It was only 50 years ago
Instead of half a century.
She and I adventured at
A convergence in history--
Three counties, Amador,
Calaveras, San Joaquin,
Camanche among & between,
Where our state came to
Mean gardens and old
Dreams of vineyards, gold,
Then hopes for those
With swimmers' bodies
Rose between our yard-long
Arms and she took a photo.
Why? I still don't know.
How young we were, only fifty years ago.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, dear Joanne, these time-machines around our minds work pretty good. Here we are, way the heck in the future!
DeleteAnd I hope you took a photo of her, too.
ReplyDeleteAh, but don't pictures take us back in time? They're the closest thing to a time machine we have, along with music.
True, 0-Jenny, but as one of my more muscular friends once said of the pic, "Ah, Geo. is happy --perhaps he never looks down." As for Norma, no photo of her that day but be assured, she was lovely --and is still camera-shy.
DeleteWe were such babies then, altho we did not know it.
ReplyDeleteWe are going to visit IL where my brother lives. My 50th High School reunion is happening. I hope I look better than the others do.
Dear Susan, congratulations on your 50th year out of academic captivity. I missed my 50th but am still in contact with several friends I made in high school. Don't worry overmuch about appearances, just act according to your delight in reuniting and all the years will drop away.
DeleteThis wonderful souvenir etched with words brings back my own golden memories of California around that time.
ReplyDeleteI yearn to turn back the clock....
I must admit, dear Jon, that I too like the idea of turning the clock back and find it tempting only in dreams, where people I loved and lost return. But when I see the progress we've made, in civil rights, general reliance on intercontinental trade --leading to more saber-rattling than war-- I find myself more tolerant of this strange new world.
DeleteYou haven’t changed a bit, George. Well, maybe just a little around the hair line.
ReplyDeleteIt might be 50 years (not a half century), and thru your posts and Norma’s photos, we have been treated to your love story and it is indeed inspiring.
Lovely, kind Arleen, Yes, I do wear my hair whiter and further back now, but would like to believe it's because my brain is growing, ergo forehead rising. My relationship with Norma is still going well since its start deep in another century. We are beginning to get to know each other. Today, as she scolded my driving, I testily asked, "Is there anything I do that doesn't piss you off?"
DeleteSeriously and quietly she said,"No."
Magic times, that's why, friend Geo … smiles … Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteDear compassionate Cat, the magic's in the music of the spheres, where time comes from, and your lovely smiles.
Delete...Love, Geo.
Cut off jeans, an ocean, a love in bloom (and set to rebloom as real love does) plus - what is the dude in the background doing? Dancing, signalling, warding off the Kraken?
ReplyDeleteDear Lisa, like you,I thought Background Dude might be dancing --his arms suggest ballet 5th movement but can't see if his legs describe PliƩ. So I'll go with Kraken too.
DeleteSo wonderful a memory. Thank you for sharing it. 1969 does not seem so long ago... but then again, it unfortunately does also seem long ago. The duality of that is difficult to resolve.
ReplyDeletePipeTobacco
Good point, Prof. I suspect duality is a basic characteristic of the universe --as in, in an infinite set, all possibilities are assembled, even mutually exclusive ones. I guess that's why it has to be really big, and time gives us some chance to navigate it.
DeleteWhy? So that we could all appreciate what a stud you were and, no doubt, still are.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to see this, Geo.
Keep a smile, my dear friend.
Yes, dear Robyn. Photo shows how I looked shortly before I was kidnapped and beat up by a future version of myself. Happily I'm still the same weight and height --I think. Brain don't work too good though.
DeleteGood times. Good memories. Youth never really fades, it just creeps into somewhere in our bodies, that we cannot find. I am thinking I will search my toes next.
ReplyDeleteToes. Good place to search. When I was little, I'd lull myself to sleep imagining a conversation between my feet. Still do it sometimes. Maybe that's where youth is conserved.
Delete