FIFTY-TWO YEARS AGO TODAY

January 19, 2020

January 19, 1968, I was studying for finals at Frostburg State College (now University) with Rae Ann and Mary Ann when one or the other of them said, “Let’s go for a beer.”  But then they realized none of us were 21 and I didn’t drink beer.  “Wait a minute,” one of the Ann’s said, “Bonnie Carter just had a birthday, and she is one of our sorority sisters.  Let’s call her.”

So we went over to Bert’s, the local hangout.  R&M introduced me to Bonnie.  I got a Pepsi and was talking to some of my fraternity brothers when one of them, sat down beside Bonnie and began to put some moves on her.  When he got up to get another beer, I sat down beside her to protect my fraternity brother from her clutches.

Inasmuch as my glasses were broken and I was wearing prescription sunglasses in a dark college hangout, I leaned over to get a closer look at her, liked what I saw and kept leaning.  I took her home that night – it was Friday.  We had our first official date the next night, going to the Princess Theater to see “To Sir With Love,” starring Sidney Portier and Lulu.  Sunday we had lunch together.  Monday she had her last final and went home.  I had mine on Tuesday and went home.

The following Wednesday we were back at FSC and looking for each other.  We went out Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Saturday night, sitting in the White Coffee Pot Restaurant in LaValle, Maryland – I was drinking coffee, she was drinking hot chocolate – I told her I was going to seminary after graduation and she said, “You’re not going without me.”

As I said, that was 52 years ago.  We had known each other for 14 days, including the 7 days that Bonnie was in Hagerstown and I was in Loch Lynn.  Sometimes you just know.

On those occasions, here in the 21st Century when we are sharp with each other, a regular reader of this blog will say, “I don’t know how you two stayed together.”  The last time she said that I replied, “It’s the sex!”  We may be old, but we’re not dead.

Okay, for all of you who just said, “I threw up in my mouth!” here’s today’s activities.

After breakfast we went out into the shopping area here in Barbados and toodled around, looking at stuff and buying a few things.  Then back on board for lunch of hot dogs – mine was chili and coleslaw, Mom’s was with sauerkraut.  Then back out to buy something she started to buy the first time, talked herself out of it, and decided she wanted it.

Then it was naptime.  A good supper.  And a good show with Mark Preston, one of the Lettermen.  You youngsters look him up on YouTube and enjoy some excellent music.

Back in our room I picked up the Fun Times to see tomorrow’s activities for St. Kitts and noticed, lo and behold, that my talk which was changed to Tuesday is back on Monday.  So after finishing the blog, I will do my rehearsal because we have booked a ship’s excursion to do the St. Kitts’ train ride.  It uses the track and some of the rolling stock of the old sugar plantation trains – a fun ride which we did several years ago.

Well, She Who Must Be Obeyed just remarked that I am writing “War and Peace,” so I will save, run speel check and turn it over to her.

TTFN

Well, we are back out at sea and rock’n’rolling again!!! I feel we will probably be bouncing around all the way home. It is okay so far no sea sickness for me. Being on deck 2 and forward we do get rolling pretty good.

Oh well. We were supposed to get into port by 7 but we were late. When we docked I looked out the port hole at our limited view and saw a Celebrity ship, the Summit. It was docked way out at the last pier. We were fortunate and docked at the near pier to the port stores. There was a Marbella ship parked behind us. We have seen some of their ships before. Either they had passengers getting on or off because there were all kinds of suitcases set up in the port when we went shopping.

We did not leave the dock. There is a nice building with all kinds of little stores and kiosk inside. Plenty of stuff to look at. Found a couple of souvenirs and he got a $5 small can of peanuts. I got a newspaper, yes in English, the Barbados Sunday Sun, and a bottle of diet Pepsi, no coke to be found.  We spent about an hour shopping. There are no shopping areas of the town near by and most of it was closed any way since today was Sunday. The next time we come here we want to go to visit some caves that are here. We tried today but all the tours were booked. Wait til next time.

We played a game of cards while we sat waiting til lunchtime and he won so we are all tied up again. After we finished our card game we were asked to please move from where we were sitting in the Lido because the fun squad needed to set up a place for the kid passenger to have lunch. So we moved and then, got in the deli line. I wanted a hot dog. While shopping I had bought a bag of salt and vinegar chips and I wanted to eat them with my lunch. They were salty but very little vinegar. He said they were good so you know there wasn’t enough vinegar.  After the hot dog we had ice cream of course.

Then, down to the room to nap but first back out to the port for the thing I wanted to buy. Then, naptime. He napped I did not. When we got up it was about 3 and  I wanted watch the all aboard and sail away so I went to deck 5. Just a side note, deck 5 is the promenade deck but there are four large hot tubs , 2 on each side of the ship on this deck, STRANGE!  Well, anyway there really isn’t anywhere on deck 5 to get a good view but I did my best. Everybody seemed to be back on board on time, 3:30, but we again were having to take on fuel and they were not finished yet. In fact it was after 5:30 before they finished and we got back on the sea. This trip is using a lot of fuel because of the weather and the rearranged route we have been taking. I heard a Captain in one of his talk say that the ship gets 5 feet per gallon! Yes, you read that right 5 feet. That would be more than 1000 gallons for a mile.

Well, he needs to study and I will go back to my games. Love you all. Everybody say a prayer for Gabe. We are thinking and praying for you Gabe. You too Mac. Every night a special prayer just for you. Everybody enjoy the holiday tomorrow.

Love Mom, Granny and Bonnie

P.S.   Karen I hope Brownie and Frank are both doing great!!