May 5
A totally bifurcated post, ending with an awful to-do list and a pretty picture
1965
Wotta wonderful day! I smiled at I-don't-know-how-many boys, said "hello" to 5 and talked to V for a couple of minutes! I'm reformed! I'm attractive to boys! I know the secret! If you smile, they smile, if you say hello, they do, too and if you talk to them and act interested they will be friendly, too! Isn't it wonderful? In all, I know I was friendly to 9 boys today. And tomorrow I'll be better! Maybe someday I'll break 20! I hope so!
Comment 2006
Sadly, I forgot this lesson within a week.
1976
Not only am I smart, but I got the job at Maryland! What a shock. How scary. How little I know about how all this works. I called Mom, Connie, my advisor, Dad, everyone!! I talk about it to everyone I meet. And I still don’t believe it. It scares the hell out of me. I keep looking at myself in the mirror and saying “time to grow up, Jo”, and “real life, Jo” and I still just want to sit and let it sink in. Unbelievable.
Comment 2024
And here’s the kicker: five or so years later, my department chair at Maryland told a roomful of people that the reason I was hired was that I was the only one who wrote a thank you note after my phone interview.
That wasn’t me.
1996
What a spring. Kiddo 1 has acquired a boyfriend. That took some getting used to!
Comment 2023
I’ll say it took some getting used to! I was totally ready to have a socially inept, wallflower child like myself, sweet sixteen and never been kissed and all that. Instead, the Universe laughed and delivered a beautiful extrovert. No, I was not jealous; I was terrified because I had no idea how to deal with such a being.
2023
What have I done? I am facing a weekend crammed impossibly full of tasks and fun events, with no one to blame but myself. A list, before I go mad:
Friday, if possible:
Block four more Tunisian crochet swatches.
Trace names to be embroidered on two memorial quilts.
Collect information about the people whose names we are adding.
Launder and change bed linens.
Write various things (this, among others)
Maybe make rhubarb oatmeal bars for Sunday.
Answer emails.
Writers’ group this afternoon.
Dinner with friends
Go to bed early (LOL)
Saturday:
Maryland Sheep and Wool festival with friend (Pick up at 8 in the eeek.)
Whatever I don’t get done on Friday.
Write
Sunday:
Write
Remember to bring embroidery supplies and tools to church
Quilt embroidery 9:15-done.
Knitting class
Fifth floor social (bring rhubarb oatmeal bars)
New resident sing-along (damn, I need to RSVP for it!)
Comment 2024
This year, I went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival with the same friend, had lunch and took a two hour nap. Changed the bed today, then puttered and knitted. Much better plan. I’m a slow learner, but I get there. Here is the quilt I added names to that Sunday morning last year:
