Life, It is a Changin’

As some of you may know, I have been working as a Civil Engineer for over 15 years.  When I was in college at Ohio State I had a strong interest in Traffic Engineering, but at graduation was not able to find a job in that specific field.  Instead I took a job as a Roadway Engineer for a small consulting firm.  I learned a lot at that job and eventually I moved on to another company.  Now, I was doing much of the same kind of work and no hope of doing Traffic work.  So I moved on again later that year to another consultant that promised I would get to work on Traffic.  Fast forward ten years and I still was not getting to do much traffic.  I was let go and moved on to another company which was a small start-up.  I had high hopes at this job that I’d get to do Traffic since they had work in other offices with this emphasis.  Again, this didn’t pan out.  So… when I got a phone call from another firm that has been around for 90 years and was asked if I was interested in a Traffic Engineer position… it was an easy decision.  Last Wednesday was my first day at my new job and I must say that I’m excited at the prospects of finally using my Traffic knowledge and building my experience. 

Why am I telling you all this? 

Because this is part of my story.  We spend so much time at our jobs (more than half of our awake lives!) and we rarely talk about it. Recently I was able to visit my dad and other relatives up in Indiana.  I’m glad I was able to make the trip up there even if it was a short visit.  While I was there my dad gave me several bags full of old photo albums and miscellaneous items.  I had a blast looking through it all and soon discovered my grandmother had a handwritten book full of her work experience.  She had worked for a number of different jobs and it was really fascinating to see her notes regarding what she learned on the job.  I hope to eventually sit down and scan it all, but for now I’ll just enjoy learning about a time in her life that until now I knew very little. 

I asked my dad a while back to share what kinds of jobs he had worked over the years and he has a particularly fascinating story.  He has been worked in manufacturing plants, been a math teacher, cab driver, social worker, computer programmer, taxi business owner (twice), and even is learning to be a day-trader.  My mom has similarly varied experiences with work in retail, seamstress, sewing business owner, adult education teacher, senior citizen activity director, and has worked retail in several garden centers.  Both of my parents are highly intelligent (go figure!) and I find that like them, I’m a constant learner.  I like the challenge of learning something new and finding ways to excel at what I do.  I have a lot of interests myself, but find that I have to really focus on one or two things to really do well.  My focus this past year and a half has been on genealogy and developing my business.  Now, I will have two things to enjoy and learn from and I’m thrilled at the prospects.  I love a good challenge and am most effective when I’m busy.  This new job promises to be all that.  So look for great things to come!

 

Technorati Tags: engineering,genealogy,family,history

Talented Tuesday- My Dancing Grandma, Shirley Krueger Morse

 

“My birthday came in July, and in September I was allowed to take ballet from Lillian Breskin Schiller. Her parents ran a store on Franklin St. a few blocks from our shoe store. There were only a handful of us taking the lessons, but I was in heaven. When recital time came, we danced special dances we had been practicing for a long time. I remember that first recital when our class of four hatched out of eggs as chickens and danced a cute dance. The girls were Marian Lindeman, Marguerite Paul and Delphine Loy. I was so proud that my mother who never made clothes was able to make that chicken costume with the help of the other mothers. I looked rather cute, I thought.”

“I began dancing lessons at 4 years of age and once won 3rd place in a Charleston contest--partly because I was 3^rd smallest in the show at the contest held at the Tivoli. When I was six years old, I entered a Charleston contest held at the Tivoli. My teacher taught me a special combination and I did a cute dance to "Ain't She Sweet", and did get a prize for it. It was one whole dollar! Later I even helped my teacher, now Florence Leggett--teach classes--especially ballroom dancing.”

 

 

“I showed my Mothers' Chorus of McKinley School dances for skits at Carnival Time shows. Also, I taught dances for the Temple Beth-El Follies and other organizations. I never made money, but did use my talent and up until I was 64 years old, I have taken Tap and Jazz lessons. My favorite thing to do has seen me through the years with pleasure for me.”

Thanks for teaching me how to dance Grandma.

 

Technorati Tags: dance,talent,Krueger

Memories of 1614 McKinley Avenue

Growing up I had always hoped that one day I would inherit grandma's house.  I loved that house even though I was scared to death of the basement.  I spent a lot of my childhood there and thought that it would be mine someday.  Things do not always work out that way though and instead of living there when I grew up- I watched the house get sold.  Grandma moved into an apartment and then eventually a nursing home.  To this day I drive past her house and wish it was still in the family.

After my parents' divorce I was babysat by my grandma on a regular basis while mom went to work at Robertson's Department Store.  I was going to the local Hebrew Day School and though it was neat getting to see my cousin Shellie every day in class I really did not like it there.  But getting to stay with Grandma on a regular basis was great.  I would come in the house to the foyer with tiny aqua and tan tiles on the floor and sniff in the familiar scent of her house.  Grandma taught me how to tap dance on that tiled floor. 

She'd give me a big hug and kiss and we'd go hang out in the kitchen.  I would sit at the kitchen table with my coloring book and crayons and watch TV while Grandma would cook dinner.  Grandma and I would go for walks around the block in the evening after dinner. She would stop and chat with her friends in the neighborhood and I would sit quietly and listen to their gossip and stories. By the time we got back to the house it was late and usually mom would be there to pick me up and take me home.

 

 

 

 

 

After my parents divorce, the house became a trading point between my parents. Dad would come pick me up there and take me for the weekend.

 

 

 

The living room was one of my favorite rooms to play in.  There was this cool kidney shaped desk that I used to pretend I was working in an office.  It also had a good hiding spot under it for those games of hide-and-seek.  Grandpa was usually sitting in his chair.   

 

 

 

I particularly liked to play the piano.   I loved playing songs from “Mary Poppins” and “Annie”.  I also remember learning the song, “On Top of Spaghetti”.  Grandma would eventually tell me, “That’s enough” and I’d go play in the basement.  Grandpa’s cancer was taking its toll and the plinking on the piano was not doing him any favors.

Sometimes I would go down into the basement and play with all the old toys that had accumulated there from my mom and her siblings and the many cousins.  I would play in the back yard and snack on raspberries off the bush against the fence.  I was always good at entertaining myself and could sit and color for hours.  Being at Grandma's house was always a peaceful place to be for me.

There were many times that I slept over at Grandma's house. And I almost always slept in the bedroom with the bamboo wallpaper against the exterior wall of the house. She had all kinds of artwork on the walls from her many travels with my grandpa around the world. They kind of scared me, but I’d look at them every time. I would lay there watching the headlights from the road travel around the room till I fell asleep.

 

When I would get up in the morning I was always trying to sneak downstairs without making a sound. I'd slide down the banister to minimize the sounds of the creaking steps. It's a miracle that I never hurt myself doing that. Once downstairs I'd help myself to whatever cookies grandma had on top of the refrigerator. Sometimes there were good ones like the chocolate covered graham cookies or Oreos. Other times there were just the chocolate covered marshmallow treats that I didn't care for. I'm sure I got my love for sweets from my grandma. Then I would have some cereal and sit down and watch the morning cartoons till the rest of the house awoke.

When we would have big family gatherings it was at her house.  The adults would sit in the dining room at the big table and the kids would be in the kitchen at the table there.  Then we'd run off to go play in the basement some more.  We played hide and seek on a regular basis.  It still amazes me that grandma didn't get annoyed when we'd hide in her closets and cupboards and knock things off the hangers.  I had my favorite places to hide- the back of her bedroom closets, under beds, and in the scary basement.  My favorite hiding spot was behind the bar.  I was afraid of the basement for two reasons.   First of all, there was this weird air vent fan that was in the main room of the play area.  One time a bird had gotten stuck in there and while I was playing it flapped around a few times.  It startled me and for years after that I would stare at the vent intently making sure no birds were in there waiting to scare me again.  Secondly the basement had an area with wood paneling that hid the furnace and hot water heater.  This area had a panel that you could open to come out into the play area.  I was always a little scared that someone or something would pop out of the dark recesses to "get" me.

All in all, there were a lot of special, yet seemingly ordinary moments that I shared with my Grandma in that house.  Every time I travel past her house I tear up a bit at the thought that she’s no longer there.  But the house and the memories of family will always have a very special corner of my heart.

President's Day Memories

Today I am fortunate to be able to have the day off work and able to truly appreciate President's Day.  In my field (engineering) it is rare to get so many holidays off so I felt I should share a little about a few of the Presidents that I greatly admire.  I have two Presidents that hold special places in my heart.  The first is Abraham Lincoln.  When I was just thirteen my grandparents took me on a road trip across the US.  During that trip I learned a lot about Lincoln and have some pictures that I took from those days.

 This is Lincoln's home in Springfield, Illinois.

Here I am on Lincoln's doorstep.

That's me at Lincoln's Tomb

The Lincoln monument in Washington D.C. (abt 2001)

Only last year did I really learn a lot about the challenges that Lincoln faced after his election.  I had not realized that the US was on the brink of civil war just as he stepped into office.  For a man who faced depression and so much sadness in his life to be such a leader for our country is truly amazing.

Which brings me to the next President that I admire- Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  His memorial in Washington D.C. is unique in its combination of water and stone throughout.  Several years ago I was able to visit the memorial and took these pictures.

The FDR monument at night in Washington D.C.

FDR with his loyal dog, Fala

Time Flies

I can hardly believe that a few weeks have gone by since the last time I was able to sit down and write a blog entry.  I have really missed it!  It has been a very busy time with visits to family (mine & my fiance's) for Thanksgiving, working on a slideshow/ video for my little sister's upcoming wedding, bachelorette party, and gifts for so many relatives.  It's nice to be able to give these things the attention they need, but also it left me worn down and so I have had a cold for the last week.  I'm doing  better now and just have the cough to get over.  I am going to do a reading at my sister's wedding ceremony so I hope that my voice is back to normal by Sunday!  I most likely will write a few things over the next few weeks, but considering all the holidays looming (& my birthday) I really doubt I'll be able to write much.  In the meantime, here's a bit I've been thinking about recently.

I have been getting wonderful feedback from family and some new friends on what I have posted on this blog over the last few months.  I am not one who usually clammers for attention so it is really rewarding to get those emails of encouragement for sharing my stories of family history and even those of my own life.  I hope that it has inspired some of you to also sit down and pen (or type) some of your own memories.  You may think that no one would be interested, but stories of even the most common events can connect us with our children and siblings in new ways.  We all have our own stories and experiences and the best way to share those is to get it on paper.  Who knows, maybe someday your great grandchild will want to hear all about "the old days" when people had home phones, wrote checks, and drank water out of the tap.  A lot changes in technology and attitudes within a generation.  What has changed for you?  

In October I went to visit my relatives in Indiana and while I was there I took the time to ask my dad about his memories.  I had come up with some basic questions and then went from there.  It was really interesting and I learned a lot.  My basic list included:

1.  What was your first job?  What other kinds of jobs have you done?  What was your favorite/ least favorite?
2.  What do you remember about when- we landed on the moon, JFK was shot, protests during the Vietnam War, 9/11, and any other significant events in your lifetime.
3.  Who were your musical influences?  Favorite bands/ artists?
4.  What was your favorite vacation you ever took?  Who went with you?

Later, my dad emailed me some other interesting questions and his answers.  They really made me think about what my own responses would be.

1. What has been the biggest change you've seen in your life? (personal, technological, government, etc)

2. What was your biggest fear?
3. What is it you're most proud of?
4. What do you most regret? (bad thing done, good thing not done)
5. What was the biggest sacrifice you made?
6. What relative do you most admire?
7. When were you the happiest?

It's food for thought.  What have you experienced that you think your kids or grandkids may not have known about?   Share your stories and bring your family closer. 

Happy Hannukah!  Happy Winter Solstice!  Merry Christmas!  Happy New Year!

52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History- High School

Shortly before middle school my family relocated from Hamilton, Ohio to Middletown, Ohio.  I was excited because we had bought a home with a big yard and great neighborhood.  I was thrilled that our neighbors also had three girls in their family and we all got along well.  That first summer was a blast!  We played games, put on plays, and rode our bikes all over.  But it wasn't till I started middle school that I finally met some kids my own age. 

Unfortunately they had all been in grade school together and so they weren't very friendly to the strange girl who didn't wear the popular clothes.  I was pretty shy back then and took their comments and "jokes" personally.  I had hoped that the neighborhood kids would be welcoming, but they were not.  I finally started making friends with another "geeky" girl on the school bus and things got better.  We stayed friends all through middle and high school.

Anyway, my high school was pretty big with about 1200 kids total.  My graduating class was about 330 and I really think I maybe knew half of those kids.  For the most part I didn't really like high school. I didn't have a lot of friends and I was terribly self-conscious all the time. I was a good kid and smart and didn't get in trouble. I felt like I didn't have a lot in common with most of the other kids.  I spent most of my time in the theater and became entrenched in helping with all the school plays.  It was a blast and it helped me come a bit out of my shell.



The school was a two story brick building with an annex for a vocational school.  My junior and senior year I took Computer Drafting classes over at the vocational school (despite my guidance counselor telling me that an Honor student shouldn't do that).  Those classes helped me get my summer jobs for years after that with various cities and with the DOT.  I think that counselor had no clue what engineers would be expected to do someday.  Thank God I ignored her!

The high school is still being used today and both of my younger sisters went there.  I haven't been back to the school in at least ten or more years, but every once in a while I drive by there when I go to see my mom. 

52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History

Recently I joined Geneabloggers and noted that they have weekly topics that are designed to get you to blog about your own personal history.  How could I pass up an opportunity to talk about myself? 


This is Week 44 and the topic is Elementary School.

I have quite a variety of Elementary School experiences for grades kindergarten through sixth grade.  Initially I started at theSouth Bend Hebrew Day School.  My uncle helped with my tuition so that I could be in the same class with his daughter, Shellie.  I was younger than everyone else in my class by a few months, but liked school for the most part.  It was a small school and I remember having to ride two different school buses just to get there.  As I progressed in school I eventually started telling mom that I wanted to go to the same school as all my neighborhood friends.  My best friend, Erin, was attending the local elementary and I wanted to be with her.  I liked recess and whenever we had art classes.  I remember playing "Red Rover" and playing on the playground which was really nice.  It was wooded and shady and had swings, slides, and more.  I don't remember much else about the school except that I often faked stomach aches or colds in the hopes of being sent home from school.  My poor mom was divorced by this time and it must have caused a lot of hassle for her to try and get off work to come get me.  

I think it was in first grade when I had my first major injury and unfortunately it happened at school.  I was playing with my friend Jennifer (yes, there were three of us with that name and we went by Jen, Jenny, and Jennifer) and we were taking turns going on the small slide.  It was only about 6' high and so I didn't get scared like I did on the 12' high one.  When it was my turn to go down the slide the boy behind me told me to hurry up and I think he gave me a little shove.  Next thing I knew I was going over the side and landed on my right arm.  I blacked out and when I woke Jennifer was leaning over me and asked, "Are you alright?".  At first I thought I was okay, but when I went to get up I knew I was hurt.  I couldn't move my right arm at all.  I was crying a little bit when I realized it and so we went to the teacher on the playground and she told us to go to the nurse.  I remember Jennifer saying that she needed to tell her big brother where she was going and when he saw me he asked, "What's wrong with her?  What a baby!". 

Eventually we made it into the office of the school and the principal stopped me.  As I'd mentioned earlier, I was known for faking sick and here is when it became obvious that it had caught up with me.  The principal asked what had happened and then he asked me to move my arm.  At this point my arm was pretty much dangling at my side.  I made an honest attempt to move it, but nothing happened.  Finally, he believed me and got the nurse.  She was so sweet about it and very gentle.  She made a sling for my arm out of a pair of pants that she had in her office and had me lie down for a while.  When mom came she quickly took me to the hospital where they x-rayed my arm and discovered that I'd broken my collarbone.  There wasn't much that they could do so they set it and then taped my arm to my body and put it in a sling.  I got to stay home for a couple days and the highlight of the time was when the principal brought me a huge yellow card signed by everyone in the school.  It was easily about 4' tall and I loved it.  For the next couple weeks I had to learn to do things with my left hand and I actually got pretty good at it.  To this day, I consider myself to be fairly ambidextrous. 

In second grade, Mom finally gave in and let me change to the neighborhood elementary school.  I was thrilled!  My new school was James Madison Elementary and was just about a fifteen minute walk from our house and went right past the house that my dad was living in.  I really liked this school and have many fond memories of the two years I attended there.   It was a lot bigger than my old school and had all kinds of kids.  It was a two story brick building and a few years ago I drove past it on a visit to South Bend and it looked just the same to me.  In third grade my mom remarried and so we moved to Hamilton, Ohio.  I was upset about leaving my best friend, my dad and brother, and all my grandparents.  All my classmates wrote me letters saying how much they would miss me.  I still have those letters and every once in a while I read through them and smile at the cute mispellings.



James Madison School, South Bend, Indiana



Once we were in Ohio though I adjusted pretty well and made new friends.  The funny thing was that my new school was named the same thing as my old one!  Yet another James Madison Elementary and the mascot was a Bulldog there too!   This school was a little smaller than my last school, but I had some of my best teachers while attending this one.  I had several good friends and had slumber parties and we talked about the boys that we had crushes on.  I think I had a crush on nearly every boy in my class at one time or another!  At recess we would play two-square, tether ball, jump rope, and even played the occasional game of kickball.  It was a huge asphalt lot that was fenced on one side and was enclosed by the building.  Not the most kid friendly atmosphere, but we didn't care.  A few years ago I drove by this school and discovered it was boarded up and closed.  They were planning to demolish it I think.  It made me sad, but then I realized how small and run down it now seemed.  Funny how our memories as kids are so much smaller once we grow up. 

Caught Up in the Daily Grind

Earlier this week I was contemplating an extensive write-up with photographs and stories related to my grandma’s house.  However, with the limited free time I’ve had this week I will have to hold that thought till later.  This week was a busy one for me as I have four projects that are due tomorrow and another due on Tuesday.  I worked every day last week and over the weekend too.  It’s rare that I end up doing that, but I don’t mind it when I know that my efforts are appreciated.  So since I only have a bit of time this evening to share with you- I am going to share a story from my childhood again.

The summer before  I entered high school I was offered a trip with my Grandma and Grandpa Alford that would take us from Indiana all the way to California.  It would be a three week long road trip and we’d stop at many landmarks of America’s history.  Much to my surprise it is a trip that I mention frequently in conversation to this day.

When I agreed to go on this trip I don’t think I realized just how many hours would be spent in the car.  I think that during that trip I must have slept 90% of the time!  I kept a journal which I found mildly amusing when I stumbled upon it a few years ago.  Here’s a funny excerpt, “We are in Iowa- practically all farms.  Probably the Beverly Hillbillies live around here.”   On the trip we drove up to South Dakota where we saw the Enchanted World Doll Museum, The Corn Palace, and stopped at the ghost town Wall Drug.  We traveled through the Black Hills and saw Mt. Rushmore.  our trip through Yellowstone National Park was complete with seeing about twenty buffalos!  While we were there I noticed some smoke in the woods and I wondered what was going on.  That summer there was a drought and some careless person started what became a massive wildfire there. 

While we drove I watched for license plates from other states and saw just about all of them except for Hawaii and Delaware.  I even kept track of which Canadian province license plates I saw.  I was a bit bored during the drive.  We traveled through the Badlands and crossed the Rocky Mountains.  When we finally got to California I wanted to stand in the Pacific Ocean and so we stopped there briefly.  The water was freezing!  I was really impressed and I think it was the first time I had ever seen an ocean.  We went through the Redwood forest which was amazing.  To see that many massive trees was really inspiring.  I think it’s why I love trees so much now.  After the Redwoods we went to Sacramento where we visited my uncle and his wife.  We had a good time visiting with them and while we were there we took a side trip to Reno.  I had fun playing video games with my grandparents gambled.

After that we went down towards Los Angeles where we went to Universal Studios, Disneyland, and at some point we went to Knott’s Berry Farm.  I loved roller coasters and Grandpa was a good sport and rode them all with me.  Grandma patiently waited for us to get out of the rides.  Next on our itinerary was a visit to another Uncle’s house, but unfortunately they had a family emergency and we didn’t get together.  We drove on to Needles and spent a few days there roasting in the sun and playing in the pool.  I met many nice kids while I hung out at the pool.  My journal captures some of my memories, “A few day ago I met this girl that just graduated from high school.  She asked me when I “got out” of school and I said June 8th.  She asked what college I was going to go to!  I almost died.  So I said, ‘You mean that you thought I got out of high school?’ She said, ‘Yeah.’  ‘No way.  I just got out of junior high.’  I can’t believe she actually thought that was 18!”

Eventually we made our way to Hot Springs, Arkansas where we stayed with my Grandpa’s sister, Ann.  We had a lot of fun there playing “Old Maid” and Gin Rummy.  We went to the wax museum in town and I played Tic-Tac-Toe against a chicken.  We also went to the local amusement park, Magic Springs, where we all got soaked on a water ride.  After we wore out our welcome in Arkansas, we drove up to Illinois to see the home of Abraham Lincoln.  I was pretty awestruck.  We went to his tomb and paid our respects there too.  It was a long trip, but one full of great memories and one that I hope to someday share with my own children or even grandchildren!

Reflections on 9/11

Over the past week, so much of the news and radio has focused on the tenth anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City that it is hard not to contemplate how times have changed in the span of just a few years.  Though many people lost their lives on that day- even more have lost their lives in the fight against terrorism.  We talk about never forgetting that day, but for those who lost family members it is important that they do not dwell on the past. 

Terrible things happen and we must take that knowledge and do our best to rise above and appreciate the good things remaining.  Our history as Americans is full of many things we are not proud of and yet we continue to strive to be a greater nation.  Generations of people were impacted by our treatment of the Native Americans, Africans, Irish, Mexicans, Japanese, and many other ethnic groups.  Somehow their ancestors found the strength to create a better life for themselves. 

"Imagine there's no heaven, and no religion too." In reflection on the events of September 11th, it still amazes me that religious fanaticism is still the cause of so much destruction. Many people have been killed because of being Jewish, Muslim, Christian, or whatever their difference of opinion.  It saddens me that there is not more respect for others in this world.   I don’t believe that we will ever be unified in our religious beliefs, but I hope that someday we can at least learn to all respect each other.

Our ancestors are an important part of who we are today.  When I think of the risks they took in the hopes that their children would have a better life it truly amazes me.  They faced adversity, poverty, and fear of the unknown.  My ancestors are a hodgepodge of different backgrounds: Native American, Puritans, Jewish, Irish, and who knows what else.  How could I judge others for their beliefs when way back we could be connected in some way? 

Lastly, I want to share something I wrote in response to the happenings of 9/11.  It encapsulates the feelings I had that day.

Attack on America

Words echo on the radio as all tune in
Confusion begins
Thoughts turn to loved ones and friends
Where are they? Are they in danger?
Frantic phone calls
Then the images burning into my memory

Flames weakening an impenetrable structure
People leaping to their death
Planes diving with murder in mind
The horror of the intent

Silent prayers repeated over and over
“Please God let it be ok”
“Please God I’m so scared”
“Please God don’t let them die”
Only silence in answer

The danger for all
Fear of more terrorism
Anger and revenge bubbling under the surface
Open-mouthed shock
No words to say

Calls to family
“Turn on the news”
Disbelief echoing on the phone
Everything stops as we watch
The horror replayed

Buildings collapse
Hundreds trapped
Emergency personnel die
The loss of lives and loves
Unbelievable

Airports close
Fear for those still in the air
Each plane a possible bomb
More prayers
Helpless to stop it

The Pentagon hit
A symbol of our government
The World Trade Center destroyed
A symbol of capitalism
Symbolism reverberating in our minds
Attack on America

Who has done this?
Why?
What will happen next?
Is it over?

I can only pray.

Don’t Forget to Write Down Your Own Memories

Recently I was listening to my favorite podcaster, Lisa Louise Cook of Genealogy Gems, and she mentioned how important it is to start writing down your own stories.  I then realized how little I’ve done for myself.  Sure, I’ve kept journals, diaries, and blogs over the years, but I’ve noticed that I tend to write a lot about more about the challenging times in my past and not the good memories.  This was highlighted recently when my sister asked me what my happiest moment in my life has been so far.  Honestly, I thought of many happy memories, yet none really leaped out as a front runner.  I’m a Harry Potter fan and I think I might have a tough time coming up with something for use  during the spell “Expecto Patronum” which capitalizes on the strongest positive memory.  So I thought this might be a good time to finally put some of those really GOOD memories down in writing.  After all, I really do feel that though my life has been a bit of a roller coaster, overall I have been happy and very fortunate.  And on the first in a series I will be sharing.

In elementary school I was a bit on the shy side.  It wasn’t really until 4th grade that I began to come a bit out of my shell.  This was due to a series of great teachers in my life while at James Madison Elementary School in Hamilton, Ohio.  Ms. Vitatoe was my 4th grade teacher and she encouraged us all to participate in a musical we were going to do.  I don’t recall us ever doing the musical, but we had a blast learning the songs in class.  I also had Miss Ruehl who taught me in both 5th and 6th grade English.  She read us the Ursula K. LeGuin books and they remain amongst my favorite fantasy books from childhood.  A few years ago, I reread them and was pleased to see how well they stood up to my memory. 

Anyway, in 6th grade our school hosted a talent show and since I’d been taking dance classes since I was little I knew I wanted to participate.  My best friend Christy Land and I were both dancers so I knew we’d be competing against each other, but that was okay. 

On the day of the show the whole school was there to watch the show.  It was a lot of fun to watch.  There were girls wearing cheerleader outfits, a group dancing and lip syncing to “Hey Mickey”, and many more.  The teachers even did a few songs.  My friend Christy performed a song from “Flashdance” and did a great job.   One teacher did Whitney Houston’s “The Greatest Love of All”. 

When it was my turn, I went on stage and lip synced and danced my heart out.  At the time I had recently gotten my first Weird Al Yankovic tape and on it was a song called “This is the Life”.  It certainly wasn’t one of his biggest hits, but it combined a lot of different styles of music and I had worked out a whole choreography that went with it.   My performance included tap dancing and even a little break dancing.  I tossed paper money around as I sang about how great it is to be rich.  It was a blast and the crowd seemed to enjoy it.  At the end when I took my bow I stuck my hands in my pockets and pulled out the gold foiled chocolate coins and tossed them out into the audience. 

It was a great time and we waited anxiously for the announcements of the winners.   The next day the principal announced on the loud speaker the results.  For best solo performance, Christy Land and for best overall performance, Jenny Alford!  I was thrilled and even got my very own portable radio with headphones and gift certificate to Wendy’s restaurant.  I was really proud of how I had done and it always makes me smile when I think of it.