Surprise!
The Miles' Files are out a day early due to a burning desire to go "walking in Memphis" with my feet dancin' to some Beale Street Blues. Got a message from Clay Wright this week telling me of his recent trip to Memphis to pick up daughter Rachel from Rhodes College for the summer and a leisurely afternoon stroll down Beale. Sounds like fun to me, so early tomorrow morning I be headed that way. I already have the taste of Rendezvous ribs on my tongue and the sound of the blues in my ears. Not many places like Memphis and New Orleans for goooooood music.
Speaking of good music (talented musicians) from our ranks, Ruth Johnston and Drew Stewart both informed me that they will be at the "Big Shebang" on June 17 in the river city we all called home thirty years ago. The Greyhound band was a source of pride with the likes of Ruth, Drew, Kathy Foley, Linda Matthews and others leading the way. No wonder our athletic teams excelled with this group supporting them so well. Of course both the band members and the athletes were "cheered on" by friends (classmates) who recognized their talents. Drew reminded me of the time a few of us "geeks" replaced the cheerleaders at a pep rally for the Hounds our junior year. I would probably look pretty good in drag today except for the moustache. Hey, that didn't seem to set Dorothy Hickman back any.
Ruthie (you don't mind me calling you Ruthie do you) asked if I remembered David Sibley coming in late to Mrs. Carr's English class explaining that he had to wait for the maid to iron his shirt. No surprise there 'cause I remember David turning in one of Percy Bysshe Shelley's (or was it John Keats) more famous poems as one of his own as an assignment in Mrs. Carr's class. It took her about thirty seconds to recognize it was not a David Sibley original. My friend David is probably reciting that poem as he holds other people's hearts in his hands down in Birmingham. After all Shelley and Keats were Romantic poets. Feelings from the heart!
Ruth also recalled David Reid's dad administering her driver's test. He made me parallel park on the left side of the street after I had spent so much time practicing on the right side of the street. Why do I remember that???
In Drew's cybernote, he mentioned a trip taken by him, Bean, Carl Cross and me to a Razorback football game in Little Rock where a huge deer jumped from the highway median and tore up the side of Drew's dad's car. The deer did not survive and we spent many hours on the side of the highway waving at all the Razorback fans returning home from the game. He also asked about a golf game during the reunion and recalled that he broke a car windshield with a less than accurate shot the last time he played golf at Newport. Donny, I may let you play golf with Drew while I sit in the bar. Drew, I love ya man!!!
This week was a great week! I heard from Laura Benish Goodyear, Diane Madison Lumpkin, Scott Baker, David Reid, Susan (Marie) Page Wixon, Gail Thaxton Fogleman, Cherry Lou "the Schemer", as well as Ruth, Drew and Clay. What Fun!
Laura recalled getting sent home to let the hem out of her skirt on more than one occasion when Mrs. Wiggins would turn her in to the "boss man" for violating the minimum skirt requirements. Laura "thinks" this since Mrs. Wiggins' room was situated at the foot of the stairs and could easily notice these violations as girls descended the stairs between classes. Actually Laura, I must confess, I often had to turn you and Nancy Rhodes in for these violations because I could not concentrate on my studies. I can still remember those "short" skirts. My vision is clear!
I really have fun reading the cybermail I receive from all of you. I do not want you to quit writing after the reunion ceases to be an expectation and becomes another one of our memories. Several of you have been "regular" respondents from whom I have gleaned "stories" to pass on to "the gang" on my mailing list. David Reid even told me this week that the Miles' Files are now being distributed internationally (at least to Tokyo). I'm sure David R. has been drinking to much of that "Kick Ass Coffee" he sent me and has become delusional.
Anyway, hearing from you "regulars" has been a real joy. I would like to hear from some of you "on this list" who have not written before. Once you sit down to the keyboard, it becomes pretty effortless. I also know there are many more former classmates "out there" with email capabilities who may like to join in the fun. When you "find them", send them to me (like Diane Madison did with Gail Thaxton). Thanks, Diane. I "talked" with Donny Appleton again this week and I will get his email address soon.
Keeping in touch with my "young" pals from the past is fun! I hope you will continue to write well into the future so we can keep our lives closer together. Who knows, maybe we can have some mini-reunions in the months and years to come. I have missed you all. Just keep tapping on that keyboard (Mrs. Paige would be proud of you) and sending the results my way. If you have not sent "mail" this way before, start today!
Clay, as I stroll down Beale Street tomorrow, I will be thinking of you which will lead to thoughts of all members of the Class of '70 at NHS. I plan on having a good time with all those happy and funny thoughts that are sure to bounce through my mind. Cherry Lou says 72 and counting are on their way to the Port on the 17th of June. Can't wait! Enjoy the weekend! Until next time . . . I remain "Miles from Nowhere".
joe
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