My diary -August 28-29, 1972
- Susan Fisch Good
- Mar 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 13
August. 28, 1972 Mon.
Dear Flowers:
I was so scared on the report. I stared straight at the bullitin board. Everyone said I look liked a Zombie but I got an A!!! Math is really boring. If Roy real has lung cancer make him get better O.K? I got a letter from Missy. Grandpa had 1 operation today. I hope he’s alright! Stayed for Drama. Got to do my homework. Thanks for letting me get an A. PLEASE make Roy & Grandpa get better.
BYE!!
Note: I vividly recall memorizing my talk on “EL Greco” and staring straight ahead, frozen stiff. I looked like a zombie but “got ‘er done” as they say here in the South.
I was worried about Roy Jackman and my Grandfather. I don’t know how I heard Roy was sick, especially with lung cancer. I think it was an ugly rumor; fortunately he was okay. It was hard not being able to find out about my Grandfather, but eventually we would find out that he was ok.
I talked to Flowers (my diary) as if she were real. Now, I like to think that Flowers represents my authentic self or my guardian angel.
August 29, 1972 Tues.
Dear Flowers:
I got an 99 on History test & a C on English paragraph. Simone’s getting on my nerves. Worked in library last period. Had a bit of tennis. It started to pour so we stopped. Went swimming. Had fun. Lane & her cousin Joyce were there. Lisa & Lauren. We played something about sharks & I was the shark. RENZO el GITANO ended today! Hurrah! Watched T.V. Got to study for Science. Please make Grandpa be alright.
BYE!!
Note: I love that I was the shark; however, I don’t remember the rules of the game.
Renzo el Gitano was an exciting telenovela (soap opera) about a gypsy wrongly accused of murder to keep him away from his true love. I mentioned it in an earlier post. It started in mid-April and was over in August. It was always fun to watch the story from start to finish in just a few months.
August 30, 1972 Wed.
Dear Flowers:
NO LAB HURRAH!!! I didn’t do so hot. It was HARD!!! I don’t like P.E. to much everyone yells at me cause I always mess things up. I read abit on “From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.” I’m pupped!!! YAWN. I was up to past a 11 studying Science. Watched T.V. I’m invited to 2 parties Fri. Diana Anstead, Sat, Samia Salamon. Willie Vega left today. Hope Grandpa gets well soon.
BYE!!!
Note: P.E. was not my happy place. Whether we played kickball or softball, I was clumsy and one of the last ones picked on teams. Having everyone yelling at me made things worse. I was good at swimming and tennis, but we didn’t have those sports at school. I found out years later that I had an eye imbalance; wearing prisms in my glasses corrected it.
My spelling was not the best; I wrote “pupped” for “pooped!”
It was exciting to be invited to two parties.
Regarding Roy Jackman, he was not sick. He’s my cousin’s cousin, and he loved to make up stories 🙄. He’s currently back in Nicaragua, along with his youngest brother, Larry. Growing up, the Jackmans were family. In fact, both Roy and I were in the wedding of my uncle (my mom’s older brother) to Roy’s aunt, my aunt Mary. Due to legal issues, I don’t think that he can return to the US.
Oh yes, having to give an oral report for the first time - I remember it well! Seventh grade at American Nicaraguan School - assigned to read Longfellow's "Paul Revere's Ride." Well, don't you know I was very embarrased to have to say the word "sex" - never mind that it was only part of the word Middlesex!! I practiced it a lot and was proud to deliver without a stumble, but my heart was pounding and most likely my face red...
That was the class where I first met (your and our friends) Peter & Paul so of course wanted to at least seem blasé about saying the word sex😂
Like you Susie, last one picked to play kickball…
I'll join the list of students who hated PE. At The English School in Bogotá, PE was either soccer (fútbol) or jogging the 2 kilometers up the dusty dirt road to Carrera 7a and back. Both made me "pupped". I had a handy excuse: My lungs weren't completely acclimated to the 8,600 foot elevation. So I too was chosen last for soccer, and came in almost last from jogging.
Many years later, in the early 2000's, I came down with tuberculosis. I'll blame it on the torture my lungs suffered back then.😏
P. E. Was not something I enjoyed or did well. In high school I think we were made to shower afterwards. That added to the health aspect!
Thinking of P.E. still makes me shudder. My first teacher in 7th grade was actually quite cruel. While I managed to keep under her radar—-most of the time—-I still remember how she treated several students who were both shy and unathletic. Later teachers were better but I remember vividly making sure, during softball, I was in the far, far reaches of the outfield where no ball was likely to reach. Oh the trials of being a teenager….!