1964

January 11th

Today was the day of the annual Tyrole Camp Reunion at Paul's Restaurant. it was the best reunion I've ever been to! The new kids seemed to like me and I liked them. Even Miss Sandy called on me to lead a song -- I wasn't expecting it and was my face red! The games were great. Sally and me were partners in one, and in another I got the only points that our team ended up with. I [sic] was a great day!


January 19th

I am writing by flashlight because Dad said to turn out my light. Today we went to the Hopkins Club with Nana and Papa. We had a private room. It was pretty good. Jeff is such a pest lately that I can't stand it. Everything I do or say he contradicts. I may sound like a complaining machine but Dad and Mom won't get off my back. Do this. Do that. Stand up straight. Oh well.


January 20th

Today in school we had our english mid-year exam. I think that I did fairly well but I'm not sure. When I got home from school, Sue came over and we played jacks and listened to records. When Mom came in she said that Papa is in the hospital with a heart attack, but as far as I know he's OK. Nana ate dinner over and she's pretty composed. There was a tiny field mouse in the utility room. Boy did Mom scream!


January 21st

I am so worried about Papa. I prayed real hard for him to get better. I sure hope my prayers reach God. I do love him so much. I can't wait for this Exam Week to be over. I feel guilty because I haven't prepared enough. I won't make this mistake again! I want to get in the Eccelerate [Accelerated] Program real bad, but I probably won't make it. I'm very pessimistic. Mom and Dad are going to be disappointed.


January 22nd

It seems as though nothing is going right lately. Today we had our Mid-Year in Math and I flunked it. I started to cry right in front of Mr. Lominsky and he said that he'd see what he could do. Otherwise, I got an 88 on my Art Quiz and I also bought an ant farm for my science project. I am real worried about this report card. I just know that I'm not going to make the Merit List. I wish I could disappear!


January 24th

Sally, Sue, Carol and I had loads of fun this evening! We played gossip, charades and hide-and-go-seek. We might go ice skating tomorrow. After Sue and Caro left, Aunt Marilyn talked about the competition in private schools and colleges. She made me realize how important a good education is. I guess I had better try much harder if I expect to land in a good college. I know that I am not attempting to very hard right now.


January 25th

Talk about jinxes! Listen to this: It was rainy and cloudy this morning. My hair didn't turn out. I left my skating card home and had to buy a new one.
I had to borrow 65 cents from Aunt Marilyn and $1.00 from Jeff. My toes and legs hurt from the ice skates. A lot of stuff was stolen from my pocketbook. But I am confident that next week will be a lot better. Don't worry, dear diary.


January 26th

Right now I have a splitting headache, but boy was today wonderful! We went out to eat at "Something" Inn. The food was great and we all, including Nana, had a swell time. We also went to the hospital to see Papa. It was my first time there. He is getting along fine. The Wizard of Oz was on tonight for the 6th straight year, but it was great, too. Tomorrow should only be so good.


January 28th

Wowee, was today great! To start off the list, I got a B on my History exam, a B on my english exam, a 90 on my second math exam, a check+ and an A in spelling and an A in Junior Spastic [Junior Scholastic]. Besides, I think that the boys are starting to like me. I can't make up my mind about Simon. I don't know whether to tell him off, to try to start over or what. Secretly, I really do like him; I think he's cute. But I wouldn't let a soul know that.

Simon lived across the street. We played together as kids, and I "liked him liked him" in elementary school. We learned to jitterbug together in my basement for the 5th grade dances.


January 29th

We had a sub in CORE [Core subjects -- English and History] today, but we couldn't pull off anything; she was up to date. Simon's mother came over at 8:30 tonight and asked me to take his science book report to class because he's sick -- physically, that is, although I'm not sure. Anyway, I said yes and I hoped that he would feel better. I can't wait to get a letter from my pen pal. We get report cards Monday.


January 30th

Today was a fairly good day. In CORE I got a B+, a B- and a C. I am thoroughly confused in science but math is a little better. We jumped rope in the activity room in gym because of the concert. In art I am just about finished with project 15. I went to Hebrew School and Smelly [Mr. Smelkinson] was absent. Saye took his place. I watched Dr. Kildare and boy, is Richard Chamberlain cute! Wow! I've got a big crush on him. He's so cute handsome! He makes me tingle all over!!




January 31st

I am very sleepy, so please excuse me if I make mistakes. Today there was no school and I didn't do much except go to the orthodontist. This evening all of us went to Chizuk [Chizuk Amuno] to see Barbara Sue Katzoff's Bas Mitzvah. It was my first Bas Mitzvah and now, from seeing it, I'm a little apprehensive about my own. In fact, I'm downright scared! I wish I could think of witty remarks on the spur of the moment.


February 3rd

Today we got report cards. I did very well in mostly every subject. I made the Merit List and I had one more point than last time. but I have to try much harder in Comp and Grammar, and math. Otherwise I'm satisfied with my marks. I have decided, for the 50 millionth time, to "start afresh" and to aim for even better grades. I don't know how long this binge will last. Jimmy Trosch lended me some Mad magazines which I want to read now.




February 8th

Tonight I went to Steve Kraus' Bar Mitzvah party -- my first. Steve looked real cute and he was very polite. There were 10 boys and 10 girls there. It wasn't wild at all. In fact, the boys seemed to enjoy dancing with the girls. I danced several dances, about half of which I asked the boys. Barry and I won the freeze contest and I danced a lot of twists. It was pretty good, but I wish that I were more popular and was asked to dance more often.

Barry was another boy from elementary school. He liked me more than I liked him. We went all the way through high school together and I was saddened to hear of his death shortly after our 20th reunion. Supposedly the cause was drugs.


April 17th

Tonight was the Spotlight Hop, or if you would prefer, the Elections Dance. It was held in the cafeteria with beautiful decorations. Lee Case was the disc jockey and he had great records. Everyone was keyed up, waiting for the outcome of the elections. I danced with several boys, including Darryl. Boy was that funny! [Darryl was much taller than I.] The winners were: Student Council President -- Beth Himmelstein, V.P. -- Roger Myerberg, Secretary -- Karen Brooks, Treasurer -- Brian Silberg. I am very happy for Karen because she deserves that honor, but I'm still a little jealous. Next year I think I will run for office, perhaps secretary.


April 27th

My first real date!!! Brian Sobelman asked me to Larry's Bar Mitzvah party at Suburban Orthodox Synogogue! I am floating around on Cloud 9. He's not exactly Richard Chamberlain, but he's sweet and shy in his own way. Talk about excitement! He asked me this morning after science. It will be held on May 30th. I can't wait! I found out that he really likes me, and I like him. He's a swell kid. He's 10 times better than last year's fuddy duddies!


April 29th

Brian is swell, but he could have a little more initiative -- like calling me up for instance. I wanted him to call desperately so I sent him a note in 7th period math. I said that I was having trouble with my math and could he call me and help me with it. He agreed to call at 7:30 but nothing special came out of it. I am slipping a little on my math. I don't hand in my homework. I guess I'm not trying very hard.


April 30th

I am crazy about Brian! He's a doll. I am so afraid of losing him that I chase him, maybe a little too much. I asked him for his picture. He wanted to swap but I didn't keep mine. He's giving his to me anyway. I am a little jealous of Connie even though she wants to leave him all for me. I know he likes her a little because he asked for her picture when we got them back. I hope he doesn't get tired of me.


May 4th

Ronnie (Rhonda Dickman) is giving a Bas Mitzvah barbeque on May 31st. I am invited...and...well, you can guess who I'm taking as my date! Brian!! I called him tonight at 7 and he accepted. So that makes it 2 dates with the Big B, one right after the other. I have the formal on the 30th and the barbeque on the 31st. Man oh man oh man! Brian is swell! Brian Brian Brian Brian!


May 10th

Is having a Christian friend so awful? Or having one girlfriend a few years older than yourself? Or is it really wrong to discuss religion? I wish someone would tell me. Everyone says I'm crazy for going around with Sandy. I wish I could prove that she really is a swell kid. Mom and Dad are getting awful lately. One minute I hate them and the next minute I love 'em. But they won't leave me alone! Several times they are right in their accusations but usually they just keep rambling on about nothing. Sometimes I cuss to myself.

I'm not sure how Sandy appeared in our lives given that she lived on Oak Avenue, a much older, non-Jewish neighborhood. But we started to play together when I was about 11 and she was maybe 14. She was a devout Christian and I think that at home she heard some non-flattering words about Jews. During our neighborhood "war" she called me a "dirty Jew". When my parents found out they were very upset and I don't think I really understood why. I also don't think that Sandy fully understood what she was saying. But life went on and we've remained friends throughout our lives.


May 14th

If there was any ice between me and Brian I think that it is broken now. We both had a fab time during history -- we wrote notes. I told him that he looked adorable in gym shorts and he blushed and said that I didn't look bad in a gym suit either. I got him to call tonight; I was worried that I might be chasing him but I did it anyway. But it worked out great 'cause we got into hysterics about a math problem. Brian is real swell!



Our gym suits were yellow-gold colored and we wore bloomers underneath. Yuck!



May 15th

I am in love with Brian. In a very mild form, of course, but it's still true. At the dance we danced the slow ones very close, my head almost touching his shoulder. I felt a fabulous sensation, like floating in a magnificent dream. We lost the election  but I told him that he had still won -- with me. I have never been happier than tonight. Brian is my first real boyfriend. I hope he will stay so for a long time.


June 2nd

Brian has called me several times. We talk for about 1/2 hour. He is buying me 2 gifts for my birthday and he promised to write to me a lot in camp. He will send me any new pictures of himself taken while I am away. I am "his girl" and I love it. It's funny -- I never noticed him until he asked me out. I must have been blind. He is so sweet. I miss not seeing him Maybe I will meet up with him this summer. Brian has his faults, I will admit, but you couldn't ask for a more all-around swell boy. I wish I dared tell him how crazy I am about him. He knows I like him very much, but, well, you know how it is. I don't like Simon half the same way I do Brian, but I still feel a need to be on his team, talk to him, brag about Brian and other boys, or generally be with him and make him jealous. I can't explain it. I sort of like him in a vague way -- very vague.

Brian wrote me a few letters at camp, which of course I still have. And he got me a stuffed animal for my birthday. I recently reconnected with him on LinkedIn and he says that he remembers these days fondly.


September 14th

If I thought Brian was a dream, I hadn't reckoned with Danny. Danny has it all over Brian. Danny is cute -- black hair, brown eyes, smart, 9th grade A Poly student, nice and fun to be with. He also has a great build in sweaters and slacks. If I thought I liked Brian, well, I was NUTS compared to Danny. I have the BIGGEST crush on him. He asked me to a party and I flipped. I am crazy, absolutely wild about him. He's all I think and talk about. I don't know how to put it but I guess you can guess.


September 18th

Tomorrow I go out with the Big D! I can't believe it -- it's like a fabulous, fantastic dream! I am so excited I can hardly think. Imagine -- he'll come to my door dressed in a gorgeous suit, and escort me to the car. I'll be on Cloud 9 on another world. Whenever I think about it, I get a tingly feeling -- sort of a chilly excitement. Much more excitement than with Brian. I can't stand the thrills I'm experiencing. It's too long to wait! Approximately 21 hours. Wheeeeeee! Can't Wait!!


September 19th

I feel light, as if made of a fluffy cloud. It is 12:36 and I've just gotten home from my date with DANNY. It was a divine dream. We danced the slow ones with my head on his shoulder, cheek to cheek. I felt fabulously carefree and completely helpless against the gorgeous sensation of being with him. My only worry is -- did he enjoy being with me as much as I enjoyed being with him? I wonder, will I ever know? Perhaps tomorrow...perhaps never...


September 20th

My strong feelings for Danny grow stronger every day. I long to put my head on his shoulder, to dance as if on air and to hold his hand again. I get a warm feeling everytime I think of last night. I am dying for him to call me up. Of course he won't but I can hope. I feel a tremendous uplift whenever I see him...or touch him. If I were older, I guess you could call it love...and I will...I'm in love with Danny. It's no longer a mild thing...but a burning desire to be with him, cheek to cheek...


September 21st

I am still wildly, insanely in love with Danny, but it is hard as he does not make known his feelings about me. When I am with him I feel nervous, self-conscious -- longing to touch and hold him. He treats me indifferently when we are with a group. I know he likes me a tiny bit, but I need more than that. In school, at home, when I am not occupied, thoughts of him fill my mind. Darling Danny -- do you like me? I must know...I MUST!


September 22nd

Danny Winn is a magical name to me, to say or write, but at times I feel as though he does not exist, does not mean anything...but then I think about his warm, strong shoulder during a slow dance...and I melt all over. My biggest wish concerning him is entirely impossible...TO GO STEADY...super-delightful words, but I would be content for awhile to go out on another date with him. I found out from his mother that he had a great time on our last date...another hopeful sign. I see less of him now...maybe for the better, but I LOVE HIM SO!


September 23rd

I think less of Danny these days as my mind is full of other current matters. But very often I am unconsciously writing his name on papers and books, talking about him, blushing when his name is mentioned and searching his yard for signs of him. I get a queer, funny feeling when I think of last Saturday. Not the same warm glow -- I think I've forgotten my actual feelings and emotions during the party) -- but sort of an anxious longing to repeat those slow, warm, tingling dances...with Danny as my partner, dancing on a soft, fluffy cloud.


September 24th

I hardly see Danny at all these days and I rarely think about him during a school day. My feelings about him on the surface have lessened and I am less apt to talk about him. But deep down inside he is still my little hero -- boy of my dreams. I guess if I saw him more often my feelings for him would be stronger. Every night, though, I wish that he would come outside with all my heart so that I could worship him from close-up instead of afar. I love him, dear diary, but I guess that secret will die with me, without his ever knowing how much I want him.


September 25th

DANNY -- again, dear diary. I LOVE HIM! I'm afraid though that he doesn't like me as much as I would like him to...but I LOVE HIM. I'm at Karen's pajama party. The boys wanted to come in so we let them. I danced with Danny twice; he seemed to like Jan Sody and I was VERY jealous. Now that I've seen him again I am crazy about him! As a prize at the party, I got a record, "It's My Party". On the flip side is the song, "Danny". Woweee!! I LOVE DAN!


September 26th

I am sleeping over Sally's tonight. Frankly, for part of the evening I was bored to death. I wanted Danny and the rest of the neighborhood real real bad. I LOVE DANNY. I will never get tired of saying that. He makes me feel flushed, wildly excited. Karen's party was great, but I missed the boys after they left. The remainder of the party, today, followed the boys down to Price's. They started to throw apples but we eluded them and led them a merry chase home. The whole world must know that I LOVE MY DANNY!

Price's Dairy was the local ice cream place/soda shop.


September 27th

I just HATE the world, Danny included. First of all, I hate Mr. Plaine. He is making me go to school on a Jewish holiday. EVERYONE is staying home. We won't be doing any work; there will be less than 10 kids there. I am so mad!! Next, Danny has been making me real jealous and angry. He has been complimenting Jan and Sandy and making me feel like dirt. When we danced at Karen's party tonight, he didn't ask me to dance once. Either he is trying real real hard to make me jealous, or is being downright mean.


September 28th

Lover's sorrow --Oh, dear diary, I feel a dull ache in my heart and my eyes are wet, for I feel that, almost know that Danny does not care for me. I guess I knew that deep down, but I was too scared to admit it. I still like him, but it hurts to know that he prefers Jan to me. He is crazy about her. He gave me the cold shoulder, the brush-off. I guess that I'm a fool not to have seen it sooner than last night at Karen's party. But I'm not giving up. Maybe he'll like me if I don't chase him. Maybe.


September 29th

Danny Winn -- another name, another brief, wonderful experience. That's all that it amounts to now. I am almost positively positive that he doesn't feel for me the way I felt for him. I say felt because a large majority of my admiration and love for him is gone, gone with the wind as they say. I have only a tiny, hopeful spark of love for Danny which could be ignited again, though doubtful. I guess that this will wear off, too, in several days, and he will be just another boy. But oh, how I dread that moment.


September 30th

Danny Winn -- So, so, ho hum...who am I kidding? I still like him, more than I'd like to admit, but I'm on the prowl now, hunting for more attainable boys. I've heard from the class grapevine that Jerry Ginsberg likes me a little, but I wouldn't dare let Karen know, as she seems to be making preparations for his capture. My social life at the moment seems to be at a standstill. It's unbearable; if not for the LBJ campaign and Karen, I think that I'd go nuts. Maybe I have already -- who knows? But I feel that something exciting is coming soon...

Karen Brooks went to Milford (not Woodlawn, like the rest of us) after Sudbrook and we gradually grew apart. We stayed in touch for many years though, until she became president of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). She's had an illustrious career, as have a number of the kids from the ol' neighborhood.


October 1st

Ah...a new month. But doggone it, I'm in a pickle! Karen asked Darryl to Jill's party and now Jan wants to ask Danny, MY Danny. Who am I to say that she can't? He likes her and she likes him...Cute couple...What am I doing? I'm trying to kid myself again, I know, but I can't help it. I still like him SO much. But I'll try and hide my jealousy from Jan. She wouldn't ask him if she thought that she'd hurt me, so I can't tell her the truth, even though she probably already knows. Oh, Danny!!


October 2nd

How much of a fool can a girl be? I feel crushed, heart-broken. I've just discovered something that I've known deep inside but wouldn't admit. Danny is a WOLF, flirt and everything that goes with it. He leads a girl on, me for example, pretends he likes her and then drops her like dirt. From girl to girl he goes, probably causing heartbreak as in my case. I now see him in a different light, an unflattering, dim side of him that I've never seen before. I still like him, but this is beginning to fade away. Goodbye, Danny ---


October 3rd

No! No! I am not saying goodbye. I'm not a quitter. Sure Danny doesn't like me, but I'll show him. He practically ignores me now, but do I sulk? No! I am acting nonchalant and carefree, as if all the boys in the world are at my disposal. Even if that doesn't have any effect, I have other aces up my sleeve. Just you wait and see Danny Boy. I'm not a Danny-chaser any longer. And though I still am crazy about you, do you think I'm going to let you know it? Absolutely NOT!


October 4th

Oh, what am I to do? I love my Danny but he is gone forever. A boy prefers newer, fresher girls that he has not known in preference to "the girl next door". He told Sue that he used to like me, but now he likes Jan. I pretend to be nonchalant, but God -- I love him. It's plain to see that I mean nothing to him. It's so hard to put on an act -- I love him. I want him. Big deal -- I might as well want Richard Chamberlain for all the results I'll get. I've gotta do something, but what? Somebody tell me!


October 6th

I happened to be thinking about Marcia Fepelstein today, not that I envy her, but I do think she is lucky in one particular way -- she has a steady boyfriend. Ah, now that's my medicine -- a cure for the ills and pains in life. Most probably I would not want a steady once I got one, but for now, I need a boy for me and me alone. Danny is out of the question. Besides him liking Jan, I think I might be getting tired of him -- unbelievable-sounding, but true. I'd jump, though, if he asked me to go steady...I think....


October 7th

For the moment, and most likely for awhile, I am tired of Danny. I guess you can take just so much and then you lose interest. Sure, he's a sweet kid and all, but the magic about him is, for the most part, gone. I am feeling very depressed right now -- about everything. I hope it doesn't last long. I want a boyfriend so bad. For the most part, Danny occupied my mind for the past month. Every thought was Danny Danny Danny. But now what? To whom do I turn?


October 13th

I'm sorry that I haven't written lately, but I have been feeling rejected and depressed. But to go on -- Kar had a neighborhood party to which I couldn't go because i was sick, and it turned into a real mushy necking party. Sandy and Danny really went at it -- eyes closed while dancing, sitting real close, head on shoulder, etc. Danny is a born flirt. He is crazy about Sandy, when Jan isn't around. He's got a great opinion of himself. Sandy's sickening too. All she has to do is snap her fingers and Danny and Darryl come running. It's a big mess. (I'm jealous...)


October 23rd

Time has passed...I am now getting ready to go to Toby's pajama party. As I said, times have changed. Danny belongs to Sandy now -- all lock, stock and barrel of him. Jan despises him. Karen has fallen for Darryl, despite his hopeless love for Sandy. Sue likes Rick alot and vice versa. Hal is nuts about Jan and Jan likes him, too. That's about how it stands right now. But shh dear diary, don't breathe a word, but as much as I say I hate Danny, I still like him sort-of. Not much, but some. I wonder what's wrong with me?


October 29th

Do I like Danny? I wish I knew. He loves Sandy so much and vice versa. They both call each other, etc. You know the rest. I know one thing for sure -- if I do still like Danny it's not because of him alone, it's just that I'm jealous of Sandy because she has a boy who really likes her. Danny never liked me the way he likes Sandy. I wish that one day I was walking along and a cute boy appeared out of nowhere. I hope that I don't have to watch Danny and Sandy at the 8th and 9th grade dance on Monday, 'cause I'd just get sick. I DO STILL LIKE HIM!


November 2nd

I have just gotten home from a dance at Sudbrook (first one of the year). I am floating on Cloud 9 -- sound familiar? Only this time it's not Danny -- it's Johnny. Johnny who, you ask? Johnny Reese, my core teacher, of all people! He's about 23, college grad, great dresser (Wejuns, Adlers, etc.). Slight build, broad shoulders, rather thin. Very short hair, beautiful eyes, long nose, gorgeous smile. I share this adoration with Jean Michaelson who is really far gone with him. Of course it's just a childish infatuation, but he's adorable! I like him very much. I've decided to become an A core student.


November 4th

There goes my resolution to be an A core student. I just got a C on a unit test! He marked me down a B but I found a mistake that lowered my grade. He thought I was nuts but I think he respects me for it. He's really a doll. I think that he likes me a little. Good guy -- if only he wasn't so much older. Oh gosh darn it, I'm still thinking about Danny -- with Sandy this time. They really love each other. They're always together. Makes me sick. Also Karen is getting queer, or maybe it's me. At any rate, my spirits could stand a real big rise -- SOON!


November 5th

I can't explain why, but very often now Danny keeps popping into my mind. I know that I don't like him the way I used to; in a way when I'm around him I can't stand him! Probably because he is so crazy about Sandy. If that's so -- am I jealous? I wish someone would tell me. Another thing -- my lack of responsibility is beginning to worry me. I'm scared to be trusted with anything. Oh well, I guess I can overcome that, but what am I going to do about Danny? If I don't like him, then what do I feel???


November 9th

Cripe! Am I jealous! Sandy's got Danny, Jan has Hal, Sue has Rick and Darryl's got Karen. Where does that leave me? I want somebody, too! If I could make a wish come true right now, I'd wish that I had a boyfriend. Incidentally, Darryl told Sandy off -- bravo! He told her that he was sick of being stepped on; he is human, too! Sandy doesn't care, though -- she's got Danny. All Karen says now is Darryl Darryl Darryl! It's coming out of my ears! I want someone too! Please oh please oh please!!


November 25th

Hi again? Yep! Do you remember me? Well, I'm back again. I have sort of broken away from the neighborhood. They call me the "hibernating bear" meaning I am a limp, pale piece of mold because I never go out and fool around with them. Big deal; I really care whether they love me or not. I am having a pretty good time with my Bas Mitzvah coming up Friday. I can hardly believe it. I've gotten 34 gifts. I think I finally figured out why Danny keeps popping into my mind. He was the most recent of my boyfriends and I will think of him until I find another.


December 3rd

Hi! Things are going pretty well now. I've got lots of dances, parties and luncheons coming up. I no longer think about Danny except as an occasional memory. School is fairly good lately. I'm crazy about my core teacher. But as one famous guy said, "Just when you think you've got ends to meet, someone moves the other end." About Mr. Reese -- I think that he thinks that I'm a little immature. Probably because I'm so anxious to make him notice me. Also, I met a 13 year old 9th grader, Allan Oppenheimer at a dance. He's real sweet. Maybe...


December 4th

I wonder if you can run away from a memory. I mean, I never think about Danny except when I'm around him, and even then it's not because I like him a lot. I guess it's just because of a wonderful memory of a wonderful summer. Oh well. I absolutely love Mr. Reese now, but his case is hopeless. After all, he's only 12 years older than I am. I just got a sudden urge to read a dirty book like The Carpetbaggers or Tropic of Cancer. Another dead end on that too. Why run away from the fact that I just want a boyfriend.


December 6th

Boy, I really like Mr. Reese a lot. he makes school worth the week's work. Guess what I got today? A tape recorder! It really is a beauty. I am absolutely dying to record Reesey's voice; that would be a good trick! Every night I make a resolution not to mention Danny. I guess that it's just looking over my diary that makes me think of him. After all, it was 2 or 3 months that I liked him. Oh well -- try to fight City Hall. You know who's really a great kid? Karen -- when she's in the mood you can really have a great discussion with her.


December 15th

John Reese sure is a swell guy. He acts so much like us kids it's hard to believe that he's actually a teacher! Anyway, vacation is coming up but before we can scram out of this place we gotta suffer through several million tests. Oh well, you can't win them all (but you can try). Right now I am sick and tired of everything except boys. I don't think that I ever will get tired of boys, ever. Nothin' else is new, so until I write again -- Au revoir!


December 19th

It is 11:50 and I've just gotten home from my date with Danny...Zlotowitz, not Winn! I had a wonderful time. It was so funny -- we started out slow-dancing far apart and when we finished we were dancing so very close. He's a swell kid -- certainly not another Mr. Novak, but a very nice, considerate date. Actaully, we were up against the Park School crowd -- a tough nut to crack -- so the two of us stuck pretty much together. I had a great time.




December 21st

I just had to write down how I feel. Danny W. and Sue came over this afternoon. As soon as I saw him again, I realized with a shock that I still like him! Not a real lot, but enough. He mentioned that Karen likes him now and not Darryl (conceited kid), but he likes Jan better. I winced inwardly but didn't say anything. He thinks I've lost interest in him completely and that's the way it's gonna stay. I ain't tellin' nobody nuttin'. But for goodness sakes -- why do I STILL like him??


Letters:

6/28 - "The bus trip was long, but much nicer than the train. When we arrived, Miss Sandy assigned me to Bunk #8, along with Sally, Becky, Vicki B and Shelley Sweren from Balto. Also, Sandy and Andy from CT. Two other kids besides me brought transistors (they know the best local stations) and Jan brought her banjo. Our counselors are  Miss Charlotte, Miss Buster and Miss Janet...Miss Lee is still here but many of the horses are not; we have a lot of new ones...I sleep above Sally in the upper bunk. I have a lovely view of the lake through the trees. It is a beautiful silver with some green and brown in it at this time of the morning."

7/9 - "You'll never believe this, but I planned for the longest time what I was going to say to you on the phone, but when I actually was talking last night I forgot everything! I guess that I was excited and nervous. But anyway -- you all sounded great! Right now the temperature up here is in the 60's. It's wet, damp and rainy, but we don't mind. there is still plenty to do. So what if we freeze -- we still have something to do -- defrost!...Today is Penny Day when you get a penny if a person with one asks you a question and you answer YES or NO. When Penny Day ends, the people with 1 or more pennies have to put on a skit for evening activities. I got about 6 during the day but at the end of the day I didn't have one! This morning I fed the horses. Boy do I love them. My favorite one is Joey. Guess what? Yesterday I CANTERED on Joey! That is a horse gait a little slower than a gallop. Isn't that cool!!...Thanks for the candy and books that you sent me. The bunk sure appreciated the birthday gift box and they said to say thanks!

7/17 - "I went riding this afternoon. I rode Harriet. Her gaits were good but she wouldn't stop following Joey. I can't stand horses that are followers...During rest hour we had Jr. Life Saving. My endurance has built up and I am doing swell. Next Thursday we will have a 2 hour written final."

1965 -- January, April, September

January 10th

Wowee! Snowing like mad! First real break of the season. Looks like a whopper -- 9 or 10" at least.


January 11th

No school today. Had a fab time -- snow great for coasting. Saucers were a blast. It was better than winter vacation.




January 12th

Asked Danny to dance to pay back obligation. Kids found out. Oh brother, now the fun begins!


January 13th

Had big fight with Karen; still not settled. Guess what? I think that I'm getting it! You know what...I'm not sure but I hope so!


January 14th

Got it. Felt lousy and sort of queer. Another guess what -- I may have a Shipwreck Party. 5 boys and 5 girls. What a blast that would be.


April 4th

I love Danny! But guess what -- for the first time he likes me too!! He's a doll. He has the most gorgeous brown eyes I have ever seen. I don't know how I can possibly live without seeing him every day. He came over again Saturday night. Neither of us remembers what was on TV. I can't wait 'til next Friday -- the double-date dance at the Summit [Country Club]. I love him! It's crazy, but I just can't stand it. I am gone on him. Like...WOW!


April 5th

School wasn't over soon enough today...I just had to get home and see Danny. He and Darryl were there when I finally got there. Danny started flirting with me -- it was fab. But then Karen came over and he started mildly flirting with her.  I began to get a distinct uneasy feeling. I know Danny is a pro at making girls feel unsure about him, but boy, he's really got me worried. Well, at least there's Friday when he'll be all mine. Darn it anyway, why are boys so difficult to figure out?


April 6th

Every day now after Danny leaves, I really get kinda worried, like you know, like I might be fighting uphill. But it wears off soon enough. Danny brought over his Chad and Jeremy album and Dad played it on the stereo. He is so fab...Danny I mean (and Dad, too). Please excuse my wording, but I don't quite know how to put it. This is just about the first time I have ever been at a loss for words. But you know what I'm trying to say. I might ask him for his picture tomorrow...


April 9th

It is 12:16 and I just came home from my date with Danny. It started off kinda slow and I was worried there for a time. But it got much better. I told Nancy S. about Sandy. Danny had told Nancy that he liked me very much, but he wouldn't say whom he liked more, me or Sandy, 'cause Nancy might tell. Well, it's no secret anyway -- Sandy's got it, thumbs down. You can tell by the way he acts with her. But those slow dances sure were swell. Real dreamy...


April 26th

Ooh! I am so mad at Mom, Dad and Jeff, I could scream! Mom keeps knocking Danny -- I hate it! And my hair -- grr! She keeps saying over and over and over and over about doing it myself! Makes me sick! And Danny -- well, that's another story. He is over here constantly. But when we watch TV he gets too free with his hands. it's hard to know when to make him stop. I like him a lot, but I'm not pushing anything. I got 6 A's in school. I have to keep up my average!


September 14th

It has been exactly one year now since my major crush on Danny and the anniversary of this event was celebrated in the oddest way. If you remember, last year I was the one who had to fight for a boy who wasn't crazy about me. This time I had to hurt someone by refusing to go steady with him. This boy, Matt Mayer had a crush on me the first day of school, asked me to a party the next and in two days asked me to go steady. He's a nice boy and all, but not my type. But I hated to hurt him and I probably did because this is my first experience with this type of thing.


September 18th

For a change I had a rather pleasant ending to a dull day. Danny, Darryl and Ricky came over about 9:20 this evening. I went out and we had a great time talking until 10. Maybe it's just because he's a boy, but I got a real warm feeling when Danny touched me. It's been such a long time...You know, that guy really intrigues me. He is an expert flirt with a rather practiced line, but depsite that he's not too popular. Anyway, he fascinates me for some reason or the other, and not romantically either, so don't get any ideas.


September 21st

"That boy Danny" has been a rather common expression in my diary during the past year. Maybe I'm going batty, but for some reason whenever I think of the word "boy", he's connected to it somehow. As far as romance goes -- nothing, but still, therre's something else that I just can't figure out. And by the way, I don't think that it's just me either! Oh well, I might as well just resign myself to the fact...What am I talking about? What fact? Anyway, I got my braces off [the first of two times] and I think I'm going to have a party to celebrate. He'll be there...


September LISTS

Things I like:
- to write and doodle
- boys in tight slacks and wavy blonde hair
- ambitious people
- steak, peanut butter and tuna fish
- to read and collect odds and ends
- dancing, hootenannys and going to the movies
- doing things on the spur of the moment
- to argue for things I believe in
- thoughtful, considerate people

Things I hate:
- rude, immature or loud people
- people who tease others less fortunate than themselves or those who mistreat animals
- getting up in the morning
- lima beans and veal cutlet
- bell bottom slacks
- stories in magazines that are continued in the next issue
- mid-year and final exams
- being shy (at times)
- having a serious argument with anyone or holding a grudge
- feeling insecure
- disc jockeys who make too many corny jokes or who sing along with the records
- apathetic people
- Hatred


Favorites:

TV Shows

Wagon Train, Andy Williams, Bonanza, Dick Van Dyke, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Lloyd Thaxton Show, Daniel Boone, Flipper

Movie Actors

Michael Anderson, Jr., Sean Connery, Dean Martin, Burt Lancaster, Rock Hudson, John Wayne

TV Actors

Scott (Denny) Miller, Dick Van Dyke, Luke Halpin, Mike Landon, Robert Horton, Richard Chamberlain, Brian Kelly, James Franciscus, David McCallum, Robert Vaughn

TV Actresses

Patty Duke, Debby Watson

Movie Actresses

Julie Andrews, Yvette Mimeaux

Magazines

Seventeen, 16, Ingenue, Life, Teen Screen

Musical Instruments

Ukelele, guitar, piano, drums

1968 -- January, April, June, July

January 1st

Hi. well, here we go again -- another beautiful year. '67 wasn't really that bad though -- there was this summer...and then came the fall with Paul, Don, Joie...come to think of it, it's been quite a year! Today, for a change of pace, it dawned sunny and cloudless although the temps. only reached up into the 20's. I was quite depressed during the morning but cheered up considerably after Don called. As it turned out, he picked me up about 1:30 and we went over Paul's to discuss possible plots for their snow movie. We didn't get much accomplished -- Paul felt sick and Don had to be home by 3:00. I was kind of mad that we didn't have more time, but it was still a fun afternoon. Don acted like nothing had happened and was really an angel. What a relief!


January 2nd

Paul was absent today. He probably does have a case of the flu but yesterday's behavior was more a result of being hung over than being sick. Joie tells me that he really got bombed the nite before with his brother and was most likely suffering the after-effects. Jim Glass has joined the ranks of the A#1 Procrastinators. We're both in the same boat with this English pickle. But you know what they say -- yeah, misery does love company. Joie is attempting, not too successfully, to cool it with Paul for awhile. No dice, however -- he always manages to change the subject. I'll fill you in as soon as I sort out my thoughts on this mess. Don way exceeded my expectations today. He acted terrific and even managed to pay more attention to me than Nancy at lunch! He said he'd get me "Love Is Blue" at Westview if he went after school, but I didn't hear from him this evening.


January 3rd

Boy, leave it to good ol' Sartorius! He [Superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools] probably slipped on his porch this morning and as a result, all schools were closed today! Don called at 9:00, informing me that I was going to school anyway -- Yearbook, of course. Mr. Terry was in a "boop boop" of a mood, grousing as usual about why certain idiots closed the schools. Don and I took orders for lunch and picked up the stuff at Gino's. It was so funny -- we rounded this curve, the bag toppled over, and there were dirty, wet French Fries all over the floor. I couldn't stop laughing while we picked them up and tried to cram them back into those little greasy bags. Mr. Terry had some suspicions about little Rick Schlenger and Joie Potter. They were goofing around with the puzzles and I wouldn't be surprised if Rick has joined the ranks. Don lent me the "Love, etc." tape. He came over at 9PM with the contact paper and I got Betsi's letter. More tomorrow.




January 4th

This you won't believe. Get hold of yourself. I, yes little ol' Sunny, am going to the Junior Psycho with none other than Mr. Paul Bennett! Everything is sort of screwed up, but to bring you up to date -- Joie initiated her 1 month plan with Paul, and lo and behold, he accepted it. On the basis of a now platonic relationship, it is possible and preferable that they both date other people. Joie, of course, has Danny (incidentally, she'll probably be going to a Poly dance the 26th - nite of the Jr. Psycho). At any rate, I needed a date, Paul is available and through some clever manipulating, if I do say so myself, I found out that he'd really like to go with me. More notes -- Judy and Ricky Claus? More about that tomorrow. School opened an hour later today on account of the weather -- no gym! I can't wait until Don finds out about my date with Paul ( I think). I HATE MOLES! (Just thought I'd stick that in.)

As I recall, Don had accepted Nancy's request to be her date at the dance before he and I thought of going together...And moles is a reference to my God-awful year in chemistry.


January 5th

Oy vey -- more problems. Paul is going with me to the Psycho, but I somehow overlooked next Friday nite, the Color Day basketball game and Record Hop. I'm practically standing on my ear to get Joie to ask Danny so possibly I can go with Paul. But so far, Bennett shows no inclination towards even mentioning it to me, and yet he told Joie that he'd be there. Like I said, oy vey. Remember last year? I certainly don't want a repeat performance of that evening. Meaning, I ain't going nowhere, nohow without a date. Paul suggested during the SC meeting that we double to the Psycho with Don and Nancy. Cute, huh? I told him "only if necessary", but I really don't know. Joie's got a mad crush on Danny, and Nancy is breathing fire at me, which is ironic. Judy is still up in the air about Rick. I'd like them to go to the dance together but I doubt if it would work out.

The year before, I was a wallflower at the Record Hop. Not a pleasant memory.


January 6th

Some little details first -- Chris asked Betsi out...Marty slapped Janice...Nancy is still chasing Rick Claus. A bigger detail -- I saw "The Birds" and I'm still saying to myself, "It's only pretend!" God, was that scary. This is one instance where I'm glad we don't have a color TV. Can you imagine that picture in a movie theatre, with a darkened room, wide screen and COLOR?! The whole thing though, in my mind, was a masterpiece. The suspense build-up, employing complete silence instead of louder music, was terrific. There are a lot of other points that I'd like to put down later after I've been able to think about them. Now, for the biggest detail...Don called me and straightened everything out. I'll fill you in tomorrow after I find out why he didn't show up over here tonight. I hope he didn't get stuck!




January 8th

Boy am I tired. My hand is killing me from copying "Natasha's" geometry notebook. Yuck. School was really lousy today. Don had the nerve not to show up. I spent the chemistry period at the nurse's office -- missed a quiz. I hear I'm pushing a D in English with those damn papers. Paul's been in a hell of a mood (poor guy). Janice came to school with a black eye today, but Judy tells me it's mostly make-up (the little stinker). Mom bought Stranger in a Strange Land.  I heard Love is Blue twice on the radio today. Between my bible -- Stranger [my first venture into a new "philosophy of life"], and that song, I somehow manage to make it from day to day. I got the letter to Don after school -- no reaction as yet. Betsi is driving me crazy with her constant calling. Actually, this isn't all as bad as it sounds. It's probably 'cause it's 11:30. Yawn...g'nite!




January 12th

Why me? Why have I been chosen to be able to see and explain things to everyone who can't? I don't resent it, but when will I meet someone who will love me for who I am -- who I won't have to scheme to get -- who will understand and help me? Betsi, Don, Paul, Joie, Judi -- everyone who I looked up to turns out to be in reality a confused yet honest kid who can't offer me any more security than they're able to give to themselves. I offer so much security to others that I guess you could say that I "live for people", but I need security too! Oh, please -- where is he? Is there really someone stronger than me who I can lean on? I need and want the one thing I'm able to give others yet can't find myself. Contrary to the words of "Different Drum", "I need someone who wants to love only me..."


April 21st

I feel funny right now -- sort of happy, yet empty-like. The performance of POW Wow IV, "The Rise, The Fall" was, from my point of view, tremendous. As my first experience in any high school dramatic production, it's something I'll not soon forget, and for several reasons. At the top must certainly come Otts. Description defies me here -- I only know that I love him and that he's one hell of a guy. He's largely responsible for making a job like mine [props manager] a kind of fun thing. The cast itself (I'm gonna cry in a minute) has united us in asomewhat of a magical harmony. Steve, who with his sexy slouch made rehearsals worthwhile (!) and Sue, with that crazy giggle and cut-ups with Steve, and "Alagacia" with "a drape like you"...of course I must include Darryl -- he's done a really fantastic job and I've gotta give him a hand, despite his already swelled head. Then comes my baby -- Billy Cunniff. I really luv that guy. And Tom Miller, Paul, good ol' Charlie with the drinks in the milk freezer. the dancers, songs, champagne, beer. Automated Actor, "Sunny, a chair", milky way, Marge, choir, mess "Sire", fraznoid, CRAVITZ...Oh i could go on forever...

Other things contribute to making this such a beautiful weekend. Going to the zoo with Danny on Saturday afternoon -- the peanuts, ice cream, balloons...Seeing LEE MALONE, of all people, at the play and talking with him at the cast party...my friendship with Otts...meeting Billy and Steve and the rest of the gang...getting closer with Zlotowitz...I'm just so sorry that it went by so fast and that I didn't appreciate it more while it was all happening. But just realizing and remembering how close we all became is so great. I luv them all so much. And my #1 -- Don. I'm so lucky.


April 22nd

Whew -- am I sleepy! On top of that I've got an ear-ache and I'm dizzy. I'll see how I feel when I wake up tomorrow morning as far as school goes. Don came over to watch Laugh-In. I luv that show. "Sock it to me..." But I think I got him in trouble. I wouldn't let him leave and when Rick called as he was going out the door, I got flustered. I hope his parents aren't too angry (damn his mother!)...Pow Wow might be put on at U of M. Saw Steve Gell at lunch today. Sue Cohen too. I'm so sleepy...Nite!




April 23rd

Well, it's 9:50 and Don didn't call back. Poor baby -- he must be asleep. While it's on my mind -- Darryl might get the crew together again for a recording session of the Pow Wow songs. I've gotta get a tape! I haven't seen Billy since Saturday. Tom I saw in Study this morning, Steve at lunch and Sue in the hall. It feels so good to say hi...I called the zoo -- no luck there [for a summer job] as they aren't hiring anyone. Happy Acres is out, too. Mom says to ask Mrs. Stern [our family therapist out by Rosewood], Mr. Lerner [college selection advisor] or Mr. Hyman at Camp Milldale. Oh well -- I'm not too crazy about Milldale with the Orthodox stuff and all, but I'll see...there's a rumor going around that Jackie Hess eloped. That's a good one...I wish I had the song, "Elusive Butterfly".




June 14th

Well, looky here -- first day of vacation! I'm going to try and keep a record of every day of this summer. I'm sure there'll be a lot of memories I'll want to re-live. Today was the long-awaited Totem Picnic! Unfortunately we had to announce the demise of the Fertility Rite due to natural causes (and a slight case of apathy). I decided to bring Sally along and Lenny took both of us, plus Barry F., to the park. Ya know, it was really one heck of an afternoon! Sally pitched in a pretty fast softball game and as it turned out, she was the athletic hit of the day. Don came at 4:10 -- over an hour late -- and I was a little upset considering he had to leave a little after 5:00. We were at odds with each other for awhile as he was angry that his job had kept him from coming earlier. But I suggested taking a walk down to the Liberty Dam overlook, which was beautiful without a soul around. It was just like that little "serenity daydream" that we had a few months ago. We came back and ate (the hamburgers were fairly good but the cokes -- yuck!), and then I walked him to the car. And I got the last slap!

Sally and I played frisbee for awhile and then we challenged Mimi and Steve to a game of double badminton. We lost. Stever and I played for a while after and I felt ready to collapse from heat exhaustion the way he was making me run around! Sally had to leave at 6:15 so we went with Lenny. I was kind of sorry to go; I really had a great time with everybody. Driving home even I was very happy but once inside the house, depression struck. Exhausted, I went to bed at 8:30 but I couldn't get to sleep until 10:00. I missed him already.



June 15th

Well, Bunky, you've done it. Yes, I certainly have. we got our report cards today and Wolfe actually flunked me for the quarter and the half. I was actually numb from shock. I even managed to swing a D for the year in Geometry. Well, Maryland, baby, here I come. Mom took it rather well. We had a long talk and came to some sort of an understanding about our communications problem. I think it'll work out alright. Most of the day I spent running around in the car -- to school, Hutzlers to see Judy, Woodmoor, etc. At 8:00 Danny took Janice and I over to Judy's to work on the deadline. Something tells me we'll never make it. Gary Bair came over later and I doscovered that I've got kind of a crush on the boy! He undoubtedly has sex appeal, but beyond that he's sweet and a positive angel. Janice really doesn't deserve him. I have to give credit to Danny, too. Both guys have really been a big help.

In a way, as far as the yearbook goes, I'm sort of glad that Don is gone. There's less tension and not so much of sense of hopelessness about the work we have to do. Yet somebody ought to give him hell for leaving without telling Mr. Terry and without organizing things better. [Don went on a canoe trip with the Explorers even though he was editor-in-chief of the yearbook and we were in danger of missing the publication deadline.] He just more or less threw it all at Judy and took off. The vacation is much needed and will do him a lot of good but he never-the-less had a responsibility to see that things were in somewhat of an order before he left.

I'm sleeping over Judy's tonight, and before we went to bed she let me read her diary. I never knew how much she liked Don during the winter months. It really makes you feel funny.


June 16th

Had kind of a restless nite -- my pillow was awfully hard. I could tell it was going to be a humid day but the Langs' house is air-conditioned so it felt nice inside. I called the folks and wished Dad a Happy Father's Day since I probably wouldn't be home all day. We got him a pair of binoculars. The kids came at noon and we began work again. Damn those captions! Tom, Rick S. and I went out to get lunch at Gino's. For some reason Rick is getting a little more obnoxious and is starting to bother me. I wish Judy would break it off with him. Immaturity. I slacked off work towards evening but Judy and the rest kept on plugging. She really is amazing.

It rained pretty hard around 5:00 and I went home with Gary at 6:00 when Janice had just about had it. During the afternoon for awhile, Jan told me some stories about Don when he was younger. They were cute. I didn't feel too great when I got home, so I made the phone reminders about the senior portraits as quickly as possible and went to bed around 9:30. I'm on this kick now with Nancy Drew books; Judy let me borrow her two. I've been so very busy this weekend that I haven't had time to really miss Don. But now, in these first really quiet moments alone, Saturday seems very far away.




June 17th

Hullo. Today was boring, to say the least. My little friend arrived at about 2 AM and for the greater part of the morning and afternoon I didn't feel too peppy. I called Judy at school to explain that I couldn't come in because I had a touch of virus. I felt a little guilty knowing that they needed all the help they could get, but I knew that I couldn't offer much assistance feeling the way I did. I'm sure they didn't make the deadline and I'm only hoping that the book comes out in August. I got a cute postcard from Don in the mail. I was surprised to hear from him so soon. I really do miss him.

Aunt Paulyne and Stevie came for dinner. That kid sure is a brat! Paul called around 7:15 and we talked for over an hour. We might get together if he gets his license this week. I'd like to do that for a little change of pace. Things are sort of dull right now. I think that it's taking me awhile to gain back a little of my get-up-and-go. School sort of drained my powers of creativity. I'm reading GWTW for a change.





June 18th

Had a rather busy day. Iwent shopping with Mom in the morning and spent the afternoon at The Plaza with Paul. We mostly bummed around, stopping for a soda in Woolworth's and spending over an hour in the pet shop. We also picked up a few books at the library. On the way home after leaving off Paul, I picked up Danny and David on Liberty Road. They had just been fishing at the cemetary and boy, what a smell! After dinner, Dad called Mrs. Nitzberg about the possibility of a job with Head Start but I didn't hear back from her. I hope that something works out.

About 7:30 I went out back over the Stomblers to play with their new white, 4 month old German Shepherd puppy. You know, that guy is really great. I went back inside with him while he finished building a feeding apparutus that Duchess couldn't knok over, and I stayed 'til around 9:00. He knows Don and Rick well and we talked about everything ranging from Scouts to gymnastics and gardening. I'd like to become friends with him this summer.

I talked to Judy and Joan before bed and my conversation with Judy was really depressing. She said that not only hadn't they made the deadline but Mr. Terry was (and probably will be for a long while) positively boiling at Don. She said that he made all sorts of sarcastic comments about his canoe trip and all but came right out and said that he was irresponsible. I feel so bad. Admittedly, Don made a mistake in going away. As badly as he needed this vacation, he had taken on the responsibility and should have stuck it out 'til the end. It's almost like he ran away. I feel guilty, like I'm in a sense responsible, and I'm so worried that Mr. Terry and Chris and some others will hold it against Don for a long time. And of course there's the matter of the book not coming out on time and Don feeling miserable about it. Well, we'll just have to wait and see.


June 19th

Oh I miss him so much! It's true, absence does make the heart grow fonder and now, every song I hear or book I read makes me love him more. I can't wait 'til Saturday. I received another postcard today; it's just as precious at the first. I figure I'll get one or two more before he comes home. I dunno, though -- I got some really terrific news today yet this evening I was still depressed. I guess it's on account of Don. Anyway -- I got the job at Rosewood (a 6 week scholarship program/internship to work at the county institute for the mentally retarded)! Yup, they called today. Some girl couldn't make it and so I go for an interview at 10 tomorrow. Somebody up there must like me. And, i might end up in college after all! I went to Mr. Lerner and I kinda like the looks of Hofstra and Fairleigh Dickinson. Judy's looking at FDU, too. It would really be neat to go to college with her.

Jeff got his award tonight at the Chizuk. I'm really proud of him. I stayed home to wash my hair. There was a really weird thunderstorm. Everything had a bright, greenish tint. I talked to Terri and she told me that this boy she likes, Billy, also works as a mailman. I hope that Don can get our route sometime.



June 20th

Well, I went for the interview this morning and this is really gonna be some summer. I met Shelley Sweren, from camp, there and I had lunch over her house later. She lives in this tremendous house on Caveswood Lane near Darryl. It's magnificent, but oh so big! Anyway, at Rosewood, we were told that we would work under Mr. Grant, the head of the recreation program. He's a terrific guy, just loaded with enthusiasm. We have an orientation program downtown on July 2nd, with all the kids from all the participating hospitals. There are 10 kids assigned to Rosewood. We begin on July 8th (!) and will be permanently assigned for the 6 weeks to areas like the train, wading pool, camp, etc. I'd like either the wading pool or nursery school. I'd like to be outside and would definitely prefer not to work with the adults. My biggest problem, I think, will be overcoming my basic fears and prejudice against mentally retarded people. I'm kind of apprehensive, but anxious to get started.

We went to Mrs. Stern's and then went out to Russ Joy's in the country for dinner. It was a beautiful ride and the food was good. [Dad loved to eat out, especially at country "home-style" food places.] When we got home, Danny came over and we sat on the proch and talked awhile, then went in and watched TV. I like "That Girl". Sue called me at 10:45 to ask about a ride to school tomorrow, and we talked 'til 11:30 about Don and Barry. With me working this ummer, the family might go to Atlantic City without me. I keep thinking about what it would be like to have Don sleep over. Kinda fun, I guess. Who knows what will happen?




June 23rd

Slept late, past breakfast this morning. I was almost sorry considering the amount of revelation [white fish] that was left after the wolves were done. The folks came home after visiting at 1:00 and while I waited for Don to come over at 1:30 I petted this lady's dog that was over the Stombler's. She's a professional dog trainer and her pet is the largest standard poodle in Maryland. He's a horse! Don brought over his records. I really love that instrumental, "Classical Gas". It reminds me of riding through the mist the morning after the Senior Prom. The family went to the Club, and Don stayed the afternoon minus 1/2 hour where we went to see Nana and Papa. Danny broke up with Joie. He, Zlot and I sat out front until midnight just talking. It was interesting.




June 24th

I suddenly became ambitious today and really cleaned up the old room. I threw out tons of stuff and even took down those little wide-eyed cut-outs. the whole afternoon I listened to Classical Gas and This Guy's in Love with You. I sure will hate to give them back! I expected Don to call at 3:00. As it turned out, I didn't hear from him until around 6:00. I was mad until I found out that he didn't get off work until 5. He picked me up about 7 and we went to the county library. He's determined to master Russian and flamenco guitar this summer, so he got out some records and books on them plus a book written entirely in Spanish. Weird. I plan on taking up yoga and handwriting analysis.

When we got back in the car it started to rain. The lightning was really scary; it was so sharp and the thunder sounded like gunshots. I had to be home by 8:00 for my first meeting with the tutor. His name is Mr. Cartin and he's a teacher at Northwestern. We're going to stat work on the Trigonometry book I'll have next year and he's hoping we can really get into it by the end of the summer. [I ended up dropping Trig. after a few weeks of class.] Don came back over at 9 and stayed until 11. He really looked tough wearing a striped shirt, untucked over his green levis.


June 25th

I woke up this morning with a mad desire to go to the Club. Judy wasn't home when I called, so I invited Terri. went out about 1:00 after dropping Jeff off at Silver Birch. It was beautiful -- not too crowded, the water was cool, food good and the sun hot. Too hot as a matter of fact, for later this evening I developed a very sunburned face. Anyway, there were a lot of new faces at Green Valley. Eddie Levin has gotten tuffer looking and there are 2 good-looking lifeguards. One of them is named Marty. Don's parents dropped him off at the ballgame with his promise that he's try and stop by at 11:30 or so.

I watched some movie about Lancelot and Guinevere 'til 11:00 with Danny. It was kind of a "knockable" movie in parts but also very sad. And very easy to identify with. Strangely, I began to get this guilty, uneasy feeling as though I were doing something wrong by watching TV with Danny, just because Don wasn't able to come. I guess my mind was too saturated with things like the Scarlett/Ashley/Rhett affair. I'm crazy, I know. At any rate, I finished GWTW at 12:30 but he hadn't come so I went to sleep.


June 26th

Boredom boredom boredom. I got up at about 11 and at 12 I went out back to sit in the sun for awhile. I lasted exactly 25 minutes then headed for the shower to cool off. It was really a scorcher out there! I started reading The Chosen until 2:00 when I ate lunch. After lunch I walked down Liberty Road aways to see if Don was walking home from the Post office yet. I didn't see him though, so I came back home and fell on the bed. I slept until 4:10 when he called, and I realized that he'll never get off work at a specific time so I might as well get used to it. About 7:30 Judy and Diane Hendrickson came over and so did Danny. When the girls left, Ben trooped over. You know, he has the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen.

The mosquitos were launching their evening attack about the time Don drove over,  so we split up and Don and I went in. We watched The John Davidson Show and there was the funniest part where they edit home movies and add background music. It's a panic! It started to thunder and lightning around 11 and we dimmed the lights in order to see better. It was really weird -- the lightning lit up the entire yard like daytime! Incidentally, I know that summer has arrived when I first smell Coppertone Suntan Lotion. I also know because for some odd reason I lose my appetite and subsist on peaches and iced tea.




June 27th

Lousy day. Cloudy -- rained on and off. I decided that I want to get some mail this summer so I wrote letters to Ellen, Linda and Wayne [friends from my tour the previous summer]. They probably are off on vacation somewhere. I washed my hair and we went to Mrs. Stern's. She says that we can have an evaluation at the end of July before Jeff leaves. Maybe we'll be finished! Anyway, we don't have to go next week because it's the 4th of July. I discovered that I've lost about 5 lbs. I only weigh 97. I'm gonna fade away! It really poured around 8:30 -- Liberty Dam and all [that's what my father called the overflow from the gutters that came down onto the porch and steps]. The folks went to dinner at the Hopkins Club so Jeff and I watched TV. I really like "That Girl". Maybe because her boyfriend's name is Don.


June 28th

Lenny called me early this morning and suggested that since Jackie is leaving for France tomorrow, we (meaning me, Jackie, himself and Tommy) might get together for awhile this afternoon. We spent some time over Lenny's house just talking and goofing around. Tommy is going to Maine for a week or so and had to catch a plane around dinnertime. It was really a nice afternoon. Don picked me up around 6:00 and we went to Nancy's house for Mimi's surprise birthday party. And she was really surprised! She got a whole bunch of presents besides the tape recorder. Mr. Terry was there and he and Don got along great.

Guess what? TWINS again! The Steel brothers, Richard and Mark. Only Richard's braces enable you to tell them apart. They're Jewish, 16 and precious! Billy Cunniff was there too (Cravitz!) and lots of other people. When it was just getting dark, Don and I took a walk across the fields. Sauter lives out in the country and it's beautiful just after sunset, with the moon on the grass, and just before that the sky is a streaked pink before it gets completely dark and the stars begin to shine. It really felt great -- quiet, yet exciting to be alive.


June 29th

If all goes well in the next 4 to 7 years, I will marry Don Schlenger.


June 30th

Today was really great. I took Don out to the Club and we stayed until 6:00. We fooled around in the pool and I couldn't help wishing that we could have the whole thing to ourselves. Maybe some night we can sneak into Lochearn. We stopped off for Slurpies on the way home (Blue Gook), and he dropped me off around 8. I borrowed "Psychology Today" from him, that new magazine, and Mom and Dad are getting me a subscription for my birthday. Don came back over at 10 and brought his class ring and Order of the Arrow Boy Scout pin. (We're going steady.) He got the tent half out of the trunk of the car and we spread it out under the tree in back. It was such a pretty nite. I'm so happy.


July 1st

Went out about noon to get some art gum at the Plaza for Don's ring. It really took some doing but I finally found some at Hecht's. The heat was murder, but I stopped off at Don's for about an hour as it was his lunch break. He looks precious with his cap and bag. You know, Wendy is really growing [the Schlengers' beagle]! I went home and showered and set my hair before Don came over around 3:30. Mom invited him for dinner and all through the meal she teased me for his benefit. I think he was pretty much at ease. Mr. Cartin came at 6:30 but it was too hot to really concentrate. I had a headache, too, from the rollers. I dried my hair and when Don picked me up at 9:00 we took a drive out in the country and bought some donuts.


July 2nd

The orientation at the Mental Health office was this morning. Another scorching day. There were only 17 of us as two of the boys assigned to Rosewood dropped out, leaving only one boy in the whole program. The speaker took about 2 1/2 hours, mainly re-hashing what we know. We also had to fill out some tax forms. Marti Markowitz took me home. She's really nice and I hope she comes out to the Club on weekends. When I got home, I ran up to the library and got 3 books, once called Sex and the Adolescent, for the heck of it, and then Sue came over for the afternoon. We reminisced about "the good ol' days" and went over letters and other stuff that we wrote.

Dinner was really good. Mom made a crab casserole with corn and iced tea. We had thunderstorms on and off. It was really weird -- sometimes the thunder would just give a big crack out of nowhere. Sandy came over but she didn't say much and left soon after Danny stopped by. Judy had called me before and said that Joie had received an anonymous note reading, "J. L. is no friend of yours. She's going out with Danny Winn." Using our brilliant powers of deduction, Danny and I figured out that it was probably written by Nancy to dissolve any feelings between Joie and him. If that was her intent, it certainly didn't work. I'm mad at Joie, though, for the ways she's been encouraging Rick, calling him and all. It's good that he's going on that canoe trip.

Don came over at 8:30 and we watched, "Captain Newman, M.D." He left his wallet here and had to stand outside in the rain, throwing stones at my window to get me to open the front door again. It was kinda funny.


July 3rd

I waited in vain for a letter from someone today. No luck. I talked to Judy and she wanted to speak to Mom about my birthday present. I'm really curious, to say the least. By the way, the new people moved into the Mazurs' but i haven't seen them yet. I'd like to say hello. I went to the library again and got out some books on Freud and one by Mark Twain. The latter is a very sarcastic commentary. makes you think. We were supposed to see "Planet of the Apes", but there was a miniature uprising over Don's so we changed our plans.

I went to the Plaza in the drizzle and bought "the Look of Love" and "Grazin' in the Grass". The rain had stopped when I came home, so I went out back and batted a few with Danny and the little kids. Don came over at 8:45 and brought half a watermelon! We took a drive to Ellicott City (boy is that spooky!) and ended up in Howard County headed for the Harbor Tunnel! We made it home by 11 though.




July 4th

Had a real nice 4th of July. I took Judy out to the Club. It was cool by recent heat standards and for the first hour or so we had the pool almost entirely to ourselves. The lifeguards are really precious and so is Ralph Cohen! I don't know what happened to that boy since the last time I saw him, but is he built. He always was cute, but wow. He's nice, too, and that's a great combination. Stopped off for Slurpies on the way back. Don gave Jeff and I a lift to and from Danti's for a meatball sub dinner, and he came back over at 9 to take Danny, Judy, Jeff and I to Gwynn Oak (amusement park) to see the fireworks. We spread the tent half on the grass where the lake flows into the cemetary. beautiful view. Had ice cream on the way home. Jeff set off his sparklers.




July 5th

I got 2 birthday cards in the mail today, plus a letter from Sally. Camp doesn't sound so hot and from the tone of the letter I don't think that she's having a very good time. That's really a shame. Speaking of what's a shame -- take the situation over the Millers. I'd rather not; it makes me sick. [Helene and Richard getting married and nobody being happy about it]. I didn't do much today -- washed my hair, went over Sue's, came home and wrote Sally a letter, listened to the FM radio. Played badminton with Danny and the kids out back; the grass felt nice and cool on my bare feet. Don came over at 8:00. We watched "Star Trek" and a special, "When Comedy Was King". Scott brought me a piece of rock candy. Remember: "Ring around the collar" and "Parents, it's 11:00. Do you know where your children are?"




July 6th

Went shopping with Mom before lunch. Bought a dress, bathing suit and real crazy sunglasses. Joie popped over when we got home, asking for a hint about my birthday present. We got to talking -- she's convinced that Nancy didn't write the note, and she's also worried about Rick (what else is new?). I promised that I'd have Don call her. I took a nap, had a delicious hamburger for dinner and listened to the stereo. (Don and I might see "Fiddler on the Roof".) I took a ride out to Johnnycake, came home and talked with Dad, Ben and Mr. Stombler for awhile. (The Stomblers are real nice.) Don drove over, we went to Gwynn Oak and got purple cotton candy. Saw Alex there [from the tour]. Went home, drank lemonade and watched "A Hard Day's Night".

1963 -- August, November

August 10th

Life was pretty busy and exciting at camp in July, but now at home it's just the same old routine. Jeff, Mom and I went shopping today and we ate at Liberty Pharmacy. I got the cutest outfits in Mitchells for school. They're really sharp. This evening, while playing baseball, I beaned Danny Z. on the head with a hardball, for the 2nd time. Well, now you know where my talent lies.


August 11th

Today is Sunday
Today is Sunday...
This morning I had nothing better to do so I read The Life Story of Abe Lincoln. I read it because I couldn't find any comics to read. Nana and Papa came over for lunch, after which I went swimming. Then our Sunday School's new rabbi and his wife and son came over. Their little boy was another Dennis the Menace!


August 12th

This morning I slept late because I stayed up late last night to watch "Bonanza". After lunch, Mom and I went over the Plaines and worked on cards and cards and cards. It took us 2 hours but it was fun. Before dinner we went to the library. Sandy invited me to go to the vet's with her. When I came over, she told me that her mouse had had 15 little mice!

My father's younger half-sister, my Aunt Marilyn, had just passed away from stomach cancer. My parents apparently kept a lot from me, because I don't seem to be distressed about working on responses to condolence cards and contributions. I remember very little about that time except that I had questions about death which my mother reassured me about, explaining that Aunt Marilyn was in heaven at a tea party with all those who had passed away before her, including my mother's father. I remember lying on the little hill in the front of the house, near the sidewalk, looking up at the clouds and trying to imagine what that party looked like and who would be there.


August 13th

Yesterday I got the greatest books at the library! One was called Raff: An English Setter. I read that this morning because it was raining. After lunch, Sue, Danny, Ricky and I played football. It was hot, but fun. Today is Mom and Dad's anniversary. I gave them $3.00. Dad gave Mom $300! In the evening, Sue and I played games over her house. [I got my first copy of "Calling All Girls".]




August 14th

Today we had the maddest Scrabble game ever! Danny, Ricky, Susie and I played. We beat the boys' team. Boy were they surprised! We also played football. I love to play it. Sometimes I am quarterback. I just found out that Soupy can sleep over Friday! She will be my first friend, excluding Sally, to sleep over. We'll sleep in Jeff's room.


August 15th

We played another pretty neat game of football today. We usually play either baseball or football every day. Our games are mostly at night.


August 16th

This morning a couple of us played baseball. After that, Sue ate over for lunch. Then Mom and I went to the movies. We saw "Spencer's Mountain". It was great. The leading boy was real  cute! Sally always made me feel inferior when I slept over her house. So I tried to show off to Sue by getting dressed before we ate and stuff like that. We had loads of fun.



Going to the movies with Mom was always one of my favorite activities because the movies made her happy and I loved that...It seems like I was always competitive with Sally, even to the point of making a competition out of something that wasn't one -- sleeping over. Because her family always got up early and was very active, I thought that that was something to aspire to. Interesting...


August 17th

Today, Sue, Jeff, Mara and I went to the movies. We saw "Flipper". It was a good movie. I saw Elisa, Steve, Aunt Paulyne, Andy Fox, Andy Buchman, Donna Levin, Eileen Rosenthal and Sally's friend, Sue, there. It was a hot afternoon. For part of it I played baseball and for the other part I read a book and ate grapes in Mommy's room.



Being in my parents' room in the summer is a very vivid memory for me, probably because it was the only room with air conditioning back then. I remember the smell of the chilled air and how wonderful it was to just kick back and enjoy that space.


August 18th

This morning we went to the Children's Zoo. it was great! I love animals, wild and tame. When I grow up, I am  going to have 2 dogs, a bird, a turtle and some fish. If my husband doesn't like them -- that's tuff! Guess what, dear diary -- I have a crush -- on Danny Winn. He doesn't particularly like me, but he's so cute it doesn't matter too much if he doesn't.

And so it started -- the Danny Years. I remember liking Mike Curreri and Ronnie Friedlander during the spring of 6th grade, but this was my first REAL crush and would be so, on and off, for the next 4 years...I really loved going to the zoo with my father. It was probably my favorite activity with him. My earliest memory of being there was when he took Jeff and me to the old bird house and we talked to the mynah bird. I eventually did grow up to have all of the animals I mentioned except for the bird.


August 19th

I knew that I just couldn't sit there having a crush on Danny, so I decided to do something about it. I called today I.D.D. (Impress Danny Day) and I dressed up real neat and pretty. I even wore my bra. But he wasn't home most of the day, so it didn't work. But tomorrow is another day. So this evening I took a real good bath and tomorrow I'll try again.

I love this early entry for the way it reflects my focus and efforts when I want something. I really was/am a positive little go-getter when I'm motivated. ;-)


August 21st

Sally and I went out to Green Valley today. I had a lot of fun. We played ball in the water and other games. Connie Hoffman was there. So was Susie Shackman and Jackie Himalys. Sally slept over tonight. She kept complaining about her poison ivy. Mom and Dad sort of made me feel queer by telling Sally all of my faults. but it was still good.

It wasn't easy being oversensitive, and having a Saggitarian mom. This must've been one of those times.


August 24th

Karen and I went to The Plaza today. She had her portrait sketched and I got a few school supplies. We were going to make brownies when we came home but she went out to her club. This afternoon I folled around and wrote a letter to Ute in Germany. Later, Dad took us down to the gas station to get air in our bike tires.

I don't remember when the Reisterstown Plaza was built but I do remember the empty field that was there first with the tall weeds that reminded me of waving wheat... I wasn't the best correspondent but I adored having pen pals. It's amazing, when I think about it, to see how easily connected everyone is worldwide today.


August 25th

Nana, Papa, Jeff, Mom and I went to Karson's Restaurant (after checking out 4 others). It was very nice, though, and the food was good. Danny, Scott and Barry were home I got back. Scott and Barry are still the same. We rode bikes and played stepball [with the pink pinky] in the evening. Bonnie called me. We had a great talk. She is swell.



I remember this particular day for some reason, and how hungry I was when we finally got into that restaurant. Waiting for food when I'm hungry has never been one of my best things.  ;-)


November 22nd

This day will go down in history as one of the most tragic, horrible, despicable days ever recorded. Today, our great President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated in Texas while on a tour. He died at 2PM, one hour after he was shot in the head and neck. Johnson has just taken the oath of office to become our new president.

I just can't believe that President Kennedy is dead. It's not possible! He was so young! Gosh, dear diary, it just isn't fair! Why would anyone do it? Why?! Why?! Why?! Dear Diary, please say that it isn't true!!!



I remember this more vividly than perhaps any other major news event in my life because I was only 13 and the shock was traumatic. I was sitting in science class, drawing a picture of a battery, when Jenny Smith came back from the nurse's office and told us what she had just heard of the radio. We didn't believe her, but a few minutes later, the intercom came on to confirm what had happened and that Kennedy was dead. Classes were dismissed and I recall running down the hall to the library where my mother  was volunteering, as she did every Friday. I was sobbing, and as she walked me out to the car, she remembers looking up at Mr. Snodderly on the front steps of Sudbrook and they both just shook their heads.


November 23rd

Today, as if sensing the tragic mood of the nation, the weather dawned cold, wet and dreary. It remained this way all through the day, as the late President Kennedy lay in repose in the East Room of the White House. Yesterday, Lee Harvey Oswald was picked up in connection with the assassination and a mounting wall of evidence shows that he might have committed the murder.

I wrote this as if I were writing for a news report. We were all glued to the TV that weekend because no one could believe what was happening.


November 24th

While I was in Sunday School this morning, it was reported that a man named Jack Rubenstien shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald. but when I got home, I heard no more about it for awhile because the procession that was carring the body of Kennedy to the Capitol was being televised. President Johnson has declared tomorrow a day of national mourning. Services will be held.

Here it is almost 50 years later and I don't know if we'll ever learn what really happened that weekend. There were major inquiries of course, but no definitive conclusions were ever released. Conspiracy theories still range from the Russians and Cubans as killers, to the Mafia. Will we ever know the truth?


Poetry

Nature's Children

Colorful canyons,
rippling lakes,
snow-peaked mountains,
God creates.

Delicate flowers,
twittering birds,
are all too majestic
to put into words.

Big fluffy clouds,
twinkling stars,
mysterious planets
like Venus and Mars.

Soft falling snow,
sprinkling rain,
pattering against
my windowpane.

All one big family,
as beauty are known;
Nature their mother,
God fathering this home.


Santa Claus

I see him in the distance
with his reindeers' pounding hooves.
I see his bright red cherry nose
as he lands on top our roofs.

He stands out like a shadow
as he bows to the chimney so low.
and his reindeer watch intently
while they stand in a perfect row.

He slides down the chimney
all filled with soot and grime,
and while he unloads his brim-filled bags,
He sings a merry rhyme.

And when he is all finished
and helped a worthy cause,
he flies away in the moonlight,
Yes, that's jolly Santa Claus.


The Eagle Flies Free

Swooping down from the sky above,
never more to roam.
He lands on a lofty perch,
and surveys his new-found home.
After long, rough days of hardships,
in an over-crowded nest,
he had won his independence,
because he fought the best.

Now he begins to build his home
using sticks and mud.
Little by little, it starts to take shape,
like a tiny springtime bud.
Many kind friends come to help him,
and together, as one, they all made
a place of which to be proud of,
and it was here that they all stayed.


Who's the Pirate

Who was the sea dog
so handsome and bold,
who robbed Spanish ships
of silver and gold?

Who sailed the great oceans
all around the earth,
and captured large galleons
and all they were worth.

Who with craftiness and cunning
fooled the people of Spain.
And the master thief
became part of his name.

Who discovered New Albany
near America's shore.
How could he possibly
want anything more?

He fought many wars
all for England's sake.
And this great man's name
was Sir Francis Drake.


A Dream Come True

Christopher Columbus was a weaver's son,
but he dreamed of ships at sea,
of splashing waves
and tossing winds,
and the bravest sailor was he.

He tried to make this dream come true,
so he went to the leaders of Spain,
to get three ships
and a few supplies,
and add glory to his name.

He planned to find a route to the Indies
that was shorter than the rest,
to save confusion and many wars,
a route that was the best.

He set sail on August 3, 1492
with his crew of men
and three small ships,
headed for the ocean blue.

He sailed and sailed for many days
without even sighting land.
The men grew restless
as days dragged on,
too tired to raise a hand.

But -- on October 12th, land was seen,
and everyone shouted with joy.
And Columbus was thankful, happy and glad
as he thought of the dreams he'd had as a boy.

Columbus named this brand new land,
San Salvador,
and claimed the land for Spain alone,
not knowing he had come to America's shore.









 

1967 -- January

January 1st

Nineteen Sixty Seven -- has a good sound to it! It's been a long day -- cloudy but better than last year. I didn't get to bed until 3:30 -- Danny was over. Always nice to start the new year with a boy.


January 2nd

School tomorrow -- YCHH!! This hasn't exactly been a spectacular vacation, but I really enjoyed it. I didn't have to think for 10 whole days. I'm just not up to facing McGovern so soon...I've got the weirdest feeling and I've had it for the last three days. I can't explain it, but all I want to do is make-out. I actually ache all over I want to make-out with a boy so bad. My dreams are too wild to mention; I've really had a fling, let me tell ya. All of a sudden I'm starting to pay a whole lot of attention to the kissing scenes on TV. I must really have it bad! When I kissed Danny on New Year's Eve I didn't want to let him go. I hope I'm not becoming a sex maniac. Oh well.

Today I borrowed 17 issues of Life Magazine from the Millers, starting from the year 1936 (the first issue) and going up past 1947. It's like going into a whole new world to look at those things -- life in WWII days -- fashions, movies, fads, etc. Dad says that they're worth some money now, but if they were mine I'd never give them away or sell them. When we got home we saw a film of Mom and Dad's wedding. They actually looked good! Mom hasn't changed a bit. Dad's just lost some of his hair and gotten a bit fatter.



I've gotta call that guy about Gray Rock but I'm scared. As of now I'm almost positive I want to go there instead of back to Tyrole. You know, CO-ED and all. Oh yeah, Driver's Ed starts in February -- Park School, 10 sessions, 2:30 to 5:30, 6 driving hours. Ack!! Do you realize that means I'll get my license in the summer?! GO! GO! GO!

At 16 I would be old enough to be a CIT at camp.


January 3rd

Well, it looks as though I'm failing everything but English. I got an A+ on a composition -- is that beautiful or is that beautiful? Remind me to tell you tomorrow about Mike and Robyn, OK?


January 4th

Sorry, I'm too sleepy tonight to write anything. I wanted to go to bed at 9:30 and now it's going on 11. Oh well. Say, I haven't told you about Tom or Sue yet, have I? Someday I'll get around to it.


January 5th

Let's see... Judi W was 16 today -- first one of us! I'm Activities Chairman of the yearbook for my homeroom. This year's book is gonna be a whopper! Since everybody gets write-ups, I would love to see a bunch of stuff by my name -- but there's that word procrastination. I hate myself. I'm joining a committee for the sophomore party so at least  I'll have one activity to put down.


January 6th

Boy! I sure look forward to the weekends. Why? So I can sleep! I guess I wouldn't hate getting up in the morning so much if I had something (or someone) to get up for. Durn it.

Here goes with that stuff I've been saving up : Robyn and Rick Kline broke up and so did Mara and Mike. So now it's Robyn and Mike. Thrills. No really, listen. You know how easy Robyn is and how her parents let her do just about anything. All the time she went with Rick ( as far as I know) her parents never told her to break up with him or anything like that. But last Monday night, Linda was over Sue's house and so were Robyn, Mike and a few other kids. Linda told me that Robyn had passion marks all over her neck. It seems that her mother saw them and forbade Mike to ever come in the house and she wanted Robyn to break up with him. Can you imagine what Robyn must have looked like for her mother to say that? Anyway, can you imagine making out with Mike Hoffman?!?!? Linda also said that Sue and Rick Levin broke up but that was a big farce to begin with. now she likes Kline but I can't see them together. As a matter of fact, I can't see her with anybody. Her and her loud mouth.

Now let's speed up the pace a little: Terri tells me at lunch today that Jackie and Don, Charles (algebra) and some other girl, and Pam (the little one) and some boy all hooked school yesterday. Where did they go? To bed -- yeah. They went over this boy's house and spent the day in three bedrooms. Boy, I must be kinda naive 'cause I was pretty shocked.  Not that I don't know what goes on, but because I know who these kids are! Jackie, I learned, is a big slut, and Don hates her. He's just using her for what he can get out of her. I stared at Charles all last period. Maybe I expected him to be wearing a sign saying "I went all the way yesterday."

I guess I haven't said anything about Little Charlie yet. He's as precious as anything. He's small like Davy, cute face, long hair, knee boots and a walk fasster than a locomotive. He's in Linda Waldorf's geometry class and she tells me all about him. I hear he's got a girlfriend in Milford but I luv him anyway! And Sue Tucker -- she's the weirdest and one of the nicest kids I've ever met. She's going with Del. We spend all algebra period writing notes, and she sings and talks to herself now and then. She knows just about every hick invented but she dresses normal and I think she's a doll.

Tom Mann -- my biology buddy. I started off writing "hi!" on my biology desk and it developed into a crazy correspondence! He's a senior with a wild sense of humor and we've been writing for a coupla weeks now. It's unbelievable, but so far nobody else has broken in. I made 50 cents yesterday writing an English composition for Linda. What an easy way to make money.

Bob Carter: another one. He's a sophomore, and sex appeal isn't the word. He usually sees history or biology movies at the same time as we do, so I sit there and look at him the whole time. I sort of imagine myself going out with him..sitting on his lap and watching the movie..Can you see yourself kissing *that*? Boots, oh *so* fine, and he wears the greatest looking vests, and his pants are real tight...Kurt Russell -- actor -- him too! And Clem (no last name yet). Ken still reminds me of Mia Farrow; it's sad.



Yearbook's gonna be great! We get 'em in August. But what do we write -- "Have a good summer!" ? I can't wait to show Mom Charlie and Chuck's, Ott's, Bill's and Ken's pictures. She'll die! I dread next year though -- NO SENIORS! *sob*

That's Kurt Russell, above. He grew up and married Goldie Hawn. The reference to Mia Farrow was about her pixie haircut.


January 7th

I was up at school all day today -- yeah, a Saturday! Workin' on the yearbook -- GO TOTEM!  Harriet Z is pretty darn smart, I'll give her that much, but she sure is stuck up in ways. Work work work -- birds birds birds. I could bop Marck right in the nose. Oh well. What a weird day out -- humid and rainy, just like April. Candid Camera was a riot for once.




January 8th

Boy, have you ever seen a weekend go by so fast? Say, I sorta cut my last class today. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow. This has been a day...


January 9th

State of the Union message was on TV tonight, but to be honest I have to say that I enjoyed "The Beatles at Shea Stadium" more. Ha Ha, I made a funny. (Oh brother.)




January 10th

My little friend arrived today, thank the Lord -- that's one less worry. Guess what? I'm entering the Action contest to spend a weekend in London! All ya have to do is write a one-page letter. I'll do OK if I can just get down a first line.


January 11th

You know, I can get away with anything with Mr. Kramer; I guess he sorta likes me, huh?  Wow -- I saw *the* best movie tonight - "A Summer Place" with Troy Donahue and Sandra Dee. I die for the theme song. I just got my Chad and Jeremy album back from Sandy and I'm playing it. "Summer Song" reminds me of so much it's sad. Oh well. Kurt Russell -- I luv him! My little movie idol -- all 15 years of him. As for Terry and Charlie -- feast your eyes, Sunny! Ugh -- in about 10 minutes I gotta go to Chizuk Amuno. Darn. I'm sleepy.



Awwww...looks like some of Sue Tucker is rubbing off on me. Go Cowboy. Yeah, that's what I want to be -- a cowboy...I'm a beautiful staller and filler-up of pages...

Mr. Kramer was my piano teacher. He came to the house to give lessons. I don't know who I thought I was fooling here. Getting away with not practicing only hurt me, not him.


January 13th

Say, for Friday the 13th, this was a downright lucky day! I was in a real wild mood and John actually walked me down the hall -- beat that one! Only part that worried me was when I heard this morning about the big fire in Jamaica, Queens in NY. That's where Debbie Lempke lives! I'm supposed to get a letter from her Tuesday so I'll find out what happened.

Debbie was a friend from camp.


January 14th

Boy oh boy oh boy -- talk about frustration. I got my hair cut and set at Margo Lynn this afternoon was then wasted the whole beautiful job on Mom and Dad at night. It appears as if I didn't wish Danny over hard enough.


January 15th

Hey look at this -- Last year today I was babysittin' for the Sandlers, and today I was doin' it again. ALL AFTERNOON (the damn brats). I was trying to write a story for school but I didn't succeed too well.


January 16th

Boy! (How do you like the way I begin all my entries?) My heart was sure in my mouth this morning -- I faked being sick so's Icould write a decent short story and have it typed in time to hand in. Mom, however, thought I had strep throat and wanted to take me to the doctor's.*That* would have been cute. Dad sorta knew and I won't try that trick again in the near future.


January 17th

Oh, a-dissecting we will go...Yup -- lab today and oh fun -- we tore apart a poor, dead mother frog. We even managed to get to the poor thing's eyeballs. Would you believe I had lunch next?



This is a photo of "Get Smart", a successfulTV show (spy spoof) at the time. One of the popular catchphrases it produced was, "Would you believe..."


January 18th

Rabbi Crain gives me a pain. All he does is yell at us and tell us what crummy Jews we are. I supposed we don't exactly help matters much, but when he starts cussing at us...


January 19th.

I feel drugged -- really! For some strange reason I slept until 9:00 after dinner, on a school nite, too! Beats me. Typing exam tomorrow -- Kill Korz Kill Korz.


January 20th

Guess what? Two guesses. One -- I flunked the typing test. I can type alright but I failed because I can't add. Makes sense. Two -- talked to my baby this morning!!

I have no idea which "baby" I was referring to.  ;-)


January 21st

I stayed home and watched the novelty today. Fun. Set my hair with beer for the first time. Sorry, but it tastes rotten. Tried to teach Jeff to smoke. Lost cause there.

I believe that "the novelty" was a small, portable TV set that my father brought home from his store. We were allowed to watch it on weekends.

January 22nd

I LOVE KURT RUSSELL! I have a headache. I should go and take some aspirin but it's too much trouble to get up. Linda -- oh boy. I talked to her this afternoon. She's a real greaseball -- like Dad's word. She's tellin' me about the game Friday night, and the guy she met from Catonsville College. He wanted to take her home (of course). She likes him, but said that she "didn't want to be used". Since when? I think Ann still likes Terry. In fact I'm sure of it or else she wouldn't talk about him so much. Sally, I hear, might go back to Tyrole which'll be absolutely fine for her. As for me, I think maybe Happy Acres, if I can ever get the letter off. Even if I were considering Tyrole before, I wouldn't go now -- not with little Miss All-Around Best Camper possibly going back. Uh uh.

Happy Acres was the nursery school, kindergarten and camp that I attended for 3 years.

January 23rd

Well, folks, it's pretend makeout time again. I can't believe that Leslie Parcover nad Spencer..never mind. I'll try not to get depressed.


January 24th

EXAMS...HELL.


January 25th

The weather's beautiful and I'm knockin' my brains out studyin'. Figures. When exams are over we'll probably have a nice little 45' blizzard. That *would* be my luck.


January 26th

Dino, Desi and Billy were on the Dean Martin Show. Dino...You wouldn't believe this beautiful spring weather we're having! 75 degrees today -- honest!


January 27th

The second half of the French exam was a joke - ha ha ha. The speaker on the tape in the Lab sounded like he had a mouthful of mush. I got the new Monkees album -- it's great!


January 28th

GUESS WHAT?? I'm going out west this summer!! Really!! Can you believe it?? I'll fill you in on all the details tomorrow, but it's one of those teen tour things. WOW!!


January 29th

Went over Jan Hurwitz's today to see some literature on the tour that looks best. It's called the "Frontier Tour" -- does that sound great or does that sound great?


January 30th

Hey -- how'd ya like this? A year ago was the blizzard! Today we're off from school, thank God. It was a pretty good day. Linda was over and we listened to my Monkees album.




California -- her I come! And Chicago and Houston and Denver and Salt Lake City and San Francisco and Phoenix and Houston and New Orleans and Miami...HOLY COW!! Everybody just eats their little 'ol hearts out when I tell them.


January 31st

Go school! (UGH) Now that I cant wair for summer to come, school seems like it'll go on forever. My grades are too depressing to talk about. I decided to take Davy's advice though and "laugh".

I'm having twin problems again. I can't seem to get Phil out of my dreams! I have these continuing dreams that make it miserably depressing to wake up in the morning. And today in history -- oy vey! He and his brother were sitting together near me and I couldn't keep my eyes off them!


MEMORANDA

Well, as months go, this one wasn't too bad. I just pray that I won't start liking Phil. Oh well -- onwards February!


Lists

Favorites:

Colors - hot pink, burnt orange, gold, pastels, celery green, navy, baby blue
Cars - Mustangs, Sting rays, motor scooters, Super sports
Boys - Phil Edwards, Steve Johnson, Terry Hancock, Ronnie Manser, Bob Carter, Charlie Durochier
TV Shows - Gunsmoke, Monkees, Monroes, Star Trek
Dogs - German shepherds, collies, Saint Bernards, toy dogs
Hobbies - boys, records, scrapbooking, writing, reading, photography
Sports - swimming, sledding, badminton, horseback riding, spectator sports (football, baseball, basketball, surfing, ice hockey)
Actors - Kurt Russell, Dino Martin, Jr., Mike Anderson, Jr., Jay North, Monkees, John Wayne, Dean Martin, Julie Andrews
Foods - Tandy cakes, cucumbers and sour cream, grape juice, egg salad sandwiches, cooked marshmallows, cabbage, roast chicken, corn on the cob, Great Shakes, bagels&lox&creamcheesewith tomato slice, swiss cheese and mustard, turkey and mayonnaise, Rice Krispies, chocolate chip cookies, chicken soup, pizza, herring, revelation, Honeysuckle turkey roast

Dislikes:
Music - "Winchester Cathedral"
Foods - asparagus, cream of anything soup
Colors - dark brown, green or red plaids