patriotism

although i truly believe our freedom in america is fragile and will continue to be so...but that's the subject of book...we are so very fortunate to have the freedoms we hold dear...i've loved every second of the time i have had in i dont know how many countries, but i wouldnt trade my citizenship for that of any other

while daddy is a veteran, believe my patriotism was entrenched during 75-76, kindergarten with harriet banzet...our kindergarten graduation had a bicentennial theme...dont think i've heard yankee doodle dandy more than 3 times since then...dont know why, it's a great tune...but all those great songs, you're a grand old flag, etc...she taught us...we had great teachers at WA...not only banzet, but libba traylor---who painted her lipstick on---didnt know at 7 that that was hot, but it was---ann fleming---elaine coleman---betsy brown---mary catherine harris...most are still teaching me things today....those teachers and our parents instilled so much good in us...though i have not been blessed with children...it is amazing to me to see the kids of kathy coleman, now kate hazen; laura scott bay; karen harris moseley; jimmy vaughan; and katherine harris young...they all have the same manners we grew up with...

speaking of kindergarten, a real treat one february day when mamie helen odom picked me up from school...mamie helen and popeye are like family to us...first neighbors sarah and i had and the best ever...great until we got to afton and nobody would tell me where my momma was...gan must've been in the field...daddy was delivering equipment to long manufacturing in tarboro, dick womble...engineer at daddy's shop, was having lunch with us...i recall having a meltdown...one hampton short would be proud of

later that day, wrecked golf cart, macey very upset...perhaps he had a meltdown then....

sometime around christmas that year, recall that sarah and i were told we would have a baby brother or sister...turns out this was the day wendy arrived...feb 26...ma's birthday was the 25th, she had said the night before at supper to momma that she was going to work herself into the hospital...did not, of course, know what that meant...

wendy's arrival great....rest of day not so good, daddy pissed cause i wrecked the golfcart...i was only 5-give me a break...also upset sarah...cant recall why, she threw daddy's 100 ft tape measure at me...hit me in the upper lip...all photos of us with wendy as a newborn feature my the scab

so blessed to have 2 great sisters...and...things do happen for a reason...moving home after pfeiffer gave me opportunity to get to know wendy...being 6 years apart...that was really great