DADDY'S WALLET

 These photos of my family were always in Daddy's wallet.  As a child and later as an adult, I remember seeing them whenever he opened his wallet for various reasons.  The photos were still in his wallet when he died.  They are very special to me. 

A FRENCH KISS

Waiting under the arcade for classes to begin, a group of junior high school girls learned something new - a member of the group explained in detail the definition of a "French kiss".  We were shocked and couldn't believe something like that would actually take place - especially not to any of us!  We decided right then and there to forego boys and certainly never travel to Paris, France.

SPECIAL DELIVERY

One could always tell when a boy had walked his girl to her class, since the tardy bell would ring and he was caught running down the hall.  Couples wanted to be together as much as possible, and a girl considered herself lucky when her boyfriend of the moment carried her books!

THE LAST MOVE

Everyone was surprised when Mother and Daddy moved from DeRidder, to Houston - they had lived in DeRidder longer than any other town.  By then,  I had gone to college and married, and never lived in their home again.

SEEKING JAMES MEREDITH

On James Meredith's much publicized first day of class at Ole Miss, a group of adventuresome students drove from Northeast State in Monroe, LA to Oxford in hopes of witnessing that historic event.  The situation was much more dangerous and explosive than we realized - federal troops had made barricades to prevent entering MS by car.  We happily returned to Monroe, and watched the remaining news of the day on telelvision.

CULOTTES, MORE THAN A FASHION STATEMENT

Finally, in 1961, I thought it possible to wear pants to school.  It was difficult to detect that my new culottes purchased at The Standard in DeRidder, were actually pants and not a skirt.  Mother agreed - the Principal did not.  He announced over the intercom:  "Joelle Smith, would you come to the office immediately!"  I had to go home and change clothes before being allowed to return to school.

ALL GIRL BUS

Cheerleaders, pep squad members and female chaperones rode Beauregard Parish school buses to out-of-town football games.  The driver was the only male allowed on the bus.  The football games were enjoyable, but sharing food, songs and laughter while riding to the game and back home again were much more memorable.