My diary -March 2-4, 1973

Me and Connie Trost (1980)

March 2, 1973 Fri.

Dear Smiley:

Starting Mon. we take the bus. YULK!!! I went to the Dr. with Mom. She has a bad infection on the throat & can’t talk. Steve ate lunch here. Lola quit. School as usually was so-so. Biology test hard. Watched T.V.

BYE!!!

Note: I wasn’t too sure about riding the bus, but I do have fun memories of sitting in the back with Doris Nathan, singing “Killing Me Softly” by Roberta Flack at the top of our lungs.

Lola was our cook, and I am not sure why she quit, but this meant spaghetti, as that was one of Mom’s dishes.

Record: Killing Me Softly

March 3, 1973 Sat.

Dear Smiley:

Slept in. Rosa didn’t come back so had to help mom (wash dishes, clothes, make beds etc.). Becky went to Dentist & gets braces off in 1 month. Seehafeirs were over a bit. Doris came over with some girlfriend (Margarita & Lotti). Gisela called me. She back in Nic. Trost were over. (Mrs. Trost is in back braces since their car accident: Tree fell on car). Did some math.

BYE!!!

Note: We definitely lived a privileged life, and it was good for us to learn to help with chores. Doris and her brothers moved into Missy’s old house in Los Robles.

How scary to have a tree fall on your car, especially if you were in it. I am glad she was okay.

March 4, 1973 Sun.

Dear Smiley:

We went to mass in Las Colinas. Moms cough is worse. She has cough attacks. We went to El Coliseo for lunch. It’s on k/m 6 Carretera Sur. Much nicer than before. Did some homework. Beck Dave & I went outside tonight & played “Policia y ladrones” It was ok. I don’t know though. They play everynight. Dad says I should try it one more time & see. Wish me luck in getting out of P.E.!!!

BYE!!!

Note: It is interesting that we were still allowed to go out at night as later on it was too dangerous. We were playing a game of Cops and Robbers. I wasn’t too keen on it but my Dad gave me good advice to give it another try. Nowadays I try things three times and if I still don’t enjoy it, I drop it.

Monty Nanton and my brother David riding in Los Robles

March 2, 1973 Fri. (David’s Diary)

Hi Snoop, 

Here, I’ll tell you what’s on my mind right now. I was playing Ladrones y Policias when Cabra and I got in an argument. I just stood there like an idiot.  But now if we ever get mad again , I’ll say “You talk too much “ and ploog, I’ll smash his face or at least tell him to shut up and if he doesn’t , I’ll make him. Enough is enough. 

Morning got up late. Steve came at 11:00 am. Fed dogs. Steve went with me.  Sabes que me arrecho de él.  Me llama gordo y él es mas gordo que yo.  

School was average. Don’t understand science. Brown gave us math problems. Tricky.

Well I guess that’s about it. G’night.

Note: Wow, conflicts with the neighborhood kids and it looks like I’m ready to boil over. Let’s hope not. I think it’s neat that Steve came over and went to school with me. Good friend but it looks like we quibbled a bit. In Nicaragua, arrrecho translates to angry or furious. 

Interesting that I’m mixing English and Spanish in my journal.

Miramar Beach

March 3, 1973 Sat.(David’s Diary)

Snoop,

Today I really don’t feel like writing but I guess I will. Today really wasn’t so hot. I got up late. Mrs. Seehafer came over, invited us to Mira Mar. Can’t go because of church. Shucks. Outside was boring. At night we had delicious meat food and later went out and played. Didn’t have much fun. We were always policias. Cabra kept calling me dumb, - I guess it’s to hid his stupidity.  Blanca kinda laughed at me a few times. I fell down once. I got home at 10:00 after el Chele Mart hit his head.  Cabra went on saying what a sissy. I and everyone else thought his crying was justified. I better get to sleep now. It’s 10:35.  I’m getting brown under my sleeves. Good night.

Note:  A trip to Miramar (Pacific Ocean) would have been great and what a disappointment to not go. Things still look bad with Cabra. Chele was one of the younger kids in the neighborhood. His nickname (Chele) translates to light-skinned or blond. 

Policias y ladrones translates to cops and robbers and is a chasing game. 

Miramar Beach is near Puerto Sandino

March 4, 1973 Sun. (David’s Diary)

Hi there,

Today was pretty cool. Snoopy would you believe it, Sue and Beck went out and played ladrones and policias. I’ll get to that later. In the morning, church, age lunch at Coliseo (sp?). Beck took a funny picture of me.  The Hingsts invited us to dinner but we already had our food ready. I convinced Sue and Beck to play and out we went. At first, they were just standing there, but later, they talked. The game was huge!!! About 25 people, hmmm. Let’s see  27 or 28 people. At first it was fun but then it got boring. I played without a shirt.

I wonder how many tests I have on Tuesday. I’m sleeping with mom since she’s coughing and Dad won’t sleep with her. Good night, good night, buenas noches.

Note: It was a big deal to get Sue and Becky to go outside at night and play with the neighborhood kids. Typically, it was just me. Despite the occasional conflicts, looking back I realized how lucky we were to have the freedom to play outside at night with no adult supervision.

David's water-damaged diary for March 4, 1973