My diary -August 28-29, 1972

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.

Renzo the Gypsy

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.