Well here I am, and how did I get here? Is anyone other than me having trouble trying to figuring how it's possible to be turning 60 this year? It is not until April, so I am trying to prepare myself.

I know it was just yesterday my daddy was picking me up from Mrs. Mackelree and Harrison's Kindergarten in his red convertible Studebaker. Daddy would put the top down. Cathlene Barlow and I would sit on the back and drive away waving at everyone playing like we were beauty queens in a parade.

I loved my childhood in Greenville... stunt flying with my dad and spending time with him at the private airport, Sand Oaks Country Club, Lamar Elementary and my "Ponytail" zipper notebook, the Golden Gloves every year with my dad starting in kindergarten, the skating rink, the YMCA, Queen Ann's, The Texan Theater, playing Cowboys and Indians with my cousin Harry, Star Dusters, Woolsworth 5 and 10, Limeaides at the drug store, the antique store by the rail road tracks, Saint William's and Vacation Bible School, Betty Hogue's Dance Studio, El Sombrero's, Sabine Valley, Club Lake, the Park with the big slide and gorilla, trying to catch ground squirrels in the cemetery, trick or treating on Park Street and all the old spooky houses, and the wonderful Christmas Parades with Santa at the end throwing candy!

My neighborhood...Mrs. Phafel in her wonderful Victorian Home, Park Street, the Ramsey's basement, Mrs. Brook's gold fish pond, Mrs. Decker, Mrs. Baker, climbing trees and fences with Billy Ray Hoff, Jr., Mr. Terry and piano lessons, The Henley's, Cathlene Webster, Forrest Parker, the lady across from Lamar Elem. with the monkeys, the Lockheart's and their Indian performances, Mr. Green's corner store and fudge cycles, the National Guard driving down Park Street in their military vehicles, rolling down the hill in a barrel at DeDe and Carol McClain's, riding my bike and roller skating round and round the block, and my going away party at Brenda Reeves' home.

It would take a book to tell all the stories behind the names and places of my childhood, but they all have one!

Enough for now...Next blog I will hit some highlights of my time in Dallas starting in 1964.

Cheers,
Claudia