day 307: queen for a day

It was 1974.  I wore black and white checked polyester pants with permanent creases sown down the legs.  They were bell bottoms, and I was beyond cool.  Saddle shoes, and a tight shirt across the top.  I was a bit of a tomboy that still had a girly side (still am), and was partly thrilled when it was time to go shopping for my first bra.  Dark long hair that went all the way down my back with a slight wave, and some pretty killer eye lashes, I must admit.  It was fifth grade and I had just been named Queen of the May, with my freckle-faced boyfriend Keith Parrish sitting by my side as king.  We wore crowns and sat on fashioned thrones in front of the whole student body, while the younger kids did dances around the May pole and played games to entertain us.  Very pagan, dontcha think?

These elementary school flashbacks happen a lot as I spend time in a third grade classroom all Summer (not to mention my regular job as a special ed kindergarten teacher during the normal school year).  Paper, crayons, markers.  They all stir up these memories of my own time wandering halls, taking spelling tests, and generally loving every minute of it.  Cool business I am in.

13 comments

Robin | June 23, 2010 at 12:50 AM

I can picture the outfit, but I'm having trouble with the long hair. Guess you'll have to dig out a photo to prove it to me.

I kind of imagine your sister's hair. I'll bet that's close. If so, you're very lucky. She's got awesome hair!

Kazzy | June 23, 2010 at 12:56 AM

Not that lucky. Think gentle waves, not beautiful full curls. Poor me.

mermaid gallery | June 23, 2010 at 6:12 AM

Remembering being a kid is so fun...that is when we had the most fun! May Queen is pretty big stuff in kid land. I always loved sports day and winning a few blue ribbons made me so proud! You're right...your job would be awesome....

Kimberly Vanderhorst | June 23, 2010 at 7:46 AM

Not many people love their jobs the way you do. It's a beautiful thing, the job, the children, the memories, all of it.

Connie | June 23, 2010 at 8:13 AM

Fun to read about your queenly memory. Love the outfit!

Kristina P. | June 23, 2010 at 9:42 AM

I'm sure you rocked the saddle shoes!

gigi | June 23, 2010 at 10:05 AM

You are still a Queen :)

wendy | June 23, 2010 at 10:08 AM

don't you get the summer off---how come your in a 3rd grade classroom?
It would be cool to recall little memories from our childhood school years.
I don't remember a whole lot, but I think when you are surrounded by thiings that "stir up" the memories, they'd flood back a little more eh.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan | June 23, 2010 at 2:14 PM

I'm visualizing those awesome pants. You were a total fashion diva weren't you?

Heather of the EO | June 23, 2010 at 8:54 PM

I love how you look at your life.

Luann | June 24, 2010 at 8:31 AM

Yes, very pagan. And awesome. I think we should start up a "Queen of May" festival around here. You can sit on the throne first, since you are the incumbent.

Bossy Betty | June 24, 2010 at 10:48 AM

Love it! You brought back lots of memories here. I think part of the reason I am a teacher is because I wanted to hang around the environment of a school!

Heidi | June 24, 2010 at 5:11 PM

It's interesting how having kids and being around them bring up memories of when we were that same age. It has been very enlightening for my husband to teach school and have a child that same age--it's brought up lots of stuff. Not all of it as good as black and white checkered pants and killer eye lashes. : )