September 24
A glimpse of 1965 and a bit of Nebraska trivia
1965
I had a great time at the dance tonight! No VS! Boy, am I glad.
It bothers me to see all the guys I used to hang around with in 7th and 8th grade now going with girls of - well - uncertain morals!
I did dance, though. I danced with Marcia’s brother, he’s 2 years younger than men but OK, and RB, a colored boy. I was nervous about dancing with him, but I did - 3 times.
Comment 2006
My sophomore year crush with VS is officially history.
R deserves more of a mention. He was one of two African American "exchange" students who came up to New Milford in the fall of 1965. The other one, stayed the whole school year and had a great time -- prom king, all kinds of yearbook superlatives. R, quiet and bespectacled, had more trouble fitting in. He was in some of my classes, and we enjoyed taking about school and books. We danced three times that night -- fast dances, like the Pony, which was one of my favorites. But when he asked me to slow dance, I told him I didn’t know how.
What I really didn't know how to do, at 16, was do anything that my peers would have remotely frowned upon -- like slow dancing with a "colored boy". Sorry, R. I really wanted to, but I was too chicken.
Oh and I have a feeling that was no "exchange" program, 'cause no one from my school went to Alabama!
Comment 2017
In the more than fifty year since then, I have thought about R many times. I've searched for him on Google. When I find him, I'll ask him why he left Connecticut at the end of the school year. Why did you do back home? Did your family need you? Were you homesick? Or was my rejection just one of many, perhaps the first of many?
There were so many times in my life when someone has said to me, “That’s just the way it is”. Eventually, you start saying to other people -- and to yourself. Sometimes it’s said with a sense of comfort and justification, sometimes an uneasy apology. Sorry, R. I really wanted to dance with you, but I was too chicken. And that is “just the way it was”. Some days I feel like I have traveled light years since then; some days I am not so sure. But I am working on it, every day. Writing is part of the journey.
Comment 2023
I finally found him via Google and Ancestry.com, of all things. Still have not gathered up the courage to contact him, though. I did find out more about the “exchange” program. It was an outgrowth of the American Friends Service Committee’s anti-segregation work, begun in 1959 when the Prince Edward country (VA) public schools were closed rather than integrate. By 1965, they were identifying honor students in other segregated schools all over the south and placing them in schools up north.
Also: I was such a prude.
1981
It still hasn’t sunk in that I’m pregnant. On the one hand, it’s certain. But it seems so distant, more than eight months from now. The whole school year. There’s so much to do. Clothes for me, clothes and furniture for the baby, changes in life insurance, a will, decisions about childbirth.
I shouldn’t be needing maternity clothes until around Christmas, but I will need both winter and spring clothes. My coat will be fine. I could use another pair of low-heeled pumps, maybe in black. Over the next week or so I’ll go over my wardrobe and see what will be wearable.
1985
Between the ragweed and the antihistamines I’ve been downright dopey the last few days. Still, I’ve gotten a lot done. So far this semester my workload has been a dream come true. It doesn’t hurt that Kiddo is having a good time at her new daycare center. We haven’t had one miserable day of being left in tears (so far, so good). Even Tuesdays and Thursdays have been more tolerable…certainly less rushed than before. As it’s working out Tuesday and Thursday have been for the ditzy stuff like filing, dealing with slides, etc. Monday and Friday are for medium-length jobs and meetings. Wednesday are for working ALONE at home or at the library (ah, bliss!). Tomorrow I’m going to work on revising an article for publication. Wish me luck.
1997
If there was ever dumb advice, it’s “Do what you love and the money will follow”.
Today I have a sinus headache, which seems to be settling in for the long haul. Ooog. And it is my busiest day, too! Maybe I overdid the caffeine and chocolate yesterday. :( wouldn’t that be awful!
2003
All in all, we were without power for 3 1/2 days, until about 5 AM Monday. Then it went out again Monday night for another 5 hours. But that’s over for now, and the weather is sunny and dry and not too hot.
I am about to be pulled under at work. I have about 80 projects to grade, and my lesson plans only went through yesterday. I would love to go to yoga class today but am not sure I have the time. (Or should spend the time, if I do.) I am struggling to stay not only ahead of my work, but above my work, so I can see the big picture. I have the American Studies Association coming up in three weeks (less, actually) and hope that will give me some planning time.
My neck is getting worse. Time to go do more desk work.
Comment 2023
That will absolutely not help your neck.
2014
Priestess of Discs, tilted right. I am vague about what my body needs and need to focus more to discern it.
Right now, I need sleep. I have been waking up and tossing with worry about work. I want to take a walkabout tomorrow, but the to-do list is making me hesitant.
2017 (Nebraska)
The one thing missing here is my church community. The local Episcopalian church is in line with my social justice opinions, but the Eucharist, etc. is no longer me. Even the Lutheran church is closer in style, but not in politics. The music in both places is excellent, though.
Comment 2023
Fun North Platte trivia: When I attended Sunday service at the Episcopal church that morning, I noticed this in a historical display. He-e-e-res Johnny, with his North Platte bride, in 1949.
