Will You Recognize Me

I had to be bribed to post this picture because I am not in it; I just spent the money on two shirts from the Encore (“big lady”) department in Nordstrom.

(Thank you, Lane and Caroline!)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be spending it with a magnifying glass trying to identify the people in this picture—oh, and finishing that memory book you’ve heard about. I will send out a group email next week-ish when those freaking things are in the mail to you. (I wish you could come to my apartment and help me label the envelopes and kill a bottle of red wine.)

Will You Stand Above Me

I am sure that Kevin Kelly had to answer questions all night long about where his brother was. (It’s Cambodia: Keith and his wife, Nathalie, just moved there in March.) I don’t mind admitting that I didn’t recognize Kevin when I first saw him at the picnic, but he didn’t seem offended when I asked his name. At that moment, Susan and their 3-year-old son, Logan, were checking out some other interesting part of Heritage Park. I got to meet her later at the party, and I’m grateful that Caroline sent me this picture of the two of them together.

Tell Me Your Troubles and Doubts

This is the best smile I saw from Dave Thomas-Bush, who drove from Florida separately with their two children, Camden and Violet, to meet his wife and our classmate, Michelle, at the reunion. She flew directly from North Carolina, where she had attended the same youth conference at Montreat that she did every summer when truly a youth.

Incidentally, since I mentioned my morning Diet Coke in that other post, I feel I should say that it’s not good for us to drink so much soda. A recent health study about women indicated that caffeine probably doesn’t raise our blood pressure, but something in soda might. I urge you not to follow my example if you need a lift but to drink a lovely cup of lapsang souchong instead.

(Tell me this blog doesn’t have heart.)

Won’t You Come See About Me

I don’t have any stories to share about Claude Roussell, Bob Bierhorst, or Charles Holmes: nothing that comes to mind this morning as I still finish my first Diet Coke. I just want to get some pictures up so you can gaze upon their beauty.

Everybody’s Got Someone to Lean on

I have a theory, a picture-posing theory. I’ve been looking at reunion pictures over and over and over, and here’s what I decided. When readying themselves to be in a picture, women lean in, but men just stand still (and maybe, just maybe, puff out their chests).

I provide my evidence with Gail Barber Lloyd and Rebecca Blake Barron; Valerie Pollard Griggs and Lori Riddle (yep, she married Zeke!); and Doug Dicke, Joe Bihlmeyer, John Cherniak, and John Laney.

It’s Not the Way You Have Your Hair

I was talking to my close personal friend Bill the other day, and we reiterated our disappointment about missing friends at the fast-paced reunion party. There were friends right there in the same room with us, and we never saw them! So I promised him I’d post the picture I was sent of Henry Whitty because that’s someone we both wanted to speak to but never did.

Also pictured is David Bernard, who has already been on the blog twice, a testament to what an important part of our class he is and why we need him at every reunion.

He Got the Action, He Got the Motion

I realized that the paltry picture postings so far might give the impression that all we did was pose for cameras all night long. For the sake of truth in journalism, I give you these action shots. Some are blurry, but that’s just because it was hard to contain us in one moment of light.

Laughing Like Children

Honestly, how old are you? Rabbit ears? For crying out loud.

(Is it obvious or should I identify Karen Daniels Johnson, Melissa Williams Collier, and Abby Lindsay Werdenschlag?)

I Hear the Sound I Had to Follow

Did you get to talk to Tim Collins at any of the reunion events? (It looks as if Caroline did.) Tim is someone I didn’t remember who didn’t remember me either. In fact, the only guy Tim mentioned from our class is someone else I never knew. But Tim got in touch with us months ago and said, what the heck; I’ll be there. He drove over from Florida and talked to everybody and helped us clean up after the picnic, too.

Can you think of a better model of the Reunion Spirit than Tim Collins? (No, not Grey Goose. I meant it to be a rhetorical question.)

She Loves to Be One of the Girls

If you were walking down the street and saw three women lovely as these, you would hurt your neck from trying to keep looking at them as you continued to your destination. (You wouldn’t stop to talk because you’d be too intimidated.) However, at our reunion party, there were so many beautiful women every place you looked that you started to take for granted you’d see loveliness at every turn.

That’s why I’m glad I was sent this picture of Dana Ogden Rovira, Heather Innerarity Fedele, and Laura Newton. I will enjoy remembering the beautiful women of the South who made me happy just to hang out with them because of their grace.

On another note, I can feel this blog winding down to a natural close. (Do blogs “wind down?” Maybe it’s wrapping up, folding, dimming, or getting unplugged.) Do you have a web site of your own? I thought I could put links up for any endeavors you have, whether it’s your automotive repair business or family photo album.

Do you like to write? Have you thought about blogging yourself? This site doesn’t cost a cent. I believe that most of the others are like Blogger, too (which is owned by Google), in offering a basic setup for free. I really know so little about what’s available, just names like Typepad, LiveJournal, and Diaryland because my friends here use them. But you wouldn’t need my advice to get started because it’s that easy, and if you’ve ever had a tiny idea that you’d like to self-publish, I think you’d have a wonderful time blogging. (Should I add a disclaimer about its addictive nature?)

Before I stop updating this site, drop me an email about the web site you want your classmates to visit. I will put your description in a post like this one, and then I will add the link to the sidebar.

Do You Feel the Same Cause You Don’t Let It Show

Even as I write this, Wendy is probably packing or unpacking boxes (again) to move into a house she’s been building for about 30 years. She sold her old house before the new one was ready, and the whole family has been squatting at a friend’s home in the meantime. For a time, we were worried that the closing date for the new place would interfere with the reunion, but Wendy laid down the law.

Even as I write this, Raymond might be taking his wife, Kenyon, to the hospital to deliver their next baby. I’m actually not sure when the baby is due, but do not underestimate the power of a blog suggestion even in bringing on labor. Raymond himself knows all about another kind of labor, having opened his own flooring business before the hurricane.

Even as I write this, Matt might be trying to figure out how to get his reunion-night jacket back to Nebraska. Matt is one of the guys who was hard to recognize after 20 years, maybe because, like me, many were looking for the long shock of blond hair down the back of his neck. But I think Matt knew this because he was gracious about introducing himself all weekend.

Even as I write this, Kristy is probably working at her outpatient clinic, which she’s reopened since the hurricane. I cannot imagine the long hours it’s required to get things going again, but Kristy knows how to prioritize her time for everything that’s important to her. So I do imagine that because it’s Friday, she won’t stay too late at the office with a handsome husband like her Terry at home.

I Don’t Want to Let You Go ’Til You See the Light

Will you look at Juan? Will you look at him? Will you look at that tie?

Okay, I haven’t heard the story yet, but you can tell me: who went home with Juan? (I know it wasn’t Kevin, Karen, or Tommy.) Come on; ’fess up. I promise not to put it on the blog if you just tell me who took this man home. There’s no way I’m believing he left alone looking like that.

Tropical the Island Breeze

How many of you wrangled an invitation out of Alan Teague to visit him in St. Thomas? I talked to him only at the picnic, but I hinted and hinted. Maybe if Tommy, Scott, Kelda, or Steve got invited, we can just show up at the same time.

Always Something Breaking Us in Two

Another entry in the category “Adorable Couples,” this picture features Hazel and Samuel Warren. I don’t know if Hazel believed me when I said she could easily be mistaken for 18 years old, as if she’d graduated yesterday instead of 20 years ago. Flattery also got me nowhere with Samuel, who wasn’t thrilled to be at a Slidell High reunion. A graduate of Salmen, he wished his name tag would have indicated he didn’t belong to the enemy camp.

[Note: The crude photo-sizing tool in Blogger isn’t letting me choose the medium option today, and that’s why Hazel and Samuel loom so much larger than, say, Doug and Regina. Finding a solution is beyond my abilities, so if you’re looking for the links sidebar, scroll down, down, down.]

Where’s My Wife and Family?

I don’t mind telling you: I’m experiencing postreunion letdown since my return to Chicago. I knew I would, and it’s not really a problem except that it’s affecting my blogging. I have dozens of pictures but no text. My imagination is cowering and whimpering in the corner of my brain, flabby from underuse, neglected.

When I sorted through photos to give me ideas, I designed categories that aren’t at all creative even though they are authentic: “Adorable Couples,” “My Favorite Wives,” “What Were They Talking About Right Before This Picture Was Taken?” Here’s a picture that fits the first two. Every time I saw Regina Dicke after we were introduced, she greeted me with a big, “Hi, Kris!” Although I never got to talk to her as long as I wanted, I felt warm and welcome every time I saw her. I am now tempted to drop into their restaurant in Tennessee and invite myself to stay at their home. Doug won’t mind: look at how happy he is!

Don’t You Forget About

I received some lost and found information third-hand, and I regret only that I have not posted it before now:

Chuck did call and ask me to ask you to make an announcement on the blog that an olive green suit jacket, a black shawl, a large dog, a small child, lots of booze (and I quote, “enough for a small wedding”), a few packs of cigarettes, a ladies’ watch, a man’s tie, a camera, and a camcorder were all left at his house. A female thong was also found in the pool skimmer! Most of the items have been claimed (especially the booze) except for the suit jacket and shawl. (I think Chuck’s keeping the thong for his own souvenir.)

In all seriousness, we are pretty sure the jacket and shawl were actually left at the Gallery. It has been remembered that sweet, sweet Joe Bihlmeyer found them and brought them to the Carrolls’.

I chose this picture to accompany the post because it has Chuck in it and because it’s one of my favorites from that night. I have about 27 favorites, though, and I will share them all week long.

An Ocean of Violets in Bloom

I am a little shell-shocked this morning from looking at a picture on the blog for the class of 87. (Heidi and Kim, you’re great!) Follow the link in the right margin of this page, and click on the photo of a group standing in someone’s front yard so you can see the detail. I was going to nominate Joe for “least changed” until I saw this thing.

In case you’ve emailed me with questions or requests for information, I promise I will send you a reply by tomorrow (Saturday) if I don’t catch up today.

I’m Gonna Let Myself Get Absolutely Soaking Wet

“But I didn’t bring a bathing suit.”

“Nobody did.”

“Juan did.”

“Yeah, well. Hey, under water, your dress will look just like a bathing suit.”

“What if I’m not done with my beer?”

“Take it with you. Why should that stop anyone?”

“Okay, I’m gonna do it.”

“Wait a second! What about your jewelry?”

Conditioned to Respond to All the Threats

I arrived home last night. As I was unpacking, I remembered something a handsome man told me at the reunion Saturday night. “If you don’t keep doing the blog, I’m going to hunt you down.” I have a feeling that the next phrase was not going to be, “and kiss you full on the mouth.”

This picture comes from the preunion gathering on Friday night. My regret is that each time I saw Jayne, Donna, Malcolm, and Lisa, I spoke to them for less than 30 seconds each. Every event went by so quickly! Even the sweaty hours at the picnic didn’t last long enough.

I should be caught up with emails and blog stuff in about two days. I also need to convince my boss that I can be a good employee again. My requests for you: please send me your pictures from the weekend. And please let me know whether anyone at Chuck and Meredith’s house found my Spanx.

Every Man’s an Actor, Every Girl Is Pretty

See that guy standing behind Natalie’s chair? He’ll be there! Jim was the committee’s token man, although we never called him that. He was a full-fledged, envelope-stuffing member of the force. He just happened to be the only guy.

I love checking out the clothes and hairstyles in prom pictures, and this is one of the most glamorous we’ve had on the blog. You probably know or suspect that some people have been exchanging a flurry of emails about outfits for the Gallery party. You might think only women have been participating, but just as many men have spoken up! (Some say, “My wife wants to know...” but I don’t buy that.)

Even as I have been moaning about undergarments or speculating about shoes, I felt I was doing so as part of a ritual: not really feeling frantic as much as participating in a community activity, a sort of virtual preening. We even wrote in our emails to each other, “This won’t matter when we’re all together and having fun, but....” Discussing the height of our shoe heels was a way to savor our anticipation.

As of next week, I will no longer have a good excuse to email you about shoes. Guess I’ll have to return to contemplating an overthrow of the patriarchy.

He Was Lookin’ for a Soul to Steal

See that man in the hat in the middle of all those girls? Well, you can look for him on Saturday at the Gallery, probably surrounded by a group of women then too. Yep, he’ll be there.

About half the women in this picture will be there, but I don’t know how large the cups in front of us will be this time.

These Dreams Go On When I Close My Eyes

A few people have asked me whether I will maintain the blog after the reunion. I think they are worried about my deep sense of purpose and the depression that might result when I find myself blogless, rudderless, forumless for all the grand thoughts I like sharing with you. Aww. Thank you for caring so much!

If you are still reading the blog after next week, then I will still post to the blog. I want to be able to give you summer news; for example, Mara is expecting her third baby in the next couple of weeks. I also want to share more stories and photos from people who couldn’t reunite in person. Maybe you will even send me your summer vacation pictures, hmm?

Of course, as long as I have Sadie Hawkins pictures on hand, I feel a Moral Obligation to publish them and to delight. Do you remember Lane Smith from the class of 87? Joanne and I have been emailing about him. He was a big part of both our high school experiences. Mrs. Manetta recruited him to take me to Saga Ball my junior year because she thought it was important for everyone on the yearbook staff to attend. Remembering Lane is painful because he died so young, but that doesn’t mean we wish we didn’t know Lane in the first place and have him to remember. Do you know what I mean?

There's Nobody Else Here, No One Like Me

Natalie emailed me this week with a promotion announcement: she has been assigned her own library, and it’s two miles from her house! No more SoCal freeways for her.

The blog way to celebrate her good news is to post pictures of her daughters, whom we will see at the picnic next Saturday. Veronica will be 16 this summer and Celeste is 9. And just because I can, I am including a picture from graduation night, when Natalie sang the soprano line of the alma mater and the national anthem.

So Take My Strong Advice

Ah, those juniors. Look over your shoulder, and there they are behind us, already planning their 20th year reunion. Kim and Heidi have started their class reunion blog, so you know I’ll be a regular reader.

Hey, if you graduated in 1987, you should send them an email at shsclassof1987reunion@yahoo.com. Send some pictures while you’re at it. There’s just no reason why we should be the only ones representin’ on the Internet with our wacky 80s hair.

Do you think Slidell businesses care about the impression they are making on the 170+ people we’ll have in town for the reunion? (And the 190 email address I have on record and the readership of this blog, which I cannot measure or localize?) I mean, the businesses that have been able to reopen and thrive: maybe they don’t need to cater to anyone right now, but they do know how word can spread if they give us a hard time? I know people in the class of 87, the class of 88, and the class of 89, and you probably know many more, so there are at least three more reunion committees who might welcome my opinionated, repeated suggestions. I’m just saying.

Cruising for Bruising

When Caroline dug into old boxes for some pictures to send, she reached far, far back. Think as far back as 1983, gym, band, lunchtime in the courtyard. Anyone dismayed by the memories she captured and stored can face her off on the dance floor on June 10. (Hey, I'm just the messenger: this is really between you and Caroline.)

I Will Turn Your Face to Alabaster

Valerie once told me that it is almost impossible to find a photo of the entire family where Devon isn’t making some kind of face. I personally think that’s wonderful, but then again, I don’t see why Valerie hates her own hair so much that it took her five months to give me this photo for the blog. That’s Katy with the ice cream and Peyton next to Dad, Jerry. You also saw a picture of them last summer on the first day of school.

We will see most of this crew next weekend. I’m pretty sure that all the Griggslettes will be at the picnic, but we might miss Jerry altogether because of work demands. Valerie will be everywhere.

Wonderfully Wonderfully Wonderfully Wonderfully Pretty

Yes, she will be there. Amy also sent me a beautiful photo of her family for her entry in the memory book, which she lovingly filled with memories and descriptions of what she’s been doing for the past 20 years.

Can I say the same for you?

Cool Babies, Strange but Not a Stranger

I cannot tell you how much entertainment these two photos are providing. I have to share! The joy is too big for my heart to contain alone!

Valerie is the one who found them, scanned them, and sent them along. The top one is kindergarten; the bottom, first grade. Look for her and Annmarie, Brett, Jewel, Marty, Kathy, Regina, Melissa, Jo, Susan, and Guy. Later today, I’ll add an update to this post to be more specific about their locations in the pictures. If you email me other people’s locations, I’ll add those too.

A wistful note: look also for Karl Huhner and Dudley DeRouen, both classmates of ours who have passed. Many of you know that Karl died about five or six years ago. Carra told us that we just lost Dudley last week. They are sorely missed, along with Mike, John, and Scott.

Update: Valerie wrote this handy key of the names she can remember. She said, “names I don’t remember or don’t know will be DR.”

Top picture: kindergarten, Mrs. Turner
Top Row: Sarah, Tommy Beasley, DR, Scott, DR, Guy Gros, DR, Annmarie Crochet
Second Row: DR, Hannah Lewis, Donald Bullock, Valerie, Kendise Cousin, Melissa Frowner, Gilda, Marty Bech
Last Row: Ramona, DR, Regina Little, Brett Haaga, DR, DR, DR

Second Picture: 1st grade, Mrs. Bankston
Top Row: Donna, Gerald, DR, DR, Jewell Cousin, Scott, Kim Williams
Second Row: Jo Richey, Mark Malter, Karl Huhner, Roxanne Bryant, Kendise Cousin, Sandra, Valerie, Gerald
Third Row: Linda Beard, DR, DR, DR, Dudley, DR, Ramona, Kathy Gray
Bottom Row: Marty Bech, DR, DR, DR, DR, Susan Daniels

Nothing But Shattered Dreams

You know I love me some Sadie. So I don’t mean to seem ungrateful when I whine, why are there no matching outfits in these pictures?

Some self-disclosure is appropriate at this point. The only time I attended a Sadie Hawkins dance, my date and I did not wear matching shirts. In fact, he wore a smelly vintage jacket just purchased that day. When I arrived at his house to pick him up, he was still excited from his shopping trip with Miss Penley to buy costumes for the senior play, Guys and Dolls. He wanted to share his enthusiasm with any fellow cast members he saw at the dance, so he grabbed one of the jackets before we left.

Keep in mind that I was easily humiliated as a 17-year-old. I already felt humiliated because I was extra tall and certain I’d never be able to wear a matching shirt with anyone. At the cafetorium, I found it humiliating to take a photograph with my date because custom had the girl sitting on the guy’s lap—and I was obviously too gigantic for that sort of behavior!

Both my date and I would have had more fun had I been less uptight about my perceived shortcomings. (Pardon the antonymic pun.) My photo from that dance captured the painful moment after my objections, his obvious disappointment, his sagging blazer. Believe me when I say that I will have a lot more fun at age 38 during the reunion party, even with a more generously sized body than I’ve ever had in my life. If my date asks me to sit on his lap, I will not hesitate. I’m guessing he won’t, though: he’s too thrilled about the new suit he bought.