Highlights of My Trip Part 3: The Finale

A heavy dose of fatigue has hit me today. Instead of a wordy blog about the final days of my trip I will leave you with a photo diary instead.

Salina High School Central

Mascot: Mustang

School Colors: Maroon and White

I was, indeed, a mighty "Marching Mustang"

Instrument: Clarinet

Position: 1st Chair

This mustang sculpture is much bigger

in my memory than in actuality

Remember this girl?

She's the one next to me in my yearbook photo

In this photo...the infamous belt!

With one of my very best friends from childhood!

A group photo

I have some really cute great grand nieces and nephews!
The little tyke on the right was born extremely premature and is a living miracle.

My sisters and I with Mom

and with Dad.

Hmmm, in the sunlight, maybe my hair IS a tad too red?

Nah!

Highlights of My Trip: Part 2

Some Things Never Change

Conversations with my father.

I.

Dad: "What the heck did you do to your hair?"
Me: "It's 'chocolate cherry'. Do you like?"
Dad: "It's pretty dark, don't you think?"
Me: "I thought you were color blind?"
Dad: "I'm not THAT color blind!"

II.

Dad: "What's that thing?"
Me: "It's my belt."
Dad: "Well, a belt is suppose to serve a purpose...like hold up your pants!"
Me: "The purpose of this belt is as a decorative accessory."
Dad: "That makes no sense."
Me: "Enough Dad. I'm 48, not 8!"

I'm the youngest and maybe it's hard for my father to realize that I'm "grown up" now. Maybe I , too easily, revert to my role as the "baby daughter". Maybe he's envisioning his own immortality. After all, he is in his upper 80's and, besides, I was home to attend my 3oth high school reunion. That would make any parent feel old. I guess I'll cut him some slack!

Some People Never Grow Up

Friday night was an informal gathering at a local pub, a sort of "meet and greet" if you will. I was pretty nervous about attending. Would anyone remember me? Would I recognize anyone? I invited 4th Sister to come along for moral support.

When we arrived I was relieved to see so many familiar faces from the past! The women hadn't changed a bit. Yes, we were all a bit heavier, maybe had a few wrinkles here and there, but for the most part they all looked the same. The men, on the other hand were a bit more difficult to recognize. I guess receding hairlines and facial hair will do that to a guy. Thank goodness for name tags.

All in all everyone was having a great time. But, of course, something had to happen that harkened back to the days of old. Our class bombshell made her grand entrance into the bar. When she saw me she immediately shouted: "Hey there, Rolly P****!" You see, in high school I had the unfortunate circumstance that when my initials were switched my last name changed into what the part of the male anatomy that makes a man a man is called. Once the initial shock wore off, I looked at her, tilted my head to the side and simply stated, "You know, I haven't had that last name in almost 2o years. I think I've earned the right to move beyond." Oh well. I guess there's always one in the crowd.

By the way, 4th Sister had a wonderful time. She's an artist and made connections with another artist, from my graduating class, to hold an exhibit in his studio. Life is good.

Reunion Bound

Class of 1979

Today I embark upon a road trip to attend my 30th high school reunion. I will be gone for a week. I doubt if I will have any time to blog, but one never knows. Maybe I can convince Mr. Sister to do another "blog takeover" in my absence, that is, if you all can stand it. I'm sure he's itching to tell you all about the "media center" he is designing (which will mean the end to TV viewing as we know it). Meanwhile, I will travel down memory lane to the days of Disco and Farrah Fawcett hair. Take care my friends.