The Terrible Catsafterme

The summer ended and I trudged back to school, ready to enter my ninth grade and my last year at Ankeney Junior High. I had gotten a real exposure to girls via camp over the summer, and I had found out that I quite liked them. I had slimmed down and was beginning to get a little bit of length to my hair. Looking in the mirror I liked when the back section flared out so that I could see it. If I couldn’t, I’d go ahead and wet it down and pull it out. I began to carry a brush with me in my back pocket, one that could be filled with water or hairspray in the handle. I found out what Clearasil was all about – and preferred the flesh tone. Read the rest of this entry »

It is certainly true that Jimmy Carter doesn’t typically rank among the top of the most popular or effective United States Presidents, but I’d have to say that Carter is certainly one of my favorites. It’s easy to feel a connection to Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter because they are certainly the most down-to-earth and accessible of any of the living Presidents and First Ladies. And I truly believe that Carter has an integrity and value system unmatched by any President. I believe it is because of his idealism, honesty, and faith in the American people that he is generally regarded as one of the weakest Presidents. Read the rest of this entry »

As I was chatting with my old Ankeney friend Pete Bales at the Beavercreek High School reunion on Saturday, July 17, 2010, I remarked, “no offense, but the people it means the most to me to see here are the ones that I went to grade school with.” This was an absolutely true statement in that I think that the friends that you make in childhood are the ones that really stick in your head as the most memorable. In addition to Lisa Baker, Amy Lupini, Mike Ross, Debra Prystaloski, and Missy Fodor (who can all be seen by clicking on their respective links), there were six other whom I remember best from my grade school days at Fairbrook Elementary. Here are the first three: Read the rest of this entry »

In her day, Margaret O’Brien was one of the most popular child actors of the silver screen. She began her career in an uncredited role in Babes On Broadway in 1941 at the age of four. Margaret’s career reached its zenith in 1943 and 1944 when she starred in such classics as Madame Curie, Jane Eyre, and her most famous role, Meet Me in St. Louis with Judy Garland. The most famous scene comes when Garland sings Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas to young Margaret. Read the rest of this entry »