The movie came out in theaters in 1971. I was a tween. It had to be rated PG for my parents to allow me to see it with my BFF. I was completely taken aback by Robert Redford and Barbara Streisand’s breakup towards the end of the film. I think I was too young to understand all the forces behind their relationship. To me, love was everything you needed to make things work.
The world was going through change after change in the 70s. I felt overwhelmed and frightened when I was away from home. So, I wanted to stay home. My outgoing friends changed everything for me. Without their encouragement, I would still be sitting in my bedroom crocheting and listening to pop radio.
Whenever these friends began to notice I had a crush on someone, they were merciless. Like my freshman year, when I had a crush on a guy in my science class. A Sadie Hawkins Dance was coming up, and my BFF decided that I would ask my crush to this dance.
“It’s perfect!” she tells me. Girls are supposed to do the asking. I agonized over the scenario for days. I finally asked him, just casually, when we were changing classes. His locker was next to mine. I barely looked at him; I was so nervous. He seemed nervous, too. When he said yes, I stopped breathing. He smiled and said he had to run, but we could work out the details in science class.
Holy Crap! It did not occur to me that he would say ‘yes’. Now, I was freaking out about the dance itself. I had not thought this thing through. Since I was ‘the man’ on this date, I had to pick him up and drive him home afterwards. I did not have my license yet. This meant my father would be chauffeuring us. My father, with his comedic wit and eagerness to embarrass me.
Sigh. I lived in terror, knowing it was going to be bad. I was going to be nearly humiliated with embarrassment. I did not know in what form this would happen. Those who knew my father can sympathize. The only certainty was the fact that Dad would not miss this opportunity.
Dad behaved himself during the ride to the dance. He told us, “Have a fun time.” I was too nervous and shy to have a fun time. I believe my date was also shy and nervous. Conversation was limited, but we did dance. Fast songs and slow ones, too. I felt like I was in some kind of shock the entire evening, and it was over too soon.
Now it was my Dad’s turn to have his fun, and he said nothing. Until I returned to the car, after seeing my date to his doorstep.
“I can’t believe you didn’t KISS him!”
I was not sure how to respond to this. My lips were virgin. I hadn’t been kissed or had kissed anyone else before. I panicked. I chickened out.
“He didn’t linger,” I explained.
My Dad was laughing too hard to say another word.
Category: Random Thoughts
The junk that pops into my brain
Road Work Ahead
Don’t you hate seeing these signs?
I do. I see them all year round. I understand that’s when they can work on the roads, so I try to be patient. I normally succeed. This summer’s road work is giving my patience a trying test.
I live on the cul-de-sac of a long and winding road. In early July, a massive road crew started tearing up the street. They are preparing to move the overhead electric wires underground. I’m all for that idea. But, I can’t drive out of my driveway to go to town without causing a major disturbance in the Force. The entire street has open trenches, huge trucks, and equipment blocking the roads.
This is what we see every 20 yards or so. You have to stop at the red light, even though there is no one around. They are watching all the stops via cameras. The arm will only go up if all the trenches are covered. It will let you drive through when the equipment is maneuvered to let a car through. Our five-minute trip to town now takes 20-30 minutes. Unless it is the weekend. But early Monday morning, they are back at it.
We are told that this work will go on until October. Now, we park our vehicles on a driveway down the hill on the street below us. They are part-time residents and are happy we are coming and going, making their property look inhabited. As an added bonus, hubby’s second car is a sheriff’s patrol car. Its presence makes the neighborhood feel safer.
Camping & Conventions Do Not Mix
To clarify: Camp Grandma and any conflicting events are not advisable. Upon returning from the annual convention, I found a messy house and a very unhappy camper.
My hubby.
The same man who assured me things would be fine, go ahead and go, blah, blah, blah, had an aloof and irritated manner under the surface. I recognized this because I also am a pouter. Although he urged me to go, he seemed resentful that I was not there to run things.
Everything ran smoothly, no one was hurt, arrested, or otherwise. But I was not there. He could not depend on me to handle things. You know, the things that he pays no attention to when I am there. Many things are handled that he knew nothing about. Until I wasn’t there to handle them. Bad Grandma.
When resentments build up in your mind, they eventually find their way out. While the dust settles, a tense, misty-eyed silence ensues until the one who exploded approaches and explains what just happened. We quietly explain our emotions. Then we hug and make mental notes to ourselves to pay more attention to each other’s feelings in the future.
Even strong, loving relationships can hit a momentary roadbump. Humans are not perfect beings. We all know this, and yet somehow we expect the ones we know and love to be.
Which is completely ridiculous.
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