assuming He was not the “one”

                                                                                Yet He remembered to talk to me

                                                                                And then embraced His destiny.

It’s Cancer Lord! How can I cope?

What if I lose my faith and hope ?

                                                                                Oh Nancy, dear, I’m glad you asked.

                                                                                Because of that, I’ll  take the task.

                                                                                No matter what your earthly ills,

                                                                                Don’t ever doubt My Love…but still

                                                                                My plan for you is evermore.

Tell me what you have in store.

                                                                                On earth your life is just a phase

                                                                                But when it ends your soul will raise.

                                                                                Your faith filled life is just a dream

                                                                                For when you wake, it’s me you’ll see.

So this is just for here and now

And someday to your throne I’ll bow?

                                                                                The details I will not now tell.

                                                                                Just live in love, and in love you’ll dwell.

No More High School

I graduated in 1972 and got a job. It wasn’t my goal.

My mother wanted me to join the U S Army, like Mary did, but I really wasn’t interested. I knew if I did, it would have been a last resort – you know… can’t get a job, gotta do something, so why not join up.

My father wanted me to go to college. For some reason, he thought I would be a great student and make something of myself if I went to college. So I tested and got admitted to college. I was ready to work the summer, saving a little money and then getting a part time job while I was in school.

When I graduated, I started working at Taylor Electric in Mequon as a billing assistant. This began my office experience. I found that I loved the work and was quite good at it. I discovered that each desk had its own job description and the more desks I sat in, the more I would learn. It was better than college because I learned tons about accounting, billing, customer service, computers and much more while they paid me! It may not be the most sincere reason, but the money was the best part.

I started in June, 1972, and Duke got back from the service in February,1973. He had previously worked at Taylor and he stopped in to get his job back after his commitment ended. He walked through the office to visit his best friend Steve, who happened to work with me, 

I fell madly in love.

Duke was 6’4” tall, in his best shape ever, and had just spent his enlistment in Texas so was tan and beautiful. I did everything I could to get his attention and finally there was a company baseball team picnic in June and he got drunk enough to talk to me.

That was it! We were married the following April. It wasn’t even a year but like someone told my mom, “when it’s right, it’s right.”  We just celebrated our 45^th anniversary so all those who said it was too quick or we weren’t the right astrological signs or I was too young, I say… POOP ON YOU!

I worked at Taylor through December 1977. I left for two reasons. I had full vesting in the company profit sharing fund after 5 complete years and I was going to have a baby in February. 

Effective 1/1/78, I was a housewife, and after 2/14/78, I was a stay at home Mom.

High school was over and I was ready to move on.

some details from high school

Back to writing –

I believe I just left high school in my last ME post. OK – I notice I missed a few major things when talking about my years from Sept 1968 to graduation in 1972.

First – I did discover four loves that I still have today. One is English (poetry, literature, the classics and the modern) – one is Math – one is writing and the last is baseball.

Second – I also had a few dates in high school so was not a complete wallflower. I always had a date to dances and events because I had friends that were male and when we went out somewhere it was strictly platonic. Except for one…

Third point – I met a guy named John at Milwaukee County Stadium the summer between Soph and Jr years, and we became a couple my junior year of high school. I took him to my prom and then he took me to his school homecoming dance when I was a senior. It was that event that broke us up as he wanted to smoke marijuana at the dance and I was totally against any kind of drugs or artificial highs. I didn’t even drink…that came later.

BUT when he told me that by not smoking grass I was spoiling his good time I decided that we were done. I did give him one chance to apologize and repent, but he was rather weak and couldn’t see his life with no pot. So I turned my back on him. I dated many boys after that but until I met Duke, none was serious.  I can’t say if John was my first true love or if I was even in love or just infatuated, but I can say that my self-esteem and confidence shot through the roof once I stood up for what I believed in and let my “love” know that it was me first or he alone. I made a similar speech to Duke a few months after we started dating and he threw away the pot and kept me. Smart move, Duke! (yes I am laughing as I write that.)

I had to keep myself first because there was no guarantee that anyone else would. My father always told us to be proud of who we were and remember that we should be kind to everyone because it was our station to be nice to those less perfect. His answer to personal doubt was “you’re a Pearson – you’re better than that.”

A wonderful way to grow up, don’t you think? It probably explains a lot about my attitude to this day.

moving on

Jesus' life is starting to run down.
He kept telling His followers that His time was limited... and now the phrase "days are numbered" means so much more.

There is the ride into the city. Palm Sunday tribute and cheering from all the people. They want Jesus to be their King - conquering all the peoples that are against them. But Jesus isn't that kind of King.

To make it more confusing Jesus knew the end was near. He knew the plan and that His years were nearly over. But with the swell of support, it had to be tempting to be the King.

But Jesus knew one thing that was hard for the people to comprehend. He was the King.

After the ride, He did all He could in the few days allotted Him, and ended with a solemn dinner with His friends. He tried one last time to get through to them that there was a plan, and although the 12 were part of it, they would not be able to control it.

Judas was the most tragic because he had already decided to betray his friend. Judas was misguided and didn't see the big picture till it was too late.

Peter was secure that Jesus was his special friend and was surprised when Jesus told Peter of his imminent betrayal. Yet Peter betrayed Him anyway.

After dinner there was prayer, arrest, trial and death. None of this was unexpected to Jesus and He accepted His fate. Everyone else thought they could change things. But no one was able to cancel the plan or deter the will of God.

(note: Let this be a lesson to us. If God wouldn't change His plan to save His own Son, why do we think He will change it for us?)

So the same people who were singing "hosanna" on Sunday were yelling "Crucify Him!" less than a week later. Ever been in a mob or at an interactive Passion Play? It is really easy to just get sucked into the crowd mentality, especially if you will be punished, beaten or killed if you try to object.

identity crisis...not

Another interesting thing to me is that Jesus always spoke of the Father. He told the people about God as if God were His God too. 
I wonder if all the while they were traveling, the apostles realized that Jesus was more than the Son of God? Did they know He actually was God?

It was hard enough for the simple people of early Nazareth (and the rest) to see Jesus as a Savior, but had He played the God card, it would have blown their minds. All the signs were there, but tradition had made them expect a different kind of redeemer. The miracles alone were not enough to sway them. 

Jesus spoke with such authority that from youth, the educated listened to Him. He spoke with such passion that His words alone encouraged the people to follow Him. He spoke with such kindness and optimism that He inspired the world, even to this very day, to be like Him. 

So there He goes - speaking, healing and caring. And here we stand, emulating Jesus while knowing He is God. 

Now that we are in the midst of Lent, will we listen like the original 12... or the simple people of Jesus' homeland who knew Him as the son of a carpenter and blessed of God. 
Or will we listen as part of the faithful of all generations and ages, who know that God was really a Man in the body called Jesus, and lived and worked and loved and laughed and suffered and died, so that we all could be saved from our own human foibles. 
I can't figure it out. But that is why I keep writing. Because it is definitely worth the effort to try. 

Magic Man?

When Jesus went out, He performed many miracles with no fanfare. At least not at first.

We all have seen magicians and there is a lot of preparation - much hoopla and fireworks. Did the apostles go and prepare the people for "something never seen before on sand or stage. The one, the only, the great "Christini!" The crowd would go wild wondering what cool trick was going to be exhibited that day.

No - that is not what happened because there was no magic. Jesus didn't get up and plan how many people He would trick, but He went out knowing that there were many He could help.

Magicians use objects and sleight of hand. Look at the right hand - the left hand is holding the cards.
They tell people what they are thinking and predict where they will go, but they don't do anything to the person.
Jesus didn't do anything except ask God to reward the faith of the people and heal them. He didn't do tricks - He performed miracles. He channeled the power of God and used it to show the faithful that they were not forgotten. He didn't do it for a headline or show in Vegas. He did it because He couldn't help it.
Most of Jesus' miracles healed the person. From disease and torment to fear and evil spirits, all He needed to do was tell them they were healed - and to make it sweeter, He forgave their sins so they could be praising God.
Imagine the apostles witnessing the first healing miracle. They had to be as astounded as the rest and they also had to have the greatest relief that following Jesus from their boats or homes or families, was indeed the best choice.

Magic act? No. Tricks that Houdini could duplicate? Never!
 Actions that inspired faith to grow and thrive for generations and centuries? Of course, and that is the biggest miracle.

need a friend?

Jesus was building a reputation with His gentle ways and firm grasp of Scripture.  He had received attention after His Cana miracle and He was inspiring the Jews to get back to their heritage and serve God according to the Bible.

Jesus was ready to begin His mission but He needed help.

Jesus asked 12 special gentlemen to join Him. Jesus didn’t offer them a good time or a salary – just the chance to make a difference. This was back in the day when you looked someone in the eye and spoke to them. There was no text messaging; no email. No emoticons or tweets. Can you imagine?

Jesus texts:  Simon -  🐟 👨??? C-me.   JC    Simon texts back:  👍. S

No – Jesus approached, watched and then spoke to them. Remember that Jesus knew already that the 12 people He would spend the next years with would be the same 12 that loved and protected and denied and betrayed Him. But He asked them anyway. And they accepted. They went to their families and other friends and said goodbye. They saw this was the opportunity of a lifetime.

There are indications in the New Testament that occasionally the 12 would go back to their boats or homes, but that was not a permanent situation and since Jesus' years in ministry are not documented minute by minute, perhaps He needed a breather every now and again too. His travels were extensive but He was still just a guy from Nazareth.

His duty as a man, son of Mary and Joseph, did not totally vanish when He started His ministry as the son of God. There were probably some things He still had to do as part of mortal life. He was a dutiful son and needed to finish many things before He could go off with His friends. 

And when the gang got back together, with Jesus as the lead, it was wonderful. 

I can’t think how moving it would be to be in the group that would be considered Jesus’ Apostles, but even more that the group would be His friends.

The Apostles didn’t know all they were getting into but they knew one thing for sure. When Jesus needed friends, THEY were chosen first.

Teenage years

After all the hoopla and celebration of Jesus’ birth, and an adventure into Egypt, His history pretty much dries up. We know of how He wandered off to be found talking and teaching in the temple. I used to think that His comment to Mary was kind of rude. She was a mother, beside herself in fear that her son was missing (I mean, who wants to be the person who lost the Son of God) and she was understandably upset. When Jesus said, I must be about My Father’s business, it was that snarky kind of comment any young man would make. All teenagers say mean things to test their boundaries, and assert their future independence. And like all young men, I now think He meant it as a statement, not a slap. Jesus may even have been confused that she had concern at all. He assumed she knew His schedule. But as 100 percent human, Mary was not in the loop of all that God had planned.
After years of listening to scholars and preachers, I changed my view. Instead of wondering why Jesus stayed to be with the elders, I wonder why He went back home with the folks.

Jump to one of the next Jesus stories that we are aware of. The wedding at Cana.
So we have adult Jesus at a party. All goes well and then the wine runs low. So Mary let’s Him know and  cuts her down again. He is asking “what do you want Me to do about it?” But He means that her concern about wine will be addressed at the right time. He doesn’t mean to be dismissive but knows she needs patience. She gets it and just tells the wait staff to keep an open mind, cuz something great is about to occur.
Now this is the time some people question why Jesus made more wine when He could have made juice and delivered a sermon on the evils of alcohol. Yes, someone did mention that once to which I replied...keep it in context. Remember place and time and era and it isn’t a promotion of alcoholism. It was a courtesy and a real gift to the hosts.
So Jesus saves the day at the wedding and a simple miracle becomes the turning point. The two stories intertwine now, because Jesus is truly going into the Father’s business.

I don’t know about you, but for me the story is about to get real interesting.

Baby Jesus

disclaimer...this is not Bible study. This is how I feel about Jesus and what I may know...or not.

I remember knowing Jesus as a baby. He was the Son of God, born in a manger. I had no idea as a child what this meant.
In the Bible you see a baby, and then an adult. There was no awkward teen years... no school crushes... no boys playing ball outside. But that had to happen.
Jesus had to eat and poop and spit up on Mary when He was an infant. He had to play ball with His friends and hide and go seek; he must have  watched that cute girl from down the road walk to the well... maybe even tease His buddies when they did that boy thing to get her attention.
Jesus had to do all those things because He was not just God, but a man as well.
God didn’t have the angels announce Jesus to shepherds because they won the blue ribbons at the
Fair. God didn’t steer the astronomer kings because they brought good gifts. God announced Jesus to the lowliest of the low and the highest of the highs because Jesus is everyone’s Savior.
The shepherds walked to the stable and the kings rode camels. The shepherds had a short distance and the kings a long one. But each faction went to where Jesus was, because Jesus was there.
I saw a promise fulfilled... a search ended... a desire satisfied.
In this way, we too must find Jesus from our own place and in our own way. So now you know that as a child, I started my search and finally realize that the person I found is the same one the rich, smart and beautiful people found. He is all there is for all we are.
And that is why I want to tell you what happened to me next.

Break time

Today is Ash Wednesday.
To some this is a time to reflect and pray.
To some, this is time to fast or give something up.
To me? Well, I don’t know.
If I give up a treat or food, it is nothing I haven’t done before to lose weight.
If I try to pray each day, it is nothing I am not doing every day already. It is.just that I think about it being Lent and not about the prayers
If I decide to do something nice or be kind or be considerate, it would be sad that that is a sacrifice for me.
I decided to meet Jesus.
Lent is the in between time. It is the time we lose Jesus the Man and see Jesus as God. It is a time of revelation.
I know as a child I knew about Jesus, but it is time to really know Him. I am old enough now to see what I missed all those years when I felt Jesus was an untouchable deity. So as I go through 40 days of Lent, I will make my own reflection on Jesus. This will be my admission that I know nothing about what I know.

really...who cares

My high school life was peppered with moments of greatness, sadness, frustration and success.

I would like to say that I found myself, but that is stupid. I wasn’t lost. I did however discover some hidden talents I had – from my scholastic abilities to my musical and dramatic talents. As a student, I was smart and had a great memory. I took copious notes and remembered so much detail that I didn’t usually have to study. I was happy to get B’s, thrilled to get A’s, rarely got anything lower and did it all with minimum effort. Valedictorian or top achiever? NO. Honor roll? Yes.

As a performer, I wanted to be in the musicals and plays but I discovered that I was mediocre at best. I was happy to be girl #7 in the third line or the nonspeaking shepherd in the Christmas shadow diorama. Star? Soloist? NO! Stage hand or nameless artist? You betcha!

I had all the credits to go to college and opted to get a summer job after senior year, at which time I discovered I could learn and earn money at the same time. I took a few night courses but my dreams of college died. I started with college English and then took cake decorating & party foods, needlepoint, gourmet cooking and a few computer courses. After a few years working, I saw that I should get more accounting experience so took a few accounting courses. I learned by reading books and looking things up. When people started the home computer craze, I was in my element. I could learn millions of things without having to go to the library or buy an encyclopedia. An encyclopedia was a series of books that were arranged alphabetically and you could actually pull a volume out and get info…. The better ones took up multiple shelves to accommodate all the info. (in case you are too young to remember them.)

I have officially condensed my high school years to a few entries. I could mention my individual successes but that is in the past. I will not be advanced today because I was able to take college classes during high school – or get elected to class office – or win a kite flying contest. I will not be more accepted by my peers because I learned certain things better than everyone else. It is that these successes and achievements shaped the person I am today. If I was good before…I had better be best now. If not, whatever good I did or was is not worth mentioning.

here comes the flood of memories

Now I will stop listing by number and just list things.

I found out in high school that I loved English and writing. I took all the required courses and added Creative Writing, Evolution of Tragedy (where I met Henrik Ibsen and fell in love with his grasp of female character), Speech, English and American Literature, Poetry and a few others. I think I took about 8 English classes before I graduated.

I found out I was good at math and took Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra, Trig and Calculus.

I did OK in science (B’s), mainly because I did not care for it. Due to Madonna being a smaller school, there were only 2 upper classmen were taking physics so to justify a class, it was offered to the next grade down if you were getting decent grades. SO Mary needed Physics and I joined the class to make a minimum number. We were all the NERDS if you want the truth. We were smart enough to take physics, even though it for upper classmen.  The best thing about Physics was taking gigantic slinkys and making and calculating waves. I ended up taking biology and physics and another science, could be advanced biology, at Madonna and then chemistry as a senior.

I took Spanish for 3 years and since it was an all girls' school, we had to do home ec - cooking, sewing, knitting and crochet. The teacher couldn't teach us "lefties" so my mom had to teach me how to knit and crochet so I could complete assignments. We sat face to face and I mirrored her. It was that easy. This reflects the teacher we had - she graduated college and couldn't figure this out. 

Gym...theology...history (great teacher - not my favorite class)... the rest of the classes were just that. Classes.

Next, we will have personal stuff that made my high school life memorable. (or not.)