Memoir Monday, Oct 28, 1966

First the actual day. It was going to be another weekend down in the valley this time. I was fairly sure there were no more lurking catastrophes waiting for me but being sick forestalled it anyway.  

Oct 28, 1966 Friday

I knew I was sick but I managed to stagger to two classes anyway and to pretend to eat breakfast and lunch. I walked uptown and ran into the Boss, telepathed or maybe teleported to him that I was there. We ran a few errands and by then I was really ill. Went by the infirmary on campus. I had a fever of 102 and the doctor wanted to keep me but finally released me with a shot of penicillin  and some big capsules to take. Then it was home and to bed for yours truly. Sick again with a different medal. Maybe this one was in LA, you reckon? Yes, of course it was. 

So now back to the interim week. Not much to discuss--or was there? Oh yes, there actually was. First the weekend, October 22-23.

Saturday I had a donut and coffee in the CU (Campus Union--same bldg as cafeteria)and then dressed for the Honors Convocation. Of course they did this for Parent's Weekend. Well, I had no parents who wished to be there and no desire to have them there so I went by myself and got nice little certificates of Honors at Entrance and my scholarship. Back by 11:00,  I changed and took off to escape the confusion but came back to change again and go to the game with a few of the other 'parentless' girls. It was even better than homecoming and the 'Jacks won 32-12. I felt a little lonely and neglected that evening. Where was Dusty? And where was Jim McL? I really wished I'd have a "caller in the lobby!"

The next day I managed to get out and train watch, walk, then came back as it got windy. I worked on homework and on my Cindy and the Challenges book that had sat semi-complete for months. Later I found the little bridge up near the Chamber of Commerce building across Beaver from the depot and watched the trains and traffic. Back in the room after a snack, I was working on Cindy when I had a phone call. Finally! Very soon I was slipping into a little blue VW bug for the first time. We drove out to the west and off the highway to park near someone's big shipping corral right beside the tracks.Talk flowed easily as if it had just been days and not months, partly catch up and partly just reconnecting. (I spoke of none of the home crap.)  Then we had to touch. The magic was still there too. I would have stayed in that embrace 'til doomsday but the 11:00 curfew came too soon so we went back. Dusty said work was a bearcat and he might not get back real soon but he would,  and although he felt he ought to "set me free" to pursue some college men, he wanted more to keep me. I did not disagree with that.  He was very protective and possessive of me which I appreciated. He said "Give it (us?) another year." I was not sure the full import of that but trusted it meant good things. For now the reunion was all I could have hoped for. There was still an 'us' and we will go on. We traded medals for the first time in many months which by now had become a kind of odd little ritual.

The next four days passed with no fanfare. Classes and a few walks to town and the rail yard. I got letters from Jim and from Mom with no real news from home, got a bad grade on a Philosophy quiz but did better elsewhere. Went to the Rodeo Club and looked for some of Peggy Watt's friends Dusty had told me about. Not sure I really identified them but thought they looked buckle bunny cheap! I had also learned her boyfriend was a pre-law student, two years ahead of me. Whoa! There was a dorm meeting Thursday evening which I felt was a pointless nuisance; that made me late to bed, by then not feeling too good. Friday came then and another descent into the Valley as I already described. October was close to over, and almost two months as a coed were behind me.

Photos: Not "the" Little Bluebird but a very similar looking car I soon became very familiar with.  Then the new version of the little bridge I hung out near often; so many trees now in that arroyo. Next a view from 1966- same bridge-then this was a spur track leading  somewhere for freight to be dropped. It is now a foot and bike bridge with no rails. Last the Forestry Building where the Rodeo Club met in one room. I never had a class there. Kind of wish I had gone more that way. Different career and life? Too late now.

Memoir Monday, Oct 21, 1966

 Approaching another weekend to spend in Flagstaff. After the last one in Clarkdale, it was a welcome relief. to stay!  I was glad I'd had some distractions after I got back from that one. First, the entry for the day. 

Oct 21, 1966  Friday

 TGIF. Got up a bit reluctantly and trotted off obediently to accounting 157. When I got back I sketched fashion ideas for awhile . I barely made it to class in time after hemming up my green jumper. Thought I’d go uptown but didn’t. After lunch it was off to History and then freedom at last. I changed and went to town to cash a check. I bought some tape and green eye shadow and then stopped at the Goodwill Store. I got a little Kodak camera for Charlie Mike--like mine--and sorted through the dresses for myself. Finally picked out two nice ones, a pretty striped one for 60 cents and one neat black corduroy for 80. I thought they were pretty sharp bargains. There are two more totaling 70 cents that I wanted too.  Maybe later. Got back about 4:00 and fixed our door decoration panel. Had dinner and then came back to study like a good girl. I worked on the big accounting assignment for over two hours and got it all right except the final trial balance. Carol went out so I visited up and down the hall with the other girls who were decorating for Parent's Weekend and hemmed up the new black dress and pressed them both. By then it was a late bedtime. 

Now time to go back and fill in the week a bit. The weekend of Oct 15 and 16 was memorable but not in a pleasant way. Charlie Mike and I rode Saturday morning. Buzzie did not look good so I rode Chief and he rode Lyno. Later we went to look for Prez and Peachy--belatedly --since we were told they were back in the dairy. We found Prez, just outside the old pasture corral. He had a bullet hole in his side and had come back looking for help. We put him inside and went to look for the law. Sam Slaughter came and saw him but there was no proof... as to who had done it.  We went back twice later but there was nothing we could do for him now. We bade him farewell about 11:30. Then next day we went out and did a messy autopsy. There were two wounds, small caliber like a .22 long rifle. One had torn his intestines and the other had clipped an artery in the chest. I was kind if numb but also deeply pained. We had failed him and it should never have gone that way. I wanted to scream "mule murderer" at my father  but did not. Yet he had neglected trying to find them. This cut a final strand in me; Prez had been a good mule and I had ridden him many hours. It was an ugly way to die. We never did find Peachy but assumed she had died somewhere and was never found. I didn't care greatly about her as I had not worked with her much, but it was still wrong.

Back to Flag on Monday feeling a bit broken, I stumbled through a couple of days. Made my classes and studied haphazardly. By Wednesday I had basically found my footing again and Thursday I rearranged our room. Moving furniture around was another outlet for my excess energy off and on for a long time. Carol did not mind although it was a bit strange. She was always such a sweet, docile person, really.  I sure lucked out. I actually wore capris to a class--Science--that afternoon. Before long I was wearing dressy pants a lot. I had some nice riders in several colors with the wide flare legs in style then and plenty of tops to go with them..Glad they did not have a dress code! That evening I went to see "The Music Man" with some of the other girls. It was put on by the Music and Drama Departments and was cute if a bit amateurish. And then it was Friday again. I 'd planned to stay up that weekend. and did although it was a bit of a zoo with people coming and going. 

Pictures. All I can do this time is commemorate and remember Prez. He was a good mule, really a noble beast and served me well. Sadly I only have one photo of me with him and none of riding him. Not sure how or why that happened. Anyway, here in the spring of 1962, one that was almost part of my "modern style senior photo spread." Odd to be holding the big guy in my school clothes. He really was a big animal--see the size of his head! Then I do have photos of him with Charlie Mike and also with Dusty aboard. We all loved him. He was not over-friendly but enjoyed a good scratch and a treat now and then, like a carrot, apple or just a clean flake of alfalfa. Green pastures, old boy, until we meet again. I hope you knew you were loved. 

Memoir Monday, Oct 14, 1966

 October 14, 1966 Friday

First the journal entry for the date. 

Oct 14, 1966

Another day. I even made a "1" on my accounting test--what a miracle! Just one point above the bottom limit but so what?  At noon I got a card from Charlie Mike that the Boss would be up to get me. I fretted through the day, paid my meal ticket, fought the wind and was at the courthouse at 3:00. We went right down home. Charlie Mike and I went to the Mingus homecoming game and saw Mingus beat 32-19. That was terrible! I saw Jim but didn't talk to him. Did talk briefly to the Crawfords. It was sure cold. I about froze even with my new coat. This is some weather. 

Now for the fill in, nothing too critical. As for the 8th, Dusty didn't show up and I did stew. Well he had said maybe, not promised! I went to the game with some of the other girls in the dorm and it was a good one,  The Lumberjacks won 32-16, over the aptly named Missouri Mules--they were big and used rough tactics. It was a "band day" and I noted Mingus was there, band, twirlers and pompom girls.  "Now that I have my check",  I complained. "there is nothing else to look forward to." (There was really but I was feeling down.)  The next day I took a very ambitious hike, out to East Flag to "outfit alley"and the main ATSF rail yard there. I got some blisters and very tired! 

Monday there was a History test--and I was not sure how well I did on it.  I was scared stiff of the the first major test in General Science class--I felt it was mostly way over my head! Despite my good high school record, I was not very confident at this point. Tuesday I got a theme for English back with a "2" and Mr Goar (the prof) read one from another class that had me cringe with shame as it was so much better. I wrote "I often feel so inferior here and it is not very pleasant!" I also said I was not very good at studying. That was ironic to a degree but true. Most things I either get at once with no problem or tended just to blow them off.  That plagued me the whole time of my schooling  and I gradually drifted more toward things I could do well. I am still 'lazy' that way, I admit.

Rodeo Club Wednesday night with Joann Kendall who was becoming a friend. I had so little in common with many of the girls.  My spirits were lifted the next day in History Class when Dr McFarlane read my essay aloud (he usually gave essay type tests) and said it was a fine example! I got 97/106 for a sound "1". Thursday afternoon I talked briefly to Mr Swenson after I found I got 88/100 on the Science test. I admitted I was beginning to see a bit of light there and that I was starting to find Science topics such as atomic theory very interesting.  I was not flattering him or angling for anything although he was rather cute! But not my type. Then all it once it was Friday again. 

Minor explains. Mr Crawford had been my teacher in history and government at Mingus and we always got along well. His wife also taught but I think in middle school. They had two sons, one older and one in my old class who I saw at times at NAU. They were nice and seemed glad I was finally in college. Since there were now only the home chores, we'd had plenty of time to go to the game as we had started doing the previous year. Charlie Mike was now a sophomore and had a few friends, mostly the "fringe element" kids, as he was. That was partly due to the family 'reputation' and partly his own rebellious nature. At least he had a lot more freedom than I'd ever had, being a boy and 'safe' of course since boys don't get pregnant and loss of virginity is not significant! I was finally exempt from the 'rules' and most control, thank heaven! At times I was almost amazed!

Photos:  First is that East Flag rail yard area. It may have been snapped the very day I describe. Next is Mt Eldon, a less imposing peak but adjacent to the San Francisco Peaks and from the same volcanic action. This was taken from about the same area to the east as the railroad yard photo.  Last is the old student union building just north of the North quad. The cafeteria was on the left side and it also held a lobby/lounge area and a large auditorium where many events took place.  I am not sure what its purpose is on the campus now, like 200X and on! It is still in use though as I saw a photo where it looks much the same, at this fall's homecoming gathering of alumni. Old Kodak snapshot photos do not hold up real well after all this time  so often dark or dim but I am glad to have them. 

Memoir Monday, Oct 7, 1966

First the journal entry for that day. 

 Oct 7, 1966

 It was raining when I awoke but cleared by mid-morning into a pretty nice day. I only had one class all day and then freedom for the rest of the hours.  I went uptown and bought a radio at McClellan's. I think I’ll enjoy it the $4.15 worth all right. It’s a cute little beast. After lunch I went down and took the written part of the driver’s license test. Have to find a car by next Friday to take the driving part. Only missed two questions and I got in with the examiner. Got rained on coming back. I rather thought Dusty might call but if he did I was out. Carol and I ate early and went for a long hike. I took a nap when we got back and then we went to Yiya’s with another girl named Frances. She is 23 and a junior now but spent some time in nurses’ training in Phoenix. She cusses awfully but it’s just a pose. I drove out east with her to get a motel reservation for her folks for Mom and Dad’s Day. The ditcher work train is back by the freight depot so I’ll have to run up early in the morning to get the numbers. I sure hope Dusty shows up tomorrow. If not, I’ll stew all day long.

 Next a few bits of fill-in to catch up:

The weekend of Oct 1-2 flew by. As Charlie Mike and I rode, it hit me what a relief it was to skip the pasture chores. They had been a slave collar on me for so long. We rode up the track to mile and bridge #368 (# seems wrong but I wrote that) and found a small rock slide which we reported to Agent Lantz. The next day got hay, met and argued a bit with a local rancher and the brand inspector over Prez and Peachy being where they were not supposed to be. Of course the Boss just told them off and then made no effort to go find the two mules. Well, where would we put them? The pens at Clarkdale were full. I worried but  really did not have time to do anything anyway.  The local never got thru on Saturday but came in early Sunday morning. I was going back early Monday as the Old Man was driving me up. Back to time and space travel again to stay up for a couple of weeks.

 I was thinking  of asking Jim M to come up for homecoming; we were writing often now and developing a sort of friendship. But that did not happen. I ran my heels off Monday (Oct 3rd) barely making it to my first class--had to dash into the dorm and change when we got to Flag.  I was still hopeful of getting that driver’s license. Then it was Oct 4. I got a reply from Rollins (an ATSF Official in Winslow who’d passed the fan club stuff up channels.) I was studying in the room after supper when Joanne fetched me for a long distance call. There were two JoAnn(e)s. JoAnn Kendall, who was in rodeo club and a class with me and an "outdoorsy girl" while the other, Joanne Armstrong, had a room close to me in the dorm. This old dorm only had a few pay phones. 

I had to tell the operator who I was and then a familiar voice said “Guess who?” or “Do you know who this is?” Instantly I knew: Dusty!! He said he’d tried several times and always missed me. B&B 6 was at Drake, way out in the boonies. He was on a pay phone, I think in Williams, and it was very noisy. He really wants to see and talk to me but work is difficult lately so he was not sure when but he will be in touch. I was weak with relief, just to hear his voice after so long. June 16 to October 4 had felt.almost like forever.

 It rained again the next day; seemed it would never stop that fall. I still had not gotten my second check and worried about getting my coat and boots out of layaway before winter really hit. Then Oct 6 I got a letter from another Santa Fe official who wanted  an appointment to meet a “Clarkdale Santa Fe Fan Club officer” about November 1. And I finally got that illusive check, signed and sent it off at once to be deposited and went to pay off the boots and coat. I still loved them. I was also still using my checking account in the Verde. It was getting awkward and I would change it before long. I still remember that little radio--a transistor. It was round and blue! After I paid the next cafeteria bill, I would  have about $95.  I even read the original of Antigone along with Pygmalion which was assigned in a class. The former becomes pertinent before long. This jumping back and forth between two totally different lives can be hard at times. But still no deep regrets.As a much later friend once said, "You are always where you're meant to be." Could that be true?

A couple more NAU photos. Not much else to share. The first is how the Liberal Arts building looks now, taken off an alumni website. (Still LA!)  Then the second as it was then--it was probably where I had the most classes really. And last, another homecoming parade shot along the main drag in Flagstaff. Probably 1967 but not sure. 

Memoir Monday, Sept 30, 66

When you read today's entry, it is soon clear a lot had happened. That is almost an understatement!! In some ways I guess it could be termed the beginning of the end but the finale was still long in coming--a year and some, actually. Instead of explaining I will pick up and cover bits of a few intervening days to give this day a context. right after this journal page. 

Sept 30, 1966

I managed to keep busy.  To Accounting at 9:00 and then caught up on my homework so I’d have nothing to take home. Lunch and off to History. It began to rain. When I got back to the dorm I checked my message box and found a note from Dad. I guess I am psychic because something told me to check. I got my photos back  but they gave me credit for bad ones instead of film as it was most of the roll. I was a little peeved. At 3:00 I got restless and left with my purse, little blue overnight case and little blue umbrella. It had really rained and hailed uptown and it was a mess. I slogged along. We missed but the Boss finally came back to the courthouse and found me so we left.  Went to the bank to sign an affidavit (more of those damn things) and I saw another “Dusty look alike” but this guy wore engineer boots, a non-western shirt, and had a roman nose and a beer belly. But he sure looked at me strangely. We went home via the Montezuma Stable to see the animals and I got all the details of the past two weeks. It is really something. It had rained and rained and rained. But I was glad to be home for a bit anyway.

 I  mentioned the storm on the 19th and clearly it went on for some time. Must have been one of those tropical storms that came inland. As I said in last entry, the folks went out and struggled to get the pasture fences back up but that was a futile and wasted effort. Midweek, I think the 27th, I got letters from Mom and Charlie Mike and learned that all the pasture stock have been rounded up, loaded into a big stock or cattle type truck and hauled away to be impounded about Thursday the 22nd   Only Prez and Peachy were not found, probably off somewhere on the river. This becomes significant before long, like next time.  The only animals left in our control were those kept in Clarkdale, seven equines and one donkey.

I was really not shocked because we'd had conflicts over trespass issues and such for so long and the lease payments on the pasture had not been made for several months. It was inevitable. The odd thing really was it had not happened sooner. I felt guilty and sorry about it for awhile but came to realize my presence or absence would have made no difference.  It might have actually been worse if I were there and did something stupid. 

In some ways I was very mad; the Old Man should have seen this coming and taken some action like disposing of some of the animals, relocating them or ??? But he was too blind, stubborn and/or defiant, and too wrapped up in the effing lawsuits! I was glad at that point Tina was gone and Little Dusty although I was sad for Rico and Bravo and some of the mares and favorite mules but I knew in my heart they would be better off. From my departure on, they would not have gotten the care they deserved and needed. Charlie Mike could not do it on his own and had to go to school. Still that was several thousand dollars basically pissed down the drain. Even at slaughter rates. those 25-30 head were worth a significant amount. I have no accurate count but estimate that number. So very foolish and so  damned typical. . 

On to a few other things. I spent the weekend of 24-25 in Flag, walked a lot, and saw Maureen (Jewell--old Mingus friend) at the depot. She was going to Albuquerque and promised to write but it seems she never did; she just vanished. I think I have found her on FB but no response. I skipped the rodeo club picnic/barbecue as it was raining.  Sunday I actually got dressed and went to church, to the pretty one up Beaver. It was Methodist so not unfamiliar but everyone was 60 or more it seemed and I knew I would not go back although they were very nice. I think that was the last time I stepped into a church except for a few required funerals and weddings. What I was needing or trying to find did not seem to be there. I knew little about Pagan beliefs then but eventually found them and knew it was right for me. 

 Monday the 26th I saw Jerry Airth, another old Mingus alum.  He had been part of my Mingus Spirit staff in 1962.  He was now doing graduate work and a TA in the English Department. We went and had coffee and visited a few times. So much of the day-to-day was now even more routine than it had been as a cowboy girl. Nearly a month into my coed life, I said I cannot regret it. It was a choice I had to make, a fork to be taken. I will miss some things for the rest of my life but everything has to be bought in some way or another. 

The first weekend of October at home will keep until next week but I will mention I soon finally heard from Dusty after I was back at Flag! More on that next time. No, I an not trying to create cliff hangers! 

A few more scattered photos, looking back in the dusty vaults. First two of the family working on the flooded fence. Mom and the boys and then Charlie Mike--maybe posed as he cannot recall dad letting him use the chain saw. Next looking down on a familiar scene really never to be visited again. And two more from NAU. First at Homecoming with some of the guys pulling the old Lumberjack Wheels in the parade. (football players or foresters? Not sure!) and a view from the NE corner of the North Quad toward the SF Peaks. There are many more buildings around there now.

 

  

Memoir Monday, Sept 23, 1966

 Okay, then. I got a few votes or mild "please" to go on, so you asked for it! Learn about college life at a smaller conservative school in the mid 60s,  what happened next with Dusty and some other relationships and adventures I got into my first semester. There was a tragedy or two back down in the valley as well.  

Sept 23, 1966

Got up about the usual, ate etc. Went to Accounting and feeling rather ill, I stopped and checked on the grant--shoot, they’re not in yet. Maybe Monday. So I came back and rested until lunch. I had a letter from Judy; they are moving to Murrieta area. I helped Carol lug her stuff out to her car (it’s a white Chevy) and ran down to History. At 2:00 I was free, but it was raining. So I stayed to sprinkle some clothes and then I was called to the phone. I nearly panicked but it was Carol Ordiway. She said she had meant to call and would again next week. Then I went up town to watch trains--saw the express through. JoAnn and others went home on it. And I saw a westbound freight with a small outfit moving. I did not get the numbers which drastically upset me. Charlie Mike will flip but maybe I’ll see another. I bought some grub for the weekend. Guess I’ll skip the ride tomorrow but try to make the barbecue. $4.00 is too steep.

I’m really going to get my driver’s license next week. Then I’ll be able to rent a car. If I don’t turn up Dusty pretty soon I’m going to go find him. Drake is 66 miles from Flag. I could drive it and back in three hours, I’m sure. Say 4:00 to 10:00? Yeah! I spent the evening putting up hems and ironing. Gee it is lonely as hell! I miss Carol’s presence even if she is quiet. I will make it home next weekend. But that is just too good an idea--this bit of renting a car. I know; I’ll have Carol let me drive hers a time or two to get the feel of an automatic shift and then about Thursday I’ll go take the test. Then I’ll have to check out the cost of a rental and then… Damn if that isn’t an idea though. It grows on me. Why be chicken?  I’d better go take a shower. It is 10:30 and I’m kind of tired all of a sudden. I feel a little sick like this morning. My stomach is rebelling again. Hell.

'Splains: The 'express' I mention was probably similar to The Grand Canyon, a  below-top-of-the line passenger and mail train. Carol Ordiway was the wife of my old crush Buster Ordiway with whom I had become Pen Pals back in--was it '63 or '64? Anyway, my new roommate was also Carol, so I'll try to keep that from being confusing. The license and rental car idea never quite worked out; not sure why really but it sounded good then!. 

 To summarize the week, I had spent Sep 17 and 18 in Clarkdale. Saturday I rode with Charlie Mike, riding Chief and leading Leo  while he rode Buzzie and led Lyno. We went to the depot--seems I drove--to pick up some packages and saw Earl and watched the local in. It seemed so small after the big main line trains! I caught the bus in Cottonwood Sunday evening and rode up the first time with Louie, an older guy who became my regular driver and an “honorary grandpa" of sorts. By 9:30 I was back in the dorm.

It was cool and damp for a few days with a larger storm on Monday. I hoped it was not too bad down in the valley. I also laid away a winter coat at one of the lower level stores, Price's (?)  knowing it would soon be cold and my old chore jackets would not work.  It was black vinyl with pile lining and cost $15. It was cute and I said would be $40 at Babbitt's. The next day I picked out a pair of tall winter boots, black also with pile lining and got them at Penney’s for $5.00.

Wednesday I got a letter from Jim (McLarney that is). I’d written to thank him for his help in getting there and we started a correspondence. I noticed a guy in the student union who caught my eye; he was a forestry student and in the rodeo club but I decided he was too young.  Most the guys seemed so immature after Dusty.  I learned the rodeo club met weekly and that they planned a barbecue/picnic and a four hour ride on Saturday; most had horses but some could be rented. What, me rent a horse for $4:00 and *pay* to ride?

 I was wishing Dusty would call but hardly dared to hope. I was not real sure how things were going to be. I still miss him so. There is a big hollow inside me left by the absence of his love and closeness. I had really not heard anything from him since the brief note from the hospital. So much had changed in my life since then yet my heart remained the same… 

By the next weekend--end of September--when I went down to Clarkdale some major changes had happened in my absence.  Things I'd never expected  when I made my last visit much less earlier, before I left. Almost like a big eraser rubbed across parts the past life... 

Photos:  Here is a sample of my curtains--I was not sure I still had them but found them in some of my hoarded memory stuff.  I drew those little horses a lot for years. Then it turns out the storm on the 19th was a bad one. A flood came down across the pasture and the folks struggled to get the fences back up. In the end that was an exercise in futility. I was lucky not to be there. Those pix were not processed until years later when Alex was taking a photography class and did a bunch of old rolls in darkroom practice. Digital was still very new in the early 90s! He was using one of the family's later-acquired Nikons then. Last, two shots from campus, Lumberjack football in the very old open stadium! 

  

Memoir Monday, Sept 16, 1966

 Sept 16, 1966 Fri

Before I go on, I want to ask a question. I know many of my readers have been to college, maybe mostly later than my time there but it is not new or alien territory to the degree my cowboy girl life was. Might it get boring? There are still a number of plot threads that have not been resolved but do you really want to follow them for more installments? A warning, it is going to get a bit more choppy and not match up neatly day to day from here on out for many reasons and I am not sure how I will deal with that aspect.  So does anyone want to continue to follow this saga with those caveats? I surely will not be offended if you say no! I will make a decision probably before the next regular entry which would be September 23, but would appreciate any feedback.

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The week of Sept 9-16 had seen me through my first week of  ‘college’, which included both some things I had expected and a lot of new experiences and challenges.  I had passed the first weekend on campus --well, there and walking all over town! The sudden lack of physical activity and work  for long hours to burn up lots of energy was a difficult adjustment. That first semester I did a lot of walking.

On that weekend, I also wrote letters--including one to Dusty to let him know about my sudden amazing change and where I was now including my campus mailbox and the closest dorm pay phone (old dorm only had a few scattered around)  I had communicated with him very little since his visit in June and his time in the hospital. I was not sure if his mail might still get intercepted or that such contact might put his job if not more at risk, so I had waited. I knew he was back at work now so took the chance and hoped this one would reach him. It did but I did not know that for awhile. 

I met a few girls in the hall and made a couple of tentative friends. I bought some light pink fabric and drew my little horses on it with crayon which 'set' with a warm iron to make curtains.  They did make the room less stark and institutional. After a couple of days, Kim moved out; I heard she was expelled after being caught in a men’s dorm long after curfew. I soon got a new roommate, Carol Nichols, who was close to my age and doing her student teaching. She had roomed for two years with Lila Bentley, a former Mingus grad who had been in my class. Small world. It took longer to get my first check than I had expected and that threw me into a brief panic but I managed to postpone various payments. It finally came midweek and went quickly but all the necessary things were covered.  I went to every class at least twice, attended a meeting of the rodeo club and  began to try to do homework most evenings. I was not too confident I could keep my grades where I felt they needed to be. That four year break…

I usually wrote up the day in my journal shortly before bedtime. Thus, Friday, Sept 16 got skipped because I want back to Clarkdale for the weekend and left soon after my last class. The Boss came up and got me that afternoon. Generally he seemed cordial and mildly curious about my experiences so far. I went along to the pasture and actually took part in a lot of talking, not really “talks” as such. It was a brief repeat of my return from California back in January--all nice and light for a time.  That evening Buzzie seemed to have a mild colic so I rode her around until dark. I felt like a visitor sleeping on the cot in the living room as Charlie Mike now had the double bed, formerly mine,  and that night shared with Alex. who had taken over the cot.

 Three photos from campus, fall 1966. The Forestry Building. The rodeo club met here and I knew several who had classes there.  Then the east face of North Quad and the main door. Morton Hall was around the corner to the right side. Finally, just south of campus on one of my many walks.