Ah, yes.  I hit the big “5″ this year, and I found myself at Coffee Springs Elementary School for the first time.  It was kindergarten, and I did not want to be there.  I remember pitching a fit my first day, but it was all better after I got to know the other kids.  I knew one or two of them already.

My teacher was Mrs. Yolanda Parker (no relation).  She was a very sweet lady, and I immediately took to her.  In fact, during the next couple of summers, she’d babysit me.  Anyhow …

Let me try to get the gears going … I remember The Letter People more than anything from kindergarten.  I also remember a sixth-grade girl that helped with our class, but not her name.  She had blonde hair, and I asked her if she was a boy because it was cut like a boy’s.  She got offended and never really spoke to me again.

Our classroom was between the main part of the school and the football field.  It was just a small, rectangular brick building with two rooms.  The school burned down a few years ago, although I’m not sure what remains.  I can’t remember the last time I was physically in Coffee Springs.

Anyhow, I always got a shorter nap time than everyone else because (and I’m not bragging) of my reading ability.  Mom always read to me, and I learned how to read early on.  After all the other kids went down for their naps, I would have a one-on-one reading session with Mrs. Parker.  I was reading on a first-grade level, so they fostered that.  After my reading lesson, I would lay on my mat and try to sleep.  I hardly ever did, but the teacher bribed us occasionally (the one treat I remember was a balloon with the Statue of Liberty on it).

I’m trying to remember the kids in my class (my yearbook is still at Mom’s house).  I remember Rodney, Velisha, Jennifer, Randy, Brandon, Cheryl, Tonisha, Jenora, Erik, Chad, Cristy … oh heck.  That’s all I can think of right now.  Randy, Chad, Brandon and Cheryl all became my “inner circle.”  Oh, yeah!  And Amanda.  She was my first little crush, but I think most of  the boys had one on her.

She was c-u-t-e.  A little brunette with a beautiful smile.  She’s probably the underlying reason my favorite hair color for a woman is brown.  Anyhow … I remember going to her birthday party and even talking to her on the phone from time-to-time.  It went nowhere because she transferred schools.  I think it was to Enterprise.

Lunch time was always fun.  I always had a can of Shasta Root Beer.  I can’t stand the stuff now.  Don’t know why.

The gymnasium was close to the lunchroom (not like anything was far away on that campus).  We were in the gym one day, and someone asked me if I knew how to tie a shoelace.  Ummm … sure.  I attempted it, at least.  I don’t know if they ever got the four knots out.

As you can tell, I’m just throwing random thoughts out.  I really need my yearbook.  I might add to this after I see Mom for Christmas.

For our graduation, we wore white caps and gowns with blue tassels.  We sang something, and I was so proud of that little diploma.  It wasn’t until after I got it on stage that I noticed it was blank.  I got very upset and stayed that way until they gave us the real thing later.  Hey, a boy is proud to know he excelled in his classes, and he wants proof!

I can’t really remember much more from my first year of school.  Like I said, I’ll add more if I something pops in there.  If you went to school with me there and remember something, please comment on this so I can add it.

First grade is next!  Back to 1980 …

This is the year that started my favorite decade so far.  I LOVED the 80s!

This was the year America got its head on straight and booted Jimmy Carter out of office.  I met the man.  He’s a nice guy, but he’s a horrible politician.  My favorite president of all-time won the election that November, and I haven’t found one I’ve liked since.  I digress.

What do I remember from 1980?  I turned four-years-old that summer.  I remember going to Opryland in Nashville for the first time, too.  There were these huge “mascots” running around.  One was a fiddle (hey, down here we don’t call them violins) with buck teeth or something like that.  That’s about all I remember about that trip.

I remember a kid named Brandon Smith.  He lived down the road from me, and he was a nice guy.  I’d dare say he was probably my first best friend.  I remember what he looked like, and I remember his voice, but I don’t recall a lot of what we did.  I know we both loved “The Dukes of Hazzard.”

Now the memories should flow more freely (i.e. my old age can’t keep everything away) with the next post.  That was my kindergarten year, and I remember a lot from my school years.  Some of the best memories I have are from school, and I’m looking forward to opening up about more people and things that happened.

Look back to 1979

On to kindergarten!

Wow.  1979.  The year before my favorite decade.  Probably because I actually have memories of the 80s.

The best thing about 1979 was President Jimmy Carter being attacked by a swamp rabbit back home in Plains, Georgia.  That, and a little network called ESPN hit the air.

I have one of my first memories from this year.  Mom and Dad took me down to Disney World for the first time.  The only thing I recall is I was in a stroller, and Goofy came by and hugged me.  I was so happy to see him that I pitched a massive fit when he walked away.  He went into a door near the teacup ride, and that was it.  I don’t remember anything else about that trip.  Quite frankly, I don’t remember anything else about that year.

There you have it.  I’m finally starting to remember things!

Forward to 1980!

Back to 1978

Ahhhhh … 1978.  Still no memories. 

I turned the big “2″ this year, and one of my favorite comic strip and cartoon characters was born.  “Garfield” started off as a really fat cat, and well, he’s a little thinner, but not by much.

Looking back through history’s timeline, nothing else really happened that year that grabs my attention or interest, so I’ll stop here.  I do have a couple of memories from when I was three, so …

1979 is next!

Look ahead to 1979

Back to 1977

I remember about as much from 1977 as I do 1976:  Zilch.

So, what happened back then?  Jimmy Carter took office, Elvis departed this mortal planet and Apple was born.  No, not that idiot actress’ daughter, but the company.  Only one of these applies positively into my life now.  I can’t stand Carter, and I never cared for Elvis.  However, I simply cannot function every day without my iPod.  Thank you Jobs and Woz for creating Apple, even though I don’t use a Mac … yet.

Oh, yeah.  Star Wars opened. 

Nothing of any significance happened on my birthday, except Christian recording artist Rebecca St. James was born this year.  She and I are exactly one year apart, and I got the chance to tell her that at a concert in Texas back in 1995.  So much for trying to impress her, which I was highly smitten.  Anyhow, I turned the mighty age of one, and I’ve seen photos to know I had a good time getting hopped up on sugar and cake.

One really cool thing happened this year.  The space shuttle Enterprise made its test flight on top of a jet.  I love any and everything to do with space.    I can’t help but be a space and sci-fi geek, especially with my love of all things Star Trek.  After all, I was born in Enterprise, Alabama.

That’s about all I have for 1977.  No worries, though.  The good and interesting memories are coming.  You’ll just have to forgive me for being a tot during this time. 

Next up, 1978!

Back to 1976