Meg...

...Fenton High (Bisons, if memory serves me), that is interesting. My father taught there for over 20 years. At the time you were there, he was Head of the Science Department. It is just a small quirk; nothing more than for what it’s worth.

OMG! OMG! OMG! Just a small quirk? Hell, this is the most exciting thing that has happened in my life since....I don’t know...YEARS! Yes, we were THE Bisons.

F-F-FEN, T-T-TON. F-E-N....T-O-N, Fenton Fenton Fenton!!!!!

The head of the science department, ‘ey? Although I am over-degreed in science NOW...I was the only girl in my chemistry class and there was just too much adolescent chemistry present for me to pay attention to the teacher. So, I wouldn’t be too sure who the head of the Science Department was but I can try and remember the science teachers and see if I can come up with your Dad. I will go on a journey back to the 70’s right now...a time when my boyfriends had pimples and my car was a 1962 Plymouth with a push button tranny.

Firstly, that chemistry class...Mr. Walkwitz. He was the archetypical chemistry teacher, skinny and tie-laden, always wearing a cardigan sweater. Bless his heart, he spent most of our class time saying, “Miss Broderick....is it something you would like to share with the ENTIRE class?”

"No sir...it’s between me and Mr. Pfeiffer."

I didn’t make it easy for him to hold the classes’ attention....I was more concerned with cracking jokes and flirting with the guys. If Mr. Walkwitz is your Dad, I owe him a HUGE apology.

Oh...poor Mr. Richmond...he was an older man at the time and he was just a few years too old to be handling teenagers. Slow speaking and slow period...he couldn’t control us anymore than the class clown could have. I doubt he was the head of the department...he was far too old to head anything more than one chorus of Auld Lang Syne.

I am wondering if your Dad wasn’t Mr. Eide. That named invoked shouts of “OH...Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. EIDE...OOOOH!”

If your Dad was the adorable Mr. Schuffert, I owe your mother an apology. I had a HUGE crush on him when I was 14.

If he was Mr. Cahill, you are very lucky, he was a very kind and funny man.

There was also Mr. Grant, Mr. Sells and Mr. Van Dusen...I never had any of them as teachers so I can’t make fun of them. (Although Mr. Van Dusen was a very frightening figure...he stopped me in the hall for one thing or another every single day for 4 years... “Miss Broderick...is there a fire behind you? If not, slow down young lady!” And Mr. Sells...he looked like a thin Orson Wells in a turtle-neck. I think he was the only one of the group who would have worn a polyester leisure suit. Mr. Grant was one of those teachers who had quite a female following, my best friend Dawn had quite a crush on him herself.)

I am the oldest of six kids so if your father doesn’t remember me, surely he remembers one of the Broderick clan. For about 15 years, there was a Broderick enrolled at Fenton.

My father was on the school board and if your Dad is still alive, I can almost guarantee you that he will tell you that my father was not one of the most popular board members...he always said, “He who can...does. He who can’t...teaches.” I hope your father is still alive, but if he isn’t you have my sincere sympathy. If he is...you HAVE to ask him if he remembers the name...I am sure he will.

I’ve heard that Fenton, as well as the entire suburb of Bensenville, has gone downhill quite a bit but at the time...it was a great school.

So, do you still live in the area? I MUST know who your father is...please comment again...or e-mail me at meg.kelso@gmail.com. When I was in high school, they called me Margie, so ask him if you can.

For me the worst thing is when you can hear something buzzing round your ears, especially when your half asleep in the morning. It always sounds like the wasp/bee is dive bombing you and you have to make a last ditch attempt to get out of the way... Apparently hanging bags of water on the porch gets rid of mosquitoes?

Well, the mosquitoes are not a current problem although you're right...I hate hearing the buzz of a near-by "anybug". For me...the worst thing is having ANY bug near me. Last night after I wrote the bug post, I looked down and found a daddy-long-leg crawling on my keyboard! It sent me into a bug frenzy and I chased that sucker all over my kitchen before finally winning the battle. That spider is currently in my septic tank. And, as I said earlier, I cannot abide the thought that a bug...sooner or later...would crawl on me as I slept. (By the way Lennie, my e-mail addy is above. Feel free to write me, just don’t arrest me.)

The best way to beat the heat is just head to the Lake to the boat, the water is still cool and no bugs out on the water.

OK, Buddy, if you have a boat...stop fooling around and call me! I love to fish and I actually have a deposit to make at the lake (Allatoona...right?). Moby has not been adopted yet so I MUST take him to a water hole somewhere to give him a chance to live. Now....listen dude, you HAVE to call me!

Anyway, today is the day that I make the decision whether or not to file contempt charges against Vex. I will know after I call my attorney.

I am still in my jammies and have to get dressed so I am going to go do that and then I’ll be back.

See ya,

Meg