My husband, Walt, and I have been married five years. We live in Fort Worth a couple of blocks from the Meadowbrook Golf Course. Three years ago we formed Waltsan Enterprises that includes a publishing house, graphics company, specialty holiday design firm, and a newly-started manufacturing operation.

We look forward to retiring sometime before our 80th birthdays. Really. Hopefully by then, we would have completed all the necessary work on our house.

I’ve lived most of these past 40 years in the Metroplex, mostly in Dallas, seven years in El Paso, some back in Arlington and now in Fort Worth.

I found out years ago that I enjoyed writing more than anything else. Unfortunately, only a very small percentage of writers, like actors, are able to “quit their day jobs.” My day jobs were mostly in sales, including being a stock and commodity broker with A.G. Edwards.

Furtunately, I have been able to travel a bit, meet lots of wonderful people, and enjoy my family and friends. I’ve had a very satisfying life. I’ve had several books published including a dictionary of investment terminology, an ostrich cookbook, and a children’s book, lots of articles and series, and been writer/commentator for two radio programs.

My fondest memories from high school include helping with the makeup for “The King and I,” hearing Carlos Montoya and his son play their flamenco guitars on the AHS stage, and hearing then Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn speak on that same stage.

My fondest memories after high school include the years watching my children grow, witnessing the birth of three of my grandchildren, and my Fourth of July wedding to Walt.

This is the first year I’ve helped with the reunion and believe me, finding some of the people I have thought about and missed over the years has been phenominal. I heartily recommend everyone to help whenever they can. The personal rewards are priceless.

(For 45th Reunion, October, 2007)

1. What unusual or important event has happened to you since you turned 50 or 60?

After having failed marriage several times, I vowed a long time ago to never make that mistake again. I was mistaken. Eleven years ago I met Walt and a year later married on July 4, 1997. It’s been celebrating with fireworks ever since.

2. Have you done anything exciting you have always wanted to do but for whatever reason you were holding back? For example; Have you started a new or unusual business, found a new hobby, or taken a trip somewhere you have always wanted to visit?

My husband and I formed a partnership with our world-traveling friends to create http://www.RoyaltyFreeGraphics.com. Eventually, we expect to devote our entire time to traveling, taking photos, and enjoying the profits. Imagine, tax deductions for being creative. Amazing.

3. What do you plan to do in the next five or ten years?

Retire to Pamlico Sound in North Carolina and get back to the ocean.

4. In this second or third chapter of your life, what have you done for someone else? Have you given something back?

Constantly, quietly and whenever possible.

5. What is the best thing about your career?

Honor and respect of my peers.

6. What kind of philanthropic projects do you enjoy the most?

My grandchildren and I bake cookies for my daughter’s Army buddies. Her company takes cares of the war’s casualties, personal effects, and notifying survivors - a most difficult and heart-rendering duty.

7. Have you received awards or honors over the years? If so, what are they?

Some nice, some funny, most not worth mentioning.

8. What is the most fun thing you have done this decade?

Wake up. Seriously, finding out my photography truly has merit.

9. How are you different from the kid we knew in 1962?

The four square miles of what was Arlington made up my whole world back then, along with friends I’d known since moving there in 1949. A move to Dallas opened up my world and it just kept getting better and better. Racing boats, snow-skiing, traveling, flying, enjoying life and the people in it. How much better could it get?

10. Served in the military? Like to share any of those experiences?

Nope. Never had a desire to, either.

On another note: What funny thing happened in high school with a friend or teacher(s) that you are no longer embarrassed to share some 45 years later?

Nope. Never had a desire to, either.

I couldn’t think of much to say and when this was received in my email, it was too appropriate not to include it in this cd.

One evening a grandson was talking to his grandmother about current events.

The grandson asked his grandmother what she thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general. The Grandma replied,

“Well, let me think a minute, I was born, before television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees, body ‘art,’ and the pill.

There was no radar, credit cards, laser beams or ball-point pens. Man had not invented pantyhose, air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers, and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and man hadn't yet walked on the moon.

Your Grandfather and I got married first-and then lived together. Every family had a father and a mother. Until I was 25, I called every man older than I, ‘Sir’–and after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, ‘Sir.’

We were before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy.

Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.

Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege. We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent.

Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. Draft dodgers were people who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started.

Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends.ânot purchasing condominiums.

We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. We listened to the Big Bands! Jack Benny, and the President’s speeches on our radios. And I don’t ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey.

If you saw ‘Made in Japan’ or ‘Made in China’ on something, it was junk.

The term ‘making out’ referred to how you did on your school exam.

Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of. We had 5 & 10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.

Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel. And if you didn’t want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.

You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600 but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon. In my day, ‘grass’ was mowed, .°coke’ was a cold drink, ‘pot’ was something your mother cooked in, and ‘rock music’ was your grandmother’s lullaby.

‘Aids’ were helpers in the Principal’s office, ‘chip’ meant a piece of wood, ‘hardware’ was found in a hardware store, and ‘software’ wasn’t even a word.

Mexicans were in Mexico. Asians were in Asia. Africans were in Africa. Those that were here lived amongst their own, and, as today, they preferred it that way.

And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us ‘old and confused’ and say there is a generation gap...

And how old do you think I am ???...”

Answer:

Grandma would be 58 years old.