I WAS A 97 LB. WEAKLING...

Popular advertising slogan for Charles Atlas' innovative body building program.  Most young men were awed by this transformation, but hopeful.

"THOSE DAYS"

Activities were curtailed during "those days" each month - especially swimming.  We stayed at home rather than attend swimming parties wearing normal clothes, since everyone would realize our secret. 

GIRDLE GIRLS

We wore all sorts of undergarments - pointy bras, girdles, waist cinchers, etc - in hopes of obtaining the hour glass figure that was popular at the time.  Our body was not supposed to jiggle.

FIRST PLANE RIDE

My first airplane ride took place during the senior year in high school. A family friend, who was a pilot, flew me to Shreveport, LA for a Centenary College choir audition.  It was an amazing experience!

SKUNK HUNTING

My parents purchased forty acres and a house that needed much repair in DeRidder, Louisiana, where we moved before my junior year in high school.   Daddy wasn't too crazy about most of the boys I dated.  He slightly approved of one date when Johnny helped Daddy remove a skunk out from under our house.

KEDS - SPORTS SHOES FOR GIRLS

Girls needed to have really good vocal chords and be able to jump up and down while continually smiling if they wanted to be a cheerleader during the Fifties.  Creating fancy pyramids and doing many flips here and there were not necessary.

Hey, Tall Girl in a High School Sweater





Girls didn't think boys their age would ever mature, and  it was especially difficult being a tall girl.  Boys eventually grew, but the wait was long.



EASTER AT SHANGRI-LA

Shangri-La was an amazing garden owned by the Lutcher Stark Family in Orange, TX, that featured exotic flowers, a lake with swans and roaming animals.  It was opened to the public at Easter, and became a popular destination for families after church.