Don and I just signed up for a week-long tour of the Black Hills and nearby areas in Nebraska and Colorado, with the focus on understanding post-Civil War Indian activities with the help of a professional historian, an expert in Indian affairs. The trip is being organized by a friend we met through our involvement with the Civil War Trust who shares our love of history and believes that to truly understand an event, one must walk the ground on which it occurred.
As I read the itinerary, I recalled that our class took a senior trip to the Black Hills-- in a school bus. I think we spent the first night on the bus, the second night in tents, and the third night in a motel. We visited a trout farm, caught some fish, and ate them for supper the night we camped. The next day, I think, we went to Wind Cave.
We must have done other things, but they have slipped my mind. Please share your memories of our trip.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
We Had Some Sweet Times
Do you remember that the home ec. class made a huge batch of caramels in the spring of our freshman year?
Our teacher, Nan Winburn, said a friend who worked for the Fannie Farmer company had given her the famous candy maker's recipe for caramels. (Corporate security must have been vastly different in the 1960s.) I have no idea how much candy a commercial recipe would make and presume Mrs. Winburn cut the recipe considerably for our purposes, but the result was still an enormous amount of candy.
I remember nothing about the actual making of the candy and was likely not involved in that process. (As I had little aptitude and even less enthusiasm for cooking, Mrs. Winburn undoubtedly arranged to keep me as far away from hot viscous materials as possible.)
What I remember is cutting the many sheets of candy into pieces and wrapping each piece in waxed paper. Someone worked with me on this project. (Was it Mary?) The good thing was that we were allowed to leave study hall to work unsupervised in the Home Ec. room on this seemingly endless project. I remember that people--- teachers, the janitor, guys on their way to shop class--- kept dropping in for samples. Even though we were generous, each girl in the class had a large bag of caramels to take home.
Our teacher, Nan Winburn, said a friend who worked for the Fannie Farmer company had given her the famous candy maker's recipe for caramels. (Corporate security must have been vastly different in the 1960s.) I have no idea how much candy a commercial recipe would make and presume Mrs. Winburn cut the recipe considerably for our purposes, but the result was still an enormous amount of candy.
I remember nothing about the actual making of the candy and was likely not involved in that process. (As I had little aptitude and even less enthusiasm for cooking, Mrs. Winburn undoubtedly arranged to keep me as far away from hot viscous materials as possible.)
What I remember is cutting the many sheets of candy into pieces and wrapping each piece in waxed paper. Someone worked with me on this project. (Was it Mary?) The good thing was that we were allowed to leave study hall to work unsupervised in the Home Ec. room on this seemingly endless project. I remember that people--- teachers, the janitor, guys on their way to shop class--- kept dropping in for samples. Even though we were generous, each girl in the class had a large bag of caramels to take home.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Fifty Years Ago We Would Have Thought This Magic
Because we numbered only fifteen, communicating with each other was easy when we were in high school. We could talk as we walked the halls between classes or ate lunch in the cafeteria (except for Sandy, who was allowed to go home for lunch), whisper across the aisle in study hall, or pass notes in class.
Fifty years later finds us separated by distance, but technology makes communicating almost as easy as it was in 1961.
I suggested to Phil that we set up a team blog to which we all can post at any time. He replied that it seemed like a good idea and told me to set it up. (It's easy to see that he is experienced in delegating responsibility!) Mary would probably have been a better choice for doing this as she has a knack for technology, but Google has made things simple, so I think I can get this going. The end result will be a blog that only we can use; the general public will not see our postings. The only stipulation is that each of us must have a Google account, which is also free. (Of course, you may retain any existing e-mail account you have from another provider.)
I will enter the e-mail addresses Phil included in his letter in order to identify team members who will have access to the blog. Remember, you don't need to have a computer in your home to have an e-mail address; you can use a computer at your local library or in other locations. I know several people who do so.
Fifty years later finds us separated by distance, but technology makes communicating almost as easy as it was in 1961.
I suggested to Phil that we set up a team blog to which we all can post at any time. He replied that it seemed like a good idea and told me to set it up. (It's easy to see that he is experienced in delegating responsibility!) Mary would probably have been a better choice for doing this as she has a knack for technology, but Google has made things simple, so I think I can get this going. The end result will be a blog that only we can use; the general public will not see our postings. The only stipulation is that each of us must have a Google account, which is also free. (Of course, you may retain any existing e-mail account you have from another provider.)
I will enter the e-mail addresses Phil included in his letter in order to identify team members who will have access to the blog. Remember, you don't need to have a computer in your home to have an e-mail address; you can use a computer at your local library or in other locations. I know several people who do so.
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