Memory Monday-My School Years

I am joining Retired Not Tired for Memory Monday

I went to the same schools all through my early years. My elementary school was right at the end of my street.  In those days the buildings housed K to 8th grade and I started in the first Kindergarten, the first year the school had opened.  The school was renamed and re-purposed to a middle school in the 90's.  

James Madison Elementary School

Since it was so close to home, it seemed we were always on the playground. I still have friends from school, as we all graduated and went on to the same high school.  As I worked on this post yesterday I found a few more on Facebook.

My mom was very active with the school and was often on campus when a room mother was needed. Which was somewhat problematic, if we wanted to fly under the radar.

We were the first graduating class that went through all the grades at the school.  That week of graduation, many of us got sick with the measles (no immunization in those days).  I had come in second in the graduation speech competition and had to be ready to step in, I was so scared that I would have to get up in front of everyone and speak, but I dutifully practiced, just in case.  Thankfully, Tommy H. was well enough to give the speech and I was reprieved.  We were both sick with the measles the next morning, so our summer vacation started by feeling poorly.   

The teachers through the years, were good but I the one I had that year, was truly dreadful, many of my insecurities began here.  I wrote about it before, that it was a defining moment in my life.

"However, if one counts the teachers who had a negative impact on me, it would be my 8th grade teacher, Mr. Ginsberg, I even remember his name after all these years.  I was on the chubby side when I was 12 or 13, I also was developing my breasts and was self conscious.  I tended to stand around with my arms crossed over my chest.  He called me Buddha, all the time,  and I was hugely embarrassed.  I guess I could have objected now, but at the time, the late 50's, there was no political correctness or anti harassment. It was bullying pure and simple. I guess he thought he was being funny....Not!  He was a terrible person and should not have been a teacher." 

When we moved back to California from Michigan, the kids were still in elementary school. We stayed with my folks for many months while we looked for a house, so DD1, went to 4th grade at the school. It was a few years after that, when the rebuilding and re-naming happened.  Mom and Dad had nothing but traffic and parking problems as the school grew. More memories of these years here and here.

I went to High School at SGHS and have written about it several times. They were not my best years, only OK.  I wouldn't go back to high school again for a million dollars.

Pondering 13 Things-Sunday Stealing

From Pinterest - Thirteen Things

1. Outside my window… 
Everything is lush and green because of the rain....and the bird bath should have occupants today since there is water in it, for a change.

 2. I am thankful… I'll paraphrase Garfield: I am thankful for vegetables; carrot cake, zucchini bread and pumpkin pie.

Garfield-Jim Davis

 3. In the kitchen… There is a dishwasher waiting to be emptied

 4. I am wearing…  
My night gown still, since I get up before Mr BC.  I don't like to change in the dark, so I wait until he gets up, to clean up and dress. Interesting, last night I dreamed I was to get some kind of award and I was in my night gown.  I know that must mean something.

 5. I am creating… A Big Mess, on the side table next to my chair. The Sunday paper and all.....

 6. I am going… To Santa Barbara in September to see the Grandkids, instead of taking the RV to New England.  Too many expenses came up to afford, comfortably, the trip this year.  A disappointment,but, the kids had an opportunity to go to Majorca, that DD1 might not be able to go on, if I didn't come SB to watch the kids, so at least I did not disappoint them. They always get my ticket when I am watching the kids.  That is always nice on the budget.  Mr BC will stay home and watch the dogs....we are going back in the RV at the holidays.

 7. I am reading… Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon.  It is second, in the Outlander series, and since I don't get Starz, which is carrying the miniseries, I will have to read on, to get my fix of Jamie and Claire.

 8. I am learning… 
Right now, On Sunday Morning, from Jane Pauley: that Smokey the bear was created in the 1940's because,though the U.S. Forest Service fought wildfires long before World War II, the war brought a new importance and urgency to the effort. Since able bodied men were not available to fight fires. The forestry service was worried that enemy infiltrators might start forest fires to create havoc. I remember learning the song in Girl Scouts in the 50's.

 9. I am pondering…

  10. A favorite quote… 
“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” 
― Robert Frost

 11. One of my favorite things… We are watching Rumpole of the Bailey again. Years ago we watched some of it....I think on Masterpiece Theater...My dad got a big kick out of him.  I think because they were a lot alike. "She who must be obeyed". It seems we did not see all of them. Dated a little, but still a treat.  

12. A few plans for the rest of the week… Shampoo my carpet....for sure this week...That means that I will have to vacuum dog hairs first.  I bought a new Bissell especially for pets, I am barely able to look forward to shampooing apparently, since I have had it for a month and have not taken it out of the box.

I need to take Totem to the vet to get his shots on Tuesday so I can take all three to the groomer to get them shampooed on Wednesday or Thursday....must make the appointment.

We will pick the RV up, from some repairs needed, since I ran it into a branch and crushed some reflectors, and get a new toilet, since we apparently did not winterize it properly.

 13. A peek into my day… Walk the dogs after Sunday Morning on CBS. Then we will hole up in the air conditioned comfort of Sunday and watch a movie and some British TV on Acorn. A true day of rest before our busy week.

Grown-Up Chats

1.  Other than those who live in your home, who's the last person who came to your front door? It was the guy who mows our yard and our daughter's yard.  He was done and I needed to pay him.  It was well worth it.  He will come again in 2 weeks.

2.  Do you have many photos around your home? Pictures of DD's graduations. And pictures of the grandsons.  I also have a prominent picture of Mr.BC's mom.  It is her HS graduation pic.  We live in the house she left to us and we can see her every day. 

3.  Do you like mint? Is there a favorite type of mint for you? How do you enjoy it?  Yes, I love mint, all kinds.  Currently I have a bag of Mint M&M's in the kitchen and enjoy a handful when I remember they are there.

4.  Do you enjoy your own parties and other times with guests, or are you so busy working...? I mostly have folks for dinner and I try to make meals that can be prepared ahead, so I can enjoy my guests.

5.  What do you want to be when you grow up more? Job, hobby, self improvement, etc. As I am a senior citizens I think I have grown up about as much as I can.  I just hope I don't grow infantile. 

Saturday 9: I'm a Believer

Thanks to Cie for recommending the Monkees

1) This song is about a guy who fell in love when he saw her face. Do you believe in love at first sight?

I think it might really be lust at first sight.

A Tropical Christmas-Writer's Workshop

In 1967 when Mr BC and I got married, he immediately swept me off for a year in Key West, FL.  He was in the Navy and had shore duty on the island.  When we married, I became part of the Navy way of life and there were a few things I had to get use to, like Mr BC laundry.  He didn't like the way I folded his socks and underwear, they "wouldn't pass inspection that way."  I did it for a while but finally told him since the Navy wasn't likely to come and inspect our bedroom drawers (so to speak).  If he wanted them folded "right" he could do it himself.  My first fit of stubborness.