January 29

I have slipped from traveling companion to fifth wheel, which is complicated.

1965

I didn't go to the P.J. party. P notified me at the last minute of a Senior Planning Board meeting. I'd really rather have gone to the party, and I fussed and fumed for an hour, but I couldn't go. I did stay until 11 o'clock and then came home. It was crowded, but fun. We told dirty jokes, ate candy and listened to records. I met D. She's nice. V lives two houses away.

Comment 2006

Gee, I wonder why I was so eager to go to Kathy's pajama party! Actually, pajama parties were a great source of all-girl fun in the 1960s. This was long before "sleepovers parties" became elementary school fare, of course. We'd sit around in our best sleepwear, eat junk food and entertain ourselves with the most amazing array of titillating teenaged fun: prank phone calls to cute boys, dirty jokes and off course, gossip about girls who weren't there. Amateur makeovers (hair and make-up) were also popular amusements.

Having to miss all that (two houses away from V, who might have stopped in to borrow a cup of flour) for a Saturday morning regional Girl Scout meeting of unknown purpose was clearly a giant bummer.

Comment 2023

My sixteenth birthday (coming later in 1965) was also planned as a pajama party. I don’t remember it. The only memory is that I referred to it as “four on the floor” because my parents would only let me invite three friends. The location would have been our very uncozy 60s-style rec room, with the fake paneling and vinyl floor.

1997

Sarah wants me to do a “collage-illustrated journal” and a “treasure map” that is mostly things I’d like to have. No, thanks. I really don’t daydream about the car I would like to drive, though it would help if it met inspection. As long was we live in the DC area, I need to accept air conditioning. 

Comment 2024

We moved here in 1976 and proceeded to buy two un-air conditioned cars in the row. We finally installed AC in our hour in 1986, a year after we bought it. The answer to the question, “Do you really need it if it’s just a few months of the year?” is oh, my goodness yes. May through September is not a “few”.

2019

Ten days behind me, just two days ahead of me. Time to soak up the sun and listen to the sounds of Mazunte: birds, breakers, music, voices speaking many languages. In two days and a few hours, I will flying back to cold, snowy Maryland. The sun and soft breezes have been lovely, but I do miss the cool nights and low humidity of Oaxaca.

Much as I like P and L, we are poorly matched travelers.They are hikers and explorers; I could happily spend the day people-watching and waiting for a poem to tap me on the shoulder. Also, I have slipped from traveling companion to fifth wheel, which is complicated.

Comment 2024

They got married last year, and are just now hiking and exploring in New Zealand. 

Enjoy more memories of Mazunte.

And the van ride from Oaxaca!