Another reunion at the Lizard

Four friends
Originally uploaded by lynnikins.

Here I am with my three best friends from high school--Carolyn, Vicki, and Freda--at the Winking Lizard in Peninsula, where the Woodridge Class of 1973 held their reunion last Saturday. The local bar was not the best venue for a reunion; it was a bit noisy and chaotic, hard to circulate, and it seemed like the Lizard staff was getting a little annoyed with us. Nevertheless, it was so great to see everyone! Now that we all are 50+ and have plenty of life experience under our belts, I think we appreciate what a great bunch of kids we were, growing up in the same little corner of rural America as the country recovered from the turbulence of the sixties. I would estimate that at least half of our class was there. Everyone just looked great; it made me feel young again to see all my classmates.

In general, it was easier to recognize the women, many of whom are remarkably well-preserved! Patty Gaither, Denise Urbank, Colleen Lees, Beth Trettel and others just looked like they'd been on ice for the past 30 years. Gloria Pederson, Debbie Wear, and Mary Urbank looked so stylish; Cheryl O'Shell looked terrific--but eveyone looks healthy in Colorado! It was great to see my old classmates from the now defunct Boston Elementary School--Susan Prussak, Bob Collins, Mark Wise, Bev Grissom, Greg Padrutt, Bill Peterson, Marsha Smith, and Billy Ritch. And what a hoot to visit with the Urbank brothers, Tony and Paul. Tony is still his cheerful self, it was so nice to see him; Tony was my senior prom date. Paul is still in fine form as a natural storyteller, regaling us with tales of the SS Barney (the submarine he served on in the Navy), his daughter's Italian boyfriend, and reminiscences of my mom, whom he characterized as "a hippie before the name 'hippie' was invented.'"

I'll add to this later... .

Old friends

Old friends
Originally uploaded by lynnikins.

Today I saw my old friend Susan Prussak Bieber. We've been friends since 3rd grade; Susan used to save me a seat on the bus every morning. It was great catching up. Susan and Leroy have traveled all over the country, but fell in love with New Mexico, where they bought 40 acres to build a house on when Leroy retires. I'm envious; reminds me of when I used to live in a Mike Reynolds "earthship" in Taos. Ah, the good old days. Susan is burned out on living in urban Virginia, and longs to live out in the boonies again. They want to build an earth-sheltered house.
Almost 30 years ago I attended Sue and Leroy's wedding. I flew down from New Hampshire, where I was going to school. Leroy remembered that I had a broken arm. It was a small, sweet ceremony; I knew they'd be happy, and time has proved me right!

Don't they look great?