Senior '68.....
For a decade or so in the 90's and somewhat beyond, we didn't do nearly enough to stay in touch even by phone or email. Recently, and I suppose because of my recent flirtation with mortality, we have been communicating more. In fact I'm even emailing Bill's mom, Betty, who was like a second mother to me.
I don't dwell in the past but I do like to keep in touch with those great times we had all those years ago. Great times in a simpler life. In fact, as a side note, I'm gratified that my adorable step-son Jack even likes to watch "Leave it to Beaver" each night with me. I was the same age as The Beav when it originally aired, had a big brother like Wally and my Mom was the stay at home kind who was there like June when we came home from school. So, Jack gets to see the kind of life I used to lead when I was his age.
One of the things I'm doing for Bill, Ronnie and Betty is taking pictures of the old neighborhood and of their houses so that they can see what the old homestead looks like. Bill's house has not changed a lick in 40 years. It's rather scary sometimes when I drive by...I expect to see the '64 red 4-door Valiant and the big finned Chrysler Imperial to still be sitting out front. Bill and I did some major league "cruising" in that Valiant, embarrased as we were to be seen in the family car.
As I was in the alley today taking some photos of the Stalling's house from the rear, I ran across the image depicted above. This graffiti is on my parents alley wall [they still live there] and was put there by me 40 years ago in 1965! I apparently was quite proud to be graduating from Midland High School in 1968.
The only problem was that I actually graduated in 1967! Mathematics never was my strong suit.
 | Growing up in Midland I had two very best friends, Bill and Ronnie, with whom I did everything. Bill lived directly behind us, across the alley, and Ronnie [now Ron] lived a block or so away. I've known them now for almost 45 years. Both Bill and Ron have lived in Houston for most of their adult lives and we don't see nearly enough of each other. |
I don't dwell in the past but I do like to keep in touch with those great times we had all those years ago. Great times in a simpler life. In fact, as a side note, I'm gratified that my adorable step-son Jack even likes to watch "Leave it to Beaver" each night with me. I was the same age as The Beav when it originally aired, had a big brother like Wally and my Mom was the stay at home kind who was there like June when we came home from school. So, Jack gets to see the kind of life I used to lead when I was his age.
One of the things I'm doing for Bill, Ronnie and Betty is taking pictures of the old neighborhood and of their houses so that they can see what the old homestead looks like. Bill's house has not changed a lick in 40 years. It's rather scary sometimes when I drive by...I expect to see the '64 red 4-door Valiant and the big finned Chrysler Imperial to still be sitting out front. Bill and I did some major league "cruising" in that Valiant, embarrased as we were to be seen in the family car.
As I was in the alley today taking some photos of the Stalling's house from the rear, I ran across the image depicted above. This graffiti is on my parents alley wall [they still live there] and was put there by me 40 years ago in 1965! I apparently was quite proud to be graduating from Midland High School in 1968.
The only problem was that I actually graduated in 1967! Mathematics never was my strong suit.
